Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 29/3/2026

This Privacy Policy explains how researchmena (“researchmena”, “Research MENA”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, shares, and otherwise processes personal data when you use our website, platform, forms, applications, communications, and related services available through researchmena.com and any related services (collectively, the “Services”).

This Privacy Policy applies to:

  • companies, teams, and researchers who use our Services to recruit or manage participants for research activities;

  • individuals who sign up, apply, or participate in research opportunities through our Services; and

  • visitors to our website.

By using our Services, you acknowledge this Privacy Policy.

1. Who We Are

researchmena is based in Cairo, Egypt.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, you can contact us at:

salem@researchmena.com

2. The Types of Data We Collect

Depending on how you interact with the Services, we may collect the following categories of personal data:

A. Account and Business Information

If you use researchmena as a company, client, or researcher, we may collect:

  • your name

  • work email address

  • company name

  • job title

  • billing information

  • login credentials or authentication-related information

  • communications with us

B. Participant Information

If you apply for or participate in research studies through researchmena, we may collect:

  • your name

  • email address

  • phone number, if you provide it

  • demographic information

  • location or country

  • language preferences

  • screening responses

  • study eligibility information

  • participation history

  • scheduling availability

  • incentive and payout details

  • any other information you choose to provide in forms, applications, or communications

C. Research and Study Information

We may collect information related to studies run through the platform, including:

  • study descriptions

  • eligibility criteria

  • screener questions and responses

  • participant matching data

  • scheduling details

  • attendance and completion status

  • notes or operational information related to study coordination

  • payment or incentive approval information

D. Payment and Incentive Information

If we handle incentives, reimbursements, or other participant payments, we may collect and process:

  • payment amount

  • payment status

  • payout method

  • transaction-related records

  • limited payment details necessary to facilitate payouts

In some cases, payment processing may be handled by third-party payment service providers, who may collect or process payment information directly under their own privacy terms.

E. Technical and Usage Information

When you use our website or Services, we may automatically collect certain technical information, such as:

  • IP address

  • browser type

  • device type

  • operating system

  • pages viewed

  • referring website

  • timestamps

  • session activity

  • cookies and similar technologies

3. How We Use Personal Data

We may use personal data for the following purposes:

  • to provide, operate, maintain, and improve the Services

  • to create and manage user accounts

  • to recruit, screen, match, and coordinate research participants

  • to schedule studies, interviews, or other research activities

  • to communicate with clients, researchers, and participants

  • to process incentives, reimbursements, and other payouts

  • to respond to inquiries, support requests, or operational issues

  • to analyze and improve platform usage, performance, and reliability

  • to prevent fraud, abuse, unauthorized access, or misuse of the Services

  • to enforce our Terms of Service and other policies

  • to comply with legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or compliance obligations

  • to send service-related or transactional emails

  • to send marketing emails where permitted, subject to applicable opt-out rights

4. Our Role in Processing Data

Our role may vary depending on the context:

  • When we collect data to operate our own website, platform, communications, and business operations, researchmena generally acts as the party determining how that data is used.

  • When a company or researcher uses researchmena to run a study, that company or researcher may independently determine the purpose of that study, participant criteria, and related research decisions.

  • In some cases, researchmena may process participant or study-related data on behalf of a client in order to provide the Services.

Because research workflows can vary, the same data may sometimes be processed by researchmena for platform operations and by a client for its own research purposes.

5. Legal Bases and Consent

Where required, we rely on appropriate legal grounds to collect and use personal data, which may include:

  • your consent

  • the performance of a contract or steps taken at your request

  • compliance with legal obligations

  • our legitimate interests in operating, securing, and improving the Services

  • the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims

Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw it, subject to legal or operational limitations.

Egypt’s current privacy framework recognizes multiple lawful bases for processing, gives individuals rights over their data, requires breach notification, restricts some direct electronic marketing activity without consent, and places controls on certain cross-border transfers. (Kennedys Law)

6. How We Share Personal Data

We may share personal data only as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including with:

  • clients, researchers, or organizations running studies through the platform

  • service providers who help us operate the Services, such as hosting, analytics, authentication, scheduling, communications, or payment providers

  • professional advisors such as lawyers, accountants, auditors, or insurers

  • regulators, authorities, courts, or law enforcement where required by law or to protect rights, safety, or the integrity of the Services

  • a buyer, investor, successor, or other party involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets

We do not sell personal data to third parties for their own advertising use.

7. Participant Data and Research Use

If you are a participant, your data may be shared with a client or researcher for legitimate research-related purposes, including:

  • evaluating eligibility

  • scheduling participation

  • communicating about a study

  • confirming attendance or completion

  • managing incentives or reimbursements

  • understanding research findings, where relevant

Clients and researchers who receive participant information are responsible for using it in accordance with applicable law and the terms under which it was collected.

8. Email Communications

We may send emails related to:

  • account creation or access

  • study invitations or updates

  • scheduling and participation logistics

  • payment or incentive notifications

  • service or operational announcements

  • support communications

  • marketing updates, where permitted

You may opt out of marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link in those emails. You may still receive transactional or service-related emails where necessary.

9. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • keep users signed in

  • remember preferences

  • understand website usage

  • improve performance and user experience

  • measure the effectiveness of pages, forms, or campaigns

  • help secure the Services

You may be able to manage cookies through your browser settings. Disabling some cookies may affect how the Services function.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to:

  • provide the Services

  • manage studies and participant relationships

  • maintain records of payments and incentives

  • resolve disputes

  • enforce agreements

  • comply with legal, accounting, tax, or regulatory obligations

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of data, the nature of the service, and applicable legal requirements.

11. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal data against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

12. International Transfers

Your personal data may be stored or processed in countries other than your own, including where our service providers operate.

Where we transfer personal data across borders, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate protection and lawful handling of that data.

Because Egyptian privacy law places conditions on certain cross-border transfers of personal data, your final production policy and internal operations should be checked against your actual hosting, vendors, and payment flows before launch. (Kennedys Law)

13. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights to:

  • request access to personal data we hold about you

  • request correction or updating of inaccurate data

  • request deletion of personal data in certain circumstances

  • withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

  • object to or request restriction of certain processing

  • request information about how your data is used

To make a request, contact us at salem@researchmena.com.

We may need to verify your identity before responding to certain requests.

14. Children’s Privacy

The Services are not intended for children under 18 unless expressly stated for a specific research study and handled with appropriate consent and legal safeguards.

If you believe that we have collected personal data from a child in a way that is not permitted, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps.

15. Third-Party Services

Our Services may link to or integrate with third-party websites, tools, or services. We are not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of those third parties. Their use of data is governed by their own terms and privacy policies.

16. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the “Last Updated” date above. If required, we will provide additional notice of material changes.

Your continued use of the Services after any updates become effective means you acknowledge the revised Privacy Policy.

17. Contact Us

If you have any questions or requests relating to this Privacy Policy, please contact:

salem@researchmena.com
Cairo, Egypt