Online Privacy Statement
The Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (NA) Inc (“WDCS (NA)”) has created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to privacy. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for this website: http://whalesense.org and directly related web-sites from other WDCS entities, by way of example, http://www.wdcs.org.
This site contains links to other sites. WDCS (NA) is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Web site.
General Information Collection and Use
WDCS (NA) is the sole owner of the information collected on this site. We will not sell, share, or rent this information to others in ways different from what is disclosed in this statement. We collect information from our users at several different points on our website.
Network Traffic Logs
In the course of ensuring network security and consistent service for all users, the WDCS (NA) employs software programs to do such things as monitor network traffic, identify unauthorized access or access to non public information, detect computer viruses and other software that might damage WDCS (NA) computers or the network, and monitor and tune the performance of the WDCS (NA) network. In the course of such monitoring, these programs may detect such information as e-mail headers, addresses from network packets, and other information. Information from these activities is used only for the purpose of maintaining the security and performance of the WDCS (NA)’s networks and computer systems. Personally identifiable information from these activities is not released to external parties without your consent unless required by law.
Log Files
We use IP addresses to help analyze trends, administer the site, track user’ s movement, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Cookies
Our site uses “cookies”. A “cookie” is a piece of data stored on the user’s hard drive containing a unique identifier code. Cookies are used to ensure online transactions are secure and that the user’s privacy is maintained. Cookies do not contain or collect personal information of any kind. When the user closes their browser, the cookie remains on the user’s hard drive and may be used to secure the user’s next visit to the web site. For instance, by setting a cookie on our site, the user would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If a user rejects the cookies, or deletes the cookies from their hard drive, they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user will be limited in some areas of our site. Cookies can also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our site.
Various Registrations
In order to receive certain updates or use certain features of this website, a user may have to first complete a registration form. During registration a user is required to give their contact information (such as name and email address). This information is used to contact the user about the services on our site for which they have expressed interest. If asked for, it is optional for a user to provide demographic information (such as income level and gender), and unique identifiers (such as social security number), but encouraged so we can provide a more personalized experience on our site.
WDCS (NA) processes its donations through a third party service operated by Payments Solutions Inc. of Bethesda, MD. This relationship is 100% confidential and secure. After a completed donation is accepted by Payments Solutions’ server and authorized, the credit card information is destroyed and a finalized report is sent through to WDCS (NA). No information other than to diagnose problems with the transaction server is retained by Payment Solutions. Payment Solutions does not resell, retransmit, or retain any information about transactions or personal contact information for donors it processes on behalf of WDCS (NA).
Orders
Our site uses an order form for customers to request information, products, and services. We collect visitor’s contact information (like their email address) and financial information (like their account or credit card numbers). Contact information from the order form is used to send information about our company to our customers. The customer’s contact information is also used to get in touch with the visitor when necessary. This information is not shared or resold in any circumstance except under requirement by law or judgement.
Users may opt-out of receiving future mailings; see the choice/opt-out section below.
Financial information that is collected is used to bill the user for products and services. This credit card information is destroyed after a final authorization is received by WDCS (NA)’s transaction processing company.
Our online surveys ask visitors for contact information (like their email or mailing address). We use contact data from our surveys to send the user information about WDCS (NA) and its activities. Users may opt-out of receiving future electronic mailings; see the choice/opt-out section below. Other data collected by online surveys is used to educate WDCS (NA) about the interests and concerns of its supporters and general site visitors concerning WDCS (NA)’s mission. This information is not shared with other organizations. WDCS (NA) operates email discussion, and contact lists to reach its members who request such information.
Such services are run both by WDCS (NA) and contracted vendors. These email addresses whether housed on WDCS (NA) servers or those of our third-party contractor are never shared with any other organization and users may opt out of participating or receiving email information from WDCS (NA) at any time. Instructions are contained within each email sent as well as on our site help page.
Information Sharing
When information is collected from you, such as your name and e-mail address, we will generally let you know at the time of collection how we will use the personal information. Usually, we use the personal information you provide only to respond to your inquiry or to process your request. This information may be shared with other WDCS businesses, but only if necessary to fulfill your request or for related purposes.
We will share aggregated demographic information with our partners and advertisers. This is not linked to any personal information that can identify any individual person.
Where we partner with another party to provide specific services, when the user signs up for these services, we will share names, or other contact information that is necessary for the third party to provide these services.
These parties are not allowed to use personally identifiable information except for the purpose of providing these services.
Security
This site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control. This includes a firewall and 24 hour monitoring of site activities by our hosting service provider as well as appropriate SSL encryption (where allowable by law) on all transaction oriented operations between you and WDCS (NA) via our transaction service provider.
While we use SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, we also do everything in our power to protect user-information off-line. All of our users’ information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted in our offices or those of our suppliers. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, our supporter service representative) are granted access to personally identifiable information. Our employees must use password-protected screen-savers when they leave their desk. When they return, they must re-enter their password to re-gain access to your information. Furthermore, ALL employees are kept up-to-date on our security and privacy practices. Periodically, as well as any time new policies are added, our employees are notified and/or reminded about the importance we place on privacy, and what they can do to ensure our customers ‘ information is protected. Finally, the servers that store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.
Electronic Access Data
Electronic access data may be disseminated: (1) to the commissioner for the purpose of evaluating electronic government services; (2) to another government entity to prevent unlawful intrusions into government electronic systems; or (3) as otherwise provided by law.
<2>Correction/Updating Personal Information
If a user’s personally identifiable information changes (such as your zip code), or if a user no longer desires our service, we will endeavor to provide a way to correct, update or remove that user’s personal data provided to us. This can usually be done at the member information page or by emailing our Supporter Services at contact@wdcs.org.
Choice/Opt-Out
Our site provides users the opportunity to opt-out of receiving electronic communications from us and our partners at the point where we request information about the visitor.
This site gives users the following options for removing their information from our database to not receive any future communications of whatever type or to no longer receive our service.
You can send email to contact@wdcs.org.
You can send mail to the following postal address:
WDCS (NA) Inc.
7 Nelson Street
Plymouth, MA 02360-4044
You can call the following telephone number: +1 888-MY-WHALE (ask for supporter services)
Correct/Update
This site gives users the following options for changing and modifying information previously provided.
Email contact@wdcs.org.
Send mail to the following postal address:
WDCS (NA) Inc
7 Nelson Street
Plymouth, MA 02360-4044
Call the following telephone number: +1 888-MY-WHALE (asking for supporter services).
Contacting the Web Site
If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this Web site, you can contact:
Supporter Services
WDCS (NA) Inc
7 Nelson Street
Plymouth, MA 02360-4044
contact@wdcs.org
Notification of Changes
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes here so our users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under circumstances, if any, we disclose it. If at any point we decide to use personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time it was collected, we will notify users by way of an email. Users will have a choice as to whether or not we use their information in this different manner. We will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.
Minke Whale
