Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 30, 2026

BS-Kavkaz respects the privacy of visitors, readers, contributors, and other users of our website.

This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected when you visit bs-kavkaz.org, how that information may be used, and the choices available to you.

1. Who We Are

BS-Kavkaz is an analytical and research center focused on the Black Sea and Caucasus region.

Our website publishes research, analysis, commentary, articles, and other informational materials concerning political, economic, historical, social, security, and regional developments.

For information about the organization operating BS-Kavkaz or to contact us regarding privacy matters, please visit our Contact page.

2. Information We May Collect

Depending on how you use the website, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

  • your name;
  • your email address;
  • information submitted through contact forms;
  • newsletter subscription information;
  • comments or other content you submit;
  • correspondence or inquiries sent to us; and
  • information provided in connection with research, editorial, media, or institutional inquiries.

We may also automatically receive limited technical information when you visit the website, such as:

  • IP address;
  • browser type;
  • device type;
  • operating system;
  • date and time of access;
  • pages visited;
  • referring website or page; and
  • technical, security, and diagnostic information.

This information may be collected by our website software, hosting provider, security services, or other technical service providers.

3. How We Use Information

We may use information collected through the website to:

  • operate and maintain the website;
  • respond to inquiries and correspondence;
  • communicate with researchers, contributors, institutions, media representatives, and other interested parties;
  • provide newsletters or updates requested by users;
  • manage comments or submitted content;
  • improve website functionality and performance;
  • understand how the website is used;
  • prevent spam, abuse, fraud, and security threats;
  • protect the integrity and security of our systems;
  • maintain appropriate administrative records; and
  • comply with applicable legal obligations.

We do not use personal information for purposes materially different from those described in this Privacy Policy without providing appropriate notice where required.

4. Newsletter Subscriptions

If you voluntarily subscribe to a BS-Kavkaz newsletter or publication update, we may process your email address and related subscription information for the purpose of sending the communications you requested.

You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe option included in the relevant communication, where available.

We do not sell newsletter subscriber information.

5. Comments and Submitted Content

Where the website allows comments or other submissions, we may collect the information entered into the relevant form.

Comments or other content submitted for publication may become publicly visible together with the name or identifier you choose to provide.

Email addresses supplied through comment forms are not intended to be displayed publicly.

Technical information such as IP addresses and browser information may also be processed for moderation, security, and spam-prevention purposes.

Please avoid including sensitive or confidential personal information in material intended for public publication.

6. Research and Professional Communications

Individuals may contact BS-Kavkaz regarding research, publications, events, institutional cooperation, media requests, authorship, or other professional matters.

Information provided in such communications may be used to evaluate and respond to the inquiry and to maintain appropriate records of professional correspondence.

We do not publish private correspondence or personal contact information without an appropriate basis or permission, except where disclosure is required by law.

7. Sharing of Personal Information

BS-Kavkaz does not sell personal information.

We may disclose limited personal information to service providers where reasonably necessary to operate the website or provide requested services.

These may include providers of:

  • website hosting;
  • website security;
  • spam prevention;
  • technical support;
  • data storage and backup;
  • website administration;
  • newsletter delivery; and
  • analytics services, where applicable.

Service providers are permitted to process information only as necessary to perform the services they provide to us, subject to their applicable contractual and legal obligations.

We may also disclose information where reasonably necessary to:

  • comply with applicable law;
  • respond to valid legal requests;
  • protect the rights, security, or property of BS-Kavkaz or others;
  • investigate fraud, abuse, or security incidents; or
  • establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

8. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website may use cookies and similar technologies for purposes such as:

  • essential website functionality;
  • security;
  • remembering user preferences;
  • comment functionality; and
  • website analytics, where enabled.

Where applicable law requires consent for non-essential cookies or similar technologies, such technologies should be activated only after the appropriate consent has been obtained.

Further information may be provided in our Cookie Policy or through the website’s cookie settings.

9. Analytics

BS-Kavkaz may use privacy-conscious analytics or third-party analytics services to understand general website usage, such as which pages are visited and how visitors interact with the website.

Where analytics technologies require consent under applicable law, they will be subject to the website’s cookie or consent controls.

Analytics information should be used primarily to understand and improve website performance and readership.

10. Third-Party Links and Embedded Content

BS-Kavkaz publications may contain links to external websites, research institutions, news organizations, government sources, academic publications, databases, social-media platforms, or other third-party resources.

Some pages may also contain embedded third-party content.

Third-party websites and services operate according to their own privacy practices. BS-Kavkaz is not responsible for the privacy, security, or data-processing practices of external websites.

We encourage users to review the privacy policies of third-party services they choose to access.

11. Legal Bases for Processing

Where the GDPR, UK GDPR, or similar privacy legislation applies, personal information may be processed on one or more of the following legal bases:

Consent
For example, when you voluntarily subscribe to certain communications or consent to optional cookies.

Legitimate interests
For example, operating and securing the website, responding to professional inquiries, maintaining our publications, preventing abuse, and improving our services.

Performance of a requested service
Where processing is necessary to respond to a request or provide something you have requested.

Legal obligations
Where processing is necessary to comply with applicable law.

The legal basis used will depend on the circumstances and purpose of the processing.

12. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.

Retention periods may depend on the type of information involved.

For example:

  • contact inquiries may be retained as necessary to manage correspondence and professional relationships;
  • newsletter information may be retained until a user unsubscribes;
  • security and technical logs may be retained for a limited period for security and troubleshooting;
  • public comments may remain associated with the relevant publication; and
  • records may be retained where reasonably necessary to satisfy legal, administrative, or dispute-resolution requirements.

Information that is no longer reasonably required should be deleted, anonymized, or otherwise appropriately handled.

13. International Users

BS-Kavkaz may be accessed by users from different countries.

Our service providers may also process information in countries other than the country in which a visitor is located.

Where applicable data-protection law requires specific safeguards for international transfers of personal information, appropriate safeguards should be used.

14. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights concerning your personal information.

These may include the right to:

  • request access to personal information held about you;
  • request correction of inaccurate information;
  • request deletion of certain information;
  • request restriction of certain processing;
  • object to certain processing;
  • withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
  • request portability of certain information; and
  • submit a complaint to an appropriate data-protection authority.

These rights may be subject to legal limitations and exceptions.

To make a privacy-related request, please use the information provided on our Contact page.

We may request reasonable information to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.

15. Security

BS-Kavkaz takes reasonable administrative and technical measures intended to protect personal information and website systems against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, misuse, or loss.

However, no website, network, or electronic storage system can guarantee absolute security.

16. Children’s Privacy

BS-Kavkaz is intended primarily as a research and informational resource for a general audience and is not specifically directed toward young children.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children where parental or guardian consent would be required by applicable law.

If you believe personal information relating to a child has been submitted improperly, please contact us through our Contact page.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the website, our practices, technologies, services, or applicable requirements.

The date displayed at the top of this page indicates when the Privacy Policy was most recently updated.

We encourage visitors to review this page periodically.

18. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise a privacy right, or have concerns about how personal information is handled, please visit our Contact page.

All privacy-related inquiries may be submitted using the contact information or communication methods provided there.