Data Privacy in Research: How Joined Bio Keeps Participant Information Secure

Data Privacy Day is a moment to pause and think about how our personal information is collected, stored, and protected online. At Joined Bio, privacy isn’t something we think about once a year, it’s built into everything we do, every single day, with each research study.

If you’re new here, Joined Bio is a trusted platform where people can easily contribute to medical research. You can participate by sharing insights through surveys or by contributing samples like blood, saliva, urine, etc to help advance medical discoveries while earning compensation. That trust didn’t happen by accident. We’ve intentionally built strong safeguards to protect the participants who make research possible. Because trust must be earned and continuously protected.

Let’s take a closer look at the measures we’ve put in place to ensure your data remains private, secure, and respected when you participate in research, so you can help advance science with confidence, not concern.

How We Protect Your Data

1. De-Identification: Separating You From Your Data

We protect your identity through advanced de-identification processes that ensure your personal information is not exposed to researchers. In simple terms, personal details such as names, addresses, and contact information are stored completely separate from your health data. Health records are assigned unique codes instead of identifying information. Only Joined Bio can reconnect your identity to your data in order to match you with relevant studies. Researchers receive fully de-identified data with no way to trace it back to you.

2. Encryption: Security You Can Trust

We use industry-standard security to help keep your information safe, always! All system requests are protected using secure access tokens and your data is encrypted even while it is being transmitted and stored.

We leverage Google’s built-in protections, which are designed to meet strict healthcare and security standards. We also take extra steps to protect your account. First, email verification helps ensure only you can sign in. Additionally, strong password requirements and regular update reminders add another layer of security. And finally, automatic session timeouts for inactive accounts help prevent accidental or unauthorized access.

3. Controlled Access: Protection at Every Level

Not everyone can access your data, and no one sees more than they need to. We enforce strict access controls to protect your information at all times.

How do we do that? Your data is stored in secure, monitored data centers with physical access restrictions in place. Role-based access controls ensure our staff can only view the data necessary to perform their responsibilities. We also conduct comprehensive background checks for employees who handle sensitive information. Ongoing security training helps ensure our team stays current on best practices and evolving privacy standards.

HIPAA Compliance Is at Our Core

As a healthcare technology company, Joined Bio follows the requirements of the ‘Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’, commonly known as HIPAA. Our approach goes beyond basic compliance and is embedded into how we design, operate, and continuously improve our platform.

This commitment includes clear and robust privacy policies, strong administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, and regular risk assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, our team receives regular training, oversight, and accountability to uphold these standards as regulations and best practices evolve. Because protecting health information is not a one-time effort, it requires constant attention and responsibility.

HIPAA compliance isn’t a checkbox for us. It’s the foundation that Joined Bio stands on that allows participants to engage in research with confidence, knowing their privacy and rights are taken seriously.

Our Privacy Commitment to You

1. You Are Empowered

Your participation is always your choice. You decide which research opportunities interest you, what information you want to share, and when you want to make changes. You can update your preferences at any time, or delete your data altogether, because control over your information should always remain with you.

2. You Get Transparency

We believe informed participants are empowered participants. That’s why we notify you when you’re matched with research studies, clearly explain how your data will be used, and present consent information in plain, easy-to-understand language.

3. Your Identity Is Yours

Your personal information is used solely to match you with relevant research opportunities, support your participation in studies, and process your compensation. Nothing more, and never without purpose. So share your health information with confidence, knowing your data is always in good hands.

Joined Bio’s Privacy & Security Promise

We treat your health information with the same care and respect we would want for our own families. Our commitment to privacy and security is not just about compliance. It is fundamental to our mission of advancing medical research while respecting individual rights.

On Data Privacy Day, we are proud to reaffirm that promise. And every day after, we continue to earn your trust.