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Privacy Policy and Website
This Privacy Statement, and the website, addressed to US and Canadian
users, was last update on 02/09/2006.
It is strongly recommended that you frequently review the section "Changes
to this Privacy Policy" as changes may occur any time for numerous reasons.
Entering this website you are accepting the terms of the last version of this
Privacy Statement.
Our Privacy Policy is designed to explain to you what information we collect
and how it is used. It clearly outlines the choices you can make about
the use and the protection of your personal information. It is strongly recommended
that you read this Privacy Policy carefully. Remember that links associated
with this site have their own separate Privacy Policy Statement.
Our aim is to provide you with a clear understanding of how we manage your information.
Children's Privacy
It is not the intention of this site nor do we collect information from any person
we know is younger than 13. Although, for information on people under the age
of 13 disclosed by parents to this site the same commitment as outlined in "Privacy
Policy and Website Use" is provided. In any case, we always strongly
recommend parents to talk to their children about their use of the Internet and
the information they give to Websites.
Non-Personal Information
Information that does not identify the user as an individual person is called
non-personal information.
This kind of information includes, for example:
- the kind of browser (Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer or Mozilla)
- the domain name from which you enter the Internet
- the website from which you linked to our website
- the date and time of your visit
- the pages you have visited
While you visit our website we may collect certain non-personal information about
you directly from your computer. This information is taken from the browser of
your computer via cookies. Cookies are stored on your computer's hard disk. Information
collected through cookies is non-personal information. You can choose to
refuse our cookies if your browser has this option, but, in this case, some parts
of our website may not work properly. Third parties are not allowed to put
cookies on our website.
Personal Information
Information collected to identify you as an individual is Personal information.
Some examples follow:
- first and last address
- telephone number
- e-mail
- health information
To use interactive communication tools on this website you may be required to
send us your personal information filling in a form.
Once personal information and non-personal information collected through cookies
(refer to Non-Personal Information Paragraph) are put together, it will be
possible for us to say that you have visited our website before and to tailor
your access to our website. This will also allow us to inform you about something
new interesting you.
Collecting Passive Information
Visiting this website, some information may be passively collected through some
technologies like cookies, Internet tags, web beacons, log files, server logs
and click-stream. Browsers, for example, automatically send us the URL of the
website you came from, the IP address and the browser your computer is using.
Most browsers may be set to warn you when a cookie is required. You can
refuse cookies but remember that in this case some sections of the site might
not work.
This website uses passively collected information to provide you with a better
service, tailor the site to your needs, gather and analyze statistics and continually
improve the site for your advantage. This website does not put together
collected personally identifiable information without your permission. Please
read below for further information on cookies and other discussed tracking tools.
A "cookie" is a piece of information sent to your browser by this
website helping us identify information about your previous visits.
"Session" cookies are used to improve navigation and collect descriptive
statistics. They are temporary and deleted when you close your browser
or turn off your computer.
"Persistent" cookies are permanent. They are placed on your hard
disk and remain there unless you delete them using dedicated tools. They store
information on your computer in order to retrieve it if previously provided,
assist us in understanding the areas you find most useful and tailor the website
to your needs. Persistent cookies may store personally identifiable information,
but only if you have agreed, either by registering or by consenting in providing
personally identifiable information.
Browsers may be configured to accept cookies or reject cookies and notify you
when a cookie is offered enabling you to decide whether to accept it. For
further information on cookies and on the adjustment of your preferences, write
the word "cookie" in the "Help" of your browser.
Web Beacons are used to take Non-Personal Information, too. The information
collected by Web Beacons allows us to make statistics about our website such
as: how many people are using our website and/or read our emails. The
Web Beacons used by us track your activities only within our website. Without
your permission we are not allowed to put together Non-Personal Information
from Web Beacons and Personally Identifiable Information.
The IP address is a number given to your computer by the Internet service provider
in order to have access to the Internet. IP addresses change each time you start
a connection to the Internet and is mostly used to diagnose problems, gather descriptive
statistics and establish the most convenient path your computer can use to connect
to a site.
"Internet tags" are used to give information such as IP address and
kind of browser or like time and kind of pages and information consulted. They
are also known as single-pixel GIFs, clear GIFs, invisible GIFs, and 1-by-1
GIFs.
"Navigational data", also known as log files, server logs, and click-stream
data, are used to improve site content, help with market research and communicate
information to you.
Personally Identifiable Information About You
Personally Identifiable Information you give us registering or updating your profile
is used to answer to your questions, allow you enjoy specific services, send you
emails and tell you on new changes to this Privacy Policy Statement.
Newsletters & Emails Sent to You
Members will be given the option to receive information and newsletters via email.
To receive these we require your contact information (name and email address).
You can stop receiving information and newsletters simply clicking on the
"unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any newsletter.
You will then be unsubscribed from receiving information and newsletters within
three to four full working days.
For difficulties with our unsubscribe service, please contact:
info@actagainstallergy.com
Emails You Send Us
Please note that this Privacy Policy does not refer to content, business
information, ideas you send us by email.
Interactive Communication Tools (forums)
Please think carefully about giving any Personally Identifiable or
Personal Health Information in any of our interactive communication tools as
these are open to the public and are considered neither private nor secure.
Remember that what you have submitted can be collected by third parties and
used in ways that may be beyond our control.
Information Collected by Third Parties
Some sponsors and advertisers use their own cookies and/or other forms of online
tracking technologies. They may also use companies collecting Non-Personal Information.
In some cases information may be collected by temporarily re-directing your browser
to a third party. Unfortunately, we cannot control these third parties, the use
they make of cookies and how they manage the collected non-personal information.
Although, our sponsors and advertisers have promised us not to collect any Personally
Identifiable Information without your permission.
Personal Information Use and Disclosure
Personal information collected by us will be used to allow you enjoy the services
you asked for or authorized.
Unless otherwise expressed, collected information will be used to improve the
content of this site, tailor it to your needs and for marketing research.
At times personally identifiable information we have collected may be given
to affiliates that are in accordance with this Privacy Policy. On occasions
we may also provide your personally identifiable information to third parties,
such as contractors which support our business (technical support, delivery
services and financial institutions), that are in accordance with this Privacy
Policy. Apart from the sale or transfer of this website or the response
to law enforcement requests for legal reasons and government regulations, we
will not release Personal Informati??on to a third party without your consent.
Personal Information Security
The security of your Personal Information is one of our highest priorities.
We implemented the best possible procedures to protect your data. Our employees
who have access to your data respect your confidentiality and have signed agreements
to do so.
Even though every possible attempt to secure your data is made there is always
some risk that unscrupulous
operators may find a way to penetrate our security systems. As such,
we cannot completely ensure that the collected personal information will never
be revealed in a way which is in contrast with this Privacy Policy Statement.
Internal Privacy and Security
Here follows a list of the procedures we implement to protect your privacy:
- An username and a password are needed to access Personally Identifiable
Information.
- Firewalls are implemented to protect information stored in our servers.
- Confidentiality agreements are signed with employees who have access to
your Personally Identifiable Information.
- All employees adhere to our Privacy Policy and face severe sanctions if
they break it.
- System back-ups are set to ensure the integrity of your Health and Personally
Identifiable Information.
Despite all our efforts to secure your data there is always some risk that unscrupulous
operators may find a way to penetrate our security systems.
Administration and Management of Your Information
Our interactive communication tools allow you to correct, update or review information
you put into the site by logging-in and making the changes you like. Although
we attempt to handle all requests by email within 48 business hours, sometimes
this may not be the case. If you need to eliminate or update your Personally Identifiable
Information or to change information you gave about marketing or other services,
use the tool "Modify data" in log-in box.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
You will be informed of any material changes to this Privacy Policy, that is a
change enlarging the use by a previous version of this Privacy Policy Statement.
If you continue to use this Web site, that means that you accept changes. If you
do not agree to these new terms, please leave this site immediately.
If changes are made which have no bearing to this Privacy Policy, that is do
not affect Personally Identifiable Information, you may not be notified of
the changes.
Glossary
Aggregate Data
The collection and compiling of Non-Personal Information is called aggregate data
because it describes the characteristics of a large group of people. This
information is used to improve and provide the best services to meet the users'needs.
Browser
The browser is an application used to navigate and show Internet pages. Some
of the most spread browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator,
AOL and Mozilla.
Cache
Every time you view a page with your browser, it stores the graphics of every
page visited in the cache. So next time you display that same page, download
time will be faster because a great part of it is stored and rapidly available
on your computer instead of being downloaded again.
Click
Stream Information
Click Stream Information records the pages you visited, the services you used
or the contents you displayed. It is not linked to Personally Identifiable
Information.
Cookie
Cookies are little data files placed on the hard disk of your computer by websites
you have visited and accessible only by those websites. They may contain pieces
of Personally Identifiable Information generally used to tailor a site to your
needs. Your password, for example, can be stored on cookies so that you do not
have to write it each time you visit the website.
Encryption
The process of converting data into an encrypted code for security purposes. In
order to break the code and read the data you require access to a password. This
is mainly performed by secure computer systems.
Firewall
Firewalls protect internet access from unauthorized users. The firewall
examines all incoming and outgoing data and blocks that which does not meet
the required security criteria.
Non-Personal Information
Information which cannot identify a user as an individual person.
It may include information such as the following:
- the kind of web browser you use (for example, Netscape Navigator or Internet
Explorer)
- the name of the domain from which you enter the Internet
- the Internet address of the web site from which you linked directly to our
web site
- the date and time you access our web site
- which pages you have visited on our web site
- personal information that has been de-identified
Password
A series of characters consisting of both letters and numbers granting user' access
to the interactive communication tools this website offers. A secret code
that prevents unauthorized access.
Personal
Information
Information that is collected to specifically identify you is Personal information,
such as:
- name
- address
- telephone number
- e-mail address
- personal health information
Personal Health Information
It occurs when Personal Information (refer above) is put together with health
information (disease and/or condition).
Server
This is the computer that stores and provides website pages to users when requested.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
A protocol designed
by Netscape Communications
Corporation to provide encrypted communications on the Internet.
Username
A sequence of characters, different from a password, that is used as identification
and is required when accessing a multi-user computer system, LAN, bulletin
board system, or online service.
Virus
A program loaded on to your computer without your knowledge and searching out
other programs and infecting them by making a copy of itself. Viruses are considered dangerous
as they are capable of damaging and even stopping your computer.
Web Beacons
They are electronic files allowing a website to count users visiting that page
or accessing certain cookies. They are also referred to as web bugs, Pixels
and GIF's.
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