Privacy Policy
Last Updated: December 9, 2022
Fulgent Genetics, Inc. (“Fulgent,” “we” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how we collect, use, store, secure, and disclose your personal information when you access or use our website www.fulgentgenetics.com, our Provider Portal, and our Patient Portal (collectively, the “Website”); and when you transmit information to us electronically or in hard copy in relation to our genetic testing, COVID-19, and other infectious disease testing, and related services (our “Services”).
This Privacy Policy only applies to the Website and the Services described in the Website. We have entered into testing services arrangements with various organizations, institutions, and agencies that impose additional requirements and restrictions in connection with how your health information may be used and shared. If you are receiving testing services through one of these organizations, institutions, or agencies (for example, Los Angeles County) rather than directly through us, you may receive privacy information that is specific to the services arrangement (“Specific Notice”) in which case we will follow the requirements in the Specific Notice.
This Privacy Policy is in addition to and does not replace our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how we handle personally identifiable health information (“PHI”) under U.S. law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, as amended from time to time (“HIPAA”). PHI collected from individuals in connection with our laboratory testing services is used and shared in accordance with our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, and, in some cases, additional privacy practices depending on the services provided, such as a Specific Notice or the EEA/UK/Switzerland Privacy Notice described below. In such cases, we will follow the practices with the most restrictive privacy protections applicable to your information.
If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, please see our EEA/UK/Switzerland Privacy Notice.
If you are a California resident, please see our California Privacy Notice. Please note that rights afforded under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 do not apply to PHI and are instead protected by HIPAA, as discussed above.
We may revise this Policy from time to time. All updates will be posted on this web page. If we make any material changes in the way your personal information is handled, we will notify you by email (sent to the email address specified in your account) or by means of a notice on our Website prior to the change becoming effective.
1. ACCEPTANCE OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY
Before you use our Services (whether you are a provider or a patient), please read the Fulgent Website Terms of Use, and the Patient Portal Addendum, if applicable. By accepting the applicable Terms of Use, you agree with our privacy practices as described in this Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this Policy, please do not access the Website or use our Services.
2. TYPES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND HOW WE USE IT
Depending on which of our Services are being used, or which individual (provider or patient) is involved, Fulgent processes and stores different combinations of personal information as set forth in this Policy.
2.1 PATIENTS' PERSONAL INFORMATION
We may collect, process, generate, and share individually identifiable personal information of patients, including the following categories either directly or through third parties (for example health care providers):
Certain individually identifiable personal information of patients is protected by HIPAA in the United States, and we have described how we may use this information in our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. How we use health information protected by GDPR is described in our EEA/UK/Switzerland Privacy Notice.
Such personal information is most commonly used for operation of our laboratory, for example, to provide the Services and test results to the provider and to perform the billing. Personal information may also be processed by Fulgent for the performance of the specific laboratory tests requested by the patient’s provider on the applicable Test Requisition Form, and for informing the patient’s provider of the test results. In order to protect your privacy, when using your personal health information, we will remove and/or secure information that identifies you to the extent possible and, in some cases, we may de-identify your data in accordance with applicable law so it may be used for other purposes as described in this Privacy Policy.
As further described in our COVID-19 FAQs, we do not isolate human genetic material from our COVID-19 samples and therefore do not generate human genetic information from COVID-19 samples. The same is true for other forms of infectious disease testing that we perform, such as the flu.
Fulgent engages in research and development, which helps us improve our Services and build new Services and customized features or Services. For the genetic tests that we perform, you may elect to consent to research at the time the test is requested. If you consent to research, your personal information and remaining sample may be stored and processed for up to 20 years for the further purposes specified in the applicable Informed Consent Form and/or Test Requisition Form; and it may be retained in an anonymized form to support further research, development, and improvement of diagnostic methods and potential therapeutic developments.
2.2 PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM PROVIDERS
In order to provide the Services requested (including testing, billing, etc.), we will collect and process the following personal information from providers:
This collection and processing is done for the purpose of performing a contract between Fulgent and the provider and providing the Services. For example, provider personal information will be processed to inform the provider of the patient’s test results, respond to other requests from the provider, and for invoicing. Fulgent stores provider personal information for as long as we need it to provide you our Services, to serve the purpose(s) for which your personal information was processed, or as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our agreements to the extent permitted by law.
We may also use provider personal information to share marketing information about our Services; and to do so, we may process your contact information or information about your interaction with our Services so that we can send you marketing communications; provide you with information about events, webinars, or other materials; deliver targeted marketing to you; and keep you updated about our Services. You can opt-out of our marketing activities at any time by using the “unsubscribe” link in our email communications or by contacting privacy@fulgentgenetics.com.
2.3 INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM VISITORS TO OUR FULGENT WEBSITE
Generally, individuals are able to visit the www.fulgent.com site without disclosing personal information, except as may be necessary to provide a product or service at their request or for advertising purposes. In some cases, we may recognize personal data like the IP address as well as non-personal data like the name of the visitor’s Internet service provider, the website from which the visitor came to our Website, the pages that the visitor views on the Website, and what the visitor clicks on any given page. This data could possibly identify an individual, but Fulgent does not use it to do so.
Cookies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies (such as web beacons, email tags, scripts, and device identifiers) to personalize your experience on our Website. Please see our Cookie Policy for more information on the types of cookies found on our Website and how to control cookies. If you reject cookies, you may still use our Website, but your ability to use some features or areas of the Website (including the Patient Portal or Provider Portal) may be limited. Our servers automatically record information created by your use of our Website and we use visitor logs to compile anonymous statistics. The aggregate information is collected sitewide and contains anonymous website statistics and is not considered personal information.
“Do Not Track”: Some browsers have a “do not track” or “global privacy control” or “GPC” features that allow you to tell websites that you do not want to have your online activities tracked. For California residents, you may exercise your GPC rights by utilizing the available features on our Website.
Bots and AI Technology: At times, we may use chatbot technology to help interact with our website visitors (“the Bot”). We offer the Bot as a convenience to you. The Bot is not a substitute for direct communication with Fulgent, and all of the information available to you through the Bot is also available to you directly through Fulgent. Because the Bot uses artificial intelligence to communicate with you, the Bot may provide inaccurate information in response to your requests. You agree that Fulgent shall not be liable to you or any third party for the Bot providing inaccurate information to you. Please do not share personal information or PHI via the Bot. We use a third-party provider in connection with the Bot. You may see our provider’s privacy policy here.
2.4 PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM JOB APPLICANTS
If you apply for a position with Fulgent through our Careers Page, you will be redirected to our service provider, which may collect your resume, contact information, employment and education history, and other related information. We may also receive information from references you identify and other third parties (for instance, background checks, where permitted by applicable law). You may see our service provider’s privacy policy at https://paycomonline.com/privacy/. If you are a California resident, please see our California Privacy Notice and our California Notice to Job Applicants.
2.5 PERSONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED VOLUNTARILY
We also collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, such as inquiries through our Website, information you provide about your business, information provided through our portal, etc. We use this information for the purpose of addressing the request received, enforcing agreements, resolving disputes, and as otherwise described in this Policy. In instances where social media services may be used, we do not have any influence on the storage and processing of providing personal information via the respective social media service. You are encouraged to review those privacy policies before sending Fulgent personal information via a social media service.
3. INFORMATION WE SHARE
Subject to the limitations described in our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, COVID-19 FAQs, California Privacy Notice, California Notice to Job Applicants, and the EEA/UK/Switzerland Privacy Notice (which are available on our website), Fulgent may disclose your personal information as follows:
4. COVID-19 TESTING-SPECIFIC DISCLOSURES
COVID-19 has been designated a pandemic by the World Health Organization and continues to remain a public health crisis. We provide testing for COVID-19 (“COVID Services”). In doing so, we do not collect or store genetic data. For more information regarding how your health information and samples will be used and shared in connection with COVID Services, please see our COVID-19 FAQs.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and other federal, state, and local health authorities may continue to require that COVID-19 test results (“COVID Test Results”) be made available to health authorities for public health purposes. Results and related information may also be provided to Fulgent’s contractors, the healthcare provider or your employer or school that ordered your COVID Services, the CDPH and other federal (e.g., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and state and local health authorities. By agreeing to this Privacy Policy or a Specific Notice, you agree that your personal information and COVID Test Results will be made available to such parties, as set forth herein.
COVID Services are performed and test results are hosted and in the United States, located on U.S. servers, and are subject to applicable U.S. laws, rules, and regulations. You understand and agree that COVID Services are not appropriate or approved for use outside of the United States, unless we have a written agreement with you, which states otherwise. Fulgent will collect, process, use, store, transfer, and disclose your personal information, COVID Results, and other information as set forth in this Privacy Policy and the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, or a Specific Notice, if applicable.
In some cases, we provide COVID-19 testing and related technology services to employers in connection with workplace health and safety programs or to educational institutions in connection with their health and safety programs. In such cases, you will be notified by your school or employer that the testing is part of their health and safety program. In these cases, your COVID-19 Test Results may be shared directly with your school or employer, and the ways in which we may use and disclose your information may be governed and further limited by the contract we have in place with your employer.
5. HOW WE USE AND DISCLOSE DE-IDENTIFIED, ANONYMIZED, OR PSEUDONYMIZED INFORMATION
“De-identified” or “pseudonymized” (under GDPR) information is data we have stripped of identifiers that can be reasonably used to identify you in accordance with applicable law. Our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices does not apply to this de-identified information. We retain the ability to re-identify such information. Once re-identified, your information (including your genetic information) will be subject to this Privacy Policy and other notices that apply to such identifiable data. Note that if you are in the EEA, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, pseudonymized data is always considered “personal data” and is handled according to our EEA/UK/Switzerland Privacy Notice. In contrast, “anonymized” information is when personal information is stripped of all identifiers, cannot reasonably be linked back to you, and is therefore not considered personal data under applicable laws. We may use “de-identified” or “pseudonymized” information for various purposes, including:
For testing quality control and validation:
For research purposes:
To the extent we have relied on your express consent to process de-identified or pseudonymized personal information in relation to the above (for example, if you are in the EEA, United Kingdom, or Switzerland), you may withdraw your consent to participate at any time by contacting us at privacy@fulgentgenetics.com. Fulgent will not include any such de-identified or pseudonymized personal information in future research commencing within 30 days from the receipt of your request. Any research involving your data that has already been performed or published prior to the receipt of your request will not be reversed, undone, or withdrawn.
6. CHILDREN’S INFORMATION
Our Website is directed towards adults and is not designed for, intended to attract, or directed towards children under the age of 16. If you are under the age of 16, you must obtain the authorization of a responsible adult (parent or legal guardian) before accessing or using our Website. If we become aware that we have collected any personal information from children under 16 without appropriate authorization, we will promptly remove such information from our databases.
7. THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION
You agree that you have provided notice to, and obtained consent from, any third party individuals whose personal information you supply to us, including with regard to (a) the purposes for which such third party’s personal information has been collected; (b) the intended recipients or categories of recipients of the third party’s personal information; (c) which of the third party’s information is obligatory and which information, if any, is voluntary; and (d) how the third party can access and, if necessary, rectify the information held about them.
8. LINKED WEBSITES
Our Website may contain links to external websites. Unless clearly noted otherwise, Fulgent does not maintain these sites. Fulgent is not responsible for the privacy practices of sites that it does not operate. Please refer to the specific privacy policies posted on these sites.
9. INFORMATION ACCESS, UPDATES, AND CHOICE
You can update, amend, or delete your account information and preferences at any time by logging into your Provider Portal or Patient Portal Account or by contacting us at privacy@fulgentgenetics.com. When you make a valid request, we will provide you with instructions on how to update certain personal information and how to unsubscribe from our emails and communications. Please follow the instructions when necessary to notify Fulgent of changes to your name, email address, and preference information.
Fulgent will take reasonable steps to verify your identity, including via verification and confirmation emails, before granting access to your personal information.
For individuals residing in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, or the United Kingdom (collectively, the “Designated Countries”) at the time of data collection, please refer to our EEA/UK/SWITZERLAND PRIVACY NOTICE. If you are a California resident, please refer to our CALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE.
10. RETENTION
We store your personal information for as long as we need it in connection with the Services; to serve the purpose(s) for which your personal information was processed; or as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, or enforce our agreements to the extent permitted by law.
We store information used for marketing purposes indefinitely, until you unsubscribe. Once you unsubscribe from marketing communications, we add your contact information to our suppression list to ensure we honor your unsubscribe request. If you have any questions about our retention periods, please feel free to contact us at privacy@fulgentgenetics.com.
11. SECURITY MEASURES
We have implemented reasonable technical, administrative, and physical measures to protect information contained in our system against misuse, loss, or alteration and to safeguard your personal information. Information that you provide through our Website or transmitted via email by us is encrypted using industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. Your personal information is processed and stored on controlled servers with restricted access, and, if applicable, in compliance with the Security Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 (HIPAA). Unfortunately, no method of electronic transmission is 100% secure, so we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to our Website, and you do so at your own risk. Please do not submit any personal health information or credit card information to us via email.
Please recognize that protecting your personal information is also your responsibility. You should keep your username, password, ID numbers, or other access credentials secure, as Fulgent cannot secure personal information that you release on your own or that you request us to release. If we receive instructions using your log-in information, we will consider that you have authorized the instructions.
12. SPECIAL NOTICES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN CERTAIN GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
We are located in the United States and may collect, process, and store your information in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, your information will be transmitted to us in the United States. When we conduct such transfers, we rely on various legal bases to lawfully transfer your personal information from your country to the United States, including the European Commission-approved Standard Contractual Clauses. Our data protection laws may be less protective than the laws of the jurisdiction in which you reside. If you do not want your information collected, transferred to, processed or maintained in the United States, you should not use our Services.
Individuals Located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland. If you are located in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), give you certain rights. For more information, please see our EEA/UK/Switzerland Privacy Notice.
California Residents. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), California residents are afforded certain additional rights regarding our use of your personal information (“CCPA Rights”). Please note that the CCPA Rights do not apply to personally identifiable health information. If you are a California resident, please see our California Notice.
Nevada Residents. Pursuant to Nevada law, you may direct a business that operates a website not to sell certain personal information the business has collected or will collect about you. For information about your rights under Nevada law, please contact privacy@fulgentgenetics.com.
13. CONTACT US
If you have any questions regarding this Policy or our privacy practices, you may contact us at:
Fulgent Genetics
ATTN: Privacy Officer
4978 Santa Anita Ave., Suite 205
Temple City, CA 91780