ZIP code information allows us to combine responses from multiple people in a given region. This helps us to get a more general idea of what people are thinking and feeling in that region, and to compare responses from individuals in different regions. Your ZIP code will also be matched to local virus spread information. This may give us an insight whether there are specific psychological variables that combat the spread of the virus (e.g. why are some people more willing to stay at home). Next to your ZIP code also your IP and, if you have enabled it, your location information can be used to triangulate your general location. This is because sometimes VPNs or countries that do not use ZIP codes are problematic to match. After the research is completed, your ZIP code, IP, and location information will be deleted from our data. This ensures that we cannot connect your actual survey responses to any of your personal information. Also have a look at our data section if you want to see how we ensure that local virus spread information is securely matched to your response.