This Privacy Policy explains how personal data is collected, used, stored, and protected in connection with the TarxienVR - Exploring the Neolithic Tarxien in Virtual Reality research study (“the Study”), available as a virtual reality (VR) application for Meta Quest headsets.
This Study is conducted by Jonathan Barbara as part of the requirements for a PhD at Trinity College Dublin (“we,” “us,” or “our”), under ethical approval from the Trinity College Dublin Research Ethics Committee (Application #5671). The data controller is Trinity College Dublin.
Types of Data Collected
We collect data in the following categories:
VR Session Data
- Interactions within the VR experience, including navigation, object interactions, task responses, and questionnaire responses entered during the experience.
- Audio responses recorded during tasks (voice is transcribed and the original audio is discarded).
- Screen recordings of your VR session, only if you consent to an optional follow-up review.
Survey Data
- Responses to short questionnaires answered after the VR session via Google Forms.
Participant Information (only for logistical scheduling)
- If you do not own a VR headset and require on-site access, your contact details are collected solely to arrange your session and are discarded within 30 days after the Study.
No other personal identifiers (such as Meta account information, headset identifiers, or persistent device identifiers) are collected.
Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data for the following research purposes:
- To conduct and analyse the VR experiment as described in the Study’s Information Sheet.
- To link user responses across in-experience and post-experience questionnaires using a temporary identification code.
- To interpret behavioural responses during the Study, including optional follow-up session review with audio/screen recording (with consent).
The legal basis for processing your data is research integrity, informed consent, and compliance with the Study’s ethical approval.
How Your Data Is Used
Your data will be used exclusively by the research team to:
- Analyse participants’ behaviour within the Study.
- Understand how users interpret virtual representations of cultural heritage and make decisions based on presented information.
- Produce academic outputs such as conference papers, journal articles, and a PhD dissertation.
No identifying information is published; all published results are aggregated or anonymised.
Data Sharing and Disclosure
We will not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for commercial purposes.
Data may be shared within the research team and with Trinity College Dublin supervisors as necessary for research integrity.
We will comply with legal obligations and data subject access requests as required by applicable laws.
Data Retention and Deletion
- Contact details collected for scheduling (for participants without headsets) are deleted within 30 days after the scheduled session.
- All temporary codes used to link participant data are deleted once they are no longer necessary to identify data for deletion.
- Session recordings (optional follow-up) are deleted no later than 30 days after the experience.
- Collected and collated research data (anonymised) will be retained for up to 10 years for academic integrity and verification purposes.
Participant Rights
Under applicable data protection laws (including the GDPR):
- You have the right to access any personal data we hold about you.
- You have the right to request correction, restriction of processing, or erasure of your data.
- You have the right to withdraw consent for any optional data collection at any time.
- To exercise your rights, contact the data controller or the Trinity College Dublin Data Protection Officer at: dataprotection@tcd.ie
Consent and Withdrawal
Participation in this Study is entirely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time without penalty, including up to 30 days after the session by contacting the researcher and providing your temporary participant code. Upon withdrawal, all data linked to your participation will be deleted.
Risks and Comfort
The VR experience may cause discomfort or cybersickness in some users. By using the Study app, you acknowledge awareness of those potential risks. If discomfort occurs, you are advised to stop the experience immediately.
Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, contact:
Jonathan Barbara
Researcher, TarxienVR - Exploring the Neolithic Tarxien in Virtual Reality
Email: barbaraj@tcd.ie
Data Protection Officer, Trinity College Dublin: dataprotection@tcd.ie