Updated: 10/15/2004
Information Collection and Use
TechGether.net 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. TechGether.net collects
information from our users at several different points on our
website.
Registration
In order to use this website, a user must first complete the
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. It is optional for the
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.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s hard drive
containing information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no
way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our
site. Once the user closes their browser, the cookie simply
terminates. 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 cookie, they may
still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user will
be limited in some areas of our site. For example, the user will
not be able to participate in any of our Sweepstakes, Contests or
monthly Drawings that take place. Cookies can also enable us to
track and target the interests of our users to enhance the
experience on our site. Some of our business partners use
cookies on our site (for example, advertisers). However, we have no
access to or control over these cookies.
Log Files
We use IP addresses to 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.
Sharing
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.
We use an outside shipping company to ship orders, and a
credit card processing company to bill users for goods and services.
These companies do not retain, share, store or use personally
identifiable information for any secondary purposes.
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.
Links
This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we
TechGether.net are not responsible for the privacy practices of such
other 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.
Newsletter
If a user wishes to subscribe to our newsletter, we ask for contact
information such as name and email address.
Surveys & Contests
From time-to-time our site requests information from users via
surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is
completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or
not to disclose this information. Information requested may include
contact information (such as name and shipping address), and
demographic information (such as zip code, age level). Contact
information will be used to notify the winners and award prizes.
Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or
improving the use and satisfaction of this site.
Tell-A-Friend
If a user elects to use our referral service for informing a friend
about our site, we ask them for the friend’s name and email
address. TechGether.net will automatically send the friend a
one-time email inviting them to visit the site. TechGether.net
stores this information for the sole purpose of sending this
one-time email. The friend may contact TechGether.net at
to
request the removal of this information from our database.
Security
This website takes every precaution to protect our users’
information. When users submit sensitive information via the
website, your information is protected both online and off-line.
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. Only
employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for
example, our billing clerk or a customer 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. Every
quarter, 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 we store personally
identifiable information on are kept in a secure environment, behind
a locked cage.
If you have any questions about
the security at our website, you can send an email to
Supplementation of Information
In order for this website to properly fulfill its obligation to our
customers, it is necessary for us to supplement the information we
receive with information from 3rd party sources.
For example, to determine if
our customers qualify for one of our credit cards, we use their name
and social security number to request a credit report. Once we
determine a user’s credit-worthiness, this document is destroyed.
(or)
In order for this
website to enhance its ability to tailor the site to an individual’s
preference, we combine information about the purchasing habits of
users with similar information from our partners, Microsoft & Other
Companies, to create a personalized user profile. When a user makes
a purchase from either of these two companies, the companies collect
and share that purchase information with us so we can tailor the
site to our users’ preferences.
Special Offers
We send all new members a welcoming email to verify password and
username. Established members will occasionally receive information
on products, services, special deals, and a newsletter. Out of
respect for the privacy of our users we present the option to not
receive these types of communications. Please see our choice and
opt-out below.
Site and Service Updates
We also send the user site and service announcement updates. Members
are not able to un-subscribe from service announcements, which
contain important information about the service. We communicate with
the user to provide requested services and in regards to issues
relating to their account via email or phone.
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 Customer Support. [Some
sites may also provide telephone or postal mail options for updating
or correcting personal information].
Choice/Opt-out
Our users are given the opportunity to ‘opt-out’ of having their
information used for purposes not directly related to our site at
the point where we ask for the information. For example, our order
form has an ‘opt-out’ mechanism so users who buy a product from us,
but don’t want any marketing material, can keep their email address
off of our lists. Users who no longer wish to receive our
newsletter or promotional materials from us users may opt-out of
receiving these communications by replying to unsubscribe in the
subject line in the email or email us at
Users
of our site are always notified when their information is being
collected by any outside parties. We do this so our users can make
an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with services
that require an outside party, or not.
Notification of Changes
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those
changes on our Homepage 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.
