Capacity respects your privacy and is committed to handling personal information responsibly and transparently.
Capacity is an initiative of Internet Research Bureau and provides technology designed to support research operations, including respondent and panel management, survey programming, participant targeting, fieldwork management and research data workflows.
This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, stored and otherwise processed when you visit the Capacity website, contact us, request access to Capacity, or use services made available through the Capacity platform.
1. Information We Collect
The information we collect depends on how you interact with Capacity.
Information You Provide to Us
When you contact Capacity through the website or communicate with us directly, you may provide information such as:
- Full name
- Email address
- Mobile number
- Organisation or professional information
- Information about your research requirements
- Messages, enquiries and other information you choose to provide
- Account information, where account functionality is available
Please avoid submitting personal information that is not necessary for your enquiry.
Platform and Research Information
Where Capacity is used to manage research activities, information processed through the platform may include:
- Respondent profile information
- Panel membership information
- Screening information
- Survey responses
- Study participation information
- Eligibility and targeting attributes
- Invitation and participation records
- Research-related communications
- Fieldwork information
- Research data and exports
- Account and authorised-user information
The exact information processed depends on the study, the organisation operating it and the way Capacity has been configured.
Technical Information
When you use the website or platform, certain technical information may also be processed where necessary to operate, secure and maintain the service.
This may include browser or device information, security-related information, request information and similar technical data.
The current public Capacity website does not use analytics or advertising cookies. Please see our Cookie Policy for further information.
2. How We Use Information
Information may be processed for purposes including:
- Responding to enquiries
- Providing information about Capacity
- Arranging platform demonstrations or discussions
- Creating and managing authorised access
- Operating research studies
- Managing respondent and panel information
- Screening and identifying eligible participants
- Managing research invitations
- Supporting survey programming and study configuration
- Monitoring fieldwork and participation
- Managing and reviewing research responses
- Preparing or enabling research data exports
- Providing technical and user support
- Maintaining platform security and reliability
- Diagnosing technical problems
- Preventing misuse or unauthorised access
- Complying with applicable legal obligations
- Establishing, exercising or defending legal rights
We aim to use personal information only for purposes that are relevant to the interaction or research activity concerned.
3. Research Organisations and Participants
Capacity may be used by research organisations to manage research projects and participant information.
The organisation conducting or commissioning a particular study may determine what information is collected from participants, why it is collected, how it is used and how long it is retained.
Where another organisation determines these purposes, participants should refer to that organisation's privacy notice for information about the processing of their personal data and the exercise of applicable privacy rights.
Organisations using Capacity are responsible for ensuring that their research activities, participant notices, consent processes and use of personal information comply with applicable laws and contractual requirements.
4. Legal Bases for Processing
Where applicable data protection law requires a lawful basis for processing personal information, the appropriate basis will depend on the circumstances.
It may include:
- Your consent
- Performance of a contract
- Steps taken at your request before entering into a contract
- Compliance with a legal obligation
- Legitimate interests, where those interests are not overridden by applicable individual rights
- Another lawful basis available under applicable data protection legislation
Where Capacity processes personal information on behalf of another organisation, that organisation may determine the applicable lawful basis.
5. Sharing of Information
Information may be shared where reasonably necessary with:
- The organisation conducting or managing a research study
- Authorised users associated with that organisation
- Internet Research Bureau personnel involved in providing or supporting Capacity
- Technology and service providers required to operate, secure or support the platform
- Professional advisers where necessary
- Regulatory, governmental or law-enforcement authorities where disclosure is legally required
We do not intend to disclose personal information to unrelated parties for their independent use without an appropriate reason or legal basis.
6. Service Providers and Integrations
Capacity may integrate with or rely upon third-party technologies where required to provide platform functionality.
Where third-party services are introduced, relevant data may be processed by those providers according to the applicable contractual arrangements and privacy requirements.
The services and integrations used may change as the platform develops.
7. International Data Transfers
Research projects and service providers may operate across different countries.
Where personal information is transferred internationally, appropriate safeguards should be used where required by applicable data protection law.
The organisation responsible for a particular research project may provide additional information about international transfers relevant to that study.
8. Data Retention
Personal information should be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including operational, contractual, research, security and legal requirements.
Retention periods may differ depending on:
- The type of information
- The research project
- Contractual requirements
- Customer instructions
- Applicable legal requirements
Research organisations using Capacity may establish their own retention periods for research data under their respective agreements and legal obligations.
9. Data Security
Reasonable technical and organisational measures should be used to protect personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss or misuse.
However, no internet-based service or electronic storage system can guarantee absolute security.
Users are also responsible for protecting their account credentials and should not share login details with unauthorised persons.
10. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights relating to your personal information, including the right to:
- Request access to personal information
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion in certain circumstances
- Request restriction of processing
- Object to certain processing
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Request data portability where applicable
- Raise a concern with an appropriate data protection authority
Where your information was collected as part of a research study conducted by another organisation, you may need to contact that organisation directly because it may be responsible for handling your request.
11. Cookies and Browser Storage
The current public Capacity website uses essential browser storage to remember your cookie-banner preference.
It does not currently use analytics or advertising cookies.
If additional cookies, analytics tools or similar technologies are introduced, this policy and the Cookie Policy should be updated accordingly.
12. Third-Party Websites
Capacity may contain links to third-party websites or services.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites. You should review the privacy information provided by those services before submitting personal information.
13. Children's Privacy
Capacity is intended for professional research operations and is not designed as a general service directed at children.
Where research involving minors is conducted through the platform, the organisation responsible for the study must implement appropriate notices, permissions, consent procedures and safeguards required by applicable law.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to Capacity, its functionality, applicable laws or our information-handling practices.
The updated version should be published on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date.
15. Contact Us
For privacy-related questions concerning Capacity, please contact:
Capacity
An initiative of Internet Research Bureau
Email: [email protected]
If your request relates to a particular research study, you may also need to contact the organisation responsible for that study.