Privacy Policy

Who we are

The site is run by Tornado Research Unit. For privacy requests, contact us at [email protected]. If you are in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland and applicable law requires a designated representative, we will publish those details here when appointed.

Information we collect

• You provide: information you submit directly to us, such as account or profile information, membership or application form submissions, contact forms, emails or messages you send us, and photos, reports, or other content you choose to upload or submit.
• Automatically: technical and usage data such as IP address, device type, browser type, operating system, general location derived from IP address, pages viewed, referring pages or links, dates and times of visits, and basic usage or performance data. We may use cookies, local storage, pixels, and similar technologies to help the website function, remember preferences, improve security, measure traffic, and support analytics or advertising features.
• From third parties: limited information from services we use to operate, protect, improve, or monetize the website. This may include analytics providers, advertising partners including Google, content delivery networks, authentication providers, and security, spam prevention, or performance tools. These services may collect information according to their own privacy policies and settings.

Cookies, consent, and your choices

We separate strictly necessary cookies and similar technologies (needed for security and core functionality) from optional ones used for analytics and advertising. Where the law requires it (including for visitors in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland), we ask for your consent before using non-essential cookies or before enabling personalized advertising, using our on-site preference center. You can change your choices at any time using Privacy & cookie settings in the site footer, or through controls offered by your browser or device.

For U.S. residents in states with comprehensive privacy laws, we provide notice of collection and use as described here, and options that may include opting out of certain data uses for targeted advertising or “sale” or “sharing” as those terms are defined locally. Turning off “Personalized ads” in our preference center is one way to limit use of information for cross-context behavioral or targeted advertising where that maps to those rights. You can also use industry tools linked in the Advertising section below.

Advertising (Google AdSense)

We may use Google AdSense or related Google services to show ads. Google may use cookies and other data to measure performance and, where permitted, personalize ads. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on visits to this and other sites. You can read how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites. You can opt out of personalized advertising from Google at Google Ads Settings or via industry tools such as aboutads.info.

How we use information

We use data to:

• Provide, secure, and improve the website and features you request;
• Understand usage and performance (analytics);
• Serve and measure advertising, including personalized ads where allowed;
• Comply with law, respond to lawful requests, and enforce our terms;
• Communicate with you when you contact us or subscribe to updates.

Legal bases (EEA, UK, Switzerland)

Where GDPR or similar law applies, we rely on appropriate legal bases such as: your consent (for non-essential cookies and personalized ads where required); performance of a contract or pre-contract steps; legitimate interests (for example fraud prevention, security, aggregated analytics, or improving the service), balanced against your rights; and legal obligations.

Sharing

We share information with service providers that help us host, analyze, or monetize the site (including Google), with professional advisers where required, and with authorities when the law requires. Some providers may process data in the United States or other countries. Where transfers from the EEA, UK, or Switzerland are involved, we use appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses or other mechanisms recognized by applicable law, together with supplementary measures where appropriate.

Retention

We keep information only as long as needed for the purposes above, including legal, accounting, and security requirements. Retention periods vary by data type and context.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data; to restrict or object to certain processing; to withdraw consent where processing is consent-based; and to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. U.S. state residents may have additional rights (for example appeal processes or authorized agents). To exercise rights, contact [email protected]. We may need to verify your request as permitted by law.

Children

Our site is not directed at children under 16 (or the age required in your region), and we do not knowingly collect their personal information for marketing. If you believe we have done so, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

Changes

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the revised version on this page and adjust the “Last updated” date. Where required, we will obtain consent or provide additional notice.