Privacy Policy

1. This privacy policy applies to all information that you provide to us via the internet or through any other communication channel used to contact us. This policy has been updated in accordance with the amended provisions of the Protection of Privacy Law, 1981 (especially Amendment No. 13, which came into effect in August 2025).
2. We ask that you read this policy carefully. If you do not agree with its content, please refrain from continuing to browse our websites or from providing us with any information through any other means. Browsing the site constitutes agreement to the terms stated in this document.
3. The term "personal information" in this document refers to any information that can be used to identify the individual to whom it relates.
4. We take our duty to protect the privacy of users who provide us with personal information—whether via the websites we operate or in any other way (e.g., signing up for mailing lists)—very seriously. To this end, we implement technological measures that meet reasonable and accepted industry standards to ensure that any personal information provided to us, digitally or otherwise, is properly protected against unauthorized or improper use. We continuously work to comply with the latest regulations regarding personal data protection. However, internet users should be aware that it is not possible to provide absolute protection, and in some cases, personal information may still be exposed.
5. Collection of Personal Information
   1. From time to time, we may request the provision of personal information, as detailed below. In all cases, the information is required to enable us to provide certain services. Please provide the requested information only if you are interested in receiving these services:
      1. Name and official identifying information (e.g., ID number);
      2. Contact information (e.g., email address, phone number, home address);
      3. Information needed for purchasing products (e.g., credit card number – which we may request directly or via third-party payment processors.

2. In addition, when using our website, technical and behavioral information may be collected about the device used to access the site, such as: IP address, URL address, operating system type, browser type and version, plug-ins, screen resolution, time zone settings, usage behavior on the site, internet browsing habits and user preferences, session duration on the site, and exit pages. We may also place cookies in your browser to analyze site visits and allow users to resume browsing from where they left off (e.g., in the case of shopping cart purchases). Most browsers allow users to delete cookies, block them, or receive a warning before they are stored. However, blocking cookies may affect your experience on our websites.

3. The cookies we use may fall into the following categories:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic and proper website functionality. They support interface language settings, session management, and shopping cart operation. These cookies cannot be disabled.
• Performance/Analytics Cookies: Collect statistical data about site usage such as number of visitors, duration of sessions, traffic sources, pages viewed, and user actions. This data helps enhance performance and user experience and does not personally identify users.
• Marketing/Advertising Cookies: (e.g., Meta Pixel, Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads) Used for remarketing, analyzing the effectiveness of ad campaigns, and tracking conversions from external sources like social media or search engines.
• Security Cookies: Help protect the site and its users by detecting abnormal activity, blocking unauthorized access, preventing automated attacks (e.g., bots), and more.
• Functional Cookies: Enhance user experience by saving language preferences, form data, or supporting third-party tools such as live chat. They allow the site to store user preferences.

6. Mailing List Subscription

If you voluntarily subscribe to our mailing list (not automatically), the personal information you provide will be used only for the following purposes:

1. Sending updates via an electronic newsletter we produce.
2. Inviting you to participate in various activities, including research groups, conferences, and workshops, submit articles and project proposals, file scholarship applications, and submit high school papers to the “Van Leer Prize” competition.
3. Sending updates on new publications, which may occasionally contain a link to a webpage where the publications can be purchased.
4. Sending invitations to participate in new projects.
5. Inviting you to participate in events that we organize.
6. Running public relations campaigns (non-commercial) through social media.
7. Referring your contact details (not via the internet) for inquiries related to organizing conferences at the Van Leer complex (for a fee).

7. Data Subject Rights
   • You have the right at any time to request access to your personal data stored on our systems, either personally or through an authorized representative. This right is subject to legal limitations.
   • If your personal data is stored on the systems of a third party, we will direct you to them to process your request and instruct them to comply with applicable laws.
   • You may request that we correct incomplete or inaccurate data about you or delete it from the databases where it is stored. This will be done in accordance with legal requirements. If the law allows or requires us to refuse, we will notify you accordingly.
   • If you believe our response to your request does not comply with legal requirements, you retain the right to take appropriate legal action.
   • Requests regarding personal information should be sent to us in writing via email at the following address: vanleer@vanleer.org.il.

8. Employees and Associates

If you are an employee or associate of ours, your personal information, including identifying information and any other data you provided for the purpose of your employment or professional relationship with us—will be stored and managed in accordance with this policy and used solely for the purposes for which it was collected:

1. For employees: all matters related to employment and human resources management;
2. For researchers and associates: all matters related to managing the professional relationship with you.

9. Policy Effective Date and Updates

This policy came into effect upon its publication. If we decide to change the policy, we will publish an updated version, which will take effect from the date of publication.