Privacy Policy
References to "IOP" mean the Institute of Physics and/or IOP Publishing Limited as appropriate. References to 'this web site' are to the specific IOP web site from which the user is linking to this Privacy Policy.
IOP respects the privacy rights of its online visitors and recognises the importance of protecting the information collected about them. It has adopted a Privacy Policy that guides how it collects, stores and uses the information they provide.
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully, as, once you use this web site, you shall be deemed to have read and accepted it. This Privacy Policy was last updated on 11 July 2008.
Information Collection, Security and Use
IOP collects information from its users at several different points on this web site. This is for customer service purposes and IOP also collects data so that it can customise this web site according to individual selections.
Save where otherwise stated, IOP is the controller of the personal data collected from this web site. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, IOP follows strict security procedures in the storage and disclosure of personal data which users provide to it, to prevent unauthorised access. Save where it has a user's express consent, it will not sell, share, or rent this information to others, except that it may make the information available to other companies within its group.
In addition, IOP shares aggregated demographic information with its advertisers which is not linked to any individual person and the Convera Corporation, with whom IOP has developed this web site, may collect certain non-personally identifiable information, such as the type of browser a user accesses, the type of operating system that they use and the domain name of a user's Internet Service Provider. IOP also reserves the right to share information with third parties in limited circumstances, for example when complying with legal processes, preventing fraud or ensuring the security of IOP's network and services.
Registration
In order to receive and/or access some services, users have to complete a registration form. During registration, a user is required to give contact information (such as name and email address). This information is used to contact the user about the services for which they have expressed interest and also other goods, services and features IOP believes that users will find interesting. It is optional for the user to provide demographic information and unique identifiers, but it is encouraged so that IOP can provide a more personalised experience. If a user chooses not to provide such information then they may not be able to access parts of this web site. A user may contact IOP about use of their personal information, edit it on this web site and/or tell IOP not to use it in certain ways by sending an e-mail message to data.protection@iop.org.
Cookies
A cookie is a small file written to a user's hard drive and does not contain any personally identifiable information. The use of cookies is now widespread. The reason IOP uses cookies is to save its users time on this web site (so that they do not have to log in more than once) and also so that IOP can personalise a user's experience of this web site. If a user sets up their browser to reject the cookie, they may still use this web site although functionality will be impaired. Some third party organisations, such as advertisers, may use cookies on this web site. IOP has no access to, or control over, these cookies.
Log Files
IOP uses IP addresses to analyse trends, administer this web site, track users' movements and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use.
Links
This web site contains links to third party sites. Please be aware that IOP is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. IOP encourages its users to read the privacy statements of these third party sites. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by IOP web sites.
Surveys and Contests
From time-to-time this web site may request information from users via surveys or contests. Participation is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose any information requested. Information requested may include contact information (such as name and delivery address) and demographic information. Contact information will be used to notify the winners and award prizes. Survey information will be used for the purposes of monitoring or improving the use, satisfaction and/or functionality of this web site.
Correcting/Updating Personal Data
If a user's personal data changes (such as their postcode), or if a user no longer desires IOP's service, IOP will correct, update or remove that user's personal data provided to it. This can usually be done by the user within the personalization options of this web site or by sending an email to custserv@iop.org.
Notification of Changes
If IOP decides to change its privacy policy, it will make the updated version available via this web site so its users are always aware of what information it collects, how it uses it and under what circumstances, if any, it discloses it. If, at any point, it decides to use personal data in a manner different from that stated at the time it was collected, it will notify users. Users will have a choice as to whether or not IOP uses their information in this different manner. IOP will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.
Your privacy is important to us
IOP strives to do everything it can to protect the privacy of its users. IOP will not sell or rent personally identifiable information to any third parties.
If a user would like to ensure that they are not contacted by IOP with any promotional marketing information as a result of having accessed this web site, they should contact IOP at data.protection@iop.org, stating the name of this web site in the subject line of the e-mail. Please note that, if a user is a subscriber to an IOP product or service, sending such an e-mail will not affect any existing contract and IOP shall continue to send the information covered by such a contract until the contractual relationship between IOP and the user comes to an end.