Geothermal Alliance of Illinois (“GAOI”) has created this privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) to explain and summarize how we collect, use and protect your personal information as you interact with us online through the website (the “Website”). GAOI reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy at any time by posting a new privacy policy on the Website. You are responsible for periodically checking the Privacy Policy for changes. By accessing the Website, you indicate your agreement to and acceptance of the terms of this Privacy Policy, and consent to the collection, retention and use of your personally identifiable information consistent with this Privacy Policy, as amended from time to time. Your use of the Website is governed at all times by the GAOI Terms of Use. If you are visiting from outside the United States there may be special rules or limitations on your use of this Website.
I. INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND HOW WE USE THE INFORMATION
A. GAOI collects and uses information you provide to us or that we learn from your use of this Website. GAOI does not share your personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We may share your personal information where it is necessary for us to complete a transaction or do something that you have asked us to do. Whenever we may need to share your personal information, we try to provide you with the information you need to make informed choices.
B. GAOI collects and uses your personal information in several ways:
1. Website Usage. GAOI, or GAOI authorized service providers, may observe your activities relating to your use of this Website. While we may collect or log this information, we generally do not identify you or match this information with your other personal information. We may use this collected or logged information to diagnose website technical problems, to facilitate your use of the Website, or to track aggregate traffic patterns throughout the Website.
2. Public and Shared Areas. Any information and other content (such as written works, research results, graphics, pictures or videos) disclosed on the Website will become public information. We cannot control the use of information and other content disclosed in public forums, such as bulletin boards, news groups, communication facilities and chat rooms (including those which limit access to registered users), nor can we control information and other content disclosed through shared sites or pages. You should exercise caution when disclosing information and other content in public or shared areas and should refrain from disclosing personal information that you consider to be sensitive. Please remember that any information or other content that is disclosed in these areas, including your name, becomes available to others and you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your personal information.
3. GAOI will treat any message board postings, feedback, emails or suggestions you provide to us as non-confidential and non-proprietary. If you choose to use your real name, your name will be available to and viewable by anyone using the world wide web and/or using a search engine.
II. OTHER USE OF COLLECTED INFORMATION
A. Merger. If GAOI should ever merge with another organization, GAOI may be required to disclose your personal information to such other organization purchasers. GAOI will endeavor to seek appropriate protection for information disclosed in these types of transactions.
B. As Required by Law and Other Extraordinary Disclosures. GAOI may be required to disclose your personal information if it: (i) believes it is reasonably necessary to comply with legal process (such as a court order, subpoena, search warrant, etc.) or other legal requirements of any governmental authority; (ii) would potentially mitigate our liability in an actual or potential lawsuit; (iii) is otherwise necessary to protect our rights or property; or (iv) is necessary protect the interest of other users of our Website.
III. SECURITY
A. No data transmissions over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Consequently, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission, we make reasonable efforts to ensure security on our systems.
B. You understand and acknowledge that, even after removal, copies of your information may remain viewable in cashed or archived pages or if other users who you permitted to access your information have copied or stored your information.
C. If GAOI learns of a security systems breach we may attempt to notify you electronically so that you can take appropriate protective steps, although we are not committing to do so except as required by law. By using this Website or providing personal information to us, you agree that we can communicate with you electronically regarding security, privacy and administrative issues relating to your use of the Website. GAOI may post a notice on our Website if a security breach occurs. If this happens, you will need a web browser enabling you to view the Website. GAOI may also send an email to you at the email address you have provided to us. Depending on where you live, you may have a legal right to receive notice of a security breach in writing. To receive free written notice of a security breach (or to withdraw your consent from receiving electronic notice) you should notify us at (GAOI address)
IV. INTERNATIONAL VISITORS AND CUSTOMERS
This Website is hosted in the United States and is intended for United States visitors. If you are visiting from the European Union or other regions with laws governing data collection and use that may differ from United States law, please note that you are transferring your personal data to the United States and by providing your personal data you consent to that transfer. When you provide personal data to GAOI or our service providers or vendors, you consent to the processing of your data in the United States as the Website is operated in the United States. Parts of this Privacy Policy may not apply to visitors from outside the United States because certain services are not offered to those outside the United States.
V. LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY SITES
A. This Website may contain links to third-party sites, however, please be aware that GAOI is not responsible for and cannot control the privacy practices of these other sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies for these other sites, as they may differ from ours.
B. Advertisements that appear on the Website are sometimes delivered (or “served”) directly to users by third party advertisers. Such third parties automatically receive your IP address when this happens. These third party advertisers may also download cookies to your computer, or use other technologies such as JavaScript and “web beacons” (also known as “1×1 gifs”) to measure the effectiveness of their ads and to personalize advertising content. Doing this allows the advertising network to recognize your computer each time they send you an advertisement in order to measure the effectiveness of their ads and to personalize advertising content. In this way, they may compile information about where individuals using your computer or browser saw their advertisements and determine which advertisements are clicked. GAOI does not have access to or control of the cookies that may be placed by the third party advertisers. Third party advertisers have no access to your contact information stored on the Website unless you choose to share it with them. This Privacy Policy covers the use of cookies by GAOI and does not cover the use of cookies or other tracking technologies by any of its advertisers.
VI. CONTACT PREFERENCES
When you provide GAOI with Your contact information, you agree that we may communicate with you about topics of your choosing and send you marketing communications.
Generally, when we contact you, we will try to provide you with an easy and convenient way to notify us if you would not like further similar communications. To “opt-out” of any further e-mail or contact, send a request to (Address). GAOI will make a good faith effort to comply with such written request within thirty days of receipt of the request.
VII. CONTACTING GAOI
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or would like to make changes to your personal information or contact preferences, or delete personal information you have provided to us, please email us _____________________________.
Postal Mail Address:
If you have a privacy concern regarding GAOI or this Privacy Policy and if you cannot satisfactorily resolve it through the use of this Website you should then write to Geothermal Alliance of Illinois (Address) In the event that we are still unable to resolve your concerns, GAOI is committed to cooperating to achieve a proper resolution of your privacy concerns.
