The privacy of everyone visiting our site is very important to us. Together with regular scans for security holes and known vulnerabilities, we have adopted appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site. Sensitive and private data exchange between the Site and its Users happens over a SSL (Secure Socket Layer) secured communication channel, encrypted and protected with digital signatures.
Non-personal identification information. We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system, Internet service providers utilized, and other similar information.
Personal identification information. In general, you can browse our Web site without telling us who you are, or revealing any personal information about yourself. There are a few places where we give you an opportunity to provide to us your personal information. This refers to information that lets us know the specifics of who you are. When you engage in certain activities on our web site, such as ordering a product, we may ask you to provide certain information, possibly including your first and last name, mailing address, email address, telephone, and other personal identifying information. When ordering products on our web site, you may be asked to provide a credit card number. Depending upon the activity, some of the information we ask you to provide is identified as mandatory and some as voluntary. If you do not provide the mandatory data with respect to a particular activity, you will not be able to engage in that activity.
How we use collected information. We do not pass on, sell or swap any of your personal details with anyone else. However, we may use this information for the following purposes:
- To improve customer service: your information helps us to more effectively respond to your customer service requests and support needs.
To personalize user experience: we may use information in the aggregate to understand how our Users as a group use the services and resources provided on our Site. - To improve our Site: we continually strive to improve our website offerings based on the information and feedback we receive from you.
- To process transactions: we may use the information Users provide about themselves when placing an order only to provide service to that order. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to provide the service.
- To send periodic emails: the email address Users provide for order processing, may be used to send them information and updates pertaining to their order, or to respond to their inquiries, and/or other requests or questions. If User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include news, updates, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email or User may contact us via our Site.
Cookies. Cookies are small files that a site or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the site’s or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Since browser is a little different, look at your browser’s Help Menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies.
Credit Cards. Credit card details are securely collected at the time of payment for the sole purpose of transmitting to the banks for processing. No credit card information is ever physically stored in the Foundation’s database. We use Pay Pal for all transactions. More information on Pay Pal’s Legal Agreements can be found at Pay Pal.
Third Party Websites. Users may find content on our site that links to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, sponsors, and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our site, is subject to that website’s own terms and policies.
Fair Information Practices. The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Should a data breach occur, we will notify Users with 7 business days of the incident becoming evident.
Opt-out. Users may request to be removed from our database simply by sending us an email, or calling at 561-762-6473. Users subscribed to our newsletter can use the opt-out function included at the bottom of the newsletter.
Compliance with children’s online privacy protection act. We do not specifically market to children under the age of 13 years old. For children who visit our site, special rules apply. We do not request personal information about children, such as first and last name or street address and city. When kids send email to us, their online contact information (email address) is not used to re-contact them and is not maintained in retrievable form.
Copyright. The contents of our site, and the site as a whole, are intended solely for personal, noncommercial (other than for the purchase of merchandise from our Site) use by the Users of our Site. The website and the information contained in reference herein are for your personal, non-commercial use only. You may download or copy the contents and other downloadable materials displayed on the site for your personal use only. No right, title or interest in any downloaded materials is transferred to you as a result of any such downloading or copying. Except as otherwise specifically permitted herein, you shall not broadcast, duplicate, copy, reproduce, edit, manipulate, modify, publish, rent, sell, publicly display, perform, distribute, transmit, or circulate to anyone the contents of the website, or use the contents of the website in litigation, or for any commercial or promotional purposes, without the express written consent of the Taras Oceanographic Foundation, its affiliates, and/or its lawful successors and assigns. If you would like to publish information that you find on our web site, please send your request to taras@taras.org. Creating a text link from your Web site to our site does not require permission. If you have a link you’d like us to consider adding to our Web site, please send an email to taras@taras.org with the subject “Link request.”
Changes to this privacy policy. The Taras Oceanographic Foundation has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we update the date at the bottom of this page. We encourage users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.
Your acceptance of these terms. By using this site, you signify your acceptance of this policy and terms of service. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our site. Your continued use of the site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.
Contacting us. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at: The Taras Oceanographic Foundation, www.taras.org, 5905 Stonewood Court, Jupiter, FL 33458, taras@taras.org.
Updated September 1, 2016