LEGAL INFORMATION

RICH Connect is a platform that supports research collaboration and engagement between community partners and the American University of Beirut (AUB). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Information we collect

• Account and profile information (for example: name, email, role, affiliation, profile details you provide).
• Submissions and content you provide through the platform (for example: challenges, themes, forms, and related attachments).
• Contact and communications (for example: messages sent via the Contact Us form or support requests).
• Usage and technical data (for example: log data, device/browser information, approximate location derived from IP address, and security-related events).
• Cookies and similar technologies used to support sign-in, maintain sessions, and remember preferences (where applicable).

How we use information

• Provide and operate the platform (including authentication, profiles, submissions, and dashboards).
• Communicate with you about your account, submissions, and support requests.
• Improve reliability, performance, and user experience (including analytics in aggregate where possible).
• Protect the security and integrity of the platform (fraud prevention, monitoring, and audits).
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service.

How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information:

• With AUB teams supporting the operation of RICH Connect.
• With service providers who help us run the platform (e.g., hosting, email delivery, monitoring), under appropriate safeguards.
• When required by law, regulation, or legal process, or to protect rights and safety.

Data retention

We retain information for as long as needed to provide the service, meet operational needs, and comply with legal requirements. Retention periods may vary depending on the type of data.

Security

We use administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information. No system is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your choices and requests

Depending on your context and applicable law, you may request access, correction, or deletion of your personal information, or object to certain processing.

To make a request, contact us at RICH@aub.edu.lb or via the form at Contact Us.

These Terms of Service govern your access to and use of RICH Connect. By using the platform, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the platform.

Accounts and responsibilities

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• You agree to provide accurate information and to keep it up to date.
• You are responsible for activity that occurs under your account.

Acceptable use

You agree not to:

• Use the platform for unlawful, harmful, or deceptive purposes.
• Upload malware, attempt unauthorized access, or disrupt the platform’s operation.
• Harass, threaten, or violate the rights of others, including privacy and intellectual property.
• Submit content you do not have the right to share.

User content

You retain ownership of content you submit. By submitting content, you grant RICH Connect and AUB a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, and display that content as necessary to operate and improve the platform and to facilitate research collaboration workflows.

Intellectual property

The platform, including its design, text, graphics, and software, is owned by or licensed to AUB and is protected by applicable laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of the platform except as permitted by law or with written permission.

Availability, changes, and termination

We may update, suspend, or discontinue parts of the platform at any time. We may suspend or terminate access if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms or if necessary to protect the platform.

Disclaimers and limitation of liability

The platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim warranties of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AUB and its affiliates will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of data, profits, or goodwill resulting from your use of the platform.

Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to RICH@aub.edu.lb.

We are committed to making RICH Connect accessible to as many people as possible. We aim to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, as a guiding standard.

Accessibility support

• Keyboard navigation support across core flows.
• Semantic markup and ARIA labels where appropriate.
• Focus indicators and accessible form controls.

Known limitations

Some content (including third-party pages or externally linked resources) may not fully conform to the same accessibility standards. We work to address accessibility issues as we discover them.

Feedback

If you experience difficulty using the site or need an accommodation, please contact us at RICH@aub.edu.lb or use Contact Us. Please include the page URL and a description of the issue so we can help.