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Security and Privacy

FST Secure Online Shopping

The Secure Server Seal guarantees the website you are viewing actually belongs to Fine Science Tools (FST®) and that this site uses industry-standard TLS 1.2+ encryption technology to help ensure your transactions and communications are received without alteration or interception.

Privacy Notice

Fine Science Tools ("FST," "us", "we", or "our") operates www.finescience.com. This Privacy Notice applies to information collected when you visit our website www.finescience.com (our "Website"). By visiting our Website, you are agreeing to the terms of this Privacy Notice and the accompanying Terms of Use.

Last Updated: March 19, 2026

Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal information:

Category Examples Purpose Legal Basis
Account Information Name, email address, password, unique identifiers Account registration and management Contract performance
Billing Information Processed by third-party payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) - we do not store credit card data Order processing Contract performance
Log Data IP address, browser type and version, pages visited, time/date stamps Security, analytics, website improvement Legitimate interest
Communication Data Email correspondence, support requests Customer service Legitimate interest
Marketing Preferences Newsletter subscriptions, communication preferences Direct marketing (with consent) Consent
How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

  • Process and fulfill orders
  • Manage your registered user account
  • Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
  • Send transactional emails (order confirmations, shipping notifications)
  • Send marketing communications (with your consent)
  • Analyze website usage and improve our services
  • Comply with legal obligations
  • Prevent fraud and enhance security
Payment Processing

We use a third-party payment processor (EBiz Charge) to process credit card payments. These processors collect and store payment information pursuant to their own privacy policies and terms of use. You authorize these vendors to collect, process, and store payment information. We do not store or process credit card information directly.

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.

We may share your information with:

  • Service providers (payment processors, shipping carriers, email service providers, analytics providers such as Google Analytics) under strict confidentiality agreements
  • Law enforcement or government agencies when required by law, court order, or legal process
  • Business successors in the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale
International Data Transfers

Fine Science Tools operates globally with offices in the United States, Canada, and Germany. Your information may be transferred to and processed in these locations. We use Standard Contractual Clauses and other appropriate safeguards to protect your data during international transfers.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

  • Maintain your account (while active)
  • Fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Notice
  • Comply with legal obligations (typically 7 years for tax and accounting records)
  • Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

You may request deletion of your account data at any time, subject to legal retention requirements.

Your Privacy Rights

General Rights:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal exceptions)
  • Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time

How to Exercise Your Rights:

  • Email: america@finescience.com
  • Phone: +1 800-521-2109
  • Response time: We will respond within 10 business days
California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

  • Right to Know: Request disclosure of categories and specific pieces of personal information collected
  • Right to Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
  • Right to Opt-Out of Sale: We do not sell personal information
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights
  • Right to Correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
  • Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: We do not collect sensitive personal information beyond what is necessary for transactions

To exercise these rights, contact us at america@finescience.com or call +1 800-521-2109. We will verify your identity before processing requests.

Categories of Personal Information We Collect:

  • Identifiers (name, email, IP address)
  • Commercial information (purchase history, preferences)
  • Internet/electronic activity (browsing behavior, log data)
  • Geolocation data (general location based on IP address)

We collect this information for the business purposes described in Section 2.

Opt-Out for Direct Marketing

You may opt out at any time from marketing communications by:

  • Clicking "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of any marketing email
  • Emailing america@finescience.com
  • Calling +1 800-521-2109

Please allow up to 10 business days to process your request. You cannot opt out of transactional emails related to your account or orders.

Cookies Policy

Fine Science Tools ("us", "we", or "our") uses cookies on our website, www.finescience.com (our "Website"). By using our Website, you consent to the use of cookies.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored in your web browser that allow websites to recognize you and remember your preferences.

Cookies can be "persistent" or "session" cookies.

Types of Cookies We Use

When you use and access our Website, we may place a number of cookie files in your web browser.

  • Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality (session management, security)
  • Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics and similar tools to understand website usage
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

Cookie Name Validity Period Purpose
90 days Facebook Pixel - Tracking user behavior for advertising and conversion measurement
90 days Google Ads Conversion Tracking - Measuring advertising effectiveness
1 month Control of Facebook marketing cookies via Cookie Consent
1 month Control of Google Floodlight tracking cookies
1 month Control of Google Ads cookies
1 month Control of LinkedIn marketing cookies
1 month Control of Yahoo marketing cookies

Technical & Functional Cookies
Cookie Name Validity Period Purpose
400 days Unique identification for FST domain-specific functions
400 days Optimized delivery of Instagram content
Session Location-based map features (Shopware Plugin)
1 month Storage of user timezone for correct time display
Session Session management for shopping cart and login status
Convenience & Personalization
Cookie Name Validity Period Purpose
1 month "Customers also bought" recommendations
1 month Display of recently viewed products
1 month Storage of user's cookie settings
1 month Control of embedded YouTube videos
External Services (Google, LinkedIn, Instagram)
Cookie Name Validity Period Purpose
1 month Google security cookie for bot detection
6 months Google security cookie against spam and abuse
1 year LinkedIn browser identification
1 day Google cookie for ad validation
6 months LinkedIn guest cookie for non-members
1 day LinkedIn datacenter routing
1 month Google cookie settings

Third-Party Cookies

We use Google Analytics and other third-party services that may place cookies. These services have their own privacy policies.

Your Cookie Choices

You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings or by usiung the cookie settign link in teh footer of our Website . Note that disabling cookies may limit website functionality. To opt out of Google Analytics, visit: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Do Not Track Signals

Our Website does not currently respond to "Do Not Track" browser signals, as there is no industry-wide standard for compliance.

Children's Privacy

Our Website is not intended for individuals under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete it promptly.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

  • TLS 1.2+ encryption for data transmission
  • Secure server infrastructure
  • Access controls and authentication
  • Regular security assessments

However, no internet transmission is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by applicable law, typically within 72 hours of discovery.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Notice at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Notice periodically. Your continued use of our Website after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Notice.

How to Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or wish to exercise your privacy rights:

  • Email: america@finescience.com
  • Phone: +1 800-521-2109
  • Mail: Fine Science Tools Inc., 4000 East 3rd Ave, Suite 100, Foster City, CA 94404-4824

For California-specific privacy requests: america@finescience.com

Photography and Copyright

All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Fine Science Tools, Inc. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws and may not be downloaded or reproduced without written permission from Fine Science Tools, Inc.

Copyright © 2026 Fine Science Tools, Inc. All Rights Reserved.