Effective As of December 1, 2012
1. General
This Privacy Policy (this Privacy Policy) governs your use of the website owned by The Foundation for Strategic Sourcing, Inc. (F4SS) accessible at www.f4ss.org (the Website). Without limitation, on the Website F4SS gives users the option of obtaining certain services and products from third-party vendors (Third Party Services).
By using the Website, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy as they may be amended from time to time. This Privacy Policy is incorporated into, and made part of, F4SS’s User Agreement and Terms of Service (the Terms of Service, and, together with the Privacy Policy, the Agreement), which in general governs your use of the Website.
F4SS is committed to protecting the privacy of your information. This Privacy Policy applies to the Website and governs data collection and usage with respect to the Website.
2. Collected Information
F4SS collects information from individuals who visit the Website.
(a)Personal Information. When using the Website or obtaining Third Party Services, F4SS may require you to provide it with certain personal information, such as name, email address, username and password (collectively, Personal Information). The password will be stored on our system in encrypted form, so only you know your password. In addition, users of Third Party Services may be required to provide credit card and other billing information.
(b)Account Information. The content of your F4SS account (your Account Information) will be stored on the f4ss.org servers. F4SS may also store your Account Information and Personal Information at server locations abroad. Your Account Information is secured by means of data back-ups which, in the event of a system failure or similar error, allow for the restoration of data. Except as otherwise set forth herein or in the Terms of Service, F4SS employees may not access your Account Information unless you explicitly authorize such access (e.g. in the event of technical problems with your account) or if it is imperative for any maintenance actions.
(c)Website Navigational Information. As you navigate the Website, F4SS may collect information through the use of commonly-used information-gathering tools, such as cookies and Web beacons (collectively, Website Navigational Information). Website Navigational Information includes, without limitation, standard information from your Web browser (such as browser type and browser language), your Internet Protocol address, and the actions you take on the Website (such as the number of successful or failed logins, the date of your last login, the Web pages viewed and the links clicked). In addition, F4SS collects general information about what features or tools you use and with what frequency and which features you do not use.
3. Use of Information Collected
F4SS uses your Personal Information and Account Information to perform the services requested, process your requests, provide you with updates about Website, or inform you about other F4SS services or products that may be of interest to you. In the event that you provide F4SS with your credit card information as part of your registration for Third Party Services, F4SS will only use such information to check the financial qualifications of prospective users and to collect payment.
F4SS uses Website Navigational Information to operate and improve the Website and Third Party Services provided. F4SS may also use Website Navigational Information alone or in combination with Personal Information to provide personalized information about F4SS.
F4SS may be provided with and use any and all information that you provide to Third Party Service providers for the same or similar purposes that said Third Party Service providers use such information.
4. Public Forums / Customer Testimonials
F4SS may provide bulletin boards, blogs, or chat rooms (each, a Forum, collectively, the Forums) on the Website. Any information you choose to submit in such a Forum may be read, collected, or used by others who visit these Forums, and may be used to send you unsolicited messages. F4SS is not responsible for the information you choose to submit in these Forums. F4SS may post a list of users and testimonials on the Website that contain information such as user names and titles. F4SS will obtain the consent of each user prior to posting any information on such a list or posting testimonials.
5. Sharing of Information
Unless otherwise described herein, F4SS does not share, sell, rent or trade information provided by you with any third party without your prior consent. By obtaining a Third Party Service, you agree that F4SS shares your Personal Information with its service providers, which may include banks and/or credit card companies that F4SS uses to process payment of your service fees. These service providers are required to maintain the confidentiality of your Personal Information and are prohibited from using such information for any other purposes, including their own marketing purposes.
F4SS reserves the right to use or disclose information provided by you if required by law or if F4SS reasonably believes that use or disclosure is necessary to (i) protect and defend F4SS’s rights or property; (ii) comply with a judicial proceeding, court order or legal process; or (iii) act in urgent circumstances to protect the safety of Website users, F4SS employees or the public at large.
6.International Transfer of Information Collected
To facilitate F4SS’s global operations, F4SS may transfer and access your Personal Information and/or Account Information around the world, including the United States. This Privacy Policy shall apply even if F4SS transfers Personal Information and/or Account Information to other countries.
7. Communication Preferences
F4SS offers you a means to choose how F4SS uses the Personal Information provided. You may manage your receipt of marketing and non-transactional communications by changing the settings of your account via the “Change Contact/Profile Info” link available on the Member Area homepage or by clicking the “unsubscribe” link located on the bottom of every F4SS’s marketing email. Additionally, you may send a request specifying your communication preferences to info@f4ss.org. Users cannot opt out of receiving transactional emails relating to their account or the services provided through Website.
8. Security
F4SS has put into place reasonable technical and organizational safeguards in an effort to protect your Personal and Account Information from loss, misuse, unauthorized alteration, transfer or access. F4SS uses Secure Sockets Layer Software (SSL) to protect the security of your Personal Information. This software encrypts any Personal Information transmitted by you. F4SS maintains physical, electronic and procedural security measures in conjunction with the collection, storage and the disclosure of Personal Information and Account Information of users. These security measures also mean that F4SS will occasionally request that you provide evidence of your identity before F4SS reveals Personal Information or Account Information to you.
It is important that you protect yourself from any unauthorized use of your password and unauthorized access to your computer. If you share your computer with others you should ensure that you log out after every session. You are responsible for maintaining the security and confidentiality of your password, and are fully responsible for all activities that occur using your password. Please notify F4SS immediately of any unauthorized use of your password or any other breach of security.
9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
F4SS reserves the right to update or change this Privacy Policy at any time. Any material changes to this Privacy Policy or F4SS’s use of any Personal Information or Account Information will be posted on the Website.
10. Links
The Website may contain links to other websites. Please be advised that F4SS is not responsible for the manner of use or misuse of information made available by you at such other websites. F4SS encourages you not to provide any Personal Information, before reviewing the privacy policy and terms of service of such other websites.
11. Accessing and Updating your Personal Information
F4SS provides you with access to your Personal Information. You may correct, update or remove any Personal Information either by accessing your user account or by contacting F4SS at info@f4ss.org.
12. Contact
If you have any comments or questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the information practices of F4SS, please contact F4SS at info@f4ss.org or 201.677.1254.