Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 15 July 2026
Last Updated: 15 July 2026

This Privacy Policy applies to the website virtualprofessionalsandai.com, operated by Virtual Professionals through its Virtual Professionals and AI division.

1. Our Approach to Privacy

At Virtual Professionals and AI, people may contact us because they have an important question, concern, decision, or area of uncertainty they would like to explore.

We understand that listening comes before research. When you contact us, our first purpose is to understand the question you are asking and the context in which information may be useful.

We respect the trust involved when you share information with us. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we may collect through this website, why we collect it, how we may use and protect it, and the choices available to you.

Our approach is straightforward: we seek to collect only the information reasonably necessary for legitimate and clearly defined purposes and to handle that information responsibly.

2. Information We May Collect

Depending on how you use the website, we may collect information that you choose to provide directly, including your name, company or organisation name, business email address, research area of interest, inquiry details, and other information you voluntarily include in a form or correspondence.

We may also receive limited technical information associated with the operation and security of the website, such as browser type, device type, approximate location derived from technical data, pages visited, referring pages, and similar usage information, depending on the website hosting, security, analytics, and cookie technologies actually in use.

We will keep this policy aligned with the technologies and services used by the website.

3. Research Inquiries

We want to understand the questions and concerns that bring people to Virtual Professionals and AI.

Information submitted through a research inquiry form may be used to understand the nature of your question, assess whether it falls within our research capabilities and scope, communicate with you about the inquiry, request clarification where necessary, and prepare an appropriate next step where further assessment is warranted.

Submitting an inquiry does not create a client relationship or research engagement.

Please provide enough information for us to understand your question or concern, but do not submit confidential, proprietary, commercially sensitive, legally privileged, or highly sensitive personal information through the initial inquiry form.

If a research engagement proceeds, appropriate arrangements may be made for the exchange of information necessary for the agreed project.

4. How We May Use Information

We may use information collected through the website to respond to inquiries and correspondence, assess potential research engagements, provide information requested by visitors, operate and improve the website, understand how visitors use the website, protect the security and integrity of our systems, maintain appropriate business and administrative records, comply with legal obligations, and establish or protect legitimate rights and interests.

We will not use an inquiry to produce a predetermined conclusion or present a visitor's concern publicly as a research finding.

6. Marketing Communications

We will only send newsletters, research updates, publication notices, or similar marketing communications where an appropriate basis exists for doing so.

Where subscription options are offered, you may unsubscribe using the method provided in the communication.

Submitting a research inquiry should not automatically subscribe a person to general marketing communications unless that person has separately chosen to receive them.

5. Our Research Philosophy and Your Information

Virtual Professionals and AI exists to listen to important questions, investigate available evidence, and communicate information and analysis that may help people make better-informed decisions.

The information you provide in an inquiry helps us understand your question. It does not automatically become public research material, a published case study, or website content.

Where a future research engagement involves client information, its handling should also be governed by the applicable engagement agreement and any agreed confidentiality provisions.

8. Service Providers

We may use reputable third-party service providers to support website hosting, form processing, email delivery, security, analytics, document storage, and other legitimate business operations.

These providers may process information as necessary to provide their services.

Virtual Professionals and AI does not sell personal information as part of its business model.

7. Cookies and Website Technologies

The website may use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for website functionality, security, performance, or visitor preferences.

If analytics, advertising, or other non-essential tracking technologies are introduced, this policy and any related cookie notices or consent mechanisms should be updated to accurately reflect those practices.

10. Information Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational measures appropriate to the nature of the information we hold and the risks associated with its processing.

However, no website, electronic transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Visitors should therefore avoid submitting highly sensitive information through ordinary website forms.

9. Information Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, legitimate business and recordkeeping needs, resolution of inquiries or disputes, protection of legal rights, or compliance with applicable obligations.

Retention periods may differ depending on the nature of the information and the reason it is held.

12. Children's Privacy

The website and research services are intended for a professional and general adult audience and are not directed to children.

We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children through research inquiry forms.

11. External Websites and Sources

The VPAI Knowledge Platform, Research Library, books, articles, and other materials may refer or link to external websites, publications, research sources, institutions, companies, or other third-party resources.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. Visitors should review the privacy information provided by those third parties where appropriate.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when our website, services, technologies, or legal obligations change.

The updated version will be published on this page with a revised Last Updated date.

Where a change materially affects how personal information is handled, additional notice or choice may be appropriate depending on the circumstances and applicable requirements.

13. Privacy Rights and Requests

Depending on where you live and which laws apply, you may have rights concerning your personal information.

These may include rights to request access, correction, deletion, or other action relating to certain personal information.

To make a privacy-related request, please use the Contact page and select the appropriate privacy or data-related inquiry option, where available.

We may need to take reasonable steps to verify a request before acting on it.

15. Contacting Us about Privacy

If you have a question about this Privacy Policy or how personal information is handled, please contact Virtual Professionals and AI through the Contact page and select the relevant inquiry category.

Virtual Professionals and AI
Independent Research & Knowledge

Virtual Professionals is an independent organization that conducts global, evidence-based research and analysis through its Virtual Professionals and AI (VPAI) division.

Connect with Catharina Cawood, Founder and Research Director.

AI-assisted research. Human-led analysis. Independent findings.

Disclaimer

Methodology & Ethics