Privacy Statement
1 - "Seal" Programs
Contact Networks believes in self-regulation by the Internet industry,
and has applied to participate in various privacy certification, or "seal"
programs, to address the need for privacy, security and trust on the Internet.
Certification seals will be displayed throughout our site when received.
We will continue to join other "seal" programs as they become standard.
2 - Data Confidentiality
We firmly believe that personal information, such as a user's name, address
and telephone number, as well as the information of their contacts, is
private and confidential. We pledge never to disclose or sell our users'
personal information or information to any unauthorized third parties.
Only key technical staff at Contact Networks has access to database materials.
We will vigorously pursue anybody who attempts to illegally access our
users' information. To protect our users' data while it travels over the
Internet, all communication between our clients and Contact Networks servers
is encrypted. Proper technologies and procedures are installed to ensure
that the data remains secure once it reaches our servers. Our policies
include regularly scheduled back-ups, physical protection of our servers,
firewalls, and other technical protection measures.
3 - E-mail Policy
Contact Networks will
never give, share, or sell e-mail addresses of users to other parties.
On occassion, Contact Networks will send messages for verification and
support purposes. Notices of new features, and product updates may also
be sent. In addition, voluntary questions might be asked on an infrequent
basis regarding user satisfaction, and suggestions. In all cases, however,
each message will give users the choice to opt-out and never recieve similar
messages in the future. Our policy is to immediately stop sending e-mails
to any user who requests that he or she be deleted from our mailing list.
To be removed from our mailing list, please send, from your own account,
an e-mail to nomail@contact.com.
4 - Children's Privacy
We understand that children, in particular, can be vulnerable on the Internet.
Because of this, we have created a children's privacy policy:
1. We do not provide direct links from our site to any sites whose content
we judge to be potentially harmful to children.
2. We encourage parents and guardians to monitor children's activities
online, and to educate them in avoiding the potential dangers they may
encounter in cyberspace.
5 - Password Protection
Inadequate or easy-to-guess passwords are one of the main security problems
faced by Internet services. However, improving the security of passwords
means using long and random passwords, which users often find difficult
to remember. Our policy is that we do not force users to use difficult-to-remember
passwords, but instead allow them to update their password at any time.
6 - Virus Protection
We have "digitally signed" our windows application using industry-standard
signature technologies to protect against viruses or manipulations.
7 - Maintaining Personal Information
All users have the right to change any or all of their personal information
maintained on Contact Networks servers. Users can change their information
by clicking on "My Info," selecting the desired items for revision, and
then clicking "Synchronize" to send updated information to everyone who
has received their card. For more details on how to revise information,
please see our support section.
8 - Sharing Information with Other Users
One of the key features of the Contact Networks program is the automatic
updating of personal information between users, in a secure and controlled
environment. In each case, the user decides not only who will receive
the information, but also precisely what information he or she will share
with each person selected. Our system is specifically designed to give
users the greatest level of control over exactly who receives their information.
9 - Account De-Activation
As a service to our users, we provide them with the ability to close their
account and permanently delete their data. We advise users to choose this
feature with care, as it will result in the irretrievable loss of all
of their information. To request this service, please send an e-mail to
deletepermanently@contact.com.
10 - Directory Searches
Contact Networks provides a directory, similar to a telephone directory,
where users may search for their friends and acquaintances to determine
whether they, too, are Contact Networks users. Each user determines what
information, if any, he or she wishes to post in the directory by customizing
their "Public Card." For more information on the public card, please see
our support section.
11 - Use of Cookies and IP Addresses
Cookies (small files placed on personal hard drives) are only used to
store session data, usernames and other common items needed to ensure
a smooth browsing experience. At this time, we are not tracking users'
IP addresses for any purpose. In the future, we may track the addresses
to balance server loads and to ensure that all our users, regardless of
where they reside, receive fast service from Contact Networks servers.
12 - Affiliates Policy
Contact Networks offers users access to a range of contact-specific information
and services, such as local maps, driving directions and local weather
conditions customized to user cards. These features are provided by third-party
sites. We are making a continued effort to ensure that our affiliates
are trustworthy and reputable sites. We cannot, however, guarantee every
aspect of the user experience on third-party sites. If you experience
problems or difficulties with the service provided by any Contact Networks
affiliate, please let us know by e-mailing us at linkproblems@contact.com
13 - Use of Aggregate Data
We use aggregate data to track server usage patterns. Examples of aggregated
data include total users, user geographical locations, length of use,
etc. Aggregate data tracking is necessary to prepare our technical infrastructure
for the numbers and types of users we are expecting, and to communicate
user totals and patterns to affiliates who provide our users with information
and services. However, we would like to reiterate that this refers only
to aggregate data and we never disclose personal, identifying information.
14 - Reporting Abuse
Contact Networks will not tolerate any abuse of its system. If you have
detected any form of abuse within our site, please let us know at abuse@contact.com