Privacy Statement

Effective Date: May 08, 2025

Welcome to omicXchange, a social media platform dedicated to fostering discussions about health issues. We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Statement explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information, including personal health data, when you use our website, mobile application, or related services (collectively, the “Platform”). By using the Platform, you consent to the practices described in this statement.

Given the sensitive nature of health-related information, we urge you to read this Privacy Statement carefully. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the Platform.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, information generated through your use of the Platform, and information from third parties. The types of information include:

a. Personal Information

Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your name, email address, username, password, and any other information you provide (e.g., profile picture, bio).
Health Information: You may choose to share personal health data, such as medical conditions, symptoms, treatments, or other health-related details, through posts, comments, or uploads (e.g., documents, images). This information is considered sensitive and is handled with heightened care.
Contact Information: If you contact us for support, we may collect your name, email, phone number, or other details you provide.

b. User-Generated Content

Posts and Discussions: Any content you share on the Platform, such as posts, comments, or messages, including health-related discussions, is collected and may be visible to other users based on your privacy settings.
Uploaded Files: Documents, images, or other files you upload containing health data or other personal information.

c. Automatically Collected Information

Usage Data: We collect information about your interactions with the Platform, such as pages visited, features used, time spent, and links clicked.
Device Information: We collect details about your device, including IP address, browser type, operating system, and device identifiers.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and deliver personalized content. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

d. Third-Party Information

Social Media Integrations: If you connect your account to third-party services (e.g., Google, Facebook), we may receive information like your name, email, or profile data, subject to the third party’s privacy policies.
Analytics Providers: We work with third-party analytics services (e.g., Google Analytics) to collect aggregated data about Platform usage.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to operate the Platform, facilitate health-related discussions, conduct research, and improve our services. Specific uses include:

Providing and Personalizing the Platform:
- Enabling you to create an account, post content, and engage in discussions.
- Customizing your experience based on your preferences and interactions.
Facilitating Health Discussions:
- Displaying your posts, comments, and uploaded health data to other users, as permitted by your privacy settings.
- Supporting community features, such as messaging or group discussions.
Research Purposes:
- We may use anonymized or aggregated data derived from your health information or other content for research purposes, such as studying health trends, developing insights, or publishing reports.
- Where required by law, we will seek your explicit consent before using identifiable health data for research.
Improving and Analyzing the Platform:
- Analyzing usage patterns to enhance functionality, fix bugs, and develop new features.
- Monitoring Platform performance and security.
Communicating with You:
- Sending service-related updates, such as account notifications or responses to support inquiries.
- With your consent, sending promotional emails or newsletters about Platform features or events.
Legal and Safety Purposes:
- Complying with applicable laws, regulations, or legal requests.
- Protecting the safety of users, detecting fraud, and enforcing our Terms of Service.

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:

a. With Other Users

Public or Shared Content: Posts, comments, or health data you share on public forums or with specific users will be visible to those users, as determined by your privacy settings. You are responsible for the information you choose to share.
Community Features: Information shared in groups or private messages may be visible to other group members or recipients.

b. With Service Providers

We share information with third-party vendors who provide services like hosting, analytics, payment processing, or customer support. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide.

c. For Research

We may share anonymized or aggregated data with researchers, academic institutions, or other partners for health-related studies. Identifiable health data will only be shared with your explicit consent or as required by law.

d. For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information to comply with legal obligations, such as responding to subpoenas, court orders, or government investigations.
We may share information to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public, including to prevent fraud or abuse.

e. Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to similar privacy protections.

4. Your Choices and Control

You have control over your information and how it is shared:

Privacy Settings: Adjust your account settings to control who can see your posts, health data, or profile information (e.g., public, friends, or private).
Content Removal: You can delete your posts, comments, or uploaded files at any time. Note that deleted content may persist in backups or with users who have already accessed it.
Account Deletion: You can request to delete your account by contacting us at [insert contact email]. Upon deletion, we will remove your personal information, except as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., record-keeping).
Marketing Communications: Opt out of promotional emails by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails or updating your preferences in your account.
Cookies: Manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool (if available).

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your information, including encryption, access controls, and secure servers. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data. You share health information at your own risk, and we are not liable for unauthorized access or disclosure resulting from your actions or external breaches beyond our reasonable control.

6. Retention of Information

We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Platform’s services. We may retain anonymized data indefinitely for research or analytics. If you delete your account, we will remove identifiable information within a reasonable timeframe, except where required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., legal compliance, dispute resolution).

7. Special Considerations for Health Data

Health information is highly sensitive, and we take extra precautions to protect it:

Voluntary Sharing: You are not required to share health data. Any health information you provide is shared at your discretion, and you assume the risks associated with its disclosure.
Anonymization for Research: When using health data for research, we anonymize or aggregate it to prevent identification, unless you provide explicit consent for identifiable use.
Compliance with Health Regulations: Where applicable, we comply with laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you believe your health data is subject to specific regulations, please contact us to discuss your rights.

8. Liability Disclaimer

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that sharing personal health information is inherently risky, and you do so at your own risk. [Platform Name], its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents are not liable for any damages, losses, or claims arising from:

Your decision to share personal or health information on the Platform.
Unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of your information due to factors beyond our reasonable control (e.g., hacking, user error, or third-party actions).
Actions taken by other users who view or misuse your shared content.
The accuracy, reliability, or consequences of health-related discussions or advice shared on the Platform.

You are solely responsible for the content you share and for configuring your privacy settings appropriately. We strongly encourage you to avoid sharing sensitive information that could cause harm if disclosed.

9. International Data Transfers

The Platform is operated from [insert country, e.g., the United States], and your information may be stored or processed in countries outside your jurisdiction. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using the Platform, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your information in these locations. We take steps to ensure your data is protected in accordance with this Privacy Statement and applicable laws.

10. Children’s Privacy

The Platform is not intended for users under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If we learn that a child under 16 has provided information, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a child has provided information, please contact us at [insert contact email].

11. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights under data protection laws, such as:

Access: Request a copy of your personal information.
Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
Deletion: Request deletion of your data, subject to legal obligations.
Restriction: Request that we limit the processing of your data.
Portability: Request your data in a portable format.
Objection: Object to certain uses of your data, such as for marketing or research.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [insert contact email]. We will respond within the timeframe required by law (e.g., 30 days under GDPR). We may require identity verification before processing your request.

12. Changes to This Privacy Statement

We may update this Privacy Statement to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated statement on the Platform or sending you a notification (e.g., via email). The updated statement will take effect upon posting or as specified. Your continued use of the Platform after changes indicates your acceptance of the revised terms.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Statement or our data practices, please contact us at:

omicXchange
Email: support@omicxchange.com

For complaints, you may also contact your local data protection authority.

14. Acknowledgment

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Statement. You further acknowledge that sharing health information on a public or semi-public platform carries risks, and you release omicXchange from liability for any consequences arising from your voluntary disclosure of such information.

Thank you for trusting omicXchange with your information. We are committed to supporting a safe and valuable community for health discussions.