Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to websites and services operated under The World’s 100 Best and related properties, including our flagship rankings, awards, lists, publications, nomination portals, and media resources (collectively, the “Services”). It explains our practices regarding personal data relating to nominees, panelists, partners, media, website visitors, and subscribers.

Where we provide specific notices (e.g., event registration, awards participation, or regional requirements), those notices supplement this Policy. If a term is not defined here, it has the meaning given in the relevant program rules.

This Policy is intended to be globally applicable. Depending on your location, additional rights or disclosures may apply (e.g., GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, UK GDPR).

The data controller is The World’s Best Group Limited (“we”, “us”, “our”). For certain regional activities, our affiliates may act as joint controllers.

• Primary contact (privacy): [email protected]
• Media queries: [email protected]
• Partnerships: [email protected]

If mandated by law, we may appoint an EU/UK representative and/or Data Protection Officer; details will be published here when applicable.

We collect the following categories of personal data, depending on your interactions with our Services:

• Identity & contact (e.g., name, title, organization, email, telephone, country/region).
• Professional (e.g., role, expertise, biography, credentials, awards, affiliations).
• Nomination & submission (e.g., materials you provide, evidence, case studies, supporting documents).
• Communications (e.g., messages, correspondence, media requests, survey responses).
• Publicity & media (e.g., photos, video, quotes, recordings from events where permitted).
• Usage & device (e.g., IP address, device attributes, pages viewed, cookies/SDK data—see Cookies section).
• Payment & invoicing where applicable (limited billing data processed by trusted payment providers).

Special category data is not intentionally collected unless you voluntarily provide it for a specific purpose and we have a lawful basis to process it.

• Directly from you via forms, nominations, emails, or event registration.
• Your organization or references (e.g., endorsements, letters, public profiles).
• Public sources (e.g., official websites, filings, media, social channels).
• Service providers (e.g., analytics, ticketing, payment processors).
• Advisory panels & judges for evaluation-related insights.

• Program operations: running rankings, lists, awards, and publications.
• Evaluation & advisory: administering nominations, expert reviews, and validations.
• Communications: responding to enquiries, media relations, updates, newsletters (opt-out available).
• Events: registration, accreditation, logistics, and post-event follow-up.
• Security & integrity: fraud prevention, dispute resolution, compliance with laws.
• Analytics & improvement: understanding usage to enhance Services and methodology.
• Legal & contractual: fulfilling obligations with participants and partners.

Where GDPR/UK GDPR applies, our processing relies on one or more of the following bases:

Where consent is the basis, you can withdraw it at any time without affecting prior lawful processing.

We use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to operate and improve the Services. Categories may include:

• Essential: required for core features (e.g., login, security).
• Analytics: measure traffic and performance.
• Functional: remember preferences and enhance experiences.
• Marketing: measure campaign effectiveness (where applicable and permitted).

You can manage preferences via our cookie banner (where available) or through your browser settings.

We may share personal data with trusted service providers under written agreements that require confidentiality and security, including:

• Cloud hosting, storage, content delivery, and security services.
• Analytics, ticketing, payment processors, and communications platforms.
• Advisory boards, judges, and auditors engaged in evaluation or validation.
• Regulatory or legal authorities where required by law.

We do not sell your personal information. We do not permit processors to use personal data for their own purposes.

Due to our global operations, personal data may be transferred and processed outside your country/region.

Where required (e.g., EEA/UK), we implement appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and supplementary measures to protect data subject rights.

We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, including:

• Program archival and yearbook records, where legitimate interests are established.
• Contractual, accounting, and legal retention obligations.
• Security, audit, and dispute resolution requirements.

When data is no longer needed, we delete or de-identify it in line with our retention schedules.

Depending on your location, you may have rights to:

• Access, correct, or delete your personal data.
• Object to or restrict certain processing.
• Portability of data you provided to us.
• Withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent).
• Lodge a complaint with your supervisory authority.

To exercise your rights, contact [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

California residents: Additional rights may apply under CCPA/CPRA, including the right to know, delete, and correct, and to opt out of certain data sharing.

Our Services are not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under applicable age thresholds. If you believe a child has provided data, please contact us to request deletion.

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal data, including access controls, encryption in transit (and at rest where appropriate), monitoring, and staff training.

No system is 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and notify us promptly of any suspected security issues.

By participating in nominations or programs, you acknowledge that certain information (e.g., name, organization, recognition details) may be published as part of our public listings, yearbooks, or media communications where appropriate and lawful.

We may use photographs, quotes, or recordings from events to document and celebrate recognized achievements, consistent with consent or legitimate interests, and subject to venue and jurisdictional rules.

We do not use automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects without human oversight. Analytics may help prioritize review workflows, but final recognitions involve expert judgment and panel deliberation.

Some browsers transmit “Do Not Track” signals. Our Services do not currently respond to such signals. You can manage cookie preferences through our consent tools (where offered) or your browser settings.

We may update this Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date will be revised accordingly. Where required, we will provide additional notice.

To exercise rights or ask questions regarding this Policy, contact:
Privacy Office – The World’s 100 Best
[email protected]