Privacy Policy

The Tensor Lab ("we," "us," or "our") is an unincorporated, volunteer-led student research initiative. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit thetensorlab.org (the "Website") or submit a fellowship application, how we use it, and the limits of our responsibility for that information.

1. Information We Collect

We collect only information that you voluntarily provide or that is automatically generated by your browser:

• Application Data: If you apply for the fellowship through our third-party application form (currently Google Forms), you provide your name, email address, educational background, resume/CV, and other information you choose to include. This data is collected and stored by the third-party platform, not on servers owned or operated by The Tensor Lab.
• Communication Data: If you email us, we retain the contents of your message and your email address solely to respond to your inquiry.
• Automatic Data: Our website host (GitHub Pages) may automatically log standard web traffic data such as IP addresses, browser type, and pages visited. We do not control GitHub's data collection; see GitHub's Privacy Statement for details.
• Fonts & Analytics: This Website loads fonts from Google Fonts. Google may collect data about your browser in connection with serving those fonts; see Google's Privacy Policy.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information solely for the following purposes:

• To evaluate fellowship applications and communicate with applicants regarding application status and interviews.
• To share application data with our medical student mentors and faculty physician advisors for the purpose of selecting fellows.
• To respond to inquiries sent to our contact email.

We do not use your information for marketing, advertising, profiling, or any commercial purpose.

3. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in these circumstances:

• Application Review: Your application data may be shared with our directors, medical student mentors, and faculty physician advisors at UCSF, UMSOM, and other partner institutions solely for the purpose of evaluating your application.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, subpoena, or court order.
• Third-Party Platforms: Your data passes through third-party services (Google Forms, GitHub Pages, Google Fonts) that have their own privacy policies and data handling practices. We are not responsible for how those platforms collect, store, or use your data.

4. Data Security & Limitations

We use commercially reasonable efforts to protect the information we handle. However, The Tensor Lab is a volunteer student initiative that does not own or operate its own servers, databases, or IT infrastructure. All data is stored on third-party platforms (Google Workspace, GitHub). We cannot and do not guarantee the security of any information transmitted to or stored by these platforms.

You submit information to us at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Tensor Lab, its founders, and its directors shall not be liable for any unauthorized access to, or breach of, your personal data caused by the acts or omissions of any third-party platform, hosting provider, or other service.

5. Data Retention

We retain application data for the duration of the current application cycle plus twelve (12) months after the cycle closes, after which we will make reasonable efforts to delete it. Communication data (emails) may be retained indefinitely for record-keeping purposes. You may request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us (see Section 8), and we will comply within a reasonable timeframe, subject to any legal obligations to retain records.

6. Your Rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of the personal information we hold about you by emailing us. If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information is collected and the right to request deletion. We will respond to verifiable requests within the timeframes required by applicable law.

Please note that because your data is primarily stored on third-party platforms, our ability to modify or delete it may be limited by those platforms' capabilities and policies.

7. Children's Privacy

The Website and the fellowship program are not directed at individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 16, please contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy at any time by posting the revised version on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. We are under no obligation to notify you individually of changes.

9. Contact

For privacy-related questions or data requests, contact us at: contact@thetensorlab.org