1. Introduction

This Privacy Policy explains how TheDiveProfessional.org collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information when you visit the website, create an account, register for a membership, make a payment, contact us, or use our online services.

TheDiveProfessional.org is the membership portal connected to the International Association of Dive Professionals, known as IADP – Dive Professionals. The platform supports membership registration, member communication, account management, subscription handling, and access to selected services for dive professionals, diving-industry workers, volunteers, supporters, and contributors.

We process personal information responsibly and only where there is a lawful reason to do so.

2. Who We Are

TheDiveProfessional.org is operated in connection with:

IADP – DIVE PROFESSIONALS
International Association of Dive Professionals
Non-Profit Association / ASBL-VZW
Registration number: BE0785.392.370
Registered office: Rue Émile Féron 153, 1060 Saint-Gilles, Brussels, Belgium

For privacy, legal, or data protection questions, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For general support, users may also contact us through the Crisp chat system available on the website.

3. Scope of This Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to TheDiveProfessional.org and to personal information processed through this membership portal.

It covers:

• Membership registrations
• User accounts
• Subscription and payment records
• Contact and support requests
• Website analytics
• Cookie-based or similar tracking technologies
• Anti-spam and form protection
• Administrative and legal communications

This policy does not replace the privacy policies of third-party providers such as Stripe, Google, or Crisp. Those providers process data under their own privacy and security frameworks when their services are used.

4. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information.

4.1 Account and membership information

When you create an account or register for a membership, we may collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Country
• Username and account credentials
• Membership type
• Membership status
• Subscription start and expiry dates
• Renewal or upgrade status
• Account activity related to membership access

For paid memberships, we may also collect limited billing-related information, such as address, city, postal code, country, organization, and transaction references where needed for administration, invoicing, legal compliance, or payment records.

4.2 Payment and subscription information

Payments are processed through Stripe.

TheDiveProfessional.org does not store full credit card numbers or complete payment card details on its own servers. Stripe may process payment details, transaction data, fraud-prevention information, billing details, and related payment records in accordance with its own policies and legal obligations.

We may store limited payment-related records, including:

• Membership plan
• Payment status
• Transaction reference
• Amount paid
• Renewal status
• Payment date
• Subscription status
• Refund or cancellation status, where applicable

4.3 Communications and support information

When you contact us by email, website form, chat, or other communication channel, we may collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Message content
• Support history
• Technical information related to your request
• Relevant account or membership details

We use Crisp for website chat and support communication. Crisp may process information necessary to operate the chat system, maintain support conversations, and help us respond to user requests.

4.4 Technical and website usage information

When you visit the site, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Operating system
• Pages visited
• Approximate location based on technical data
• Referring website
• Date and time of visit
• Cookie or analytics identifiers, where applicable

We use Google Analytics to understand website usage and improve the platform.

4.5 Anti-spam and security checks

The site may use proof-of-work CAPTCHA or similar anti-spam measures to reduce automated registrations, fake submissions, and abuse of forms.

These protections may process technical information necessary to verify that a form submission is legitimate, such as browser-generated proof, session-related data, or timing information.

5. How We Use Your Information

We may use personal information to:

• Create and manage user accounts
• Register and manage memberships
• Process subscriptions, renewals, upgrades, cancellations, or refunds
• Provide access to member-only services or content
• Communicate with members and users
• Respond to support requests
• Maintain accurate membership records
• Improve the website and user experience
• Monitor website performance and traffic
• Protect the site against spam, abuse, fraud, and unauthorized access
• Comply with legal, accounting, administrative, and regulatory obligations
• Enforce membership terms, portal rules, and applicable policies

We do not sell personal information.

6. Legal Basis for Processing

Where the General Data Protection Regulation or Belgian/EU privacy law applies, we process personal information on one or more of the following legal bases.

6.1 Contractual necessity

We process information where it is necessary to create an account, provide membership services, manage subscriptions, process payments, or deliver access to the services requested by the user.

6.2 Legitimate interest

We may process information where it is necessary for legitimate operational, administrative, security, communication, or organizational purposes, provided those interests are not overridden by the rights and freedoms of the user.

This may include fraud prevention, anti-spam protection, service improvement, internal administration, and protecting the integrity of the membership platform.

6.3 Consent

We may rely on consent for certain cookies, analytics, newsletters, marketing communications, or other optional services where consent is legally required.

Users may withdraw consent where applicable.

6.4 Legal obligation

We may process and retain certain information where required for accounting, tax, regulatory, legal, dispute-resolution, or compliance purposes.

7. Cookies, Analytics, and Similar Technologies

TheDiveProfessional.org may use cookies or similar technologies for:

• Basic website functionality
• User login and session management
• Membership account functionality
• Security and anti-spam protection
• Website analytics
• Chat and support tools

We currently use Google Analytics to understand how the website is used and to improve the service. Google Analytics may collect information about user interactions, device information, and website usage, subject to configuration and consent controls.

We also use Crisp for chat and support communication, which may use cookies or similar technologies to operate the chat system and maintain support conversations.

Where required, users are given cookie or consent options through the website’s cookie notice or browser settings.

8. Payment Processing Through Stripe

Membership payments and subscription transactions are processed through Stripe.

Stripe may process:

• Payment card information
• Billing details
• Transaction data
• Fraud-prevention information
• Payment status
• Refund or dispute information
• Technical data related to the transaction

TheDiveProfessional.org does not store complete payment card data on its own servers. Payment information is handled through Stripe’s secure payment infrastructure.

9. Data Sharing and Service Providers

We may share limited personal information with trusted service providers where necessary to operate the site and provide services.

These may include:

• Stripe — payment processing, subscription transactions, fraud prevention, and payment records.
• Google Analytics — website analytics and usage measurement.
• Crisp — chat support and user communication.
• Hosting and technical providers — server hosting, email delivery, backups, security, and maintenance.
• Professional advisers or authorities — where legally required or necessary for compliance, accounting, dispute resolution, or legal protection.

We only share information where necessary and appropriate for the relevant purpose.

10. International Users and Data Transfers

TheDiveProfessional.org may be accessed by users worldwide.

Some service providers may process data outside Belgium or the European Economic Area. Where this occurs, we rely on appropriate legal mechanisms, safeguards, contractual arrangements, or provider compliance frameworks where required by applicable law.

Users should also review the privacy policies of third-party providers, especially Stripe, Google, and Crisp, as those providers may process data according to their own international data transfer practices.

11. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy.

Retention periods may depend on:

• The duration of the user’s account
• The duration of membership
• Legal, accounting, or tax requirements
• Payment and transaction record obligations
• Dispute resolution needs
• Security and fraud-prevention requirements
• Operational and administrative needs

Membership, payment, and accounting records may be retained for the period required under applicable Belgian or EU legal obligations.

Users may request deletion of their account or personal information, but some data may need to be retained where required by law or legitimate administrative necessity.

12. Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, misuse, loss, alteration, or disclosure.

These measures may include:

• Controlled administrator access
• Secure hosting practices
• Encrypted payment processing through Stripe
• Anti-spam and abuse protection
• Backups and technical maintenance
• Access limitation to necessary personnel or authorized administrators

No website or online service can guarantee absolute security. Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials and should use strong passwords.

13. Your Rights

Depending on applicable law, users may have the right to:

• Request access to their personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of personal information
• Request restriction of processing
• Object to certain processing
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Request data portability where applicable
• Lodge a complaint with a competent data protection authority

Requests can be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We may need to verify your identity before responding to a request.

14. Membership, Ethics, and Portal Enforcement

TheDiveProfessional.org is a membership portal connected to a professional association. Where necessary, account or membership information may be reviewed in connection with:

• Membership eligibility
• Portal rule enforcement
• Ethics or conduct concerns
• Abuse, spam, harassment, or misuse
• Payment disputes
• Security incidents
• Administrative errors

Any enforcement action will be handled according to the applicable membership terms, portal rules, and internal procedures.

15. Children and Minors

TheDiveProfessional.org is intended for adults and professionals connected to diving, marine operations, conservation, training, or related industries.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a minor has submitted personal information without appropriate consent or legal basis, we may delete the information or restrict the account.

16. Third-Party Links

The website may contain links to external websites, including the official IADP website, payment providers, social media platforms, partner pages, or reference resources.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of external websites. Users should review the privacy policies of any third-party sites they visit.

17. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the website, membership services, legal requirements, service providers, or operational practices.

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

Continued use of TheDiveProfessional.org after changes are published means the updated policy applies from that point forward.

18. Contact

For privacy, legal, or data protection questions, contact:

IADP – DIVE PROFESSIONALS
International Association of Dive Professionals
Non-Profit Association / ASBL-VZW
Registration number: BE0785.392.370
Rue Émile Féron 153
1060 Saint-Gilles
Brussels, Belgium

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For general user support, you may also contact us through the Crisp chat system available on TheDiveProfessional.org.