1. GENERAL INFORMATION
This privacy policy applies to the collection, use, and disclosure of information collected through IdeaScale.com, the IdeaScale services, and related products and services owned and operated by IdeaScale and its subsidiaries (the “Services”). The use of information collected through the Services shall be limited to the purpose of providing the Services for which IdeaScale customers have engaged IdeaScale. As used in this policy, the term “IdeaScale” collectively refers to IdeaScale, a California corporation, and its subsidiaries.
IdeaScale strives to conform its privacy practices, policies and/or procedures with any and all applicable international, country specific, U.S. Federal, state and/or local laws, codes, regulations, and requirements and the industry codes, standards and regulations of various market and opinion research professional associations and/or organizations, including without limitation the ICC/ESOMAR International Code on Market and Social Research and the Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO). IdeaScale is committed to protecting the security and integrity of all personally identifiable information collected by or disclosed to IdeaScale. This privacy policy identifies the personally identifiable information that IdeaScale collects and how such information will be used and protected. For details regarding additional policies and procedures applied to personal information from European Union member countries and Switzerland, please see Section 16 below.
2. INFORMATION COLLECTION AND USE
IdeaScale provides its web-based Services to support innovation, facilitate dialogue, and to collect ideas and feedback for use by IdeaScale customers. The information you share with IdeaScale, as either an IdeaScale customer or an end user of an IdeaScale customer, is shared, via the internet, with a limited set of IdeaScale end users or the public at large, depending on the community for which you are registered and the preference of the customer that runs that community.
Registration Information
In order to use the Services, you must first complete a registration form and create a username and password. During registration, you are required to give your name and email address. IdeaScale uses this information to contact you about the Services and to provide service-related notices as described in Section 3 below. These communications are used to give you a better understanding of the Services and to support your use of the Services. As always, you have the option not to receive these communications (see Section 5 below). Additionally, an IdeaScale customer may upload email addresses to the Services for the purpose of inviting the address owners to customer’s IdeaScale community. IdeaScale will never share any email address, regardless of how it was collected, with any third party without the email address owner’s explicit consent.
Billing Information
If you purchase a service from IdeaScale, you must provide your contact information (such as name and billing address) and financial information (such as credit card number and expiration date). IdeaScale encrypts all credit card information. IdeaScale will use this information to contact you if there are any issues while processing the order. IdeaScale will also use this information to send you service-related communications as described in Section 3 below. These communications include email confirmations of billing transactions, account upgrades, and account cancellations.
Profile Information
IdeaScale stores information that it collects through user input, cookies, log files, and user forms to create a user profile. Depending on your specific use of the Services, a profile may include the following: Registration Information – depending on how IdeaScale customers decide to use the Services, this may include, for example, any of the following: username, password, first name, last name, email address, zip codes, and phone number; and Preferences – profile selections, such as language preference, that determine the specific way you want IdeaScale Services delivered to you. Details from your profile may be used to contact you to provide tailored promotions and marketing offers about IdeaScale Services and to make service improvements (see Section 3 below). You may update your profile information at any time by clicking on your “Profile” link while logged into your account.
Interaction Information
IdeaScale collects information about you and your use of the Services through tracking technologies such as cookies. See Sections 6 and 7 for full details.
Information Collected on behalf of IdeaScale Customers
IdeaScale collects information under the direction of its customers and has no direct relationship with the individuals whose personal data it processes on behalf of its customers. IdeaScale may transfer personal information to companies that help it provide the Services. Transfers to subsequent third parties are covered by the service agreements between IdeaScale and its customers. IdeaScale retains personal data it processes on behalf of its customers for as long as needed to provide the Services to its customers. IdeaScale retains this personal information as necessary to comply with its legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce its agreements.
3. COMMUNICATIONS FROM IDEASCALE
Ongoing Communication and Service Updates
IdeaScale occasionally sends its users information on service updates and enhancements, new offerings, and additional instructions on how best to use of the Services. These communications are designed to educate you about the Services. IdeaScale provides you the option not to receive these types of communications; please see Section 5 below for details.
Service-related Announcements
IdeaScale sends service-related announcements when it is necessary to do so. For instance, if a service is temporarily suspended for maintenance, IdeaScale may inform you about the suspension with an email. Service-related emails are also sent to confirm billing transactions, account upgrades, and account cancellations. Generally, you may not opt-out of these communications, since they are necessary to provide the Services. If you do not want to receive service-related announcements, you have the option to cancel your account.
Customer Service
At the commencement of your use of the Services, IdeaScale will send you an email to verify your username and password. Throughout your use of the Services, IdeaScale account management and/or support may use your contact information to answer your questions, to respond to service requests, and to provide account management services.
4. INFORMATION SHARING AND DISCLOSURE
IdeaScale shares personally identifiable information with third parties only as follows:
To Provide Services from Third-Party Service Providers.
IdeaScale uses third-party tools to aid its delivery of its Services to you. Such service providers are contractually bound to keep your information confidential and to use your information only as necessary to provide their services. Examples of such providers include administrative tool providers, data centers and chat support hosts.
To Process Credit Card Payments.
IdeaScale uses outside credit card processing companies to process your credit card payments. These companies do not retain, share, store or use personally identifiable information for any other purposes.
To Provide Requested Partner Services.
If you specifically request a service from one of IdeaScale’s partnering companies, your personally identifiable information will be shared with the applicable partnering company. After such a request is made, the partnering company may contact you directly regarding your inquiry. Any service offered by a partnering company will be clearly indicated as a partner’s service and not IdeaScale’s, and any request must be initiated solely by the user.
To Provide Requested Materials.
If you voluntarily submit your personally identifiable information when requesting informational materials from IdeaScale, this information will be shared with a third-party marketing automations tool, which IdeaScale uses to automate and target its messages to you.
To Comply with Law.
IdeaScale reserves the right to disclose your personally identifiable information as required by law and when it believes that disclosure is necessary to protect its rights and/or to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process. This includes required disclosures by IdeaScale of a European Union individual’s personal information in response to a lawful request by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.
To Continue Providing Services in the Event of a Merger or Acquisition.
If IdeaScale is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of its assets, you will be notified via email or a prominent notice within the Services of any change in ownership or uses of your personally identifiable information, as well as any choices you may have regarding your personally identifiable information.
To Advertise IdeaScale Services to Visitors of IdeaScale’s Marketing Pages.
IdeaScale uses ad targeting cookies that collect IP addresses of visitors of its marketing pages to advertise IdeaScale services to such visitors elsewhere on the Internet. See Section 7 to learn how to manage these cookies.
5. OPT-OUT
If you no longer wish to receive communications about service updates, new offerings, or how best to use the Services, you may opt-out of receiving them by following the instructions that are included in each email. As noted in Section 3 above, if you do not want to receive service-related announcements (announcements that are necessary to provide the Services), your only option is to cancel your account.
6. TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
As is true of most web sites, IdeaScale gathers certain information automatically and stores it in log files. This information may include Internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, operating system, date/time stamp, and/or clickstream data. IdeaScale does not link this automatically collected data to other information collected about you.
Technologies such as cookies, beacons, tags and scripts and similar tracking technologies are used by IdeaScale, IdeaScale affiliates, marketing partners, analytics providers and online customer support providers. These technologies are used to analyze trends, to administer the Services, to track activity in the Services, to gather demographic information about the user base, to market IdeaScale services, and to create reports regarding use for internal review. To manage cookies, see Section 7 below.
For end users within the IdeaScale applications, your publicly available IP address is collected for the purpose determining the appropriate language in which to provide the Services. In non-United States jurisdictions an IP address may be classified as personal information or personal data under applicable laws; therefore, to the extent that IdeaScale collects IP addresses, IdeaScale will collect, use, maintain, secure and/or disclose IP addresses in accordance with applicable Laws. Additionally, for visitors to IdeaScale’s marketing pages, IP addresses are collected to advertise IdeaScale services to these visitors elsewhere on the Internet. See Section 7 to learn how to delete and control these cookies.
7. COOKIE POLICY
IdeaScale sometimes places small data files called cookies in your browser. This is a common practice for the functionality of many websites.
What are cookies?
A cookie is a small text file that a website saves on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. It enables a website to remember your actions and preferences (such as the fact that you logged in, your preferred language and font size, and other display preferences) over a period of time, so you don’t have to re-enter such details each time you return to the website. Cookies can either be session cookies or persistent cookies. A session cookie expires automatically when you close your browser. A persistent cookie will remain until it expires or you delete your cookies. Expiration dates are set in the cookies themselves; some may expire after a few minutes while others may expire after multiple years.
Why does IdeaScale use cookies?
Cookies are used to authenticate users, to show the right information and prevent unauthorized parties from accessing your account. Additionally, cookies help maintain and improve the quality of the Services. Cookies also allow IdeaScale to improve and understand specific Service features. This information allows IdeaScale to improve the overall user experience. You can control the use of cookies at the individual browser level. If you disable cookies, you may still use the Services, but your ability to use some features may be limited.
What types of cookies are used?
You can learn more about cookies used by IdeaScale.
Where does IdeaScale use these cookies?
Cookies are used on its marketing pages and within its Services. IdeaScale may place cookies on your computer or device, and receive information stored in cookies when visiting or using the Services. IdeaScale uses various domains to set cookies, including ideascale.com, its subdomains, and the domains used by IdeaScale communities.
How to delete and control cookies.
If you do not want cookies or certain types of cookies to be placed in your browser, you can change your browser’s settings to delete cookies that have already been set and to not accept new cookies. To learn more about how to do this, visit the help pages of your browser. Please note, however, that if you delete cookies or do not accept them, you might not be able to use all of the features offered by the Services and may have to manually adjust some preferences every time you visit. If you wish to not have cookies used for the purpose of serving you interest-based ads, you may opt-out (or if located in the European Union).
8. ACCOUNT CORRECTION AND CANCELLATION
Upon request, IdeaScale will provide you with information about whether it holds, or processes on behalf of a third party, any of your personal information. To request this information please contact IdeaScale at support@ideascale.com or the postal address listed below.
IdeaScale collects information under the direction of its customers and has no direct relationship with the individuals whose personal data it processes on behalf of its customers. IdeaScale acknowledges that you have the right to access your personal information. If you seek to access your personal information, or seek to correct, amend, or delete inaccurate data and are unable to do so by logging into your account, please contact the IdeaScale customer with which your account is associated for assistance. Customers may correct, amend, or delete inaccurate personal information through their administrator panels. If a customer requests IdeaScale’s assistance to remove data, IdeaScale will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
9. DATA RETENTION
IdeaScale will retain your information for as long as your account is active and as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.
10. SECURITY
The security of your personally identifiable information is important to IdeaScale. When you enter information such as credit card number on an order forms, IdeaScale encrypts that information using secure socket layer technology (SSL). IdeaScale follows generally accepted industry standards to protect the personally identifiable information submitted to it, both during transmission and once it is received. No method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure; while IdeaScale strives to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personally identifiable information, IdeaScale cannot guarantee its absolute security.
11. BLOG
IdeaScale offers publicly accessible blogs, community forums and IdeaScale communities. You should be aware that any information you provide in these areas may be read, collected, and used by others who access them, and could be used to send you unsolicited messages. IdeaScale is not responsible for the personally identifiable information you choose to submit in these forums. To request removal of your personally identifiable information from an IdeaScale blog or community forum, contact IdeaScale at support@ideascale.com. In some cases, IdeaScale may not be able to remove your personally identifiable information, in which case it will let you know if is unable to do so and why.
12. TESTIMONIALS
IdeaScale displays personal testimonials of satisfied customers on its site in addition to other endorsements. With your consent IdeaScale may post your testimonial along with your name. If you wish to update or delete your testimonial, you can contact IdeaScale at support@ideascale.com.
13. LINKS TO THIRD PARTY SITES
The Services include links to other Web sites whose privacy practices may differ from those of IdeaScale. If you submit personally identifiable information to any of those sites, your information is governed by their privacy policies. IdeaScale encourages you to carefully read the privacy policy of any website you visit.
14. SOCIAL MEDIA WIDGETS
IdeaScale Services include social media features, such as the Facebook share button. These features may collect your IP address, details regarding the page of the Services that you were visiting, and may set cookies to enable the feature to function properly. Social media features and widgets are either hosted by a third party or hosted directly on the Services. Your interactions with these features are governed by the privacy policy of the company providing it.
15. SINGLE SIGN-ON
You can log into the Services using sign-in services such as the social media login features provided by sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. These services will authenticate your identity and provide you the option to share certain personal information with IdeaScale, such as your name and email address, to pre-populate your sign up form and profile. Social media login gives you the option to post information about your activities on the Services to your profile page to share with others in your network.
16. EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM, & SWITZERLAND
Scope
This Section 16 only applies to personal information from European Union (EU) member countries, the United Kingdom (UK), and Switzerland.
International Data Transfers
IdeaScale offers Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to meet the adequacy and security requirements for our customers that operate in the European Union and the United Kingdom, and other international transfers of customer data. While IdeaScale remains self-certified under the E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield and the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield (discussed above), IdeaScale is not currently relying on these frameworks for the transfer of personal data as a result of the CJEU’s Schrems II ruling. Instead, IdeaScale makes use of the SCCs to comply with international transfer requirements.
Dispute Resolution
Within the scope of this privacy notice, if a privacy complaint or dispute cannot be resolved through IdeaScale’s internal processes, IdeaScale has agreed to participate in the VeraSafe Privacy Shield Dispute Resolution Procedure. Subject to the terms of the VeraSafe Privacy Shield Dispute Resolution Procedure, VeraSafe will provide appropriate recourse free of charge to you. To file a complaint with VeraSafe under the Privacy Shield Dispute Resolution Procedure, please submit the required information to VeraSafe.
Under certain conditions, more fully described on the Privacy Shield website [How to submit a complaint], you may invoke binding arbitration when other dispute resolution procedures have been exhausted.
EU Representative
IdeaScale Europe GmbH has been appointed as IdeaScale’s representative in the European Union for data protection matters, pursuant to Article 27 of the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union. IdeaScale Europe GmbH can be contacted in addition to IdeaScale, on matters related to the processing of personal data. To make such an inquiry, please contact IdeaScale Europe GmbH using the contact form. Alternatively, IdeaScale Europe GmbH can be contacted at:
Security
IdeaScale Europe GmbH
Pistoriusstraße 112
D-13086 Berlin
Germany
17. CALIFORNIA CONSUMER PRIVACY ACT (CCPA)
For California residents, the California Consumer Privacy Act Notice is included within this privacy policy.
18. COMMITMENT TO PRIVACYSHIELD FRAMEWORK
IdeaScale complies with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of personal information transferred from the European Union and Switzerland to the United States. IdeaScale has certified to the U.S. Department of Commerce that it adheres to the Privacy Shield Principles. If there is any conflict between the terms in this privacy policy and the Privacy Shield Principles, the Privacy Shield Principles shall govern. To learn more about the Privacy Shield program, and to view our certification, please visit https://www.privacyshield.gov/
In the context of an onward transfer, IdeaScale remains liable under the Privacy Shield Principles if a third party acting as an agent on its behalf processes personal information in a manner inconsistent with the Principles, unless IdeaScale proves that it is not responsible for the event giving rise to the damage.
IdeaScale is subject to the investigatory and enforcement powers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
19. CHANGES IN THIS PRIVACY STATEMENT
IdeaScale reserves the right to modify this policy at any time, so please review it frequently. If a material change is made, IdeaScale will notify you by email, or by means of a notice within the Services prior to the change becoming effective.
20. CONTACT IDEASCALE
IdeaScale is committed to working with individuals to obtain a fair resolution to any complaints or disputes about privacy and personally identifiable information. IdeaScale’s commitment to privacy is demonstrated and documented by its internal privacy and security policies, by its adherence to the applicable laws and codes, and by its compliance with the EU Privacy Shield Principles. If you have any complaints or concerns about this privacy policy, or you would like to make a requests under the CCPA regarding the information that IdeaScale has collected about you, you can contact:
Compliance Officer
IdeaScale
548 Market St #14277
San Francisco, CA 94104
email: support@ideascale.com
(800) 549-9198
Effective as of December 28, 2021.
