Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all information provided by you or otherwise collected from you by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in any manner, including in person, through the mail, online, or via mobile applications or platforms.

Last updated April 14, 2025

1. Introduction

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation (the "Aquarium," "we," or "us") is committed to respecting the privacy rights of our Audience—that is, our in-person and online visitors, subscribers, members, and donors (“Audience,” “you”). This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) covers information we collect through the mail, over the phone, in person at the Aquarium or off-site at Aquarium events, and online through our websites (including through application programming interfaces), email communications, text message communications, e-books, and mobile applications (collectively, "Services"). We created this Policy to give you confidence as you visit, join, donate, or use our Services, and to demonstrate our commitment to transparency, fair information practices, and the protection of privacy.

2. Information collection practices

Collecting information allows us to improve your experience in using our Services. In many cases, the information we collect is non-personal and cannot be tied back to the individual user. Personal information is only collected when users explicitly share it with us.

2.1 Personal information

We collect user-submitted information such as names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone number, age, and financial information. We use this information, which is collected directly from you and with your knowledge, to process and verify transactions and to send you requested information. Information such as location, education or occupation information, and browsing history may also be collected through third-party applications or affiliates to help us improve upon the user experience. This information does not usually directly identify you, but it can be used to give you a more personalized web experience.

2.2 Non-personal information

We may collect non-personal information such as browser or device types, crash reports, page load speeds, and related technical information to help us improve the performance of our Services.

2.3. Cookies

Our website stores and retrieves information on your browser in the form of cookies, which are small files stored on your computer that help customize the website to your needs.

We utilize first and third-party cookies and other tracking technologies to capture how you use and interact with our website to improve and market our products and Services. Website usage data is used to determine the popularity of products and Services and online activity. Additionally, we use this information for site optimization, fraud/security purposes, and advertising. You may review and update your cookie settings for this website at any time. You may also disable cookies by changing the settings on your browser.

2.4. Do Not Track technologies

Because an industry-standard Do Not Track protocol has not yet been established, we do not respond to browser Do Not Track signals and our information collection and disclosure practices will continue to operate as described in this Privacy Policy regardless of choices made regarding the use of Do Not Track technologies.

3. Mobile terms and conditions

There is no fee from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to receive text messages. Message and data rates may apply—this can be checked with your mobile service provider. Charges are billed and payable to your mobile service provider or deducted from your prepaid account. Consent is not a requirement for purchase.

Data obtained from you in connection with this SMS service may include your mobile phone number, your carrier’s name, and the date, time, and content of your messages. We may use this information to contact you and provide the services you request from us. Alerts sent via SMS may not be delivered if the mobile phone is not in range of a transmission site, or if sufficient network capacity is not available at a particular time. Even within a coverage area, factors beyond the control of the wireless operator may interfere with message delivery, including the customer’s equipment, terrain, proximity to buildings, foliage, and weather. Wireless operators do not guarantee message delivery and will not be held liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

By subscribing to the Monterey Bay Aquarium mobile alerts, the user consents to receive automated news, action alerts, and donation requests via text message. Message & data rates may apply. If you have any questions, text HELP to the number you received a text message from or contact us at or aquarium@email.montereybayaquarium.org. To stop receiving messages, reply STOP.

4. How we use your information

We collect personal as well as anonymous information from our Audience and may use this information to create aggregate information. In some cases, we may share information as further described in the “Information sharing” section below. The types of information we collect are described as follows ("Collected Information"):

Personal information. In order for you to access certain Services and information, or make donations and purchases, we require you to provide us with certain information that personally identifies you ("Personal information"). Personal information includes the following categories of information:

Contact data. You may provide data such as your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address (“Contact Data”) when you create an account, or opt in to email or text message communications. We may use your Contact Data to contact you regarding your purchase, donation, or visit to the Aquarium, or your use of our websites or applications. If you opted in to communications, we may also use your Contact Data to send you information or promotional materials about the Aquarium, solicit donations, invite you to become a member of the Aquarium, or send you postal mail from affiliated organizations. Text messaging opt-in data and consent will not be sold or shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes.
Financial data. This is information you provide when you make a purchase or donation through our sites or applications, such as your bank account or credit card number (“Financial Data”). We may use Financial Data you have provided to bill you for products and Services you have requested.
Demographic data. We may use information such as your zip code, age, and income (“Demographic Data”) to customize and tailor your experience by displaying content that we think you might be interested in and according to your preferences.
Other data. You may provide other information by communicating with us by email, via social media sites, text message, or other electronic means, by accessing Services through a third-party site or service, by posting messages to any of our chat groups, bulletin boards or forums, or by completing online forms, surveys, or contest entries through our Services (“Other Data”). We may use this Other Data to contact you regarding your comment or request.

Location information. When our Audience accesses Services online, we have the ability to recognize IP addresses (the number assigned to computers and mobile devices on the internet) and general physical location (such as your city) (“Location Information”). We may use Location Information for marketing purposes, to better understand the demographics of our Audience.

Use, viewing, and technical information. Our Services may also gather anonymous "traffic data'' that does not personally identify you, such as which webpages are visited, the type of device and screen size used to access Services, the length of time Services are used, preferred language, and the websites visited immediately before arriving at one of our websites (“Viewing Information”). We may use this anonymous Viewing Information for marketing purposes, may share it with business partners and advertisers, and may analyze it to help us improve Services for our Audience.

Comments and suggestions. We welcome your feedback and provide opportunities online and at the Aquarium for you to submit comments and ideas, make suggestions, request information, and to report problems. Even if you contact us through one of our forms, we cannot determine your email address unless you include it in your response. We may wish to post your feedback and will do so anonymously, or will identify you by your first name, initials, or display name only, unless you specifically authorize otherwise. Please note that any suggestions or ideas you submit to us will become the property of the Aquarium and can be used by us for any purpose.

Surveys. If you choose to participate in one of our surveys, we may ask you for certain Demographic Data and other Personal Information. We may use information from surveys to better understand our Audience and to improve our Services. We may share Demographic Data or Other Data but only on an aggregate basis (i.e., grouped with other responses and so non-personally identifiable).

Interactive kiosks and similar programs. Our Services may include interactive kiosks and similar programs in which you can participate. Any information that you provide will be stored in our system and will not be shared with others.

5. Information sharing

We don't share information except in cases where it helps us operate our business to better serve you. The categories of Collected Information we may share are as follows:

Third-party affiliates and other tax-exempt organizations. Occasionally we may share limited Personal Information (name and mailing address–never phone numbers or email addresses) in the form of donor lists or list of members with other tax-exempt organizations (e.g., nonprofits) with which we have ongoing relationships. If you do not wish for Personal Information to be included in the lists we share with such third parties, simply decline the sharing of such Personal Information with Affiliates or other Tax-Exempt Organizations when you join or renew your membership or donation commitment by mail, or contact us directly at membership@mbayaq.org.
Third-party advertisers. We share Demographic Data, Viewing Information, and Location Information with advertisers and other third parties, but only on an aggregate basis (i.e., non-personally identifiable).
Third-party performing services. We may share information with third parties in order to perform certain services related to the operation of the Services as described elsewhere in the Policy. We utilize outside businesses to perform certain services relating to our operation of the Services (such as website hosting, ticket sales, membership information management, newsroom, job board management, billing, fulfillment, text message sending, email sending, email hashing for marketing purposes, and data storage and security). We share your Collected Information, including Contact Data and Financial Data, with those businesses only so that they may perform services relating to the operation of our Services. If you do not want us to share your Personal Information, including your Contact Data and Financial Data with our third-party service providers, please contact us. Please understand that such a request will likely limit your ability to take advantage of all of the features and Services we offer.
Job board: We use a third-party service provider, UKG, to host our job board. If you create an online account in order to access the job board, you may review and correct information in your account's personal profile. If you wish to delete your account, you may do so by contacting us.
Remarketing through digital advertising. If you opt in to receive email or text message communication from us, we may use your email address or phone number for remarketing purposes (e.g., to display advertising on websites and social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram). You can contact us to opt out of remarketing based on your email address or phone number.

6. Disclosure of personal information and financial data

We may disclose Personal information if required to do so by law or legal process served on the Aquarium or its subsidiaries or affiliates, or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to (1) facilitate compliance with laws; (2) protect and defend the rights or property of the Aquarium or our Audience; or (3) act under exigent circumstances to protect the safety of the public or our Audience. We may disclose Financial Data if required to do so by law, including in compliance with legal process served on the Aquarium, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

7. Notice concerning children

At the Aquarium, we are especially concerned with protecting the privacy of children who use our Services. We fully support and are in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), though nonprofit organizations such as ours are not subject to its provisions. Please note the following:

We require the consent of the parent or legal guardian of any guest under the age of 13 before we collect or use any Personal information. Guests under the age of 16 will be provided with the option to opt in to the collection or use of any Personal Information. If we collect Personal information from children, it is only to be able to furnish information regarding participation in programs.
At any time, a child's parent may review the child's Personal information, ask us to delete it, and/or refuse to allow any further collection or use of information from the child.

8. Security

Our Services have security measures designed to prevent the loss, misuse, or alteration of information that we obtain from you. However, you should be careful about the personal information which you provide to us through the Services because we make no assurances about our ability to prevent any loss or expense to you or to any third-party arising out of any breach in our security measures. If you have established an Aquarium online account and become aware that your username or password has been compromised, you should notify us immediately so that we may promptly take the appropriate measures to protect your Personal information.

9. Website areas beyond the Aquarium's control

This Policy applies only to Services provided and administered by the Aquarium. Any other websites, applications, or platforms that you may be able to access through our Services may have data collection and use practices and policies that differ materially from this Policy. Please be sure to review third-party policies, as the Aquarium is not responsible for the privacy policies of such other services.

10. Public forums and third-party platforms

Our Services may include or access interactive forums or third-party sites and services such as social media platforms, and third-party websites and applications. Please remember that any information that is disclosed in these areas may become public. You should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your personal information through public forums and should carefully review third-party privacy policies and terms and conditions, as we are not responsible for third-party sites or services.

11. Contacting us

If you have any questions about this Policy or our practices related to our Services, or if you would like to manage information in your online account or otherwise related to our Services, please contact us.

12. Your rights

The Aquarium is committed to transparency, fair information practices, and the protection of privacy. Your rights in engaging with us include the right to:

Withhold information: You may choose to withhold your Personal Information from us.
Opt in to mailing lists: If you wish to receive information and promotional material from us or from our partners, you may select the appropriate "opt in" option each time we ask you for Personal Information.
Opt out of communication lists: If you opt in to our email or text message communications, you may unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of any email from us and following the prompts, or by texting STOP to our number. If you do not wish to receive physical mailings from us via U.S. Mail, you may request we remove you from our list by contacting us.
Request disclosure: You may contact us to request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of Personal Information the Aquarium collects about you, the business purposes for collecting the information, and the categories of third parties with which the information is shared.
Request deletion: You may contact us to request deletion of your Personal Information. We may maintain Personal Information when required by law or our legal obligations. In the event we must maintain user Personal Information following a request for deletion, we will only keep and use data for the specific purpose required to comply with the law or our legal obligations.
Request corrections: You may contact us to request corrections to Personal Information that you have provided to us.
Request limits to sharing information: You may contact us to limit the use, including the disclosure, sale, and sharing, of Personal Information that you have provided to us for targeted advertising based on your Personal Information collected by us and other third parties.
Equal Treatment: If you exercise any of these rights, you have the right to be treated in the same manner as any other guests who have chosen not to exercise their rights.
Opt out of sharing information: You may contact us to opt out of sharing or the sale of your Personal Information.
Membership and fundraising: With respect to our membership and fundraising practices, we adhere to A Donor Bill of Rights, which requires that we handle all information about our Members and Donors with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law. Members and Donors always have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from any lists that we may intend to share pursuant to this Policy. If you’d like your name removed, contact us.

13. Updates and changes

This Policy is effective as of the date posted above. We reserve the right, at any time, to revise this Policy simply by posting a revised Policy on the website and without any notice to you. Any such revision will be effective immediately upon posting.