Privacy Policy

Effective Date: April 1, 2026

The American Filtration and Separations Society (“AFS,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share information when you interact with us.

This policy applies to information collected through:

Our website: https://www.afssociety.org
Event registration platforms and mobile applications (including FILTCON)
Email, phone, and other communications with AFS
Member platforms, directories, and online communities

If you have questions, please contact us at: [email protected].

Your Acceptance of This Policy

By using AFS websites, registering for events, or engaging with our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.

Information You Provide to Us

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

Name, email address, phone number
Employer, job title, and professional details
Mailing address
Membership and account information (including username/password)
Event registration details
Educational, certification, or survey responses
Photos or other content you choose to share

We collect this information to deliver our services, including:

Membership management
Conferences and events (including mobile apps)
Education and training programs
Certifications and credentials
Volunteer and committee engagement
Publications, resources, and career services

Information Collected Automatically

When you interact with our platforms, we may automatically collect certain information, such as:

IP address and browser type
Device identifiers and usage data
Pages visited and interactions

We may use cookies and similar technologies to:

Improve website functionality
Personalize your experience
Support event and app functionality

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Website-Specific Information (Cookies, Comments, and Media)

Comments

If visitors leave comments on our website, we collect the data shown in the comments form, along with the visitor’s IP address and browser information to help detect spam.

An anonymized string (hash) created from your email address may be shared with the Gravatar service to determine whether you are using it. You can review Gravatar’s privacy policy at https://automattic.com/privacy/.

Media Uploads

If you upload images to the website, you should avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors may be able to download and extract location data from images.

Cookies

Our website uses cookies to improve functionality and user experience. For example:

Comment-related cookies may store your name and email for convenience
Login cookies help manage access to secure areas of the site
Temporary cookies determine browser compatibility

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles on our site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images). Embedded content behaves as if you visited the originating website directly, and those sites may collect data, use cookies, and track interactions.

How We Use Your Information

AFS uses your information to:

Provide and improve our programs, services, and events
Process registrations, memberships, and purchases
Communicate with you about AFS activities
Facilitate networking and participation within the AFS community
Meet contractual and operational obligations

Where Your Data Is Processed

Visitor comments and certain website interactions may be processed through automated spam detection services or third-party platforms that support website functionality.

Sharing of Information

We may share your information in the following ways:

Service Providers: We work with trusted third parties to support operations such as event registration, payment processing, and mobile apps.
AFS Members and Community: If you are a member or event participant, your information may be visible to other members through directories, attendee lists, or event platforms.
Event Sponsors and Exhibitors: For AFS events (such as FILTCON), we may share attendee information (e.g., name, company, contact details) with sponsors or exhibitors, particularly through event apps or attendance lists, in connection with event participation and in accordance with applicable preferences or settings.

AFS does not sell your personal information.

Data Security

We take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect your information. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

Data Hosting and Processing

AFS uses third-party service providers to host and process data related to our website, membership systems, and event platforms. These providers process data on our behalf in connection with the services we offer.