Last updated: June 26, 2026

At Ask Microbiology (accessible from https://askmicrobiology.com), one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by Ask Microbiology ("we", "our", or "us") and how we use it.

If you have additional questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at contact@askmicrobiology.com.

1. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Compliance

We are a Data Controller of your information. Our legal basis for collecting and using the personal information described in this Privacy Policy depends on the Personal Information we collect and the specific context in which we collect it:

  • We need to perform a contract with you (e.g., answering search queries or processing contact requests).
  • You have given us permission to do so (consent, such as accepting cookies).
  • Processing your personal information is in our legitimate interests.
  • We need to comply with the law.

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have specific data protection rights. If you wish to be informed what Personal Information we hold about you and if you want it to be removed from our systems, please contact us.

2. Log Files & Technical Information

Ask Microbiology follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. All hosting and analytics services do this as part of their service management.

The information collected by log files includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of this information is for analyzing trends, administering the site, tracking users' movement on the website, and gathering demographic information.

3. Google DoubleClick DART Cookies & AdSense

Google is one of the third-party vendors on our site. It uses cookies, known as DART cookies, to serve ads to our site visitors based upon their visit to our site and other sites on the internet.

Specifically, please note:

  • Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites.
  • Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to our site and/or other sites on the Internet.
  • You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, you can refuse non-essential cookies via our Cookie Consent Card.

For more information on how Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps, please review Google's Policy Page.

4. Our Advertising Partners

Our site includes advertisements powered by Google AdSense. These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technologies like cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons that are used in their respective advertisements and links that appear on Ask Microbiology, which are sent directly to your browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs.

These technologies are used to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see on websites that you visit. Note that Ask Microbiology has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

5. Your Data Rights

Under the GDPR and other privacy frameworks (such as California's CCPA/CPRA), you have the following rights:

  • The right to access: You have the right to request copies of your personal data.
  • The right to rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate or complete information you believe is incomplete.
  • The right to erasure: You have the right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to restrict processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to object to processing: You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data, under certain conditions.
  • The right to data portability: You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions.
  • The right to withdraw consent: You can withdraw consent for non-essential tracking cookies at any time.

6. Managing Cookie Preferences

When you first visit our site, you are presented with a cookie consent widget in the shape of a cookie. You can choose to Accept All or Essential Only.

If you have previously accepted or declined and wish to change your settings, you can clear your browser's local storage for this site, or click the small floating cookie icon at the bottom of the page to toggle the consent card and change your settings.

7. Children's Information

Another part of our priority is adding protection for children while using the internet. We encourage parents and guardians to observe, participate in, and/or monitor and guide their online activity.

Ask Microbiology does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, please reach out to us: