The French Society for Developmental Biology (SFBD) is committed to protecting the confidentiality of its members’ personal data. To ensure the privacy of data on its website, the following privacy policy has been established:

1. General Policy

The SFBD collects only the personal data strictly necessary for the proper functioning and improvement of its services offered to members through its website, sfbd.fr.

2. Definition of Personal Data

As defined by this policy and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), personal data refers to any information related to an identified or identifiable natural person. An identifiable person is one who can be identified directly or indirectly, notably through identifiers such as a name, identification number, location data, online identifier, or specific elements unique to their physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity.

3. Collected Information

3.1 Unrestricted Site Access

Visiting the site does not require prior registration or identification. Users may navigate the site without submitting personal data (e.g., name, address). No personal data is collected during general site consultation.

3.2 SFBD Membership

Information is collected when users voluntarily create a personal or team account on the site. Required data include:

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Laboratory affiliation

For team memberships, emails are sent to team members, allowing them to create their own profiles. Membership data is collected through an interface managed by BlueForest (see “5.4. Data Hosting by BlueForest”).

3.3 SFBD Account Creation

Personal data is collected for account creation and membership:

  • Required fields: Full name, email, postal address, laboratory name
  • For team memberships: Team members’ email addresses are collected to send invitations for account creation.

Account data is managed via an interface provided by BlueForest. Through the member area, users can post updates and job offers, with only their names appearing publicly. Publications are stored via the BlueForest interface.

3.4 Web Forms

Additional personal data is collected through forms for funding applications or award nominations:

  • Required fields: Full name, email, laboratory name and address, and any supplementary information relevant to evaluations.
    Optionally, users may upload a photo for publication on the website and/or annual newsletter if selected.

These data are processed digitally and accessed only by the SFBD’s board of directors and secretariat. They are stored in the site’s database and/or on Google Drive servers with restricted access.

3.5 Payment Information

Credit card details submitted for membership payments are processed via Stripe (see “Data Hosting by Stripe”).

3.6 Device Data

Technical, anonymized data is collected using Google Analytics.

3.7 Account Deletion

3.7.1. By User Request

Members may request account deletion at any time via website@sfbd.fr.

3.7.2. Policy Violations

Accounts may be terminated for breaching this policy or associated documents without prior notice.

4. Use of Information

4.1 Account Management

Collected data supports membership management. Data is retained for the duration of membership and deleted two years after non-renewal.

4.2 Mailing List

Email addresses provided during membership are added to the SFBD mailing list. Members can unsubscribe by contacting website@sfbd.fr.

4.3 Form Data Usage

Form-submitted data is used exclusively for evaluation purposes and managed by the SFBD’s board. Names, photos, and other relevant details may be published if users are award recipients.

4.4 Data Sharing

Personal data is not sold, leased, or shared with third parties, except:

  • With the SFBD’s board and secretariat for account management
  • With IT service providers for site maintenance (e.g., Yesss Communication, BlueForest)
  • With subcontractors for tasks like email communications and consent management.

Data may also be shared with law enforcement or judicial authorities if legally required.

5. Data Hosting

5.1 Website Maintenance

The SFBD website is maintained by Yesss Communication, hosted on IONOS servers.

5.2 Site Data Storage
Form-submitted data is stored in the site’s database, accessible only to authorized personnel.

5.3 Data hosting by Google Drive

Form data is also stored on a restricted-access Google Drive account (Google’s privacy policy: Google Drive Policy).

5.4 Data hosting by BlueForest

Data is stored on a Scaleway VPS server in Paris, managed by BlueForest, solely for service continuity purposes.

5.5 Data hosting by Stripe

Payment data is processed via Stripe (Stripe Privacy Policy).

6. Security

6.1 Incident Response

SFBD will notify affected individuals promptly of unauthorized data access incidents and take measures to mitigate impacts.

6.2 Responsibility Limitations

Incident notifications do not imply SFBD’s acknowledgment of liability.

6.3 Third-Party Links

The SFBD is not responsible for the privacy practices of external sites linked on its platform.

7. Cookies

7.1 Definition

Cookies are small files used to store browsing information. The SFBD uses:

  • Essential Cookies for site functionality
  • Analytical Cookies for performance monitoring.

7.2 User Control

Cookies can be managed via browser settings, though blocking them may limit site functionality.

7.3 Retention

Cookies are retained for up to 12 months, after which data is deleted or anonymized.

8. User Rights

Users have rights under the GDPR, including:

  • Access, rectification, and deletion of data
  • Objection to data processing
  • Withdrawal of consent
  • Filing complaints with the CNIL (Complaint Guide).

9. Policy Changes

This privacy policy may be updated, with users notified via the website or email.

10. Contact

For questions about this policy or to exercise your rights, contact pol_conf@sfbd.fr.