1. Key Definitions

• Personal Data: Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person. This may include names, email addresses, location data, or online identifiers (such as IP addresses).
• Sensitive Personal Data: Special categories of data requiring a higher level of protection (e.g., racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, health data). The Ruiz Lab does not actively or knowingly collect Sensitive Personal Data through this website.

2. The Information We Collect

We collect information about our visitors in two ways: automatically via standard website functionality and voluntarily when provided by you.

A. Automatically Collected Information (Access Information)

When you browse ruizlab.org, certain technical information is automatically logged by our hosting servers or analytics tools. This includes:

• Client Information: The Internet Protocol (IP) address and domain name of the computer or network you are using.
• Essential Technical Information: The specific pages or resources you request, your browser type, your operating system, and the date and time of your visit.
• Non-Essential Technical Information: The referring website address (the site from which you linked to ours) and “cookie” information used to direct or tailor your experience on our site.

B. Voluntarily Provided Information (Optional Information)

We only collect personally identifiable information when you deliberately provide it to us. This includes:

• Email Communications: Your email address and the content of your message if you contact a lab member or use a link to send us an email.
• Online Forms: Information you submit through web forms (e.g., application forms, newsletter sign-ups, or contact sheets).

3. How We Use Your Information

The Ruiz Lab utilizes the information collected to maintain, optimize, and support our research and web operations. Specifically:

• Access Information is used to diagnose server problems, analyze web traffic patterns, assess popular content, and improve the website’s design and performance. This data is reviewed in aggregate and is not cross-referenced to identify individual users.
• Optional Information is used solely to respond to your specific requests or inquiries (such as answering an email or processing an academic inquiry). We do not use this information for unrelated purposes without providing clear notice and an opportunity to opt out.

4. Cookies and Third-Party Services

We may use cookies (small text files placed on your device) to enhance user experience and analyze site performance. We may utilize third-party tools, such as Google Analytics, to help us understand how visitors interact with our site.

• You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings.
• To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across the web, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

5. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

The Ruiz Lab does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not share your data with third parties except:

• To the extent necessary to fulfill a specific request you have made (e.g., using a mailing service to send lab updates you requested).
• As required to comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests.

6. International Visitors and EU GDPR Rights

If you are visiting ruizlab.org from the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) grants you specific rights regarding your Personal Data. Where applicable, these rights include:

• The right to access, correct, or request the erasure of your personal data.
• The right to restrict or object to the processing of your data.
• The right to data portability.
• The right to withdraw consent at any time for data processed based on consent.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

7. Data Protection, Security, and Retention

We strive to implement appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to secure the information we collect online and protect it from unauthorized access, loss, or alteration. Access information may be retained indefinitely for historical web traffic analysis but will remain aggregated and non-identifying. Voluntary personal data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or to comply with legal record-keeping requirements.

8. Children’s Privacy

The Ruiz Lab does not knowingly collect or solicit Personal Information from children under the age of 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected Personal Information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will delete that information from our systems as quickly as possible.

9. External Links

Our website may contain links to other websites, including institutional partners (such as the University of Florida), funding agencies, or other research labs. The Ruiz Lab is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. Important Notice Regarding Florida Public Records Law

Public Records Notice: Because the Ruiz Lab is affiliated with the University of Florida, please be aware that any communication or information sent to us may be subject to disclosure under the State of Florida’s Public Records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). Information collected that falls under the definition of a public record may be disclosed to third parties upon request, unless a specific legal exemption applies.

11. Changes to this Statement

The Ruiz Lab reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. When changes are made, the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will be revised.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please contact the lab director:

The Ruiz Lab
Attn: Dr. Jaime Ruiz
Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering
University of Florida (Affiliated)

Email: jaime@ruizlab.org

Mailing Address:
1889 Museum Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32611