Effective Date: January 20, 2026

1. Introduction
The American Arachnological Society (“AAS”, “we”, or “us,”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) provides an overview of how AAS collects and processes your personally identifiable information. Each time you use americanarachnology.org or any related subdomain or website owned by AAS (“the Websites”), the current version of this Policy will apply. This Policy contains important information about your privacy rights, so please read it carefully. By visiting or otherwise engaging with the Websites, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the processes and terms referred to in this Policy.

2. Information We Collect
AAS collects personally identifiable information you provide directly when utilizing the Websites. Such data includes your email address, name, home address, and telephone number. In the case of a purchase, AAS collects your financial information, such as your credit card or bank account numbers, to complete your transaction. AAS also collects aggregate, anonymized demographic information, such as ZIP code, age, gender, and interests.

2.1 Cookies and Tracking
AAS Websites automatically collect data via “Cookies” or related technology. Cookies are text files that are stored in a computer system via an internet browser that collect technical information, such as IP address, location, and browser type, as well as information about your visit, such as search terms, page views, and response times. AAS uses Cookies to enhance the user experience, improve security, and enable some functions of the Websites. You have the ability to accept or decline cookies through your internet browser. If you choose to decline Cookies, you may not be able to fully experience the interactive features of the AAS Websites you visit.

3. How We Use Your Information
AAS uses your personal information to operate, maintain, and improve the Websites and deliver the information, products, and services you have requested. Such services may include financial transactions and marketing communication with you regarding services or information available from AAS. Additionally, AAS may use your information when necessary to satisfy binding legal obligations and to prevent fraud or misuse of services.

4. How We Share Your Information
In order to provide the information, products, and services you request from us, AAS may share your personally identifiable data with trusted partners when necessary, including to analyze and improve our Websites. These services include but are not limited to data storage, maintenance services, database management, web analytics, and payment processing. All such partners are prohibited from using your personal information except to provide these services to AAS and are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information.

5. Data Security
AAS secures the personally identifiable information you provide in a controlled, secure environment, protected from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. When personally identifiable information is transmitted to another website, it is protected through the use of encryption.

6. Children’s Privacy
AAS Websites are intended for an adult audience and are not intended for use or viewing by children under 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, you may not use or access the Websites without the approval and supervision of your parent or guardian. AAS does not knowingly collect information about children or sell products to children.

7. Third-Party Websites
AAS Websites may contain links to third-party websites, applications, and services not operated by us. These links are provided for convenience and do not imply any endorsement by us of the activities or content of those third-party websites, applications, or services nor any association with their operators. AAS is not responsible for the privacy policies or practices of those third-party websites, applications, or services and this Policy does not cover them. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party website linked on our Websites.

8. Your Rights and Choices
You have rights to access, correct, or delete your personal data, as well as opt out from marketing messages. Contact us at to exercise these rights or to inquire about them, at webmaster@americanarachnology.org.

8.1 Additional Rights of Individuals Located in the EU or EEA
Individuals located in the European Economic Area have certain additional rights regarding your Personal Data. AAS Websites collect “personally identifiable information” under the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (the “GDPR”), including your name, address, telephone number, location data, IP address, as well as “Cookies” and related technology. Under European data protection law, in certain circumstances and subject to exemptions, you have the right to request access, correction, or erasure of your information, object to or restrict the processing of your information, request to transfer your information, or withdraw your consent. We will respond to any such requests made in writing to webmaster@americanarachnology.org.

8.2 Additional Rights of Individuals Located in California
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80, a user residing in the State of California has the right to request from us a list of all third parties to which we have disclosed personal information during the preceding year for direct marketing purposes. We will respond to any such requests made in writing to webmaster@americanarachnology.org.

9. Changes to This Policy
If we make any changes to this Policy or the way we use, share, or collect personal data, we will notify you by revising the “Effective Date” at the top of this Policy, by prominently posting an announcement of the changes on our Websites, and, where those changes are significant and it is reasonably possible for us to do so, by sending an email to you. Please check back frequently to see any updates or changes to this Policy.

10. Contacting Us
If you have questions or comments about this Policy, or inquiries regarding your data, please contact us.

American Arachnological Society
Field Museum – Insects
1400 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr
Chicago IL 60605 USA
webmaster@americanarachnology.org
Fax: +1-312-748-4340