Privacy Policy

Who we are & what this covers

adhocM is a market research company based in Anaheim, California. We recruit and manage participants for research such as focus groups, interviews, usability tests and surveys, to help clients understand consumers’ needs and preferences. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share and safeguard personal information — and the choices available to you.

Information we collect

The information we collect depends on the study and how you interact with us. Common categories include:

• Identifiers & contact details: name, email, phone numbers, postal address.
• Demographics: e.g. age range, gender, education, employment, income band.
• Professional information: employer, role/title, industry (for B2B studies).
• Technical data: IP address and basic device/browser data when you use our website or third-party websites used for collecting data (for security, fraud prevention and analytics).
• Study materials: screener responses, scheduling details, research recordings (audio/video), transcripts/notes, and incentive/payment records.

Our own participant list is very limited. We contact participants after receiving consent from the party that holds the contact information, which is passed on to us with permission from the original recruiter.

To join our participant lists, we typically request your name, date of birth, email and phone number. On some sign-up pages, the recruiting company may ask about devices or products you currently own and use.

How we collect information

• Directly from you (online forms, phone/email/SMS, during screening or studies).
• From service providers or publicly available sources, where permitted, to verify eligibility for certain projects.

Contact details are submitted to us via application surveys by participants willing to be chosen for market research studies. Submitting a contact number (cell phone or landline) is voluntary. By providing a telephone number and submitting the form, you consent to be contacted by SMS text message (message frequency may vary). Message and data rates may apply.

How we use information

We use personal information to:

• Determine eligibility for research projects and send invitations;
• Schedule sessions, manage participation and process incentives;
• Operate, secure and improve our websites and research tools;
• Create aggregated or de-identified insights for clients;
• Comply with legal and contractual obligations.

Participation is voluntary and does not create an employment relationship with adhocM.

Email addresses & other communications (CAN-SPAM)

When we email known contacts or invite respondents to participate in research, we clearly identify ourselves, provide contact information, and reuse addresses only for legitimate research follow-up. You can opt out of future invitations at any time.

Disclosure of personal information

We do not sell personal information. We share it externally only as necessary to conduct the research you agreed to — for example, with the sponsoring client’s project team, facility and technology vendors (video platforms, transcription providers), and incentive/payment processors — under confidentiality and data-security obligations. We may also disclose information if required by law or court order, to protect rights or safety, or in connection with a corporate transaction.

Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse or alteration (e.g. access controls and encryption where appropriate). No method of transmission or storage is fully secure.

Retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for research operations and to meet legal and contractual requirements. As a general guide, certain records may be retained for up to 10 years after your last interaction, unless a different period applies.

Children’s privacy (COPPA)

For any online activity involving a child under 13, we obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting, using or disclosing personal information, consistent with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Participant database management

adhocM maintains a participant database solely to invite individuals to suitable future research. Participation is voluntary and may be discontinued at any time by contacting us (see Contact us below).

Cookies & similar technologies

Our sites may use cookies or similar technologies to deliver core functionality, remember preferences, measure usage and prevent fraud. You can control cookies through your browser; some features may not work without them.

Text messages (SMS program)

If you provide a mobile number, you consent to receive study-related texts (e.g. invitations, confirmations, reminders).

• Opt-out: reply STOP at any time; reply HELP for help.
• Frequency: recurring messages; frequency varies.
• Costs: message and data rates may apply; delivery is not guaranteed; carriers are not liable for delays.
• We do not sell your number or share SMS consent or phone numbers with third parties for marketing.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

International transfers

If you access our services from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored or processed in the U.S. or other countries with different data-protection laws. We apply protections consistent with this Policy and applicable law.

Accessibility & language

To request this Policy in another format or language (e.g. Spanish), contact us at help@adhocm.com.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this notice periodically. The effective date above shows the latest revision. Material changes will be highlighted in the Policy or otherwise communicated.