Privacy Policy

Last updated: August 25, 2026

Who we are

The Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (“NSCSW”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) operates the following websites:

• nscsw.org
• ethical.nscsw.org
• candidacy.nscsw.org

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through these websites.

Information we collect

We may collect personal information that you provide directly to us, including information submitted through:

• contact and inquiry forms;
• newsletter and publication subscription forms;
• professional development, funding, application, or registration forms;
• website user accounts;
• event registrations or transactions; and
• file uploads, where a form permits attachments.

Depending on the purpose of the form, this information may include your name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, professional information, application details, event information, or other information you choose to provide.

We aim to collect only the information reasonably necessary for the purpose identified at the time of collection.

Information collected automatically

When you access our websites, certain technical information may be collected automatically for website operation and security. This may include:

• IP address;
• browser and device information;
• requested pages and URLs;
• date and time of access;
• login attempts; and
• security or error information.

This information may be used to maintain website functionality, diagnose technical problems, prevent abuse, and protect the security of our websites and users.

How we use your information

We may use information collected through our websites to:

• respond to inquiries and requests;
• process applications, registrations, submissions, or funding requests;
• administer website accounts;
• provide requested publications or communications;
• process transactions or registrations;
• operate and maintain our websites;
• prevent spam, fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access;
• meet regulatory, administrative, or legal obligations; and
• carry out other purposes identified when the information is collected.

We will not use personal information for an unrelated purpose without appropriate authority or consent.

Email subscriptions

If you subscribe to an NSCSW newsletter, publication, or other email communication, we collect the information necessary to manage that subscription.

Some subscriptions may require you to confirm your email address through a third-party email service before being added to a mailing list.

You may unsubscribe from optional email communications at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism provided in those communications.

Forms and file uploads

Information submitted through website forms is used for the purpose described by the applicable form.

Where a form permits documents or other files to be uploaded, those files may contain personal information. You should only provide information necessary for the applicable request or application and should avoid including unnecessary sensitive personal information.

Comments

Comments are not enabled throughout all NSCSW websites.

Where commenting is available, we may collect the information entered in the comment form along with the visitor’s IP address and browser information to assist with spam detection and website security.

Comments may also be processed by an automated spam-detection service.

Cookies

Our websites use cookies and similar browser storage where necessary for website functionality.

For example:

• temporary cookies may be used to determine whether your browser accepts cookies;
• login cookies may maintain authenticated sessions;
• administrative users may receive cookies that store screen or interface preferences; and
• security systems may use cookies to identify legitimate sessions or protect against malicious activity.

If you choose “Remember Me” when logging in, your login session may persist for a longer period.

Logging out removes applicable authentication cookies.

Third-party or embedded services may also set their own cookies.

Embedded content and third-party websites

Pages on our websites may contain embedded content or links to third-party websites, including videos, publications, forms, social media, or other external services.

Embedded content may behave as though you visited the third-party website directly. Those services may collect information, use cookies, or record interactions according to their own privacy practices.

NSCSW is not responsible for the privacy practices of independently operated third-party websites.

Website security and spam prevention

We use technical security and spam-prevention services to protect our websites.

These systems may process information such as IP addresses, browser information, requested URLs, login attempts, form submissions, or other technical information for the purpose of identifying malicious traffic, spam, fraud, or unauthorized access.

Services currently used may include Wordfence and, where enabled, Akismet.

Payments and transactions

Where a website allows payments or other financial transactions, information necessary to process the transaction may be transmitted to an external payment processor.

NSCSW and its service providers may retain transaction records where required for accounting, administrative, regulatory, or legal purposes.

Who we share information with

We may disclose information to service providers that assist us in operating our websites or delivering requested services. These may include providers of:

• website hosting;
• website security and spam prevention;
• email and mailing-list services;
• payment processing; and
• other technology services required to fulfil a request.

We may also disclose information where required or authorized by law, for regulatory purposes, to protect the security or integrity of our systems, or with your consent.

We do not sell personal information.

Where information may be processed

Some technology providers used by NSCSW may operate systems or infrastructure outside Nova Scotia or Canada.

Where personal information is processed in another jurisdiction, it may be subject to the laws of that jurisdiction. NSCSW manages third-party services in accordance with applicable privacy and legal requirements.

How long we retain information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected and to meet applicable administrative, regulatory, security, financial, or legal requirements.

Retention periods may differ depending on the nature and purpose of the information.

Information that is no longer required will be deleted, destroyed, or anonymized where appropriate.

Your privacy rights

You may contact NSCSW to:

• ask what personal information we hold about you;
• request access to your personal information;
• request correction of inaccurate information;
• request deletion of information where appropriate;
• withdraw consent for optional uses of your information; or
• raise a concern about how your personal information has been handled.

Some information may need to be retained where required for regulatory, administrative, security, financial, or legal purposes.

Protecting your information

NSCSW uses administrative and technical safeguards intended to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, loss, or destruction.

No internet-based system can guarantee absolute security, but safeguards are reviewed and maintained according to the nature and sensitivity of the information involved.

Changes to this policy

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

The date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last updated.

Contact us

Nova Scotia College of Social Workers
1888 Brunswick Street, Suite 700
Halifax, NS B3J 3J8
Phone: 902-429-7799
Email: [email protected]