Privacy Policy

Overview

The San Diego Institute of Technology ("SDIT," "we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you visit sandiegotech.org and its subdomains (the "Site").

We are a nonprofit educational institution. We do not sell your data. We collect only what is necessary to operate the Site and respond to your inquiries.

Information We Collect

Information you provide directly

• Contact and inquiry forms: When you contact us, we collect your name, email address, and message content.
• Mailing list sign-ups: If you subscribe to updates, we collect your email address and any additional information you choose to provide.
• Fellowship and volunteer applications: If you apply for a fellowship or other program, we collect the information you include in your application.
• Donations: If you make a donation, payment information is processed by our payment provider. SDIT does not store full payment card details.

Information collected automatically

• Usage data: We collect anonymized information about how visitors interact with the Site — pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs — to improve the experience.
• Analytics: We use privacy-respecting analytics tools. No personally identifiable information is transmitted to analytics providers.
• Cookies: The Site uses essential cookies required for basic functionality. We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies.
• Log data: Our servers automatically record standard log data including IP addresses, browser type, and access times. Log data is retained for a limited period for security and diagnostic purposes.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and communications
• Send updates about SDIT programs, curriculum, and events — only if you have opted in
• Process fellowship, volunteer, and program applications
• Process donations and maintain donation records as required by law
• Improve the Site and our educational programs
• Comply with our legal obligations as a California nonprofit corporation

We do not use your information for automated decision-making, profiling, or targeted advertising. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

Cookies and Analytics

The Site uses a small number of essential cookies that enable core functionality such as session management. These cookies do not track you across other websites.

We do not use advertising cookies, social media tracking pixels, or any technology designed to follow you across the web. If we add analytics in the future, we will use tools that respect visitor privacy and do not share identifiable data with third parties.

You may configure your browser to refuse cookies. Note that some Site features may not function correctly if cookies are disabled.

Information Sharing

We do not sell or share your personal information for commercial purposes. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service providers: We use a limited number of trusted third-party providers (such as email platforms and payment processors) who process information on our behalf under strict confidentiality agreements and consistent with this policy.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information when required by applicable law, court order, or government request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of SDIT, our community, or others.
• With your consent: We may share information for any purpose with your explicit, specific consent.
• Organizational successors: If SDIT merges, is acquired, or transfers its operations, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to equivalent privacy protections.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by applicable law:

• Contact form submissions: up to 24 months
• Email subscriptions: until you unsubscribe
• Application materials: up to 3 years following a decision
• Donation records: 7 years, as required for nonprofit financial record-keeping
• Server log data: up to 90 days

Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), access controls, and regular security reviews.

No method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, and we encourage you to use caution when sharing sensitive information online.

If we become aware of a security breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

Your Rights — California Residents

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and related California law, California residents have the following rights:

• Right to Know: You may request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, and how we use and share it.
• Right to Delete: You may request deletion of personal information we have collected, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Correct: You may request correction of inaccurate personal information we hold.
• Right to Opt Out of Sale: We do not sell personal information. No opt-out is required.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of these rights.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at brandon@sandiegotech.org. We will respond to verifiable requests within 45 days as required by law.

Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at brandon@sandiegotech.org and we will delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised effective date. Your continued use of the Site after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

For material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you directly if we hold your contact information.

Contact

For questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information: