Coast Science, LLC, and all
its related corporate and health information web sites (“VI”) Privacy Policy
________________________________________
Last updated September 15,
2009.
PLEASE NOTE: OUR PRIVACY
POLICY CHANGES FROM TIME TO TIME AND CHANGES ARE EFFECTIVE UPON POSTING. PLEASE
CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR UPDATES AS IT IS YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE AWARE
OF CHANGES. VI DOES NOT PROVIDE NOTICES OF CHANGES IN ANYMANNER OTHER THAN BY
POSTING THE CHANGES AT THIS WEB SITE.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH
THE TERMS OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION TO VI OR
USE ANY OF THE SERVICES OR PRODUCTS OFFERED OR PROVIDED ON ANY OF THE WEB SITES
REFERRED TO IN THIS PRIVACY POLICY.
The information collection,
use, and dissemination practices of VI
This policy applies to VI's
collection, use, storage and disclosure of information by VI on its (a)
websites, including all its divisions, subsidiaries and related companies
(collectively, the "Websites"), (b) on various third party websites,
and (c) to VI's other information collection, including the purchase of
customer lists from third parties. VI is not responsible for the information
collection or privacy practices of third party web sites or applications.
1. Collection of
Information.
1.1 Survey, Registration,
Sales or other Information.
VI collects information
from individuals by various methods, including, but not limited to, when an
individual voluntarily completes an VI survey, order form, or a registration
page either online or offline, or by means of online or offline surveys, order
forms, or registration pages operated by third parties (collectively, a
"Survey"). (As used herein, "online" means using the Internet,
including the Websites, and related technologies, and "offline" means
by methods other than online, including in person, in the postal mail, using
telephones and cell phones, and other similar means.) In the Surveys, VI or a
third party (a "Third Party") may ask an individual to provide
various information to VI, which may include his or her name, email address,
street address, zip code, telephone numbers (including cell phone numbers and
carriers), birth date, gender, salary range, education and marital status,
occupation, social security number, employment information, personal and online
interests, and such other information as may requested from time to time
(together, "Survey Information"). VI may also collect information
concerning an individual from another source and uses that information in
combination with information provided from this web site Completing the Surveys
is completely voluntary, and individuals are under no obligation to provide
Survey Information to VI or Third Party, but an individual may receive
incentives from VI or a Third Party in exchange for providing Survey
Information to VI.
1.2 Third Party.
List Information. VI
retains the right to collect information from individuals when an individual
provides information to a third party and VI subsequently purchases, licenses,
or otherwise acquires the information from the third party (the "Seller").
Such purchased information may include, but is not limited to, an individual's
name, email address, street address, zip code, telephone numbers (including
cell phone numbers and carriers), birth date, gender, salary range, education
and marital status, occupation, industry of employment, personal and online
interests, and such other information as the individual may have provided to
the Seller (together, "Third Party List Information"). When acquiring
Third Party List Information, VI seeks assurances from the Seller that the
Seller has a right to transfer the Third Party List Information to VI and that
the Seller has a right to provide offers from advertisers to the individuals
whose personal information is included on the Seller's list.
1.3 Other Information.
Now or in the future VI may
obtain information from individuals which include (1) when an individual is
making a claim for a prize or seeking to redeem an incentive offered by VI or
by a third party, (2) when an individual requests assistance through VI's
customer service department, and (3) when an individual voluntarily subscribes
to a VI service or newsletter (together, "Other Information").
1.4 Cookies, Web bugs, and
Other Info Collected Using Technology.
VI currently or in the
future may use cookies and local shared objects (Sos) and web bug technology
(the only VI use of ‘web bugs’ is in the IMPACT application and is for
mechanical use only. It is not used for tracking purposes or data collection)
to associate certain Internet-related information about an individual with
information about the individual in our database. Additionally, VI may use
other new and evolving sources of information in the future (together,
"Technology Information").
(a) Cookies.
A cookie is a small amount
of data stored on the hard drive of the individual's computer that allows VI to
identify the individual with his or her corresponding data that resides in VI's
database. You may read more about cookies at http://cookiecentral.com.
Individuals who use the Websites need to accept cookies in order to use all of
the features and functionality of the Websites.
(b) Web bugs.
A web bug is programming
code that can be used to display an image on a web page (by using an <img
src="x"> programming function -- see http://truste.org for more
information), but can also be used to transfer an individual's unique user
identification (often in the form of a cookie) to a database and associate the
individual with previously acquired information about an individual in a
database. This allows VI to track certain web sites an individual visits
online. Web bugs are used to determine products or services an individual may
be interested in, and to track online behavioral habits for marketing purposes.
For example, VI might place, with the consent of a third party website, a web
bug on the third party's website where fishing products are sold. When Joe, an
individual listed in VI's database, visits the fishing website, VI receives
notice by means of the web bug that Joe visited the fishing site, and VI would
then update Joe's profile with the information that Joe is interested in
fishing. VI may thereafter present offers of fishing related products and
services to Joe. In addition to using web bugs on web pages, VI also uses web
bugs in email messages sent to individuals listed in VI's database.
(c) SOs.
The technology is based on
a feature of Flash MX called "local shared objects" (SOs), which are
placed on a user's machine by adding a piece of Javacript to a Web page. SOs
are similar to cookies in concept and function. VI’s use of Sos is restricted
to collection of a username and password associated with the media player
product. The sole intention of its use is for usability purposes only.
(d) New Technology.
The use of technology on
the Internet, including cookies and web bugs, is rapidly evolving, as is VI's
use of new and evolving technology. As a result, VI strongly encourages
individuals to revisit this policy for any updates regarding its use of
technology.
1.5 Outside Information.
VI may receive information
about individuals from third parties or from other sources of information
outside of VI including information located in public databases ("Outside
Information").
1.6 Individual Information.
As used herein, Individual
Information means Survey Information, Third Party List Information, Other
Information, Technology Information, and Outside Information, and any other
information VI gathers or receives about individuals.
1.7 No Information
Collected from Children.
VI will never knowingly collect
any personal information about children under the age of 13. If the VI obtains
actual knowledge that it has collected personal information about a child under
the age of 13, that information will be immediately deleted from our database.
Because it does not collect such information, the VI has no such information to
use or to disclose to third parties. VI has designed this policy in order to
comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA").
1.8 Credit Card
Information.
VI may in certain cases
collect credit card numbers and related information, such as the expiration
date of the card ("Credit Card Information") when an individual
places an order from VI. When the Credit Card Information is submitted to VI,
such information is encrypted and is protected with SSL encryption software. VI
will use the Credit Card Information for purposes processing and completing the
purchase transaction, and the Credit Card Information will be disclosed to
third parties only as necessary to complete the purchase transaction.
1.9 Personally Identifiable
Information
VI's Privacy Policy
(Personally Identifiable Information). Our policy is to allow our users to
anonymously access the information on VI properties. VI does not collect, sell,
or provide any personally identifiable information regarding you or other
users, unless you voluntarily provide that information to us for that purpose.
1.10 Privacy of Your Health
Information
We understand that your
health information is personal to you and we are committed to protecting
information about you. However, we have no control over the information
contained on a provider's web site and in linking you to a provider's web site,
we do not warrant that any health information provided by you will be protected
or treated in a manner complying with privacy laws including the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, regulations enacted
thereunder, or applicable state laws. VI expressly disclaims all liability for
any wrongful disclosure of your health information by the provider.
1.11 HIPAA Compliant
This website resource
allows you to learn information related to certain health topics and find
health service providers in your area by linking you to individual health
service provider's web sites. Due to the nature of this web site, VI cannot
check or verify the accuracy of information contained on health service
provider's web sites. The inclusion of any link to such sites does not imply
endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by VI of these sites. VI does not
warrant the accuracy of information obtained from these web sites. You are
advised to conduct your own thorough review of the health service provider
("provider") prior to retaining or taking advice from that provider.
Advice given and opinions expressed throughout providers' sites are those of
the provider, not of VI. VI expressly disclaims all liability for any actions
taken or not taken by you based upon any or all advice given or any service
provided by the provider to you.
1.12 Legal Advice
Information provided on
this web site is published as a free service. The material contained herein is
provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute
legal advice. You should not use this information on this web site or the
information on links from this site as a substitute for legal representation by
a licensed attorney. We advise you to always seek the advice of a qualified
licensed attorney prior to making any legal decisions or actions or with any
questions you may have regarding a legal matter.
2. Use of Individual
Information.
2.1 Discretion to Use
Information.
THE COMPANY MAY USE
INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION FOR ANY LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE PURPOSE IN COMPANY'S SOLE
DISCRETION.
The following paragraphs in
Section 2 describe how VI currently uses Individual Information, but the VI may
change or broaden its use at any time. As noted below, the VI may update this
policy from time to time. VI may use Individual Information to provide
promotional offers to individuals by means of email advertising, telephone
marketing, direct mail marketing, online banner advertising, and package
stuffers, among other possible uses.
2.2 Email.
VI uses Individual
Information to provide promotional offers by email to individuals. VI may
maintain separate email lists for different purposes. If email recipients wish
to end their email subscription from a particular list, they need to follow the
instructions at the end of each email message to unsubscribe from the
particular list. To unsubscribe from all VI email lists, a person must send an email to legal@coastscience.com .
2.2(a) Solicited Email.
VI only sends email to
individuals who it reasonably believes have agreed on the Websites to receive
email from VI or to individuals who have agreed on third party websites to
receive email from third parties such as VI. VI does not intend to send
unsolicited email messages. As a result, statutes requiring certain formatting
for unsolicited email are not applicable to VI's email messages.
2.3 Targeted Advertising.
VI uses Individual
Information to target advertising to an individual. When an individual is using
the Internet, VI uses Technology Information (see also Section 2.5 below) to
associate an individual with that person's Individual Information, and VI
attempts to show advertising for products and services in which the person has
expressed an interest in the Surveys, indicated an interest by means of
Technology Information, and otherwise. VI may, at its discretion, target
advertising by using email, direct mail, telephones, cell phones, and other
means of communication to provide promotional offers.
2.4 Direct Mail and
Telemarketing.
VI uses Individual
Information to advertise, directly or indirectly, to individuals using direct
mail marketing or telemarketing using telephones and cell phones.
2.5 Use of Technology
Information.
VI uses Technology
Information (1) to match a person's Survey Information and Third Party List
Information to other categories of Individual Information to make and improve
profiles of individuals, (2) to track a person's online browsing habits on the
Internet, (3) to determine which areas of VI's web sites are most frequently
visited. This information helps VI to better understand the online habits of
individuals so that VI can target advertising and promotions to them.
2.6 Profiles of
Individuals.
VI uses Individual
Information to make a profile of an individual. A profile can be created by
combining Survey Information and Third Party List Information with other
sources of Individual Information such as information obtained from public
databases.
2.7 Storage of Individual
Information.
VI stores the Individual
Information in a database on VI computers. Our computers have security measures
(such as a firewall) in place to protect against the loss, misuse, and
alteration of the information under VI's control. Not withstanding such
measures, VI cannot guarantee that its security measures will prevent VI
computers from being illegally accessed, and the Individual Information on them
stolen or altered.
3. Dissemination of
Individual Information.
3.1 Sale or Transfer to
Third Parties.
VI MAY SELL OR TRANSFER
INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES FOR ANY PURPOSE IN VI'S SOLE
DISCRETION.
3.2 Order Fulfillment.
VI will transfer Individual
Information to third parties when necessary to provide a product or service
that a person orders from such third party while using VI web sites or when
responding to offers provided by VI.
3.3 Legal Process.
VI may disclose Individual
Information to respond to subpoenas, court orders, and other legal processes.
3.4 Summary Data.
VI may sell or transfer
non-individualized information, such as summary or aggregated anonymous
information about all persons or sub-groups of persons.
3.5 Access.
Individuals have access to
their Individual Information collected to provide an opportunity for an
individual to correct, amend, or delete such information. Plese contact legal@coastscience.com
to make such modifications as necessary.
4. Privacy Practices of
Third Parties.
4.1 Advertiser cookies and
web bugs.
Now or in the future,
advertising agencies, advertising networks, and other companies (together,
"Advertisers") who place advertisements on the Websites and on the
Internet generally may use their own cookies, web bugs, and other technology to
collect information about individuals. VI does not control Advertisers' use of
such technology and VI has no responsibility for the use of such technology to
gather information about individuals.
4.2 Links.
The Websites and email
messages sometimes contain hypertext links to the web sites of third parties.
VI is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such other
web sites. Linked web sites may contain links to web sites maintained by third
parties. Such links are provided for your convenience and reference only. VI in
some instances does not operate or control in any respect any information,
software, products or services available on such third party web sites. The
inclusion of a link to a web site does not imply any endorsement of the
services or the site, its contents, or its sponsoring organization.
4.3 Affiliated Companies.
VI may disclose, transfer,
and sell Individual Information to entities affiliated with VI in VI's discretion.
5. Unsubscribe Procedures.
If you wish to discontinue
receiving email messages from VI, you have several options:
(a) Unsubscribe from one
email list.
To unsubscribe from a
particular list, either (1) sending an email to legal@coastscience.com (2)
follow the instructions in each promotional email message sent by VI.
(b) Unsubscribe from all
email lists.
We reserve the right to add
Individual Information to multiple lists maintained by VI. To globally
unsubscribe from all of VI lists, send an email to legal@coastscience.com
For more information about
protecting your privacy, you may wish to visit: www.ftc.gov
If you have questions about this policy, please contact us at legal@coastscience.com .