About This Policy
Certus Insights LLC (“Certus Insights,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a market research and insights firm based in Arlington, Virginia. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and share personal information in connection with our research services and business operations. It applies to information collected through our website, our research studies, and other interactions with us.
Information We Collect
We collect personal information in several contexts:
Research Participants.
When individuals participate in surveys, interviews, focus groups, or other research activities we conduct, we may collect contact information (such as name and email address), professional background information (such as job title, employer, industry, and years of experience), and responses to research questions. Participation in our research is voluntary. Where we offer incentives for participation, we may collect information necessary to fulfill that incentive.
Opt-In for Follow-Up Research.
Some research activities include an optional section where participants may volunteer to be contacted for follow-up research activities, including interviews and surveys. Participation in this section is strictly optional and separate from the primary research activity. Information provided in this section is used only to schedule and conduct the follow-up research activity for which the participant volunteered.
Business Contacts.
We collect contact information from current and prospective clients, partners, vendors, and other business contacts in the ordinary course of our operations.
Website.
Our website may collect standard usage data through cookies or similar technologies, such as pages visited and browser type. We do not use this data for targeted advertising.
How We Use Personal Information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
- To conduct research studies and deliver findings to clients, in accordance with the scope of each engagement
- To contact research participants who have opted in for follow-up research activities, including interviews and surveys
- To fulfill incentive obligations to research participants
- To communicate with clients, partners, and vendors about our work and services
- To comply with legal obligations
How We Share Personal Information
With Clients.
Research findings are delivered to the client or clients who commissioned the research. We do not share individual-level data that could identify specific research participants unless we have obtained explicit consent from the participant or the participant’s identity is not sensitive in the context of the research.
With Research Partners and Vendors.
We work with third-party vendors who support our research operations, including survey platforms, recruitment partners, and incentive fulfillment providers. These parties may have access to personal information as necessary to perform their services. We require that our vendors handle personal information in a manner consistent with this policy and applicable law.
Legal Requirements.
We may disclose personal information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid legal request.
Age Restriction
Our research and services are directed at adults 18 years of age and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, we will take steps to delete it promptly.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including completing the research engagement and meeting any contractual or legal obligations. Contact information for research participants who opt in for follow-up research activities, including interviews and surveys, is retained only through the completion of those activities and is not retained for future solicitation. Clients may have specific data retention requirements that govern how we handle data collected on their behalf; we follow those requirements where applicable.
Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. These measures include limiting access to personal information to staff and contractors with a legitimate need, and using secure methods for storing and transmitting sensitive information where feasible. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Your Rights and Choices
Research participation is voluntary. Participants may decline to answer any question and may withdraw from a study at any time. Individuals who have provided contact information for follow-up research may withdraw their availability by contacting us at the address below.
Depending on your location, you may have rights under applicable privacy laws regarding your personal information, including rights to access, correct, or request deletion of information we hold about you. To make such a request, please contact us directly.
Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:
Info@certusinsights.com
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.