Epsom Salt Council Internet Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting the Epsom Salt Council online.

The Epsom Salt Council (together with its agents and representatives, the “Council”) was formed in 1993 to help inform the general public about the benefits of using Epsom Salt.  Respect for the privacy of your personal information which is collected through this web site is very important to us.  The Council is committed to collecting, maintaining and securing personal information about you in accordance with this Internet Privacy Policy (the “Policy”), as well as applicable laws, rules and regulations.  This Policy applies to personal information (as defined below) collected from the Council online resources and communications (such as this web site, surveys, polls and electronic newsletters).  This Policy does not apply to third-party online resources to which the Council’s website may link, where the Council does not control the content of the privacy practices of such resources.

How does this Privacy Policy define “personal information”?
The term “personal information” as used throughout this Policy, applies to any information or set of information that identifies, or that is used by or on behalf of the Council to identify, an individual.

How does the Council collect personal information online?

Information that you provide:
The Council collects personal information and other data that you may enter into forms or data fields on the Council website or online resources.  Such information may include, but not be limited to, contact information (such as your name, postal address, e-mail address, telephone number, user ID and password), date of birth, professional credentials, experiences, activities, skills, preferences, hobbies and interests.

Information collected from your computer or other electronic device:
The Council collects information about your computer or other electronic device when you visit the Council website and use the Council’s online resources.  This information may include your Internet Protocol (IP) address, domain name, browser type, date and time of your request and information provided by tracking technologies, such as cookies and single-pixel tags.  If you use a mobile device to access the Council website and online resources, the Council also may collect information about your device, such as your device ID and device type, as well as usage information about your device.

What are cookies?
The Council may place electronic cookies in the browser files of your computer when you access the Council website.  Cookies are pieces of information that the Council website transfers to your computer to enable the Council’s systems to recognize your browser and to tailor the information on the Council website to your interests.  For example, if you previously visited the Council website and inquired about a particular service or forum, cookies enable the Council to present information tailored to your particular interests the next time you visit the website.  The Council also uses cookies to analyze visitors’ use of the Council website.  This analysis helps the Council better understand which areas of the website are most useful and popular so that improvements and updates can be planned accordingly.

What are single-pixel tags?
Single-pixel tags, also known as web beacons or web tags, are graphics that function similar to cookies.  Single-pixel tags are not visible because of their small size.  They are used to collect generalized information in web logs (i.e., the information does not identify you personally), such as web pages viewed, the website you came from and, if applicable, the advertisement you clicked on to visit the Council website.  Single-pixel tags are also used to determine whether certain promotional or other commercial e-mail messages the Council sends are opened.

Why does the Council collect personal information?
The Council collects personal information online as necessary to enable individuals to register for, customize and personalize certain of the Council’s online resources and communications.  The Council also uses personal information collected online to provide services and features and other resources that individuals have requested or may find of interest, such as newsletters, educational literature and related information about the uses and benefits of Epsom Salt, questionnaires and surveys.  The Council analyzes personal information collected online to identify and offer additional information, services and promotions that the Council believes you might find interesting.  If you do not wish to receive such information from the Council, either now or in the future, please contact the Council and request to be removed from the distribution list for any such information.

Does the Council share personal information with third parties?
In general, the Council does not sell or share personal information about you with third parties.  The Council reserves the right to disclose personal information about you, including your e-mail address, for reporting to government authorities, to parties in relevant legal proceedings as authorized by the presiding court or tribunal and otherwise to the extent required or explicitly authorized by applicable law.  Except as provided in this Policy, personal information about you will not otherwise be shared without your permission.  Please note that the Council’s web site is maintained, updated and operated by the Council’s designated advertising agency, which has access to and use of the personal information collected, but such access and use is limited to Council activities.

How does the Council secure personal information?
The Council will take reasonable steps to protect personal information as it is transmitted from your computer to the Council’s online resources and servers.  The Council also will take reasonable steps to protect personal information in its or its agents’ and representatives’ possession from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration or destruction.  It is your personal responsibility to secure your own copies of your passwords and related access codes for online resources.  The Internet is not a secure medium.  While the Council employs administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect personal information, the Council does not assume any responsibility for any harm, loss or damage you may experience from transmission of information by or to the Council over the Internet.

How does the Council protect the privacy of children?
In general, the Council website is not directed at children and most of the online services that the Council offers are designed for individuals who are 18 years of age or older.  The Council does not seek or knowingly collect personal information from children.

Consent to this Policy:
By using the Council website, you signify your consent to this Policy.  If you do not agree to this Policy, please do not use the Council website.  The Council reserves the right, at its discretion, to update, change, modify, add or remove any portion of this Policy from time to time, and your use of the Council web site signifies your acceptance of any such updates, changes, modifications, additions to or removals from this Policy.  You can always find out about any such changes, and access the most current version of this Policy by clicking on the “Privacy Policy” on the homepage of the Council website.  This policy was last updated in August 2011.