Who We Are
The FETP Alumni Platform is a global digital network managed by EMPHNET, a non-governmental, non-profit regional public health organization. EMPHNET serves as the data controller for personal information collected through this Platform.
Our mission is to connect graduates of Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) and Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) programs to strengthen disease surveillance, outbreak response, and public health capacity across the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond.
Information We Collect
We collect the following categories of personal data:
- Registration data: Full name (first, middle, and last), title (Mr, Ms, Dr, or Prof), email address, country or program affiliation, and highest FETP training level completed.
- Authentication data: Encrypted password credentials. We never store passwords in plain text.
- Usage data: Pages visited, features used, login timestamps, IP address, browser type, and device information collected through server logs.
- Communications: Messages, feedback, and support requests you send to us.
How We Use Your Information
Your personal data is used for the following purposes:
- Creating and managing your alumni account and profile.
- Verifying your identity and FETP or PHEP program affiliation.
- Facilitating connection and knowledge exchange between alumni members.
- Sending platform notifications, updates, and network announcements.
- Providing technical support and responding to inquiries.
- Generating aggregate, anonymized statistics about the network.
- Improving platform functionality, performance, and user experience.
- Complying with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
We do not use your data for advertising, and we do not sell your personal information to third parties.
Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal data under the following legal bases:
- Contractual necessity: Processing required to provide the Platform services you requested.
- Legitimate interests: Maintaining Platform security, preventing fraud, and improving services.
- Consent: Where you have explicitly opted in, such as a newsletter subscription.
- Legal obligation: Where processing is required by applicable law.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share data only in these limited circumstances:
- FETP country program coordinators: Program administrators within your registered country may access aggregated member statistics for network management purposes.
- Service providers: Trusted vendors that help operate the Platform, such as hosting and email delivery providers, under confidentiality and data-processing obligations.
- Legal requirements: When required by law, court order, or a competent governmental authority.
- Organizational partners: WHO, CDC, and other public health bodies may receive anonymized, aggregated data for global health reporting — never individually identifiable information.
Data Retention
We retain personal data for as long as an account is active or as needed to provide services. If you request account deletion, we will remove personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for a legitimate operational purpose such as fraud prevention.
Anonymized and aggregated data may be retained for research and statistical purposes without identifying an individual.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights to:
- Access a copy of personal data we hold about you.
- Rectify inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
- Erase your personal data where the right applies.
- Restrict how we process your data.
- Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Object to processing based on legitimate interests.
To exercise a privacy right, contact privacy@emphnet.net. We will respond within 30 days, subject to applicable law.
Cookies and Tracking
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Required for session management, authentication, and Platform operation.
- Functional cookies: Remember preferences such as language and country selection.
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how people use the Platform in an aggregated or anonymized way.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may prevent parts of the Platform from functioning.
Data Security
We implement technical and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal data, including:
- HTTPS and TLS encryption for data transmitted to and from the Platform.
- Strong one-way hashing for stored passwords.
- Role-based access controls that limit staff access to personal data.
- Security reviews and vulnerability management.
- Secure and backed-up database infrastructure.
In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities within 72 hours of becoming aware of it.
International Transfers
As a global Platform, data may be processed in countries outside your own. EMPHNET applies appropriate safeguards to international transfers, including contractual and data-processing protections where required.
Children's Privacy
The FETP Alumni Platform is intended for professional public health practitioners and program graduates. It is not directed at individuals under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe a minor has registered, contact privacy@emphnet.net.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will notify registered users by email and display a prominent notice on the Platform at least 14 days before the changes take effect.
Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or requests about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, contact the EMPHNET Data Protection team:
- Organization: EMPHNET — Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network
- Email: privacy@emphnet.net
- Website: emphnet.net