The GCC Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of users who visit or interact with this website.
The GCC Center is hosted and operated by the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC). This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, stored and shared when you browse the website, create an account, download resources, submit information or use the Center’s digital services.
By using this website, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
The information collected depends on how you use the website.
Information you provide
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Country
- Organisation or employer
- Job title or professional role
- Account registration information
- Information submitted through contact or service-request forms
- Information provided when downloading gated reports or resources
- Provider or assessor application information
- Certifications or supporting documentation submitted for verification
- Reports, use cases, training programmes or other content submitted for review
You should only provide information that is accurate and necessary for the relevant service or request.
Information collected automatically
When you access the website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, such as:
- Browser and device type
- IP address
- Pages visited
- Date and time of access
- Referring pages
- General website interaction and usage information
This information may be collected through analytics tools and cookies to understand how the website is used and to improve its performance.
2. How We Use Your Information
Information collected through the website may be used to:
- Create and manage user accounts
- Provide access to gated reports, use cases and other resources
- Process service and matchmaking requests
- Process technology-provider and assessor applications
- Review certifications and supporting documentation
- Review reports, use cases and training programmes submitted for publication
- Maintain provider, assessor and programme directories
- Respond to enquiries and requests
- Record website service enquiries for administrative and reporting purposes
- Improve website functionality, content and user experience
- Maintain website security and prevent misuse
- Produce aggregated statistics and reports
- Comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements
Personal information will not be sold or used for unrelated commercial purposes.
3. Service and Matchmaking Requests
The website may allow users to submit requests to connect with assessors, technology providers or other organisations participating in the GCC industrial ecosystem.
Where you submit such a request, relevant information from your enquiry may be shared with:
- The selected or relevant service provider
- GOIC / GCC Center administrators responsible for managing or monitoring the request
The website may retain a record of the request, including information such as the requester, country, service category, provider contacted and date of submission.
The website facilitates the initial connection. Any subsequent commercial, contractual or service relationship between users and external providers may take place outside the GCC Center website.
4. Provider, Assessor and Institutional Submissions
Technology providers, assessors, GCC centers, ministries and other eligible organisations may be able to submit information for review or publication.
Submitted information may be reviewed by authorised GOIC / GCC Center administrators before it is:
- Approved
- Rejected
- Returned for additional information
- Published on the website
Information intended for public directories or publications may become publicly accessible once approved.
Documents submitted specifically for verification, such as certificates or supporting credentials, will not be published unless this is clearly indicated.
5. Reports, Publications and Downloads
Some reports, use cases or resources may be freely accessible, while others may require users to provide information or sign in before downloading.
Where access is gated, the website may record:
- The user or email address
- The resource accessed
- The date of access or download
This information may be used to understand how GCC Center knowledge resources are being used and to improve future content.
6. Email Communications and Newsletters
Creating an account does not automatically enrol you in marketing communications.
Where a newsletter or update subscription is offered, communications will only be sent to users who choose to subscribe or otherwise provide the required consent.
Users may unsubscribe from such communications using the unsubscribe option provided in the relevant message.
Transactional communications related to an account, application, submission or service request may still be sent where necessary to provide the requested service.
7. Cookies and Analytics
The website may use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Maintain essential website functionality
- Remember user preferences
- Support secure login sessions
- Understand website traffic and usage
- Measure website performance
- Improve user experience
Analytics information should, where practical, be used in an aggregated manner rather than to identify individual users.
A separate Cookie Policy provides additional information about the cookies used on the website, including the cookie-preference notice shown on your first visit.
8. Sharing of Information
Personal information may be shared only where reasonably necessary, including with:
- GOIC and authorised GCC Center personnel
- Relevant technology providers or assessors when a user submits a service request
- Authorised service providers supporting website hosting, maintenance, analytics, email delivery or other technical services
- Government or regulatory authorities where required by applicable law
- Other authorised entities where necessary to provide a service requested by the user
Information will not be shared with third parties for unrelated commercial marketing purposes.
9. Data Retention
Personal information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Provide the relevant service
- Maintain required administrative records
- Manage accounts and submissions
- Meet reporting requirements
- Resolve enquiries
- Fulfil applicable legal or regulatory obligations
When information is no longer required, it may be securely deleted, anonymised or otherwise disposed of in accordance with applicable requirements.
10. Data Security
Reasonable technical and organisational measures will be used to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorised access
- Loss
- Misuse
- Alteration
- Disclosure
- Destruction
However, no online service or electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Users are responsible for keeping their account credentials confidential and should notify the GCC Center if they believe their account has been compromised.
11. Your Information and Requests
Subject to applicable law and relevant administrative procedures, users may contact the GCC Center regarding personal information they have provided through the website, including requests relating to:
- Access
- Correction
- Updating inaccurate information
- Account information
- Withdrawal from optional communications
- Other privacy-related concerns
The website’s privacy practices should be administered in accordance with applicable requirements in the State of Qatar, including relevant personal-data protection legislation.
12. External Websites
The GCC Center website may contain links to GCC institutions, government entities, technology providers, assessors, training providers, partner organisations and other third-party websites.
Once you leave the GCC Center website, the privacy practices of the external website will apply.
The GCC Center and GOIC are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites.
13. Children’s Privacy
The GCC Center website is intended primarily for professional, institutional and industrial audiences and is not designed specifically for children.
Users should not knowingly submit personal information relating to children unless required for an authorised programme or activity and appropriate safeguards are in place.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes to website functionality, new services, regulatory requirements or changes in data-handling practices.
The latest version will be published on this page together with the effective or last-updated date.
15. Contact Us
For questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information, please contact:
GCC Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Hosted and operated by GOIC
Doha, State of Qatar
Email: [Official Privacy / GCC Center Email]
Telephone: [Official Contact Number]