IonQ Privacy Policy

Last revised on: September 28, 2024

This Privacy Policy describes the data protection practices of IonQ, Inc. and its affiliates ( “IonQ” “we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy applies to our websites that link to this Privacy Policy, our related online and offline services, and any products or services you purchase or transactions or engagement you might have with us (collectively, the “Services”).

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully so that you understand our information practices. If you do not agree with the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Services.  

This Privacy Policy is split into sections.  For your convenience, links to each of those sections follow:

1. Scope of This Policy
2. Types of Data We Collect
3. Use of Your Information
4. Disclosure of Your Information
5. Third Party Websites
6. A Note to Users Outside of the United States
7. Analytics Services and Interest-Based Advertising
8. Your Rights and Choices Regarding Your Information
9. Security Practices and Retention
10. Contact
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
12. Notice to California Residents

1. Scope of This Policy 

For purposes of this Privacy Policy:

• A "Site Visitor" means an individual who visits our website outside of the context of our Customers' use of the Services.

• A "Customer" means an entity that has contracted with us (such as through a Services Agreement) to access our Services.

• A "Customer End User" means an individual whose information IonQ receives from Customer, or otherwise processes on Customer's behalf, in connection with the Services provided by IonQ to Customer pursuant to an applicable Services Agreement.

• An "Authorized User" means an individual who accesses the Services as, or on behalf of, a Customer, including Customer personnel.

This Privacy Policy applies to our handling of information about Site Visitors, prospective Customers, Customers, and Authorized Users (in relation to their procurement of the Services and management of their relationship with IonQ). We refer collectively to these categories of individuals as "you" throughout this Policy.

However, this Privacy Policy does not cover information about Customer End Users that IonQ receives from Customer, or otherwise processes on Customer's behalf, in connection with the Services provided by IonQ to Customer pursuant to an applicable agreement (“Services Agreement”). IonQ processes Customer End User Communications under the instructions of the relevant Customer, which is the "data controller" (or occupies a similar role as defined in applicable privacy laws), as described in the applicable Services Agreement between such Customer and IonQ. IonQ's obligations as a "data processor" or "service provider" with respect to such information are defined in such Services Agreement and applicable data protection addendum and are not made part of this Privacy Policy.

If you are a Customer End User and you have questions about how your information is collected and processed through the Services, or would like to make requests related to your information, please contact the organization (Customer) who has provided your information to us for more information.

2. Types of Data We Collect

We collect information in multiple ways, including when you provide information directly to us, when we passively collect information from you, such as information collected from your browser or device that you use to access the Services, and when we collect information about you from third parties. 

a. Information You Provide to Us

• Business and personal contact information, such as your first and last name, email and mailing addresses, phone number, professional title and company name.

• Content you choose to upload to an IonQ service, such as code along with the metadata associated with the files you upload.

• Profile information, such as your username and password that you may set to establish an online account with us and your preferences.

• Registration information, such as information that may be related to a service, an account or an event you register for.

• Location Information, such as your city, state, country of residence, and postal code.

• Transaction information, such as details of products or services you have purchased from us.

• If you request customer service, provide us feedback, or contact us via e-mail, we will collect your name and e-mail address, as well as any other content included in the communication, in order to send you a reply.

• When you participate in one of our surveys, we may collect additional information.

• Marketing information, such as your preferences for receiving communications about our activities, events, and publications, and details about how you engage with us and our communications.

• Other information that we may collect which is not specifically listed here, but which we will use in accordance with this Privacy Policy or as otherwise disclosed at the time of collection.

b. Information Collected via Technology

Information Collected by Our Servers

When you use our Services, our servers (which may be hosted by a third party service provider) collect information from you, including your browser type, browser language, operating system, Internet Protocol (“IP”) address (a number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you use the Internet, which may vary from session to session), software and hardware attributes (including device IDs), domain name, a date/time stamp for your visit, and other similar information. From your IP address, we may be able to infer your general location (e.g., city/state or postal code).

Log Files

As is true of most websites, we gather certain information automatically and store it in log files. This information includes information listed above, such as IP addresses, operating system, date/time stamp, and browser type, as well as other information, such as Internet service provider (“ISP”), referring/exit pages, and clickstream dataWe use this information to analyze trends, administer the Services, track movements, gather demographic information about our user base as a whole, and better tailor our Services to your needs. 

Cookies

We use cookies to collect information. “Cookies” are small pieces of information that a website sends to your computer’s hard drive while you are viewing the website. We may use both session Cookies (which expire once you close your web browser) and persistent Cookies (which stay on your computer until you delete them) to provide you with a more personal and interactive experience on our Service. This type of information is collected to make the Services more useful to you and to tailor the experience with us to meet your special interests and needs.   Please see our Cookie Consent Manager on IonQ.com  for more information about how we use cookies (select the cookie icon on the bottom right-hand corner).

c. Information We Collect From Others

From time to time, we may collect information about you from other sources, including our affiliates, marketing vendors, and third-party databases. We use this information to supplement the information that we collect directly from you and for any of the purposes described in the next section.

3. Use of Your Information

a. General Use

We use your information for various purposes depending on the types of information we have collected from and about you, including to:

• provide, operate and improve the quality of experience when you interact with our Service;

• respond to your inquiries related to customer service, employment opportunities or other requests; 

• provide information about our Services;

• establish and maintain your user profile;

• facilitate your login to the Services via third-party identity and access management providers;

• enable security features of Services, such as by sending you security codes via email or SMS, and remembering devices from which you have previously logged in;

• communicate with you about the Services, including by sending you announcements, updates, security alerts, and support and administrative messages;

• understand your needs and interests, and personalize your experience with the Service and our communications, suggest Services that may be of interest to you, reach you with more relevant ads, and to measure and improve our advertising and marketing campaigns;

• conduct research and development to improve Services and introduce new products and services, including by studying user demographics and use of the Services; and 

• send newsletters, surveys, offers, and other promotional materials related to our services and for other marketing purposes of IonQ.

b. To Comply with Law.

We use your information in good faith as we believe necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable laws, lawful requests, and legal process, such as to respond to subpoenas or requests from government authorities.

c. For Compliance, Fraud Prevention, and Safety.

We may use your information and disclose it to law enforcement, government authorities, and private parties as we believe necessary or appropriate to: (a) protect our, your or others’ rights, privacy, safety or property (including by making and defending legal claims); (b) enforce the Terms of Use or Service Agreement that govern the Service; and (c) protect, investigate and deter against fraudulent, harmful, unauthorized, unethical or illegal activity.

d. With Your Consent.

In some cases we may specifically ask for your consent to collect, use or disclose your information, such as when required by law.

e. Creation of Anonymous Data

We may create anonymous data records by excluding information (such as your name) that makes the data personally identifiable to you. We use this anonymous data to analyze request and usage patterns so that we may enhance the content of our Services and improve navigation. We reserve the right to use anonymous data, aggregated and other de-identified data for any purpose, and disclose such data to third parties in our sole discretion. 

f. Combination 

We may combine information that we collect from you with information we obtain about you from third parties.  

4. Disclosure of Your Information

We disclose your information as described below and as described elsewhere in this Privacy Policy.

a. Third Party Service Providers

We may disclose your information with third party service providers to provide services to the IonQ. These third party service providers are required not to use your information other than to provide the services requested by IonQ, which may include:

• cloud computing services

• payment processing services

• advertising and marketing services

• customer satisfaction and support services

• order fulfillment services

• application services providers

• data enhancement services

• security services

• billing and collection services

• hosting services

• technical support services

b. Affiliates 

We may disclose your information with our parent company, subsidiaries, joint ventures, or other companies under a common control (“Affiliates”)

c. Corporate Restructuring

We may disclose your information in connection with or during negotiation of any merger, financing, acquisition or dissolution, transaction or proceeding involving sale, transfer, divestiture, or disclosure of all or a portion of our business or assets. In the event of an insolvency, bankruptcy, or receivership, your information may also be transferred as a business asset. 

d. Professional Advisors.

We may disclose your information to professional advisors, such as lawyers, bankers, auditors and insurers, where necessary in the course of the professional services that they render to us.

e. For Compliance, Fraud Prevention, and Safety.

We may disclose your information for the compliance, fraud prevention and safety purposes described above.

f. Other Disclosures

Regardless of any choices you make regarding your information (as described below), IonQ may disclose your information if it believes in good faith that such disclosure is necessary (a) in connection with any legal obligation or in response to a request from law enforcement or other public authorities wherever IonQ may do business; (b) to comply with relevant laws or to respond to subpoenas or warrants served on IonQ; (c) to protect or defend the rights or property of IonQ or users of the Services; and/or (d) to investigate or assist in preventing any violation or potential violation of the law, this Privacy Policy, or our Terms of Service. We also may disclose your information with your consent or at your direction.

5. Third Party Websites

Our Services may contain links to third party websites. When you click on a link to any other website or location, you will leave our website and go to another website and another entity may collect information from you. We have no control over, do not review, and cannot be responsible for these outside websites or their content. Please be aware that this Privacy Policy does not apply to these outside websites or content, or to any collection of your information after you click on links to such outside websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of every website you visit. The links to third-party websites or locations are for your convenience and do not signify our endorsement of such third parties or their products, content or websites.

6. A Note to Users Outside of the United States

Please note that your information may be processed in the country in which it was collected and in other countries, including the United States, where laws regarding processing of you information may be less stringent than the laws in your country. By accessing the Services, you agree to such transfer.

7. Analytics Services and Interest-Based Advertising

We may use third party analytics services to help analyze how users use the Services, including but not limited to Google Analytics (“Analytics Services”), as well as third parties that deliver content or offers. We may receive reports based on these parties’ use of these tools on an individual or aggregate basis. The information generated by Cookies or other technologies about your use of our Services (the “Analytics Information”) may be transmitted to the Analytics Services. The Analytics Services use Analytics Information to compile reports on user activity. The Analytics Services may also transfer information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process Analytics Information on their behalf. Each Analytics Services’ ability to use and share Analytics Information is restricted by such Analytics Services’ terms of use and privacy policy. 

We may also partner with ad companies to support our marketing efforts, including by serving you ads better tailored to your likely interests. These third parties (e.g., ad networks and ad servers such Google) may use this information to serve relevant content and advertising to you as you browse the Internet, and access their own cookies or other tracking technologies on your browser to assist in this activity. If you don’t want to take advantage of these services, you may be able to opt-out by visiting http://www.aboutads.info/ or http://networkadvertising.org/choices/ , or if you are located in the EU, http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/. Please note that if you use these mechanisms, you may still see advertising on our Services or across the Internet, but it will not be tailored to you based on your online behavior over time. Based on your jurisdiction you may have additional choices as explained in the “Your Rights and Choices Regarding Your Information” section below.

How We Respond to Do Not Track Signals

We do not currently respond to “do not track” signals or other mechanisms that might enable consumers to opt out of tracking on our website, except as described elsewhere in this Privacy Policy.

8. Your Rights and Choices Regarding Your Information

You have several rights and choices regarding use of information on our Services:

a. Email Communications

We will periodically send you free newsletters and e-mails that directly promote the use of our Services. When you receive newsletters or promotional communications from us, you may indicate a preference to stop receiving further communications from us and you will have the opportunity to “opt-out” by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in the e-mail you receive or by contacting us at [email protected]. Despite your indicated e-mail preferences, you may continue to receive service-related and other non-marketing emails from us.

b. Rights Regarding Your Information 

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right, in accordance with applicable data protection laws, to make requests related to your “personal information” or “personal data” (as such terms are defined under applicable law, and collectively referred to herein as “personal information”). Specifically, you may have the right to ask us to:

• Inform you about the categories of personal information we collect or disclose about you; the categories of sources of such information; the business or commercial purpose for collecting your personal information; and the categories of third parties with whom we disclose personal information.

• Provide you access to and/or a copy of certain personal information we hold about you.

• Correct or update personal information we hold about you.

• Delete certain personal information we have about you.

• Provide you with information about the financial incentives that we offer to you, if any.

• Restrict or object to certain uses of your information.

• Opt you out of the processing of your personal information for purposes of profiling in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects, if applicable. 

Note that you can access/correct certain of your information by logging into your account.  You may also have the right to opt out of “sales” of your information and “sharing/processing of your information for targeted advertising” as described below. If you are a California resident, please see the “Notice to California Residents” section below for more information about our privacy practices and your rights.

Please note that certain information may be exempt from such requests under applicable law.  For example, we may be required to keep such information and not delete it (or to keep this information for a certain time, in which case we will comply with your deletion request only after we have fulfilled such requirements). When we delete any information, it will be deleted from the active database, but may remain in our archives. We may also retain your information for fraud or similar purposes.

We also need to take reasonable steps to verify your identity before responding to a request, which may include, at a minimum, depending on the sensitivity of the information you are requesting and the type of request you are making, verifying your name and email address.  If we are unable to verify you, we may be unable to respond to your requests. You may be able to designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf. In order for an authorized agent to be verified, you must provide the authorized agent with signed, written permission to make such requests or a power of attorney. We may also follow up with you to verify your identity before processing the authorized agent’s request.  

As provided in applicable law, you also have the right to not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.  To exercise any of these rights, you can contact us by visiting our DSAR form.

Depending on applicable law, you may have the right to appeal our decision to deny your request. We will provide information about how to exercise that right in our response denying the request. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

d. Opt-out of "Sales" and "Targeted Advertising"

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may also have the right to opt out of “sales” of your information and “sharing/processing of your information for targeted advertising.”

As explained above, we sometimes provide information to third-party advertising providers for targeted advertising purposes or use advertising analytics partners to assist us in analyzing use of our services and our user/customer base. Under applicable law, the disclosure of your personal information to these third parties to assist us in providing these services may be considered a “sale” of personal information or the "sharing/processing of personal information for targeted advertising” purposes. We do not knowingly “sell” or “share” the personal information of minors under 16 years of age.

If you would like to opt out of the disclosure of your personal information for purposes that could be considered “sales” for those third parties' own commercial purposes, or the "sharing/processing of personal information for targeted advertising” purposes, please visit the Cookie Consent Manager in the footer of IonQ.com  Note that you will need to opt out on each device you use to access the Services.

If you have a legally-recognized browser-based opt out preference signal turned on via your device browser, (e.g., global privacy control) we recognize such preference in accordance with applicable law.

9. Security Practices and Retention

The security of your information is important to us. We employ a number of organizational, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information we collect. However, security risk is inherent in all internet and information technologies and we cannot guarantee the security of your information.

We generally retain information for so long as it may be relevant to the purposes above.  In determining how long to retain information, we may consider the amount, nature and sensitivity of the information, the potential risk of harm from unauthorized use or disclosure of the information, the purposes for which we process the information, applicable legal requirements, and our legitimate interests.

10. Contact

If you have any questions or concerns or complaints about our Privacy Policy or our data collection or processing practices, or if you want to report any security violations to us, please contact us at the following address or phone number:

IonQ 
Attn: Angela Tse, Data Protection Officer
4505 Campus Dr
College Park, MD 20740
1-855-4QUBITS
[email protected]

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time for any reason. We will post the new Privacy Policy here and we will change the “Last Updated” date above. You should consult this Privacy Policy regularly for any changes.

12. Notice to California Residents

This section applies only to California residents. It describes how we collect, use and share personal information of California residents in operating our business, and their rights with respect to that personal information. For purposes of this section, “personal information” has the meaning given in the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended (“CCPA”) but does not include information exempted from the scope of the CCPA.

Personal information that we collect, use and share

The chart below summarizes how we collect, use and share personal information by reference to the categories specified in the CCPA, and describes our practices during the 12 months preceding the effective date of this Privacy Policy.

Categories in the chart refer to the categories described above in the general section of this Privacy Policy.

Your Choices Regarding “Selling” and “Sharing”: 

You have the right to opt out of our “sale” or “sharing” of your personal information for purposes of online analytics and advertising by clicking here.  To opt out of the offline disclosure of your information to third parties for these purposes, please email us at [email protected].

Other CCPA Rights:

The CCPA also allows you to limit the use or disclosure of your “sensitive personal information” (as defined in the CCPA) if your sensitive personal information is used for certain purposes.  Please note that we do not use or disclose sensitive personal information other than for business purposes for which you cannot opt out under the CCPA.

If we ever offer any financial incentives in exchange for your personal information, we will provide you with appropriate information about such incentives. See the “Your Rights and Choices Regarding Your Information” section above for information about the additional rights you have with respect to your personal information under California law and how to exercise them. See the “Security Practices and Retention” section above for information about the retention of your personal information.