Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 19, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how MycoData (“MycoData,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects information when you use the MycoData website (the “Site”). By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.

1. Information we collect

We collect the following categories of information:

• Information you provide. When you enter your email to unlock content, request a researcher account, or submit a study, we collect the details you give us — such as your email address and, for researcher accounts, your name, institution, and research focus, along with the content of any submission.
• Assistant queries. If you use the on-site AI research assistant, the questions you type are processed to generate a response (see Section 4).
• Usage and technical data. We collect aggregate, privacy-friendly analytics (such as page views, referring sites, general location by country, and device type) and basic technical logs needed to operate and secure the Site.

2. How we use information

We use the information we collect to:

• operate, maintain, and improve the Site;
• verify researcher identities and review study submissions before publication;
• respond to your inquiries and communicate with you about your account or submissions;
• understand how the Site is used, through aggregate analytics; and
• protect the Site against fraud, abuse, and security threats.

3. Cookies

We use a small number of cookies for essential functions — for example, to remember that you have unlocked content after entering your email. Our analytics are designed to be privacy-friendly and do not use cookies to track you across other websites. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though some features may not work without them.

4. The AI research assistant

The Site’s research assistant is powered by a third-party AI provider. When you use it, the text of your question is sent to that provider to generate an answer. Please do not enter sensitive personal information into the assistant. Your questions are used to provide the response and are not published on the Site.

5. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as follows:

• Service providers. We use trusted third parties to run the Site — including a hosting provider, a database provider, an analytics provider, an AI provider, and an email provider — who process information on our behalf and only as needed to provide their services.
• Legal reasons. We may disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of MycoData, our users, or others.

6. Data storage and security

Information you submit is stored in a secure, access-controlled database. Researcher sign-in is passwordless — we verify you by an emailed link or code, so no passwords are stored. We use reasonable technical and organizational safeguards to protect your information, but no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data retention

We retain information for as long as needed to operate the Site and for legitimate business or legal purposes. You may ask us to delete information associated with you, and we will do so where we are not required to retain it.

8. Your choices and rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of the personal information we hold about you by contacting us at contact@mycodata.org. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under laws such as the GDPR or CCPA; we will honor those rights as applicable.

9. Children

The Site is intended for researchers and adults and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

10. International users

The Site is operated in the United States, and information we collect is processed and stored in the United States. If you access the Site from outside the U.S., you consent to that processing.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes are effective when posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date.

12. Contact

Questions about this Privacy Policy may be sent to MycoData at contact@mycodata.org.