Privacy Policy

1. About this policy

The Emirates Research and Development Council (“ERDC”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to handling personal data responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain and protect personal data when you visit this website, contact us, subscribe to updates, submit an enquiry or use links to ERDC services and platforms.

This policy applies to this website only. Separate privacy notices may apply to TAWWER, EmaraTax or other platforms and services operated by ERDC or third parties.

2. Personal data we may collect

Depending on how you interact with the website, we may collect:

• Identification and contact information, such as your name, organisation, job title, email address and telephone number.
• Enquiry and correspondence information, including the content of messages, feedback, complaints and supporting documents you choose to provide.
• Technical and usage information, such as your IP address, device type, browser type, operating system, language preference, referring pages, pages viewed, dates and times of access, and general website interaction data.
• Cookie and analytics information, as described in section 8 below.
• Any other information you voluntarily provide through an official ERDC channel.

Please do not submit confidential, sensitive or unnecessary personal information through general website forms.

3. How we use personal data

We may process personal data to:

• Respond to enquiries and provide requested information or assistance.
• Manage subscriptions, communications, events and stakeholder engagement.
• Operate, maintain, secure and improve the website and its user experience.
• Understand website usage and measure the effectiveness of content and services.
• Prevent misuse, fraud, security incidents and technical problems.
• Maintain records and meet applicable legal, regulatory, audit and government requirements.
• Establish, exercise or defend legal rights.
• Carry out other purposes that are clearly communicated when the information is collected.

Where required, we rely on an appropriate legal basis under applicable UAE legislation, including consent, compliance with legal obligations, performance of official functions and legitimate operational interests.

4. When we share personal data

We may share personal data only where reasonably necessary with:

• Authorised ERDC personnel and relevant UAE government entities.
• Service providers supporting hosting, maintenance, cybersecurity, analytics, communications and other website functions, subject to appropriate confidentiality and data-protection requirements.
• Competent authorities, regulators, courts or law-enforcement bodies where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
• Other parties with your consent or at your direction.

We do not sell personal data.

5. International processing

Some service providers may process or store information outside the UAE. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards and contractual protections are in place, as required by applicable law.

6. Data retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to meet legal, regulatory, audit and operational requirements, and to resolve disputes. Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and the relevant obligation. Information is securely deleted, anonymised or archived when no longer required.

7. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, loss or misuse. No online service or method of transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Cookies and analytics

This website may use cookies and similar technologies to enable essential functions, remember preferences, improve performance, understand how visitors use the website and support security.

Cookies may include:

• Strictly necessary cookies required for the website to operate.
• Preference cookies that remember selected settings, such as language.
• Analytics or performance cookies that help us understand aggregated website usage.
• Security cookies used to protect the website and detect suspicious activity.

Where required, non-essential cookies will be used only after you provide consent through the cookie banner or preference tool. You may accept, reject or manage non-essential cookies through that tool and may also adjust your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect certain website functions.

Third-party analytics providers may collect technical and usage information on our behalf. Their use of information is governed by applicable contractual terms and privacy requirements.

9. Your rights and choices

Subject to applicable UAE law and any lawful exemptions, you may have rights relating to your personal data, including the right to:

• Request access to or a copy of your personal data.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Request deletion or restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
• Object to certain processing or withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Ask questions or raise a complaint about how your personal data is handled.

We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. To submit a request, use the contact details in section 13.

10. Children’s privacy

This website is intended for a general audience and is not designed to collect personal data from children. If you believe a child has provided personal data without appropriate authorisation, please contact us.

11. External links

The website may contain links to third-party websites and platforms. ERDC is not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review the privacy notice of each external service before providing personal data.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal, technical or operational changes. The revised version will be published on this page with an updated date.

13. Contact us

For privacy questions, requests or complaints, contact ERDC through the official Contact Us page or the privacy contact details approved for publication:

Email: [privacy email address]

Postal address: [official postal address]