Privacy
Privacy Policy
We have created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm and continuing commitment to the privacy of personal information provided by those visiting and interacting with this web site. We hold the privacy of your personal information in the highest regard. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for this website.
We recognizes the importance of protecting your privacy and our policy is designed to assist you in understanding how we collect, use and safeguard the personal information you provide to us and to assist you in making informed decisions when using our site. This policy will be continuously assessed against new technologies, business practices and our customers’ needs.
What Information Do We Collect?
When you visit this web site you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and Web site use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our Web site.
1. Personal Information You Choose to Provide
Registration Information When you register for any of our products, services or newsletters you will provide us information about yourself.
Email Information If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses. We provide the same protections for these electronic communications that we employ in the maintenance of information received by mail and telephone.
2. Web Site Use Information
Similar to other commercial Web sites, our Web site utilizes a standard technology called “cookies” (see explanation below, “What Are Cookies?”) and web server log files to collect information about how our Web site is used. Information gathered through cookies and Web server logs may include the date and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent at our Web site, and the Web sites visited just before and just after our Web site.
How Do We Use the Information That You Provide to Us?
Broadly speaking, we use personal information for purposes of administering our business activities, providing the products and services you requested, to process your payment, to monitor the use of the service, our marketing and promotional efforts and improve our content and service offerings, and customize our site’s content, layout, services and for other lawful purposes. These uses improve our site and better tailor it to meet your needs.
Furthermore, such information may be shared with others on an aggregate basis. Personally identifiable information or business information will not be shared with parties except as required by law.
Occasionally, we may also use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our Website, new services, and special offers we think you will find valuable. You may notify us at any time if you do not wish to receive these offers by emailing us at the link provided on the newsletter.
What Are Cookies?
A cookie is a very small text document, which often includes an anonymous unique identifier. When you visit a Web site, that site’s computer asks your computer for permission to store this file in a part of your hard drive specifically designated for cookies. Each Web site can send its own cookie to your browser if your browser’s preferences allow it, but (to protect your privacy) your browser only permits a Web site to access the cookies it has already sent to you, not the cookies sent to you by other sites. Browsers are usually set to accept cookies. However, if you would prefer not to receive cookies, you may alter the configuration of your browser to refuse cookies. If you choose to have your browser refuse cookies, it is possible that some areas of our site will not function as effectively when viewed by the users. A cookie cannot retrieve any other data from your hard drive or pass on computer viruses.
How Do We Use Information We Collect from Cookies?
As you visit and browse our Web site, the site uses cookies to differentiate you from other users. In some cases, we also use cookies to prevent you from having to log in more than is necessary for security. Cookies, in conjunction with our Web server’s log files, allow us to calculate the aggregate number of people visiting our Web site and which parts of the site are most popular. This helps us gather feedback to constantly improve our Web site and better serve our clients. Cookies do not allow us to gather any personal information about you and we do not intentionally store any personal information that your browser provided to us in your cookies.
Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on your site. Google’s use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to your users based on their visit to your sites and other sites on the Internet. Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy.
IP Addresses
IP addresses are used by your computer every time you are connected to the Internet. Your IP address is a number that is used by computers on the network to identify your computer. IP addresses are automatically collected by our web server as part of demographic and profile data known as traffic data so that data (such as the Web pages you request) can be sent to you.
Sharing and Selling Information
We do not share, sell, lend or lease any of the information that uniquely identify a subscriber (such as email addresses or personal details) with anyone except to the extent it is necessary to process transactions or provide services that you have requested.
What About Legally Compelled Disclosure of Information?
We may disclose information when legally compelled to do so, in other words, when we, in good faith, believe that the law requires it or for the protection of our legal rights. We may also disclose account information when we have reason to believe that disclosing this information is necessary to identify, contact or bring legal action against someone who may be violating our Terms of Service or to protect the safety of our users and the Public.
What About Other Web Sites Linked to Our Web Site?
We are not responsible for the practices employed by Web sites linked to or from our Web site or the information or content contained therein. Often links to other Web sites are provided solely as pointers to information on topics that may be useful to the users of our Web site.
Please remember that when you use a link to go from our Website to another web site, our Privacy Policy is no longer in effect. Your browsing and interaction on any other web site, including web sites, which have a link on our Website, is subject to that Web site’s own rules and policies. Please read over those rules and policies before proceeding.
Your Consent
By using our Web site you consent to our collection and use of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. We reserve the right to amend this privacy policy at any time with or without notice.
Our Commitment To Data Security:
Please note that your information will be stored and processed on our computers in the United States. The laws on holding personal data in the United States may be less stringent than the laws of your Country of residence or citizenship. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
Choice/Opt-In/Opt-Out
This site allows visitors to unsubscribe so that they will not receive future messages. After unsubscribing we will discontinue sending the particular messages as soon as technically feasible.
A Special Note About Children
Children are not eligible to use our services unsupervised and we ask that children (under the age of 18) do not submit any personal information to us. If you are a minor, you can use this service only in conjunction with permission and guidance from your parents or guardians.
Acquisition or Changes in Ownership
In the event that the web site (or a substantial portion of its assets) is acquired, your information would be considered part of those assets, and may be part of those assets that are transferred.
Policy Modifications We may change this Privacy Policy from time to time. If/when changes are made to this privacy policy, we may email users who have given us permission to do so. We will post any changes here, so be sure to check back periodically. However, please be assured that if the Privacy Policy changes in the future, we will not use the personal information you have submitted to us under this Privacy Policy in a manner that is materially inconsistent with this Privacy Policy, without your prior consent.
Managing Your Privacy FAQs
1. What is “profile” or “preference” marketing? The companies that provide advertising for Websites typically gather data about consumers who view their ads. Often, that data is anonymous – linked only to a numbered cookie on a user’s computer. Networks collect and analyze this data to make a variety of inferences about each consumer’s interests and preferences. The result is a profile that attempts to predict the individual consumer’s tastes, needs, and purchasing habits. That profile enables the advertising companies’ computers to make split-second decisions about how to deliver ads directly targeted to the consumer’s specific interests. The NAI refers to this practice as “Online Preference Marketing” or “OPM.”
2. Is Internet advertising really a threat to my privacy? While advertising networks do collect data on consumers who view their advertising, this data is often anonymous. However, profiles derived from tracking consumers’ activities on the Web can be linked or merged with “personally identifiable information” (PII). It can also be combined with offline purchase data or information collected via a survey, census, or registration form. These activities are most often invisible to consumers. All that consumers see are the Websites they visit and the advertising that is shown on those Websites. Unless the Websites visited by consumers provide notice of the ad network’s presence and data collection, consumers may be unaware that their activities online are being monitored. That is why compliance with the notice and choice requirements of the NAI Principles is important to consumer privacy.
3. What is “personally identifiable information?” Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is data used to identify, contact or locate a person, including name, address, telephone number, or email address.
4. What is “non-personally identifiable information?” Non-Personally Identifiable Information (Non-PII) is information that is anonymous or not linked to a particular person. Used for OPM by network advertisers, this data consists mostly of click-stream information (sites you have visited or links you have clicked) compiled as you move across different Web sites or a single site.
5. Can PII and Non-PII be merged? It is possible to merge PII and Non-PII for OPM and other uses. However, no NAI member ad networks currently engage in this practice. In addition, the NAI Principles call for notice and consent prior to such a use of data. 6. What are cookies? Cookies are small chunks of data created by a Web server, delivered through a Web browser, and stored on your computer. They provide a means for Websites that you visit to keep track of your online patterns and preferences, as well as identify you as a return visitor. Cookies make the personalization of your Web experiences possible. For example, without the use of cookie files, it would be virtually impossible to maintain an online stock portfolio. You would need to re-enter your information from scratch upon each visit to that Web site. Network advertisers use cookies to track users’ Web preferences and characteristics and tailor ads for them.
7. What are Web beacons? Generally, a Web beacon consists of a small string of software code that represents a graphic image request on a Web page or email. There may or may not be a visible graphic image associated with the Web beacon and often the image is designed to blend into the background of a Web page or email. Web beacons can be used for many purposes – including site traffic reporting, unique visitor counts, advertising auditing and reporting, and personalization. A significant majority of Web beacons collect only anonymous data. However, some may be used to collect PII, particularly in the case of email that contains a Web beacon. In such cases, the data collected through the Web beacon may be linked to the recipient’s email address or other information identifying the recipient.
8. What is a “3rd party ad network?” Many of the banner ads displayed on Web pages are not selected and delivered by the Website visited by a consumer, but by network advertising companies that manage and provide advertising for numerous unrelated Websites. The NAI refers to these companies as “3rd party ad networks.”
9. How does the NAI Opt-out Tool work? The NAI Opt-out Tool replaces a network advertiser’s unique online preference marketing cookie on your browser with a general opt-out cookie. It does not delete individual cookies nor does it necessarily replace other cookies delivered by network advertisers, such as those that are used for aggregate ad reporting or mere ad serving purposes. Such cookies allow network advertisers to change the sequence of ad banners, as well as track the aggregate number of ads delivered (impressions).
10. How do I know which networks have placed cookies on my computer? The opt-out tool automatically scans your computer to locate the ad targeting cookies of each of our member ad networks. Simply go to the opt-out page to check your system.
11. Will I ever need to renew my opt-out or opt out again? If you ever delete the “opt-out cookie” from your browser, buy a new computer, or change Web browsers, you’ll need to perform the opt-out task again. It’s only when the network advertiser can read an “opt-out” cookie on your browser that it can know you have decided not to participate.
12. Does the NAI Opt-out stop spam, junk mail, or pop-ups? No. The NAI Opt-out works only with participating 3rd party ad networks using cookies to target advertising. We do not maintain opt-out programs for postal or electronic mail or for pop-ups.
13. Can my browser settings interfere with the use of the NAI “Opt-out” Tool? Yes. Your browser must be set to accept 3rd party cookies in order for the NAI “Opt-out” tool to work. The following links show how to adjust the browser settings of commonly used browsers: Internet Explorer 7.x and Internet Explorer 6.x: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283185 Netscape 8.x: See Firefox link below.
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/options#privacy Safari: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Safari/2.0/en/ibr30.html Attention Safari users: Apple presets the Safari browser to block cookies from sites other than those you visit directly. As a result, the NAI opt out tool, which uses third party cookies, will not work for browsers left in this default setting.
Safari users have two (2) options should they wish not to participate in third party ad programs. First, you may confirm that your browser is set to accept only first party cookies and do nothing. This default setting will block all third party cookies, including those of our member ad networks and those of other, non-member ad networks. Choose “Preferences” from the Safari menu Select “Security” icon Cookie settings are shown in the window – If your cookie setting is “Accept Cookies: Only from sites you navigate to,” you are blocking all third party cookies and you need to do nothing. Alternately, you can change your cookie settings to allow all cookies and then use the NAI opt out tool. An opt out cookie for the selected ad network(s) will be placed on your computer.
You can change your cookie settings back after completing this action, if desired. Choose “Preferences” from the Safari menu Select the “Security” icon Cookie settings are shown in window – Select: “Accept Cookies: Always” Go to http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp Select the networks from which you wish to opt out and hit “Submit” Attention Internet Explorer 7 users:
Yahoo! has a security path that allows IE7 to block its ad network (third-party) cookies when a user’s browser privacy setting is set to “Medium High” or “High.” As a result, the NAI opt out tool, which uses third-party cookies, cannot place an opt-out cookie for browsers in this setting. IE7 users that have their browsers configured in this manner have two (2) options. First, confirm that your browser is configured in this way. If so, all Yahoo! Ad Network cookies will be blocked, so there will be no need to opt out. Choose “Tools” from the IE7 menu bar Select the “Privacy” tab The slider on the left can be adjusted from “accept all cookies” to “block all cookies.” If your privacy setting is “Medium High” or “High,” IE7 is blocking all Yahoo! Ad Network cookies. You need to do nothing. Alternately, you can visit the Yahoo! Website and opt out there. An opt out cookie will be placed on your computer.
14. Will I still get ads if I opt out using the NAI tool? Yes. By opting out from an ad network via the NAI opt-out tool; you only remove yourself from that ad network’s targeted advertising program. You will still see banner ads any time you visit a site whose ads are provided by that ad network. Because the ad network no longer maintains a targeting cookie on your computer, the ads will be general in nature and could be repetitive.
15. What do I do if I think an NAI member has violated the NAI Privacy Principles? Please contact NAI staff! We rely in part on consumers’ help to report perceived violations by NAI members of the NAI Principles. To file a complaint about a member, contact our complaint manager.
16. What do I do if I have a problem with the “opt-out” tool? If you encounter technical difficulties while trying to opt out, we ask that you first try again. You may also try to opt out directly from any member ad network by clicking its link on the opt-out page. If you continue to experience problems, you can submit an email to the NAI. Provide as much information as you can, including operating system (Mac or Windows), Web browser, error messages, etc. Finally, you may report the problem by using the 3rd Party Enforcement Program operated by TRUSTe.
17. What can I do to opt-out of 3rd party advertising programs that aren’t part of the NAI “Opt-out” program? Some 3rd party ad networks offer their own private opt out mechanism. You can generally determine if a network offers an opt out by looking at their posted privacy policy. Alternately, some browsers allow you to block cookies from specific domains (e.g. www.3rdpartyadnetwork.com). The links below provide instructions for blocking cookies from specific domains for several common browser types: Internet Explorer 7.x and Internet Explorer 6.x: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283185 Netscape 8.x: See Firefox link below. Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/options#privacy Safari: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Safari/2.0/en/ibr30.html
18. Will using the NAI Opt-out Tool automatically delete all of an NAI member’s cookies from my computer? Not necessarily. Some NAI members offer services such as email or online photo-hosting on their own Websites, in addition to providing ad serving for other Websites. Typically, different cookies are used for these services. The opt-out cookie replaces the ad network cookie used to help tailor ads that appear on other Websites, but leaves the cookies used for these other kinds of services untouched.
19. Why don’t I see an Undertone Networks opt out cookie after I have opted out from that network? Undertone Networks uses third-party ad serving technology provided by Zedo, Inc. As such, all cookies placed by Undertone Networks, including the opt out cookie, appear as Zedo Cookies. Opting out of the Undertone Networks data collection and targeting program will also opt you out of all similar programs operated by Zedo, Inc. and Zedo’s clients.
