This privacy policy sets out how Ocean Exchange uses and protects any information that you provide when either subscribing to our mailing list, registering to attend our event or applying for one of our awards. We prioritize your privacy and autonomy and greatly value the engagement of the individuals in our network.
Ocean Exchange is committed to respecting your privacy. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified, you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.
Ocean Exchange may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from February 25th, 2026.
A few words about what we collect and what we do with it:
We collect information, including contact details, for internal record keeping, and to send emails concerning the Ocean Exchange award cycle and event in the form of a monthly newsletter and occasional additional updates.
We have many different types of individuals in our diverse network, and in order to best fulfill our mission, we treat certain data in different ways. Below is how we will care for your data if you fall into these categories:
Website Visitor
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies, including Google Analytics, to understand how visitors use our site and to improve its functionality. We do not sell, trade, or share website traffic or analytics data for advertising or commercial resale purposes. You may adjust your cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Mailing List Subscriber
We collect basic information such as your name and email address. You have the option to provide additional details such as company name, job title, location, etc. We will not share this information without your permission.
Delegate
When you register to attend the Ocean Exchange, we collect your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, company name, and job title. We also strongly encourage delegates to provide additional details such as a brief bio, headshot, social media accounts.
We will share your information with other attendees at the event, and our sponsor organizations via a mobile app that is available to all who register as delegates. You may indicate when you register that you would like your information not to be shared, though we recommend you opt-in to have the most impactful experience possible at our event.
Award Applicant
In our award applications, we collect comprehensive contact details so that in the event our judges need further information on an application, we are able to reach out to applicants for answers.
Ocean Exchange also uses this information to fulfill our mission. This means we may share your contact information with sponsors, delegates, or other relevant parties with the intent to facilitate that mission and your work. By completing an application for one of our awards, you acknowledge that Ocean Exchange may share your information as described above in furtherance of its mission.
Applications for Ocean Exchange awards should not include confidential information. The applications in their entirety are seen by our Solutions Review Team in order to judge the applications in our awards process. The completed application is the property of Ocean Exchange. Ocean Exchange uses application material to construct one-page summaries of the top 25 semi-finalists, respecting any portions that you have designated not to be shared. Those one-page summaries are the property of Ocean Exchange.
The application is filled in and submitted inside a third party system. Currently, that system is F6S. Please refer to their privacy and security policies for information on how your data is used by them.
Security
We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, these websites are not covered by the Ocean Exchange privacy policy. Please refer to the privacy policies and practices of those websites to learn how your information will be stored or shared.
Controlling your personal information
You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:
- whenever you receive an email from us, look for the link at the bottom that will enable you to unsubscribe from our mailing list
- you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us at contact@oceanexchange.org or editing your information in our mailing list.
- We will not sell or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so, with reference to the above. In particular, note the Award Applicant category.
You may request details of personal information which we hold about you. If you would like a copy of the details we have about you, please write to contact@oceanexchange.org.
If you believe that any information we have from you is incorrect or incomplete, please email us as soon as possible, at the above address. We will correct any information found to be incorrect. You can also update your information in our mailing list by clicking here.
Additional Information for Individuals in the European Union
If you are located in the European Union, we process your personal information in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) (“GDPR”). When you apply for an award or register for our event, we process your information as necessary to administer the award cycle and event. When we facilitate introductions or share information with judges or sponsors in furtherance of our mission, we do so based on our legitimate interest in advancing innovation and collaboration. When you subscribe to our mailing list, we rely on your consent, which you may withdraw at any time.
Individuals in the EU have additional rights under the GDPR, including the right to request deletion of personal data, to object to or restrict certain processing, and to receive a copy of their data in a portable format where applicable. You may also lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. Where personal data is transferred outside the European Union, including to the United States, we rely on legally recognized safeguards. We retain award applications and related materials as part of our organizational archive in furtherance of our mission and applicable legal obligations.
For more information about the GDPR, you may refer to the official regulation here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj