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Effective 1 February 2026

The 2026 World Seagrass Conference (WSC2026) and the 16th International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW16) (“we”, “our”, “the Conference”) are committed to protecting the privacy of all visitors, delegates, authors, reviewers, and contributors who interact with our website and services.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the UAE Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and internationally recognised good practice for academic events.

By using this website, submitting an abstract, registering for the event, or completing any form on our site, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

  1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Voluntarily

When you interact with our website or conference services, you may provide:

    • Abstract submission data:Name, email address, institutional affiliation, country, abstract text, co-author details, and any supporting materials.
    • Registration and payment data:
      Name, contact information, billing details, selected registration category, and transaction information.
      Payment card details are processed securely by our third-party payment provider and are never stored on our servers.
    • Communication data:
      Emails, enquiries, or messages sent through contact forms.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you browse our website, we automatically collect:

  • IP address and approximate geolocation
  • Browser type and device information
  • Date and time of access
  • Pages viewed and documents downloaded
  • Referring website address
  • Cookie data (see Section 2)

This information is used for statistical analysis, site optimisation, and security monitoring.

  1. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to support essential functionality and to enhance your experience. These may be used to:

  • Enable smooth navigation and core site features
  • Facilitate sign‑in and form submission processes
  • Personalise content and user experience
  • Improve website performance and analytics

When you first visit the site, a cookie pop‑up allows you to customise the non-essential categories of cookies you wish to enable. You may also adjust your preferences at any time through your browser settings

  1. How We Use Your Information

We use personal data for purposes including:

  • Processing abstract submissions and coordinating scientific review
  • Managing event registration and payments
  • Communicating important conference updates
  • Preparing conference materials (e.g., programme, abstract book)
  • Ensuring website security and performance
  • Complying with legal obligations under UAE law

We do not sell, rent, or commercially distribute your personal information.

  1. Disclosure of Information

We may share your information only with:

  • Scientific and organising committees (for abstract review and programme development)
  • Payment processors (for secure transaction handling)
  • Website hosting and IT service providers (for operational support)
  • Government authorities where required by UAE law

All third-party service providers are required to handle data securely and only for the purposes specified.

  1. International Data Transfers

Because WSC2026 and ISBW16 are global events, your data may be processed or stored outside the UAE by trusted service providers.Where cross-border transfers occur, we take reasonable steps to ensure that your information is protected in line with UAE PDPL requirements.

  1. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for conference administration and legal compliance.

  • Abstract submissions: retained for 3 years after the event
  • Registration and payment records: retained for 3 years for financial and audit purposes
  • Website analytics data: retained for up to 12 months
  • Email correspondence: retained for up to 24 months unless required longer for operational reasons
  1. Your Rights

Under the UAE PDPL, you may request:

  • Access to your personal data
  • Correction of inaccurate information
  • Deletion of your data (where legally permissible)
  • Withdrawal of consent (for optional communications)

To exercise these rights, please contact us by email at isbw16@ead.gov.ae

We may require verification of identity before processing requests.

  1. Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including:

  • Secure hosting infrastructure
  • SSL encryption for data transmission
  • Access controls for authorised personnel
  • Monitoring for unauthorised access attempts

While we take reasonable precautions, no online system can guarantee absolute security.

  1. External Links

Our website may contain links to external sites.We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of third-party websites and encourage you to review their policies before providing personal information.

  1. Social Media

We use social media channels to share updates and engage with the community.Interactions with embedded social media content are governed by the privacy policies of the respective platforms.

  1. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in law or conference operations.The “Effective Date” at the top of this page will indicate the latest version.

  1. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact us by email at isbw16@ead.gov.ae