Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 1, 2025

1. Who We Are

The Institute for the Study of States of Exception (“ISSE,” “we,” “us”) is a nonprofit public charity incorporated in Washington, D.C. and recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt under §501(c)(3). Our principal place of business is 1717 N Street NW, Suite 1, Washington, DC 20036.

2. Personal Data We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to operate our programs, communicate with supporters, and comply with the law. The main categories are:

• Identification details such as name, postal address, e-mail address, and phone number (supplied when you donate, subscribe, or fill out a form).

• Payment information—for example, the last four digits of your card or a transaction ID—handled securely by processors like Stripe or PayPal; ISSE never stores full card numbers.

• Device and usage data including IP address, browser type, referring URL, and pages visited (gathered automatically through cookies and server logs).

• Sensitive data only if you choose to share it in a survey or application form (e.g., demographic information).

• Children’s data: ISSE does not knowingly collect information from children under 13.

3. How We Use Personal Data

We use personal data to: process donations and send tax receipts; deliver newsletters, event invitations, or advocacy updates you request; improve website performance and security; and meet legal or regulatory obligations.

4. Legal Bases (GDPR/UK GDPR)

When the GDPR applies, our processing rests on one or more of these grounds: your consent, contractual necessity, legitimate interests, and legal obligation. You may withdraw consent at any time.

5. Sharing and Disclosure

ISSE never sells or rents your personal information. We share data only with:

• Service providers (e.g., Squarespace, Stripe) bound by data-processing agreements;

• Government or law-enforcement agencies when required by law or to protect our rights;

• Research partners or co-hosts—but only with your explicit consent.

6. Cookies and Tracking

We use first- and third-party cookies to remember your preferences, measure site traffic, and embed multimedia content. You can disable cookies through your browser, although some features may stop working.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or port your data, and to opt out of certain processing (for example, California’s “Do Not Sell or Share” right). To exercise any right, contact privacy@statesofexception.org.

8. Data Security and Retention

We protect data with TLS encryption in transit, restricted-access donor databases, and annual security testing. Donation records are retained for seven years to satisfy IRS rules, then securely destroyed.

9. International Transfers

Our site is hosted in the United States. If you reside elsewhere, you acknowledge that your data will be transferred to—and processed in—the U.S., whose laws may offer different protections.

10. Policy Updates

Material changes will be posted here with a revised “Effective Date.” Continued use of the site after changes means you accept the updated policy.

11. Contact

Questions? E-mail privacy@statesofexception.org or write to Privacy Officer, ISSE, 1717 N Street NW, Suite 1, Washington, DC 20036.