AQ Privacy Statement
This
statement discloses the privacy practices for the ArtsQuest (AQ).
AQ
Overall Privacy Statement
Your privacy on the Internet is of the utmost importance to us. Because
we gather certain types of information about the users of AQ's sites,
we feel you should fully understand the terms and conditions surrounding
the capture and use of that information. This privacy statement discloses
what information we gather, how we use it, and how to correct or change
it.
These guidelines
have been developed with the recognition that Internet technologies
are rapidly evolving, and that underlying business models are still
not established. Accordingly, guidelines are subject to change. Any
such changes will be posted on this page. AQ is not responsible for
the content or the privacy policies of Web sites to which it may link.
1.
Information AQ Gathers and Tracks
AQ gathers three types of information about users: data that users provide
through optional, voluntary registrations on our site and in certain
contests; data that is voluntarily transmitted to AQ through the utilization
of any optional web forms; and data AQ gathers through aggregating tracking information
derived mainly by tallying page views throughout our sites. Such information
enables us to better tailor our content to readers' needs and help our
sponsors better understand the demographics of our audience. The only
situation in which AQ divulges information about an individual user
to a third party is with certain contests.
AQ gathers user
information in the following processes:
*
Polling: AQ sometimes offers interactive polls
to users so they can easily share their opinions with other users and
see what the AQ audience thinks about important issues. AQ uses a system
to "tag" users after they have voted, so they can vote only once on
a particular question. This tag is not correlated with information about
individual users.
* Electronic Newsletters (Dispatches): AQ offers a free electronic
newsletter to users. AQ gathers the email addresses of users who voluntarily
subscribe. Users may remove themselves from this mailing list through
the subscription management pages. AQ delivers newsletters via email
to only registered recipients from our subscription center.
*
IP Addresses: AQ also logs IP addresses, or the location of your
computer on the Internet, for systems administration and troubleshooting
purposes. We do not use IP address logs to track your session or your
behavior on our site. While aggregate counts of click through behavior
are provided to sponsors, a sponsor will never know that a specific
user clicked their web banner. AQ will not provide specific user information
to any third party company.
*
Surveys: Occasionally AQ conducts user surveys to better target
our content to our audience. We sometimes share the aggregated demographic
information in these surveys with our advertisers and partners.
*
Contests: AQ offers contests in which we request certain personal
information. At a minimum, the required information includes name and
email address; in some cases, the user must answer survey questions
about a range of other personal data. The information gathered in the
entry form is primarily used to verify the entrant's identity and to contact winners
and/or prize recipients. AQ may occasionally use this information to send electronic communications to the user;
any electronic communications will include an 'opt-out' option.
AQ may also provide the user with the choice to receive additional information
from the contest sponsor, in which case the user's personally identifiable
information is divulged to the advertiser. Additionally, AQ may rent, sell or share information gathered with non-Affliated companies in order to provide services, products or benefits that you have requested, or as a response to subpoenas, court orders or other legal processes. Please note that AQ may not provide you with any notice prior to said disclosure.
Because the rules and terms of each contest can vary, all information
about each contest is clearly posted during the event. All contests
are conducted in full accordance with United States federal and state
laws.
*
Usage Tracking:
AQ tracks user traffic patterns.
2.
Use of the Information
AQ uses any information voluntarily given by our users to enhance their
experience in our network of sites, whether to provide interactive or
personalized elements on the sites or to better prepare future content
based on the interests of our users.
- As stated above,
AQ uses information that users voluntarily provide in order to send
out electronic newsletters and to enable users to participate in polls
and contests. We send out newsletters to subscribers with periodic
updates.
- When we use tracking
information to determine which areas of our sites users like and don't
like based on traffic to those areas. AQ does not track what individual
users read, but rather how well each page performs overall. This helps
us continue to build a better service for you.
3.
Sharing of the Information
AQ uses the above-described information to tailor our content to suit
your needs and help our sponsors better understand our audience's demographics.
AQ does not control the practices of our advertisers. If you have questions
about how one of our advertisers uses information about you when you
click their ad and go to their content, please contact them directly.
(AQ will divulge information only as necessary to comply with state
and federal laws.)
4.
Opt-out Policy
AQ gives users options wherever necessary and practical. Such choices
include:
- Opting not to
provide certain personal information when registering for a site or
when participating in some contests (see above)
- Opting not to
participate in certain interactive areas, which completely alleviates
the need to gather any personally identifiable information from our
users
5.
Delete/Deactivate Policy
Users may unsubscribe to any of our electronic newsletters at any time
by following the instructions contained at the end of every newsletter.