Participant Privacy Policy

What Information We Collect

We do not collect any personally identifiable information beyond what is necessary to invite you to studies and coordinate your participation. The only contact details we hold are your email address and mobile number, which are used strictly for contacting you about research invitations, scheduling your sessions, and sending you reminders.

Your email and mobile number are never shared with researchers or clients. Researchers can only see your first name and first letter of your surname within the platform. In any reporting, you will be referred to by a number (e.g., Participant 1) to protect your identity. Your data is used by the platform itself to notify you of suitable studies and to schedule interview sessions.

Age Requirement

Participation in research panels and studies is restricted to individuals aged 18 or over. By signing up, you confirm that you meet this age requirement.

How We Use Your Information

The information you provide will only be used to match you against suitable research studies. We will never sell your data to third parties or use it for purposes outside of legitimate research activities.

When you are invited to take part in a study, we will provide you with information about the study topic, what is required, and details about any incentive offered. For most studies, your participation is self-directed and you can complete the study at a time that suits you. For interview-based studies, if you are suitable and agree to take part, we will offer you a choice of session times so you can select the one most suitable for you.

On occasion we may need to ask you additional screening questions in order to narrow down the selection for a study. The information you provide in response to these questions will only be used for the purpose of that specific study and will not be used outside of it.

How We Communicate With You

All communication between you and the research team is handled through our secure in-app messaging system, so all messages are kept within the platform.

To make sure you do not miss any important updates, such as study invitations or session reminders, the platform will also send you email notifications when there is a message waiting for you in the app. These emails are simply alerts to let you know to check your messages, and do not contain any sensitive study information.

Your Consent

By completing the panel registration form you are giving us consent to use your information in the selection process for studies.

When invited to take part in a study, we will ask your consent to record the session (where applicable) and confirm that you are willing to take part.

You are able to withdraw consent at any stage during the research process. If the study has already been completed, any insights given during the study will be anonymised.

Confidentiality & Anonymity

Researchers and clients never receive your email address, mobile number, or any other contact details. Researchers can only see your first name and first letter of your surname within the platform. Any insight you provide during a study is only shared with the research team and the client team directly responsible for the website or product being tested. In any reporting created, you will be referred to by a sequential number (e.g., Participant 1) to ensure your identity remains anonymous, unless you have explicitly agreed otherwise.

Occasionally our clients may require us to ask participants to sign non-disclosure agreements. In these, you agree not to divulge any information that you see or hear during the research sessions. We hold onto your completed NDA securely and will only disclose it if required for legal reasons.

Storing Your Information

Panel registration data
Information held on your panel profile will be retained for as long as you remain an active member of the panel, or until you request deletion.

Screener responses
We retain your screener responses for the duration of the project that the screener relates to, after which time they are deleted.

Study participation records and research insights
Information relating to the studies you have participated in, together with any insights and opinions you gave during those studies, will be retained for 12 months following the completion of the project, after which time it will be deleted.

Incentive payments
We retain records of any incentive payments for a period of 7 years to comply with tax requirements.

Third Parties

We do not provide or sell participant information to other companies.

Viewing, Amending or Removing Your Information

You can contact us at any time to request access to the information we hold about you, to change information, or to correct any errors. Prior to releasing any information, we will take steps to confirm your identity.

If you wish to be removed from a research panel, please contact the organisation that invited you to join. Please allow up to 14 days for removal and note that you may still receive emails that have already been scheduled.

Complaints

The protection of your information is very important to us. If you have any worries or complaints about how we take care of it, please contact us with your concerns so that we may deal with them for you.

We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). If you are still not happy, you have the right to make a complaint to the ICO. You can find guidance at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, please contact us at hello@insightsquid.com.

Our Data Protection Officer is Kelby Garside. You can reach them directly at data-protection@insightsquid.com for any data protection concerns or subject access requests.