Government of Singapore Privacy Statement

I. General

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research and its affiliates (collectively referred to as “A*STAR”, “us”, “we” or “our”) are committed to protecting your personal data. We take your privacy seriously and collect, process, and use personal data in accordance with this Privacy Statement and all applicable data protection laws.

If you have any questions regarding the collection, processing or use of your personal data, please contact our data protection officer at:

Email:DPO@a-star.gov.sg

II. How We Collect Your Data

When you visit this website, we may collect, handle and disclose personal information about you (“Personal Data”). This may include information that identifies you personally, as well as non-personal information generated through your use of this website.

We generally collect Personal Data through the following methods:

1. Cookies

Our website uses cookies. As soon as you visit our website, your browser automatically transmits certain information required to display the site correctly, including:-

• Public IP address
• Date and time of browser request
• Time Zone (GMT difference)
• Pages visited
• HTTP status codes
• Volume of data transferred
• Referrer URL
• Browser type, version and language
• Operating system and interface
• Screen resolution
• Language settings

This data is processed to ensure the stability, security, and proper functioning of our website.

We also use cookies to enhance user experience. Where cookies are not strictly necessary for website operation, they will only be placed after you have provided your consent via the cookie settings.

Some cookies are session cookies, which are automatically deleted when you close your browser. Other cookies are persistent cookies, which remain on your device until deleted and allow us to recognise your browser on future visits.

Statistical and analytical cookies help us understand how users interact with our website so we can improve its content and performance.

2. Contact form

If you submit enquiries or complete forms on our website, we will collect the information you provide (including contact details) for the purpose of responding to your enquiry and, where appropriate, to better understand how we may assist you.

The processing of this data is based on your consent, which you may withdraw at any time by notifying us via email. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal.

Your data will be retained until you request deletion, withdraw consent, or cease interacting with A*STAR (including through website visits, emails, form submissions, or event registrations).

3. Whistle-Blowing

We may process Personal Data submitted under our Whistleblowing Framework to investigate reports of suspected misconduct, fraud, corruption, or other improper activities involving A*STAR employees or business partners.

4. Social Media

If you interact with A*STAR through social media platforms (such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter), we may receive information made publicly available by you through those platforms. This may include profile information, contact details, or follower lists, subject to the relevant platform's privacy policies. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of those providers.

5. Third Party sites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

6. Web Analytics

We use web analytics tools (including Google Analytics and other service providers) to analyse website traffic and user behaviour. This helps us understand how visitors use our website and improve our services.

Personal Data may be transferred to Web Analytics providers for analysis on our behalf, unless you have opted out of such tracking. If you are logged into an online profile, a unique identifier may be used to associate analytics data with your profile.

You may opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

III. How We Use Your Data

We may collect, use and/or disclose your Personal Data for the following purposes:

• Processing and responding to applications, instructions, enquiries, complaints, or requests
• Verifying your identity
• Managing business operations and complying with internal policies
• Communicating with you, including providing information on services or opportunities
• Conducting research, surveys, and business analysis
• Managing security, risk, and fraud prevention (including CCTV and IT security)
• Preventing, detecting, and investigating crime or misconduct
• Managing visitor access to our premises or facilities
• Managing legal claims, disputes, or proceedings
• Handling tenders, quotations, orders, and supply of goods or services
• Processing vendor payments and invoices
• Facilitating corporate transactions (including mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales)
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations

Employment Applications

If you apply for employment with A*STAR, we may also process Personal Data to:

• Conduct interviews and assessments
• Evaluate suitability for employment
• Perform background checks and obtain references
• Verify qualifications and experience
• Carry out other activities reasonably related to recruitment

By submitting references, you confirm that you have obtained consent for us to contact those referees.

IV. Recipients of Personal Data

Subject to applicable laws, your Personal Data may be disclosed to

• A*STAR's related corporations, affiliates and associated companies;
• Authorised service providers and contractors
• Professional advisers (including auditors, consultants, and lawyers)
• Third parties requesting employment references
• Credit bureaus, debt collection agencies, or dispute resolution bodies
• Business partners or transferees in corporate transactions
• Government authorities and regulators where required by law
• Any other party authorised by you or reasonably necessary for the purposes described above

Such disclosures may involve transfers within or outside Singapore.

V. Your rights

You have the following rights, subject to applicable laws:

1. Withdrawal of Consent

You may withdraw consent at any time by notifying us via email.

2. Access, Correction and Deletion

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your Personal Data.

3. Data Portability

You may request a copy of your data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.

4. Right to object

You may object to processing based on legitimate interests, including profiling.

VI. Changes to the privacy statement

We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time to reflect legal, regulatory, or operational changes. Any updates will apply prospectively. Please review this statement periodically.

B. Information explicitly for users from the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA)

Your privacy is important to us. This section supplements our Privacy Statement and provides additional information on how A*STAR processes personal data subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) where A*STAR acts as a data controller. References to the GDPR include the EU General Data Protection Regulation and any applicable national implementing laws.
 

I. Data we process when visiting the website

Our websites collect and process personal data only where such processing is technically necessary for the operation of the website or where you have provided your prior consent.

II. Personal information we collect:

When you visit our website, we may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

• IP address;
• Operating system:
• Browser type / version
• Internet Server Provider;
• Hostname of the accessing device
• Date and time of access and server requests
• Log-in information (where applicable)
• Referrer URL
• Pages visited on our website and websites accessed via our website
• Search terms entered
• Frequency of page views and interaction data
• Use of website functions
• Language settings
• Approximate geolocation data
• Demographic data (where available and permitted)

III. How we collect your personal information: 

We collect personal information in the following ways: 

a) Cookies, log files and other technologies

We use cookies, log files, and similar technologies to ensure the functionality, security, and usability of our website, as well as to analyse user behaviour and improve performance.

Some website features require cookies to recognise your browser across page changes. Cookies may also be used to analyse browsing behaviour in order to optimise our services.

Third-party cookies and technologies may be used on our website and process data on behalf of A*STAR or our service providers.

Where cookies are not strictly necessary, personal data will only be processed after you have provided consent via our cookie consent tool. You may change or withdraw your consent at any time through this tool, which also provides detailed information about each cookie, its purpose, and the relevant service provider.

You may additionally control cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may limit the functionality of the website.

b) Contact forms

When you use contact forms on our website, the data entered into the form fields will be processed by A*STAR for the purpose of responding to your enquiry. 

IV. Legal basis for data processing

The processing of technically necessary cookies and log files is based on Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest), as such processing is required to ensure website functionality and security.

All other processing activities, including analytics, marketing, and contact form submissions, are based on your consent pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) GDPR.

Consent is obtained through our cookie consent tool or during form submission. You may withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future.

VI. Purpose of data process

Personal data is processed only within the scope of your consent and may be used for the following purposes:

a) Provision and Improvement of Services

• Delivering website content to your device
• Improving website quality, content, and performance
• Optimising services and user experience

b) Measurement and Analysis

• Analysing website usage and user behaviour
• Measuring conversions and engagement
• Creating audience segments and profiles
• Evaluating and optimising advertising effectiveness

c) Business Purposes

• Increasing customer engagement
• Improving conversion rates and business performance

VII. Rights 

Where your personal data is processed, you are a data subject within the meaning of the GDPR and have the following rights:

• Right to transparent information (Articles 13 and 14 GDPR)
• Right of access (Article 15 GDPR)
• Right to rectification (Article 16 GDPR)
• Right to erasure (Article 17 GDPR)
• Right to restriction of processing (Article 18 GDPR)
• Right to data portability (Article 20 GDPR)
• Right to object (Article 21 GDPR)
• Right not to be subject to automated decision-making, including profiling (Article 22 GDPR)

Certain rights may be subject to restrictions under applicable national laws.

You may withdraw your consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, particularly in the EU Member State of your residence, place of work, or the location of the alleged infringement. The supervisory authority will inform you of the outcome of your complaint, including the possibility of judicial remedies under Article 78 GDPR.

VII. International Data Transfers

Your personal data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the EU/EEA. Such countries may have different data protection laws.

Where international transfers occur, A*STAR ensures appropriate safeguards are in place.
Further information on these safeguards is available upon request.