Privacy Policy for Scoliosis Philippines
Welcome to our safe space.
Scoliosis Support and Innovation Network Philippines, Inc.
Website: https://scoliosisphilippines.org/
Effective Date: January 01, 2011
Last Updated: September 30, 2026
Scoliosis Support and Innovation Network Philippines, Inc. (“Scoliosis Philippines,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.
This Data Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, protect, and otherwise process personal information when you visit or use scoliosisphilippines.org (the “Website”), communicate with us, participate in our community activities, request support, submit a story or other content, purchase products, donate, volunteer, partner with us, or otherwise interact with our organization.
This Policy is intended to comply with applicable Philippine privacy laws, including Republic Act No. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (“DPA”), its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and applicable issuances of the National Privacy Commission (“NPC”).
1. Who We Are
The Website is operated by:
Scoliosis Support and Innovation Network Philippines, Inc.
For privacy-related questions, requests, or concerns, please contact us through our dedicated organizational email:
hello@scoliosisphilippines.org
2. Our Privacy Principles
We process personal information in accordance with the principles of:
- Transparency — we explain how and why personal information is collected and used;
- Legitimate purpose — personal information is processed only for declared, specified, and legitimate purposes; and
- Proportionality — we collect and process only information that is adequate, relevant, suitable, necessary, and not excessive for the purposes for which it is processed.
These principles are consistent with the Philippine Data Privacy Act and its implementing rules.
3. Personal Information We May Collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect information such as:
A. Information you voluntarily provide
This may include:
- Full name
- Email address
- Mobile or telephone number
- City, municipality, province, or general location
- Organization, school, or professional affiliation
- Information contained in messages or inquiries
- Volunteer or partnership information
- Donation-related information
- Product/order information
- Information submitted through support or assistance requests
- Information submitted when sharing a personal scoliosis story
- Photographs, videos, testimonials, or other materials you voluntarily provide
- Other information you choose to provide to us
B. Scoliosis and health-related information
Because Scoliosis Philippines is a patient-led advocacy organization, individuals may voluntarily provide information relating to scoliosis or their healthcare experience.
Such information may include:
- Scoliosis diagnosis or suspected diagnosis
- Cobb angle or curve information
- Treatment history
- Bracing experience
- Surgical experience
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy experience
- General patient or caregiver experiences
- Other health-related information contained in communications or submissions
Please do not submit medical information that is unnecessary for your inquiry.
Health-related information may constitute sensitive personal information under Philippine law. We will process such information only when there is an applicable lawful basis and only to the extent reasonably necessary for the stated purpose.
C. Automatically collected information
When you visit the Website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, depending on the Website’s configuration and the services we use.
This may include:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Date and time of visits
- Referring website or platform
- General usage information
- Cookies and similar technologies
- Website performance and analytics information
The Website currently uses Google Tag Manager and may use analytics, security, embedded content, cookies, or similar technologies. The actual services and technologies used may change over time.
4. How We Collect Personal Information
We may collect personal information when you:
- Contact us by email or through a website form;
- Request patient or community support;
- Submit an inquiry;
- Join or participate in an activity;
- Volunteer with us;
- Apply to partner or collaborate with us;
- Submit a story, testimonial, photograph, or video;
- Purchase products through our Website;
- Make or arrange a donation;
- Subscribe to communications;
- Participate in surveys, campaigns, events, or community programs;
- Interact with our social media pages;
- Visit or use the Website; or
- Otherwise voluntarily provide information to us.
We may also receive information from service providers or third parties where permitted by applicable law.
5. Why We Process Personal Information
We may process personal information for purposes including:
Community and patient support
- Responding to inquiries;
- Providing community information and resources;
- Helping individuals navigate available support;
- Connecting people with appropriate resources;
- Managing communications with patients, families, caregivers, volunteers, and supporters.
Advocacy and awareness
- Conducting scoliosis awareness activities;
- Supporting patient-led advocacy;
- Understanding community needs;
- Developing educational programs and resources;
- Supporting research, policy, systems-change, and public-awareness initiatives where appropriate.
Stories and community content
Where you voluntarily submit a story, photograph, video, testimonial, or other content, we may use it for the purpose explained at the time of submission and in accordance with any consent or permission you provide.
We will not assume that submission of personal information automatically means that you consent to public publication of that information.
Website administration
- Operating and maintaining the Website;
- Improving website functionality;
- Monitoring website performance;
- Preventing fraud, abuse, and security incidents;
- Troubleshooting technical problems;
- Maintaining website security.
Donations, purchases, and transactions
Where applicable, we may process information necessary to:
- Process donations;
- Process purchases;
- Fulfill orders;
- Communicate regarding transactions;
- Maintain transaction records;
- Address customer service concerns;
- Comply with accounting, tax, legal, and regulatory obligations.
Payment card information may be processed directly by third-party payment providers. We do not intend to collect or store full payment-card credentials unless expressly stated otherwise.
Legal and regulatory compliance
We may process personal information when necessary to:
- Comply with applicable laws and regulations;
- Respond to lawful requests from government authorities;
- Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims;
- Protect our organization, users, volunteers, partners, or the public.
6. Lawful Bases for Processing
Depending on the circumstances, our processing of personal information may be based on:
- Your consent;
- Performance of a contract or transaction;
- Compliance with a legal obligation;
- Protection of life and health;
- Legitimate interests, where applicable and consistent with your rights;
- Other lawful criteria recognized under the Data Privacy Act.
Consent, when required, will be obtained in a manner that is voluntary, specific, and informed.
You may withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, subject to applicable legal limitations and other lawful grounds for processing.
7. Processing of Sensitive Personal Information
We recognize that health-related information requires additional care.
If you voluntarily provide sensitive personal information, we will take reasonable measures to:
- Limit access to authorized persons;
- Use the information only for legitimate and declared purposes;
- Avoid unnecessary collection;
- Apply appropriate organizational, physical, and technical safeguards;
- Retain information only for as long as reasonably necessary or legally required.
If you do not need to provide health information to receive a response to a general inquiry, please avoid including it.
8. Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell personal information.
We may disclose or make personal information available to:
- Authorized employees, officers, volunteers, or representatives who need the information to perform their responsibilities;
- Service providers that help us operate the Website or provide organizational services;
- Payment processors and e-commerce providers, where applicable;
- Website hosting, security, analytics, communications, and technology providers;
- Professional advisers, where reasonably necessary;
- Government authorities or other persons when required or permitted by law;
- Partners or organizations where appropriate and lawful, including where necessary to provide a requested service or support.
When third-party service providers process personal information on our behalf, we expect them to implement appropriate privacy and security safeguards and to process information only for authorized purposes.
Where required, we will provide appropriate notice regarding data sharing.
9. International Processing
Some third-party technology, hosting, communications, analytics, payment, or other service providers may process information outside the Philippines.
Where international processing or transfers occur, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information continues to receive appropriate protection in accordance with applicable Philippine privacy requirements.
10. Cookies and Similar Technologies
The Website may use cookies and similar technologies.
Cookies may be used to:
- Make the Website function properly;
- Remember preferences;
- Understand website usage;
- Improve website performance;
- Support security;
- Generate analytics.
Third-party services embedded in the Website may also place their own cookies or similar technologies.
You may configure your browser to refuse or delete cookies. However, disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality.
Where required, we will provide additional cookie choices or notices.
11. Third-Party Websites and Services
The Website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, healthcare resources, payment services, partner organizations, external resources, or other websites.
Once you leave our Website, the privacy practices of the third-party website will apply.
We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party website before providing personal information.
Scoliosis Philippines is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, content, or policies of third-party websites.
12. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to fulfill legitimate organizational purposes, or as required by applicable law.
Retention periods may depend on:
- The nature and sensitivity of the information;
- The purpose for which it was collected;
- Whether an ongoing relationship exists;
- Legal, accounting, or regulatory requirements;
- The need to resolve disputes or enforce agreements;
- Security and operational requirements.
When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy, anonymize, or otherwise dispose of it, subject to applicable legal and operational requirements.
13. Security Measures
We take reasonable and appropriate organizational, physical, and technical measures to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorized access;
- Unauthorized disclosure;
- Loss;
- Misuse;
- Alteration;
- Destruction;
- Accidental or unlawful processing.
However, no online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
If a personal data breach occurs that is subject to notification requirements under applicable Philippine law, we will take appropriate steps in accordance with the Data Privacy Act and applicable NPC rules.
14. Your Rights as a Data Subject
Subject to the conditions and limitations provided by law, you have rights under the Data Privacy Act, including the right to:
- Be informed about the processing of your personal information;
- Access your personal information;
- Correct or rectify inaccurate or incomplete information;
- Object to certain processing;
- Request erasure or blocking where legally applicable;
- Obtain data portability where applicable;
- File a complaint regarding a privacy violation;
- Seek damages where provided by law.
The National Privacy Commission identifies these among the principal rights of data subjects under the DPA.
15. How to Exercise Your Privacy Rights
To exercise your rights or ask questions about your personal information, contact us at:
Scoliosis Support and Innovation Network Philippines, Inc.
Email: hello@scoliosisphilippines.org
Please include:
- Your name;
- Your contact information;
- A description of your request;
- Relevant details that will help us identify the information involved; and
- Reasonable proof of identity when necessary to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.
We will respond within the period required by applicable law and will explain any lawful reason why a request cannot be fully granted.
16. Complaints
If you believe that your personal information has been processed unlawfully or that your privacy rights have been violated, please contact us first at:
hello@scoliosisphilippines.org
We will make reasonable efforts to review and address your concern.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the National Privacy Commission of the Philippines, subject to its applicable procedures and requirements.
The National Privacy Commission recognizes the right of data subjects to file complaints concerning violations of their privacy rights.
For information about filing a complaint, you may visit the National Privacy Commission’s official website at:
17. Children's Privacy
Our Website may contain educational and community information relevant to children, adolescents, parents, and caregivers.
We do not intentionally collect children’s personal information beyond what is reasonably necessary for a legitimate and identified purpose.
Where processing involves children or other vulnerable individuals, we will apply appropriate safeguards and comply with applicable Philippine privacy requirements.
Parents or lawful guardians should supervise minors when they use the Website and should avoid submitting unnecessary personal or health information about a child.
The NPC has emphasized heightened responsibilities concerning children’s personal data and privacy-preserving practices.
18. User Stories, Photos, Videos, and Testimonials
If you voluntarily submit a personal story, photograph, video, testimonial, or similar material for possible publication, we will explain the intended use and obtain the appropriate permission or consent where required.
You should not submit photographs, medical information, or other personal information belonging to another person unless you are authorized to do so.
If you have previously permitted us to publish content and wish to request its removal or discuss its continued use, contact us at:
hello@scoliosisphilippines.org
Removal requests may be subject to legitimate limitations, including legal, archival, historical, or other applicable considerations.
19. Accuracy of Information
We encourage you to provide accurate and current information.
If you discover that personal information we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request correction in accordance with your rights under the DPA.
20. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Data Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:
- Our activities;
- Website functionality;
- Technology;
- Third-party service providers;
- Applicable laws and regulations; or
- Privacy and security practices.
The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.
For substantial changes that materially affect how we process personal information, we will provide appropriate notice where required.
21. Contact Us
For questions, requests, complaints, or concerns regarding this Data Privacy Policy:
Scoliosis Support and Innovation Network Philippines, Inc.
Website: https://scoliosisphilippines.org/
Email: hello@scoliosisphilippines.org
Privacy-related inquiries, data-subject requests, and complaints may all be directed to this official organizational email address.
Last Updated: September 30, 2026
