Trendline Research
Last updated: May 24, 2026
1. Introduction
Trendline Research (“Trendline,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a sole proprietorship registered in Ontario, Canada, operating as a market research and consulting business.
This Privacy Policy explains how we handle information in connection with:
Our website (www.trendlineresearch.com)
Our research, consulting, and product development activities
Survey-based data collection and processing services provided directly to organizational clients
We are committed to handling information responsibly and transparently.
2. Scope of This Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to:
Visitors to our website
Individuals or organizations who contact us through our website
Research and consulting activities conducted by Trendline Research
Organizations that engage Trendline to administer survey-based data collection services, and the pseudonymized survey data processed on their behalf
This policy does not apply to:
Third-party websites, platforms, or services that we do not control
Research panel providers or data partners that collect data under their own privacy policies
3. Information We Collect
a) Website Contact Information
If you contact us through our website, we may collect:
Your name
Email address
Any information you choose to include in your message
This information is used solely to respond to inquiries and conduct business communications.
b) Research and Survey Data
As part of our market research activities, Trendline may design surveys that are fielded by third-party research and panel providers.
Depending on the project, we may receive:
Respondent-level survey responses that do not contain personally identifiable information (PII)
Aggregated or anonymized research results
We do not receive names, contact details, or other direct identifiers in the research data we access.
Trendline does not attempt to identify or re-identify individuals from survey responses.
c) Survey Data Collected Directly on Behalf of Organizational Clients
Where Trendline provides survey-based data collection services directly to an organizational client, Trendline may receive and process completed surveys containing:
Responses to health-related questions
Experience, satisfaction, attitudes, behaviours, and other feedback measures
Demographic information limited to broad categorical ranges (such as age band and gender category)
Surveys are identified only by a pseudonymous identifier assigned and controlled exclusively by the client organization. Trendline does not receive, hold, or have access to any information that links a survey identifier to a named individual. The identity-linking key remains exclusively with the client.
Trendline does not collect or hold Personal Health Information as defined under applicable privacy legislation in the course of these services, based on the pseudonymization model described above. Trendline does not attempt to re-identify individuals from survey data.
Survey responses may be collected on paper and subsequently digitized, or submitted directly via electronic means using a generic survey link accessible on desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. No sign-in or personal identifier is required to access the survey link. Where surveys are submitted electronically, the third-party platform used to host the survey may capture technical metadata, including IP addresses, at the point of submission. Trendline does not use or access such metadata to identify any individual. Where surveys are collected on paper, they are processed and entered into a secure third-party platform as described in Section 6.
d) Data Collected Independently by Third Parties
Surveys designed by Trendline may be administered by independent third-party providers. Those providers:
Collect and process data under their own privacy policies
Are responsible for any identifiable information they collect
May share data directly with other third parties as part of their services
Trendline does not control or access identifiable data collected by those providers unless explicitly stated and contractually agreed.
4. How We Use Information
We use information for the following purposes:
Responding to inquiries and communications
Conducting market research and analysis
Developing research-based insights, models, and products
Supporting consulting and business operations
Generating individual and aggregated reports and outputs for organizational clients as part of survey-based data collection services, consistent with any applicable data processing agreement
We do not sell or license raw respondent-level data.
5. Data Sharing and Disclosure
Trendline may share information:
In aggregated, anonymized, or modelled form
With business partners or clients as part of research deliverables
When required by law or legal process
We do not disclose identifiable personal information about individuals because we do not collect or hold such information in the ordinary course of our activities.
In connection with survey-based data collection services, Trendline shares outputs and reports with the organizational client that engaged the service. Those outputs are generated from pseudonymized data and do not include direct identifiers. Organizational clients are responsible under applicable law for how they use those outputs in connection with the individuals within their care or organization.
6. Data Storage and Security
Research and business data may be stored:
Locally on secure systems
In reputable cloud-based business environments
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information to protect against unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.
No method of storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
In connection with survey-based data collection services, Trendline employs additional safeguards appropriate to the nature of the data involved. These include secure handling and storage of paper survey instruments where applicable, tracked transfer and chain-of-custody controls, and use of a reputable third-party platform with HIPAA-compliant safeguards, including encrypted transmission and access controls. Where paper surveys are used, they are securely stored and destroyed after processing. Digital data is retained for a defined period and subject to secure destruction. Where surveys are submitted electronically, any technical metadata captured by the third-party platform at the point of submission is subject to that platform’s own security and privacy provisions. Trendline does not use or access such metadata to identify any individual.
7. Cookies and Analytics
Trendline Research does not knowingly use cookies or third-party analytics tools to track visitors on our website.
Our hosting provider may collect limited technical information (such as IP addresses or server logs) as part of normal website operations.
8. International Considerations
Trendline Research operates in Canada but may work with partners, clients, and service providers in other jurisdictions.
Information may be processed or stored in jurisdictions outside your own, subject to applicable laws and safeguards.
9. Your Rights
Depending on applicable law, you may have rights regarding information associated with you, including the right to:
Request access to information you have provided to us
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of information where appropriate
Requests may be subject to legal and practical limitations.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business or legal requirements.
The “Last updated” date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was most recently revised.
11. Regulatory Framework for Organizational Clients
Where Trendline provides survey-based data collection services to an organizational client, those services are designed to align with applicable Canadian privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and, where relevant, Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) and equivalent legislation in other jurisdictions.
Organizational clients engaging Trendline’s survey services may themselves be subject to applicable privacy legislation as data custodians or controllers. Those clients are responsible for obtaining appropriate consent from individuals participating in surveys, managing the identity-linking key, and complying with applicable obligations in connection with their use of Trendline’s outputs.
Trendline enters into a written data processing agreement with each organizational client prior to commencing any data collection activity. That agreement documents the pseudonymization model, data handling responsibilities, and retention and destruction obligations of each party.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our information practices, you may contact us at:
Email: info@trendlineresearch.com
