This Privacy Statement applies to hks.harvard.edu and other Harvard Kennedy School (“HKS”) websites that link to this Privacy Statement (collectively, the “Sites”).
At HKS, we value the privacy of our users. This Privacy Statement outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of visitors to the Sites. Personal information is information related to an identified or identifiable natural person. We may update this Privacy Statement from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page. By using this website, you are consenting to our collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Statement.
Information You Provide
Certain transactions in which you choose to engage on the Sites will require your submission of identifiers, contact details, and other personal information. These include, but are not limited to, requests for newsletters and other communications, registration for events, applications or registration for our academic programs, or engagement with chatbots.
The admissions or registration processes for our academic programs require applicants to provide certain personal information and preferences. The applicant also has the option of providing additional information during this process.
Information We Collect Automatically
We may collect certain information regarding your use of the Sites, such as your device identifiers, IP address, information about your browser and operating system, date and time of access, location information, and the internet address and page which linked you to our site. We may use the information collected in this manner for diagnosing server issues, administering and improving the Sites, to monitor and improve the security of the Sites, abuse prevention, to track user trends and generate aggregate reports, and for the other purposes described in this Privacy Statement.
We may disclose the information we collect as described in this section to perform marketing, promotions, and advertising, either directly or through third parties. These activities may include interest-based advertising, targeted advertising, and online behavioral advertising in order to increase the likelihood that the content would be of interest to you.
Cookies
HKS, directly or through our ad management partners, uses cookies and similar technologies, including pixels, or transparent GIF files, log files, scripts, web beacons, and other similar tools, to help manage online advertising and for other purposes set forth in this Privacy Statement. Some of these technologies are provided by our ad management partners and enable the ad servers to recognize the unique cookies on your web browser, which in turn enables us to learn which advertisements bring users to our website.
We use Google Analytics and other tools to collect information about your use of and interactions with the Sites, including, among other things, how often you visit the Sites, which portions or pages of a Site you visited, the order in which you visited them, which hyperlinks and other user interface controls you used, your mouse movements on the Sites, and what websites you used before coming to the Sites, which will help us continue to improve our format and content. These tools may use cookies and similar technologies to collect and store such information.
You may be able to set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when one is being set. It is likely that some portions of our site will not operate properly if cookies are disabled. To learn more about the use of cookies by Google for analytics and to exercise choice regarding those cookies, please visit the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. These opt-outs are device- and browser-specific and may not work on all devices.
How We Share Information
HKS may disclose the information we collect to its employees, consultants, service providers, and agents, and to Harvard University, for operational purposes, Site improvements, monitoring or improving the security of our network or responding to security risks, and for any other purpose described in this Privacy Statement. We may also disclose this information under special circumstances, including disclosures required by law, court order, or circumstances under which disclosure, in the sole discretion of HKS, is necessary to protect the legal rights, including the intellectual property rights, of HKS or Harvard University. We do not sell, trade, or rent personal information.
International Users
If you are located outside the United States and your country enforces personal data protection laws, additional privacy disclosures may apply. Visit the Harvard International Data Privacy page for more information.
Security Measures
HKS employs industry-standard security measures, including encryption, access controls, and secure storage systems, to protect user information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access. While we are committed to safeguarding your data, no system can guarantee absolute security. Users are encouraged to take precautions to protect their information, such as using strong passwords and logging out after accessing shared devices.
Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If such data is identified, please contact us immediately to have it removed.
External Links
Our Sites may contain links to external websites (including third-party cookies) not controlled by HKS. We are not responsible for their privacy or security practices. Users should review the privacy policies of these sites before sharing information.
Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Statement, the practices of the Sites, or your interactions with us, please email web_feedback@hks.harvard.edu.
Updates
This Privacy Statement may be revised periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with the modification date noted.
Effective Date
The effective date of this Privacy Statement is October 31, 2025.