This Informational Website Privacy Policy will tell you about the types of information our public-facing informational websites collect, how that information may be used and shared, and what options you have about the collection and use of your information. This policy applies to the informational websites of Tufts Medicine, each of its hospital affiliates, including Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, and MelroseWakefield Hospital, as well as Tufts Medicine Care at Home Inc. and its affiliates (collectively referred to as “Tufts Medicine” and the websites collectively referred to as the “Sites”). By visiting the Tufts Medicine informational websites, you accept the terms of this Informational Website Privacy Policy, which may be amended from time to time. We recommend that you review this policy regularly before using the Sites.
This Informational Website Privacy Policy does not apply to information submitted to or stored in our patient portal, which is maintained separately from the Tufts Medicine informational websites. To learn more about how we protect patient Protected Health Information, please review our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Information we collect
In the course of using our Sites, you may choose to provide us with your contact information (including but not limited to name, address, e-mail address, telephone number or demographic information), survey responses, subscription information (e.g., for e-newsletter sign-ups), or other information in connection with the completion of certain forms. By submitting this information voluntarily, you grant Tufts Medicine the right to transmit, monitor, retrieve and store that information. By providing Tufts Medicine with an email address, you agree that we may use your email address to communicate with you about our services.
If you provide us with information regarding another individual, you represent that you have that person's consent to provide this information and to permit us to use it as is set out in this policy.
The Sites and some of our service providers, to the extent permitted by law, also collect information about your use of our Sites and the devices you utilize to access the Sites via the use of “cookies,” “tracking tags,” or related technologies. These technologies allow us to track and analyze visitor activity on websites, measure the effectiveness of certain advertising efforts, and support the optimization of our digital marketing campaigns. This allows us, for example, to improve the user experience, provide relevant content and better serve our visitors.
A cookie is a small piece of code sent to your browser by a website you visit. Cookies are used by search engines and websites to remember your preferences. Many websites use cookies, and most internet browsers automatically accept them. You can turn off tracking cookies from our Sites by clicking [here] or with the settings button on the cookie banner that appears when you visit the websites. Alternatively, most browsers allow the user to reject cookies. If you choose to decline cookies in either of these ways, you may not be able to fully experience the interactive features our websites provide. Please note that, if you delete your cookies or upgrade your browser, you will have to opt out again. If you use multiple browsers or devices, you will need to opt out on each browser or device. Because there is not yet a consensus on how organizations should respond to web browser-based do-not-track ("DNT") mechanisms, we do not respond to these signals at this time.
We collect and process your data on this site to better understand how it is used. We always ask you for consent to do that. You can change your privacy settings here.
Manage settings
We may additionally collect interest or behavioral information based on your activity on our Sites to the extent permitted by law. You can opt-out of receiving interest-based advertising through the Digital Advertising Alliance website: http://www.aboutads.info/choices. We are not responsible for the effectiveness or compliance of third party opt-out mechanisms or programs.
How we use information you provide
Tufts Medicine uses the information you provide to us using the Sites for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to, fulfilling online requests, processing donations, responding to customer service inquiries, or in other ways required or permitted by law. We may also use this information to provide you with general health-related information, information about new services or products that may be of interest, information you have requested, surveys, event invitations, and organizational updates. Comments and other survey results you submit may be published on Tufts Medicine websites in a de-identified manner.
You may opt-out of any Tufts Medicine communication at any time. You can manage your email subscriptions through the link at the bottom of any of our emails or by calling us at 617.636.5000. Please note this opt-out does not apply to patient communications made through our portal, which is managed separately.
How we share information
Tufts Medicine may share your personal information with third parties in the following circumstances:
- We may share your information with service providers that we believe need the information to perform a technology, business, or other professional function for us (examples include IT providers, maintenance and hosting providers for our websites, payment processors, marketing partners, and other service providers).
- We also may disclose information about you (i) if we are required to do so by law or legal process, (ii) when we believe disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or financial loss, (iii) in connection with an investigation of suspected or actual fraudulent or illegal activity; or (iv) under exigent circumstances, to protect the personal safety of our staff, users or the public.
- We reserve the right to transfer the information we maintain in the event of an organizational change of control (e.g., merger or acquisition). If we engage in such a change of control, your personal information will be transferred subject to this Informational Website Privacy Policy.
Data security
Tufts Medicine has an information security program that aims to secure information you choose to provide through our public-facing informational websites. For example, we maintain a secure firewall and use reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized access to this information. We also encrypt and secure information that is transmitted to us when required by law and in other circumstances where we determine it is appropriate to do so.
Links to external websites
This Informational Website Privacy Policy applies only to the Sites. Our websites may include links to external websites that provide more information. We do not have authority over external organizations’ websites, and this policy does not apply to them.
International data transfers and use
EEA residents are entitled to the rights set out in Chapter III of the EU General Data Protection Regulation for the processing of personal data, which include the right to access, rectify and request erasure of personal data. Please contact us at info@tuftsmedicine.org with your request.
Changes to this policy
Tufts Medicine reserves the right to change or update this policy without notice, so please review it periodically to keep informed of any changes.
Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or concerns about how we collect, use or protect your personal information, please contact us at info@tuftsmedicine.org.
Last Revised: December 13, 2023