Source
This privacy statement is based upon the TRUSTe Model Privacy Statement. SynapTECH is not a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program.
TRUSTe is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to enable individuals and organizations to establish trusting relationships based on respect for personal identity and information by promoting the use of fair information practices.
Application
This privacy statement covers the sites www.synaptech.com and www.synaptech.biz and includes provisions about:
1. What personally identifiable information SynapTECH collects.
2. What personally identifiable information third-parties may collect.
3. What organization collects the information.
4. How SynapTECH uses the information it collects.
5. With whom SynapTECH may share such user information.
6. What choices are available to users regarding the collection, use and distribution of such information.
7. What types of security procedures are in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of information under SynapTECH control.
8. How users can correct any inaccuracies in the information.
If users have questions or concerns regarding this statement, they should first contact SynapTECH by their choice of methods listed under the Contact information section below.
Information collection
SynapTECH is the sole owner of any and all information collected it's sites: www.synaptech.com and www.synaptech.biz. SynapTECH collects information from our users at several different locations on its' web sites.
Registration
In order to purchase products using this web site, a user must first complete the registration form. During registration a user is required to give contact information such as name and electronic mail address. We use this information to contact the user about services on our site for which he has expressed an interest. Only such information as is required to accept, process, fulfill, ship and receive payment or other forms of compensation for orders placed by users, is collected and maintained.
Order
We request information from the user on our order form. A user must provide contact information such as name, organization, electronic mail, billing and shipping addresses and financial information such as credit card number and expiration date. This information is used for billing purposes and to fulfill customer's orders. If we have difficulty processing an order, the information is used to contact the user.
Information use
Information is used primarily to accept, process, fulfill, ship and receive payment or other forms of compensation for orders placed by users. In no event is it used in any manner other than to facilitate a continued relationship between SynapTECH and its' customers.
Profile
We store information that we collect through cookies, log files, clear GIFs, or third parties to create a profile of our users. A profile is stored information that we keep on individual users that details their viewing preferences. Consequently, collected information is tied to the users personally identifiable information to provide offers and improve the content of the site for the user. This profile is used to tailor a user's visit to our Web site, and to direct pertinent marketing promotions to them. Except as disclosed below, we do not share your profile with other third-parties.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on our site. We may use session ID cookies and persistent cookies. For the session ID cookie, once users close the browser, the cookie simply terminates. A persistent cookie is a small text file stored on the user’s hard drive for an extended period of time. Persistent cookies can be removed by following Internet browser help file directions.
By setting a cookie on our site, users would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If users reject the cookie, they may still use our site. The only drawback to this is that the user may be limited in some areas of our site. For example, the user will not be able to participate in any promotional activities such as sweepstakes, contests or monthly drawings that may take place. Persistent cookies enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our site. Please refer to the Profile section for more information.
Some of our business partners use cookies on our site. However, we have no access to or control over these cookies, once we have given permission for them to set cookies for advertising.
Third-party advertising
SynapTECH does not presently allow the placement of advertising on this Web site. If it were to, advertisements would be delivered to users by third-party advertiser. Information about users' visit to this site, such as number of times they have viewed an ad - but not user name, address, or other personal information - may be used to serve ads to users on this site.
This privacy statement covers the use of cookies by www.synaptech.com and www.synaptech.biz only, and does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.
Log files
Like most standard Web site servers, we use log files. This includes internet protocol addresses, browser type, internet service provider, referring or exit pages, platform type, date and time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user's movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses are tied to personally identifiable information to enable our Web-based service, on an order by order basis.
Clear GIFs (web beacons or web bugs)
We employ - or any associated third party advertising company employs - a software technology called clear GIFs also know as web beacons or web bugs, that help us better manage content on our site by informing us what content is effective. Clear GIFs are tiny graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies, and are used to track the online movements of web users. The main difference between the two is that clear GIFs are invisible on the page and are much smaller, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Clear GIFs may be tied to users’ personally identifiable information.
Clear GIFs can work with existing cookies on a computer if they are both from the same Web site or advertising company. That means, for example, that if a person visited In addition, we use clear GIFs in our HTML-based messages to let us know which messages have been opened by the recipients. This allows us to gauge the effectiveness of certain communications and the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. If users would like to opt-out of these messages, please see the Special offers and updates
We send all new members a welcoming message to verify password and user name. 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 the Choice to opt in or out section.
Newsletter
If a user wishes to subscribe to our newsletter, we ask for contact information such as name and electronic mail address. Out of respect for our users' privacy, we provide a means to opt-out of such communications. Please see the Choice to opt in or out section.
Service announcements
On rare occasions it may be necessary to send out a strictly service-related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance, we may elect to send users a message. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account at any time. However, these communications are not promotional in nature and users may opt-out of such promotional communications. Please see our Choice to opt in or out.
Customer service
We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regards to issues relating to their account we reply via electronic mail or phone, in accordance with any wishes specified by the user. If no such choice is made by the user, SynapTECH will generally initiate such communication through electronic mail.
Legal Disclaimer
Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our Web site.
Aggregate information which is non-personally identifiable
We may share aggregated demographic information with our partners and any advertisers. At the present time, we have no such relationships with others, and any such aggregated information is not linked to any personally identifiable information.
Third party advertisers
SynapTECH may share web site usage information about users with a reputable third-party solely for the purpose of targeting any internet banner advertisements on this site or other sites. For example, SynapTECH employs cookies and clear GIFs on this site, which allow them to recognize a user's cookie when a user visits this site. The information collected and shared through this technology is not personally identifiable. For more information about any third-party advertiser or for choices about not having this anonymous information used please contact us at privacy@synaptech.com.
These are the instances in which we will share users’ personal information: We DO NOT Share personal information with third-parties, except as outlined below.
Third-party intermediaries
We may 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.
Service providers
We may partner with third-parties to provide specific services - for example, Apple. When the user signs up for a particular service, we may share names or other contact information that is necessary for the third party to provide such services. These third parties are not allowed to use personally identifiable information except for the purpose of providing these services.
Business transitions
In the event SynapTECH goes through a business transition, such as a merger, is acquired by another company, or sells a portion of its' assets, users' personal information will, in most instances, be part of the assets transferred.
Choice to opt in or 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 information. For example, our site has an opt-out mechanism so that users who buy a product from us but do not want any future marketing material, can keep their electronic mail address off of our lists.
Users who no longer wish to receive our newsletter and promotional communications may opt-out of receiving these communications by replying to unsubscribe in the subject line in the electronic mail or sending a message to support@synaptech.com. We also offer an opt-out mechanism on the My Account section of our site, or a user may contact us using any method listed below in the Contact information section.
Users of our site are always notified if ever their information is being collected by any outside parties. We do this so our users can make an informed choice as to whether or not they should proceed with services that require an outside party.
Links
This Web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that SynapTECH is 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.
Surveys and contests
From time-to-time our may site request 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. The requested information typically includes contact information such as name and shipping address, and demographic information such as ZIP code. Contact information may be used or shared with other survey or contest sponsors to notify the winners and award prizes. [Anonymous] Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of this site. Users' personally identifiable information is not shared with third parties unless we give prior notice users, and a choice to opt out. Though we may elect to use an intermediary to conduct these surveys or contests, they may not use users' personally identifiable information for any secondary purposes.
Tell-a-friend or other referrals
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 electronic mail address. SynapTECH may automatically generate a one-time electronic mail inviting them to visit the site. SynapTECH stores this information for the sole purpose of sending this one-time electronic mail and to measure the success of our referral program. The friend may contact SynapTECH at any time using the methods outline below in the Contact information section, to request the removal of this information from our database.
Chat rooms, message boards or other public forums
Please keep in mind that whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information online - for example on message boards, through electronic mail, or in chat areas - that information can be collected and used by others. In short, by posting personal information online that is publicly accessible, you may receive unsolicited messages from other parties in return. We do not collect data in such a manner other than that which may be required to maintain or operate such a service for our users, and do not share such information with anyone.
Security
SynapTECH takes every precaution to protect our users' information. When users submit sensitive information via the web site, their information is protected both online and off-line.
When our registration/order form asks users to enter sensitive information such as a credit card number, that information is encrypted and is protected with the best encryption software in the industry: SSL. While on a secure page such as our order form, the lock icon on the bottom of Web browsers such as Safari, Navigator and Internet Explorer displays as locked - as opposed to unlocked or open - as when users are just simply browsing.
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 simply the sensitive information mentioned above - is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access to personally identifiable information. All of our 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 reminded about the importance we place on privacy, and what they can do to ensure our users' information is protected. Finally, the servers that store personally identifiable information are in a secure environment, in a locked facility.
If users have any questions about the security at our Web site, users can send an electronic mail to privacy@synaptech.com.
Supplementation of information
In order for this Web site to properly fulfill its obligations to users it may be necessary for us to supplement the information we receive with information from third-party sources.
Credit checks
We do not perform credit checks upon individual users, though we reserve the right to verify the creditworthiness of users or the employers they represent should such steps be necessary. In all such cases, the user shall be notified prior to the acceptance of the order that such steps must be taken prior to completion of the transaction.
IP address verification
We capture the IP address of visitors to help verify a user’s identity and to minimize or eliminate the likelihood of misrepresentation, fraud or other unlawful activity.
Purchasing history
In order for this site to enhance its ability to tailor the site to a user's preference, we maintain information about the purchasing habits of users as a part of a personalized user profile. When a user makes a purchase from SynapTECH, the collected is stored. This information can be retrieved at any time by a user by logging into our site, and entering the My Account area. Data is displayed under the banner Previous Orders.
Enhancement of marketing profile
We may purchase third-party marketing data and add it to our existing user database to better target our advertising and provide pertinent offers we think our users would be interested in. We use this information to enhance or overlay the 'profile' of individual users. This aggregate marketing data is therefore tied to a users' personally identifiable information. See also the Profile section.
Correcting, updating, deleting or deactivating personal information
If a user’s personally identifiable information changes, or if a user no longer desires our service, we provide a set of standard methods to correct, update, delete or deactivate this information. This can accomplished by logging into our site, selecting the My Account section and viewing or changing information in the My Account section. Alternative, a use mail send an electronic mail message to customer support at privacy@synaptech.com, by calling (800) 617 7865 or by mailing a request to:
SynapTECH Notification of changes
If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes to this privacy statement, provide a notice of our action on the homepage and other places we deem appropriate, so that our users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it.
If, however, we are going to use users’ personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection we will notify users via electronic mail, where possible and practical, and by posting a notice on our Web site for 30 days.
Contact information
If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:
privacy@synaptech.com
SynapTECH (800) 617 7865 voice
PO Drawer 7635
Eugene OR 97401-0024
PO Drawer 7635
Eugene OR 97401-0024
(541) 342 7867 FAX
