Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 28 January 2025

This Privacy Policy applies exclusively to the Psychology Today articles, blog posts, explainers, quizzes, self tests and content provided by Sussex Publishers, LLC. The link that brought you here was on a page provided by Sussex Publishers, LLC.

If you are looking for the Privacy Policy for Psychology Today directories provided by Sussex Directories Inc, please click here to view it.

What We Do

At Sussex Publishers LLC, (“Sussex” “Psychology Today,” “we,” “us” or “our”) we are committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal data when you access or use our websites or any related  platforms that are owned and operated by us and that link to this Privacy Policy (collectively the “Site”).

This Privacy Policy is designed to help you, the users of our Site (“Users”, “you,” or “your”) understand how we treat your personal data. By using or accessing our Site, you acknowledge that you accept the practices and policies outlined in this Privacy Policy, and you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described here. If you are using the Site on behalf of another person (such as a minor), you confirm that you have the authority to accept this policy on their behalf. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, you may not use the Site.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Data

The following sections outline the types of personal data we collect. Information of this kind refers to data that can identify or be linked to a specific individual and may include what is commonly referred to as “personally identifiable information” under applicable privacy laws and regulations. For each type of personal data, we also explain how we collect it, the commercial or business reasons for collecting it, and the categories of third parties with whom we may share this data. More detailed information about these sources and categories is provided below.

The following subsections apply to users of the publicly available areas of the site, where you are not required, nor able, to log in. Contributing Bloggers of the site, who have an account and are able to log in, should refer to the Contributing Bloggers section (found below on this page) for additional information

Categories and examples of Personal Data

 

2. Sources of Personal Data

We collect personal data from the following sources:

From You

Directly from you

Automatically via the Services

Third Parties

Service Providers

Analytics Partners

Advertising Partners

 

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

A. Improving the Site

B. Marketing and Promotional Activities

C. Legal Compliance and Security

D. De-Identified and Aggregated Data

 

4. How We Disclose Your personal data

We may share your personal data with third parties in the following situations:

A. Service Providers

Example of 3rd Party Vendors We May Use

B. Legal Disclosures

Example of 3rd Party Vendors We May Use

C. Business Transfers

D. Third-Party Advertisers or Services

Example of 3rd Party Vendors We May Use

E. De-Identified Data

Example of 3rd Party Vendors We May Use

F. Other Users

G. Other Disclosures with Your Consent

In addition, we may use artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools to enhance or operate certain functions of the site, such as chat and customer service features.

 

5. Tracking Technologies, Advertising, and Your Options

The following sections explain how we collect your personal data and how you can manage your preferences.

Information Collected Automatically

Sussex utilizes cookies and similar technologies, such as pixel tags, web beacons, clear GIFs, mobile identifiers, and JavaScript (collectively referred to as “Cookies”), to recognize your browser and device and track your interactions with our website. These technologies help us understand user behaviors, improve our Site, and tailor our advertising efforts. For example, we use Cookies to optimize your experience, customizing the content and ads you see, monitoring site performance, and preventing fraud. Cookies are small data files placed on your device (such as your computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you access our Site. Additionally, we may combine information collected via Cookies with data from third-party sources to enhance our Site.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Web Beacons and Tracking Technologies

We also use web beacons (sometimes called pixel tags or clear GIFs) on our website and in emails. These small graphic files allow us to gather data on user interactions, such as whether emails are opened or links are clicked. This helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our communications and improve future marketing efforts.

Mobile Device Identifiers

Mobile device identifiers are unique identifiers stored on your mobile device, which help us understand user behaviors on mobile devices, including how you interact with the Site. These identifiers collect data such as your public IP address, location, device type, and interaction history. This data helps us improve mobile functionality and provide more targeted advertising based on mobile usage.

Cross-Device Tracking

We may use data obtained from multiple devices to ensure a consistent user experience and understand whether the same user is accessing our Site on different platforms. We may also work with third-party partners to analyze cross-device behaviors and present relevant advertising using de-identified data to understand broader usage patterns.

Managing Cookies and Your Preferences

You can manage, clear, reject or disable Cookies through your browser or mobile device settings. However, note that some features of the Site may not function properly if Cookies are disabled.

For more information about how to manage Cookies or delete them from your device, visit the "help" or "options" section of your browser's menu or read more here.

To opt-out of tracking cookies or web beacons refer to our “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link in the footer on our Site.

Do Not Track

Some internet browsers offer an option to send “Do Not Track” signals. However, because there is currently no industry-wide standard for these signals, Sussex does not process or respond to “Do Not Track” requests at this time. If you would like to learn more about DNT, you can find additional information here.

Interest-Based Advertising

Sussex, along with our third-party advertising partners, may show advertisements that are tailored to your interests based on your activity on our website or other websites you visit. This type of personalized advertising is called Interest-Based Advertising. We collect and analyze information such as your browsing habits, the pages you visit, your public IP address, and demographic information (from Users who have given consent to Google) to understand your interests and preferences.

Third-party ad networks may use Cookies, Web Beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your online behavior and serve targeted ads to you. These ads may appear on other websites you visit after using our Site. While we strive to provide relevant advertisements, you can opt out of interest-based advertising by visiting the opt-out pages of relevant ad networks, managing your preferences through your browser settings, or refer to our “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link in the footer on our Site.

When you opt out of interest-based ads, you may still see advertisements on our site, but they will not be personalized based on your browsing activity.

Marketing Lists and Third-Party Suppliers

We occasionally obtain lists of individuals who may be interested in our products and Site from third-party suppliers to send marketing materials by email. While we strive to obtain these lists from compliant suppliers, we are not responsible for their privacy practices.

Please note that even if you have opted out of receiving our promotional communications, you may still receive marketing materials if your details come from a third-party list. To stop receiving such promotions, contact us via our Feedback Page to be removed from the list.

 

6. Data Security

At Sussex, we are committed to safeguarding your personal data and take the security of your data seriously. We have implemented a variety of physical, technical, organizational, and administrative measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures are based on the type of personal data we collect and how we process that data. For example, we use Transport Layer Security technology to encrypt personal data during transmission.

We store and process Contributing Bloggers Content that appears on the Site on servers located in the United States of America and where applicable, elsewhere, and we maintain industry-standard backup and archival systems.

The security of your data also depends on you. If you are a Contributing Blogger using our Site, we encourage you to protect your account by choosing a strong password, keeping your login credentials confidential, and signing off after using our Site. If you use a work or school email to communicate, please be aware that your employer or institution may have legal access to your communications. Additionally, be cautious when sharing information in public areas of the website, as any content posted publicly can be accessed by others.

While we strive to protect your data and provide a secure operating environment, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is entirely secure. As a result, we cannot guarantee absolute security, and you acknowledge that any transmission of personal data is done at your own risk. Except as required by law, we are not responsible for unauthorized access, loss, theft, or disclosure of your personal data. Please be mindful of these risks when sharing information on the internet.

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach involving your personal data, we will take appropriate steps to notify you as required by applicable laws. This may include notifications via email or prominent notices on our website, depending on the nature of the breach and regulatory requirements. We are committed to prompt and transparent communication in these situations to ensure that you can take necessary precautions to protect your information.

 

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal data for as long as it is necessary to provide our Site and for the business purposes for which the data was collected. When determining the retention period for different types of data, we consider factors such as the source of the data, our need for it, the purpose for which it was collected, and its sensitivity. In some instances, we may retain personal data for extended periods if required to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, collect outstanding fees, continue providing our Site, or if otherwise permitted by applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, we may keep information in an anonymous or aggregated form that does not identify you personally.

For example:

We aim to handle all personal data responsibly and securely, with careful consideration of privacy and legal requirements.

 

8. Children’s Privacy

The Site provided by Sussex is not intended for or directed to children under the age of 13. If you are under the age of 13, please do not use the Site, or submit any personal data. By accessing, using, or submitting information to or through the Site, you confirm that you are over the age of 13. In accordance with our Terms of Use, we do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently received such information without verified parental consent, we will use that information only to notify the child (or their parent or legal guardian) that they are not permitted to use the Site and promptly delete the information. If you believe that a child under 13 may have provided us with personal data, please contact us at support@psychologytoday.com.

Users between 13 years of age and the age of legal majority in their jurisdiction may only use the Site with parental or guardian consent or supervision. If you are a parent or legal guardian and are using the Site on behalf of your minor child, any information you provide will be treated as personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

If you are using the Site on behalf of another person, regardless of their age, you agree that Sussex may communicate with you regarding the Site or any legally required notices. You also agree to relay any such communication to the person for whom you are using the Site.

 

9. California Privacy Rights

The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), grants California residents specific rights regarding their personal data. If you are a California resident, this section explains your CCPA rights and how you can exercise them. For more information or questions about this section, please contact us at support@psychologytoday.com with the subject line “California Rights.”

Access to Data

As a California resident, you have the right to request details about our collection and use of your personal data. This includes:

If we have shared your personal data for a business purpose, we will disclose the categories of personal data shared with each third-party recipient. If we have shared your personal data within the past 12 months, we will provide information on the categories of personal data involved and the third parties that received it.

Deletion of Data

You also have the right to request that we delete the personal data we have collected from you. The CCPA includes certain exceptions to this right, such as when we need to retain your personal data to provide our Site or to complete a transaction you have requested. If your deletion request falls under an exception, we may decline the request.

Correction of Inaccurate Data

If you believe that any personal data we have collected about you is inaccurate, you can request that we correct this data. However, we may refuse your request if we reasonably determine, based on all information available, that the data in question is accurate.

Opt-Out of Processing of Sensitive Personal Information

California residents have the right to request that we limit the processing of Sensitive Personal Information (SPI). If you wish to restrict how we use your SPI beyond the purposes allowed under the CCPA, you may exercise your Right to Limit. This right allows you to direct us to use SPI solely for delivering services you request and certain other limited purposes set out in the CCPA. Please refer to our “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link at the footer of each page on our Site.

Opt-Out of Sharing Personal Data for Targeted Advertising

California residents have the right to opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of their personal data, including sharing for targeted advertising purposes, as defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Although we do not “sell” personal data for direct monetary gain, some data sharing for cross-context behavioral advertising may be considered a “sale” under CCPA.

We have shared the following categories of data for purposes of cross-contextual behavioral advertising:

We have implemented cookies from third parties on our site. These cookies allow third parties to track your activity on our website and other websites to serve you personalized ads.

To exercise your right to opt out, you may access the “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” link at the footer of each page on our Site. Additionally, you can email us at support@psychologytoday.com with “Opt-Out Request” in the subject line. We will honor your opt-out request and will not ask you to reauthorize the sharing of your personal data for at least 12 months. To the best of our knowledge, we do not share the personal data of minors under the age of 13 without consent.

No Discrimination for Exercising CCPA Rights

We will not discriminate against you if you exercise any of your rights under the CCPA. This means we will not:

Additional Rights for California Residents

Under California Civil Code Sections 1798.83-1798.84, residents of California may request to opt out of sharing their personal data with third parties for direct marketing purposes. Although Sussex does not share personal data for direct marketing, you can submit a request by emailing us at support@psychologytoday.com.

 

10. Other U.S. State Rights and Disclosures

If you are a resident of Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Washington State (specifically regarding consumer health information), or another state with a comprehensive consumer privacy law, you may be entitled to certain rights concerning your personal data. For details on how to exercise these rights, please refer to the “Exercising Your Rights” section below.

Additionally, please be aware that these rights are subject to specific legal conditions and exceptions, which may require or allow us to decline your request under applicable law.

If you have any questions regarding this section or whether these rights apply to you, feel free to reach out to us at support@psychologytoday.com with “State Rights” in the subject line.

Access

You may have the right to request confirmation of whether we are processing your personal data and to access that information.

Correction

You may have the right to request corrections to inaccuracies in your personal data, taking into account the nature of the data and the purposes for which it is processed.

Portability

You may have the right to request a copy of your personal data in a machine-readable format, where technically feasible.

Deletion

You may have the right to request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain exceptions under applicable laws.

Opt-Out of Certain Processing Activities

Appealing a Denial

If we deny your request or take no action within the time required under applicable law, you may have the right to appeal our decision. To submit an appeal, please provide the necessary information to verify your identity and reference your original request. Additionally, include a detailed explanation of why you are appealing the decision.

Your appeal will be handled in accordance with the rights provided under the relevant state law that applies to your situation. We will respond to your appeal within 45 days of receiving your request. If we deny your appeal, you may have the right to escalate the issue to the appropriate regulatory body in your state.

To submit an appeal, you may:

 

11. Exercising Your Rights

To exercise your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or other applicable state privacy laws, you must submit a request that:

  1. Provides sufficient information for us to verify your identity as the individual whose personal data we have collected, and
  2. Describes your request in sufficient detail for us to accurately understand, evaluate, and respond to it.

Once both of these conditions are met, we will consider the request a "Valid Request." The personal data provided within a Valid Request will only be used to verify your identity and fulfill your request.

We will respond to your Valid Request within the timeframe required by applicable law. In most cases, we will not charge a fee for handling your request, unless the request is excessive, repetitive, or unfounded. If we determine that a fee is necessary, we will inform you of the charge and explain the reasoning before completing your request.

You may submit a Valid Request to access (including a portable copy), delete, or correct your personal data through the following methods:

You may also opt-out from the processing of sensitive personal data or from any data "selling," "sharing," or targeted advertising by using the following methods:

 

12. GDPR and EU Privacy Rights

If you are a resident of the European Union (EU) or are accessing our Site from within the European Economic Area (EEA), your personal data is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Under GDPR, you are entitled to specific rights regarding how your data is collected, processed, and used. These rights include the following:

Rights Under GDPR:

Legal Bases for Processing Your Data:

We collect and process your personal data only when we have a lawful basis to do so, which includes the following:

International Data Transfers:

Sussex Publishers, LLC’s primary data storage and processing takes place on servers located within the United States (US).

These servers are used solely to facilitate faster access to our Site and do not involve the processing or storage of personal data beyond what is necessary for providing the Service. Any transfers of personal data outside the US are conducted in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including GDPR.

Where required, we implement appropriate safeguards to ensure that your data is protected to the standards required under EU law. This includes using mechanisms such as:

Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)

For international data transfers, we comply with GDPR requirements by using Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or other legally approved mechanisms to safeguard the privacy and security of your personal data. These safeguards help ensure that your data is protected to the same standard as in the European Union. If you have any questions regarding these measures, please contact us at support@psychologytoday.com.

Data Protection Process:

We have implemented a data protection process to ensure our compliance with GDPR and other applicable data protection laws. If you have any questions or concerns about our GDPR compliance or wish to exercise any of your rights, please contact our data compliance team at  support@psychologytoday.com

Lodging a Complaint with a Data Protection Authority:

If you believe that our processing of your personal data violates GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in your country of residence or work, or where the alleged infringement occurred.

 

13. Australian Privacy Rights

If you are a resident of Australia, this section explains your privacy rights under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). These principles regulate how organizations like Sussex collect, store, use, and disclose your personal data.

Your Privacy Rights Under Australian Law:

Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Data:

We collect your personal data for purposes directly related to providing our Site, including:

Cross-border Disclosure of Personal Data:

Your personal data may be disclosed to recipients located outside of Australia, such as our servers or third-party service providers based in the European Union. When disclosing your data to overseas recipients, we take reasonable steps to ensure your personal data is protected by the same privacy standards that apply under Australian law. However, you acknowledge that, in some cases, overseas recipients may not be subject to Australian privacy laws, and you consent to the transfer of your data on this basis.

Legal Basis for Processing Your Information:

We will collect, use, and disclose your personal data only when we have a lawful basis to do so, including:

Data Protection and Security Measures:

We implement industry-standard security safeguards to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure. These include encryption, firewalls, and secure storage practices. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute protection.

Making a Complaint:

If you believe that we have breached the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) or the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the right to file a complaint. To do so, please contact us at:

Email: support@psychologytoday.com

We will acknowledge your complaint and respond promptly, investigating the issue and taking any necessary corrective actions. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for further assistance.

 

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our Site, new features, legal requirements, or evolving privacy and security practices. Any significant changes to how we use or disclose your personal data will be communicated to you in advance through a notice on our website.

For minor updates or changes that do not significantly affect your privacy rights, we may make revisions without prior notice. The "Effective Date" at the top of this policy will indicate when the latest revisions were made, so you can easily track any changes. By continuing to use our Site after the updated Privacy Policy takes effect, you acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined in the revised policy.

 

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us at:

Email: support@psychologytoday.com

 

 

Contributing Bloggers

Last Updated: 7th January 2025

The following sections apply only to Contributing Bloggers using our Site. Contributing Bloggers referred to in this section are individuals who publish content on our Site. If you are an individual user, please refer to the Users’ personal data section (above on this page) for information relevant to your personal data.

1. Information We Collect

The section below outlines the types of personal data we collect from Contributing Bloggers who use our platform, along with the sources of this data and the third parties with whom we may share it for business purposes.

Personal Identifiers: First and last name, email address, address

Professional Information: Research papers, books, specialties

Demographic Data: Gender identity, ZIP code, spoken languages

Online Identifiers: IP address, browser type, operating system, social media links

Internet Activity: Interactions with our website or platform, referring URL, engagement statistics

Geolocation Data: General location data derived from IP address

Payment Processor: We do not collect or store sensitive billing details. We use a secure third party provider.

Other Identifying Information:  Personal data including any identifying information you may share in emails, messages, or other forms of communication you choose to send to us

We collect this data to provide our Site. We may share your personal data with service providers and business partners to facilitate the use of our platform, support advertising efforts, and ensure compliance with professional regulations.

If you voluntarily provide additional personal data (e.g., via email, phone calls), that data may be retained and shared with relevant service providers to assist in delivering the Site you request.

 

2. Sources of Personal Data

We collect personal data from a variety of sources, including:

From You

Directly from you

From Third Parties

 

3. Business or Commercial Purposes for Collecting Data

We collect and use your personal data for the following purposes:

Providing, Customizing, and Enhancing Our Services

Marketing the Services

Communicating with You

Legal Obligations and Requirements

 

4. How We Disclose Your Data

In certain situations, we may disclose your personal data to the following categories of service providers and third parties for specific business purposes:

Service Providers

Selected Recipients

Parties You Authorize, Access, or Authenticate

 

5. Controlling Your Personal Data

For Contributing Bloggers using our Site, you have the ability to review and update your personal data by logging into your account and navigating to your profile page on our website. If you need to make changes, access, or delete any personal data you have shared with us, you can also contact us directly at support@psychologytoday.com.

In most cases, deleting your personal data will also require the deletion of your user account.

There may be instances where we are unable to accommodate certain requests to modify or delete information, especially if such changes would violate legal requirements or result in inaccuracies.

If you remove any content or information that you have posted on the website, copies of that content may still be visible in cached or archived versions, or might have been saved by other users. The proper handling of any information shared on the platform, including user-generated content, is governed by our Terms of Use.
 


This Privacy Policy applies exclusively to the Psychology Today articles, blog posts, explainers, quizzes, self tests and content provided by Sussex Publishers, LLC. The link that brought you here was on a page provided by Sussex Publishers, LLC.

If you are looking for the Privacy Policy for Psychology Today directories provided by Sussex Directories Inc, please click here to view it.