Human-Centered Healthcare Movement (HCHM)

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 2026
Jurisdiction: British Columbia, Canada (Personal Information Protection Act – PIPA)

1. Our Commitment

The Human-Centered Healthcare Movement (“the Movement”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that personal information is handled responsibly, respectfully, and transparently, in accordance with British Columbia’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

At this time, the Movement focuses on collecting and stewarding stories from within Canada — the community we call home. This focus allows us to care for stories responsibly, in alignment with current data-security, storage, and privacy-compliance requirements.

The Movement operates under a defined governance structure appropriate to its size and scope, including designated responsibility for privacy, data protection, and decision accountability.

2. Privacy Officer

The Movement has designated a Privacy Officer responsible for compliance with this Policy.

Privacy Officer
Human-Centered Healthcare Movement
British Columbia, Canada

For any privacy-related inquiries, including requests for access, correction, or removal of personal information, you may contact:
privacy@hchmovement.ca

3. Information We Collect and Purpose of Collection

When you submit a story, we may collect:

Story Content
The text you choose to share — to be reviewed and, with consent, published anonymously as part of the Movement’s storytelling and advocacy work.

Optional Contact Information
An email address, if you choose to provide one, for communication related to your submission or occasional Movement updates.

We collect only the minimum personal information necessary to fulfill these specific purposes.

4. Anonymity of Story Submissions

We are committed to ensuring that all stories are submitted and published anonymously.

We ask that you do not include personally identifiable details (such as names, specific locations, or information that could identify others). If identifying details are included, we will remove or generalize them prior to publication.

Anonymization includes the removal or generalization of both direct and indirect identifiers, including names, locations, institutions, dates, demographic indicators (including gender), and other contextual details.

All such information must be removed or generalized where it could contribute to identification, either alone or in combination with other information.

Reviewers must assess the risk of re-identification based on the full context of the story, not individual elements in isolation.

While we take care to reduce the risk of identification, complete anonymity cannot be guaranteed. In some cases, individuals familiar with the circumstances may recognize aspects of a story despite anonymization.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use your information only for the purposes identified above:

  • To Share Your Story
    With your consent, we may publish your story anonymously as part of our advocacy work.

  • To Support the Movement’s Purpose
    Stories are used to promote awareness and reflection on human-centered healthcare.

  • To Communicate with You
    We may contact you to acknowledge your submission, provide updates, or seek additional consent where required.

We do not use or disclose personal information for any other purpose without obtaining further consent.

The Movement does not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

6. Data Storage and Cross-Border Considerations

Story submissions and related personal information are stored and processed using secure cloud infrastructure located in Canada.

While data is stored in Canada, the Movement uses service providers (such as AWS) that may be subject to foreign legal jurisdictions, including the United States. As a result, personal information may be accessible to law enforcement or authorities under applicable foreign laws.

Where service providers are used, the Movement takes reasonable steps, through contractual and technical measures, to ensure that personal information is protected by safeguards appropriate to its sensitivity.

7. How We Protect Your Information

We take technical and administrative safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or loss.

These measures include:

  • Encrypted storage and transmission

  • Secure authentication protocols, including multi-factor authentication

  • Restricted, role-based access to personal information

Access to identifiable information is limited to authorized individuals only and is granted on a need-to-know basis.

While we take reasonable steps to protect personal information, no method of transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

In the unlikely event of a data-security incident, the Movement will respond promptly, take appropriate containment and mitigation steps, and notify affected individuals where required by law.

These safeguards are supported by internal policies and procedures that define roles, responsibilities, and accountability for privacy and data protection.

8. Sharing Your Information

We may share limited information with trusted service providers who assist with website operation, secure data storage, or communication services.

These providers are required to:

  • Use personal information only for authorized purposes

  • Maintain safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information

The Movement does not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

9. Retention and Secure Disposal

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy or as required by law.

When information is no longer needed, it is securely destroyed or anonymized.

Retained content is reviewed periodically to ensure that continued storage remains appropriate.

10. Sensitive Information and Well-Being Notice

Stories may include sensitive health or mental-health experiences.

While contributors are free to share their perspectives, we ask that they avoid including identifying details that could expose themselves or others.

If writing your story causes distress, consider pausing or seeking support from a qualified professional or crisis service.

The Movement is not a health-care provider, and participation is entirely voluntary.

11. Your Rights Under PIPA

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal information we hold about you

  • Request correction of inaccurate information

  • Withdraw consent for further use or publication of your story

  • Request removal of your story from public platforms, subject to reasonable archival or legal limitations

Requests may be made by contacting:
privacy@hchmovement.ca

We aim to respond within 30 days where reasonably possible.

12. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies or similar technologies to improve website experience (such as basic analytics or language preferences).

These tools do not collect personal information unless voluntarily provided.

You may adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, though some site features may be limited.

13. Non-Commercial Nature of the Movement

The Movement operates as a not-for-profit advocacy initiative and does not engage in commercial data practices such as selling personal information or advertising based on user data.

Any fundraising or sponsorship activity supports operational costs and is conducted in alignment with PIPA and ethical best practices.

14. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in law or practice.

The effective date above indicates the most recent revision. Significant changes will be clearly posted on the website.

Disclaimer & Consent Policy

Effective Date: April 2026
Jurisdiction: British Columbia, Canada (PIPA)

1. Purpose

This policy outlines the terms under which personal stories are collected, reviewed, and shared by the Human-Centered Healthcare Movement (“the Movement”).

By submitting a story or using this website, you agree to these terms and to the accompanying Privacy Policy.

2. Disclaimer

The Movement is a storytelling and advocacy initiative, not a health-care provider.

Stories represent personal experiences and do not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice. Views expressed belong solely to contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Movement.

If you require medical or mental-health support, please seek assistance from a qualified professional or crisis service in your area.

3. Consent to Share Your Story

By submitting your story, you confirm that:

  • You are submitting your story from within Canada

  • You understand your story will be reviewed and may be published, in whole or in part, anonymously

  • You grant the Movement permission to publish and share your story for advocacy, educational, or awareness purposes consistent with its mission

  • You retain ownership of your story and may request correction, withdrawal, or deletion at any time

  • You understand that while anonymization and reasonable safeguards are applied, there remains a risk that individuals familiar with the circumstances may recognize aspects of your story

  • You understand that absolute anonymity on the internet cannot be guaranteed

  • If you provide an email address, you consent to being contacted:

    • regarding your specific submission (e.g., consent, review, publication), and  

    • for occasional updates about the Movement  

  • You may opt out of updates at any time.

4. Privacy Safeguards

We follow the privacy and data-protection practices described in our Privacy Policy, including secure storage, restricted access, and anonymization prior to publication.

Personal information is stored and processed in Canada, with safeguards appropriate to its sensitivity.

Access to identifiable information is restricted to authorized individuals and protected through technical and administrative safeguards, including multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls.

5. Withdrawal of Consent

Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

Upon withdrawal, the Movement will stop using the story for new publications and will remove it from public platforms upon request, subject to reasonable archival or legal requirements.

The Movement will make reasonable efforts to remove published content; however, removal from third-party platforms or prior distributions cannot be guaranteed.

6. Liability Limitation

The Movement is not liable for direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising from participation or publication, except where required by law.

Participation is voluntary and at the contributor’s discretion.

7. Contact

Human-Centered Healthcare Movement
British Columbia, Canada

For privacy-related inquiries:
privacy@hchmovement.ca

8. Updates to This Policy

This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation or practice.

The effective date above indicates the most recent revision.