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Privacy Policy

Effective as of October 19, 2009

  1. 1. AGREEMENT AND PARTIES

    The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (“MSRI,” “us,” or “we”) respects the privacy and personal information of the members of the MSRI community. This privacy policy applies to information we receive when you use MSRI’s http://www.mathcircles.org website, or any products or services made available at that website (collectively, the “Math Circle Services” or “Services”). This privacy policy (“privacy policy” or “policy”) is an agreement between MSRI and you, as the user of the Math Circle Services (“you”). This agreement tells you when this policy is effective, how we may change this policy, what information we collect from you, how we might use that information, how you can review or change the personal information you provided to us, and the steps we take to ensure that your personal information is protected. We share your personal information only with your consent or as described in this policy.

    Please read this Privacy Policy to learn more about how MSRI treats information that is protected by privacy laws. We follow principles that are supported by the Federal Trade Commission's Fair Information Practices Principles, currently available at http://www.ftc.gov/reports/privacy3/fairinfo.htm and, for Canadian users, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, and applicable provincial privacy legislation. If you have comments, suggestions, questions, or concerns about our Privacy Policy, please contact us at the email and/or address provided at the end of this policy.

  2. 2. AGREEMENT TO TERMS OF PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE

    All of the Math Circle Services you wish to use are voluntary. You are not required to provide any personal information to us unless you choose to access features of these Services that require such information. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy or the Terms of Use for the Math Circle Services, then you should immediately exit this website and discontinue using the site or any component of these Services. If you do not agree with the terms of our privacy policy and Terms of Use, please do not provide us with personal information, and discontinue use of these Services. The MathCircles.org Terms of Use are expressly incorporated into this policy by reference and made a part of this policy. By using the Math Circle Services, you signify that you agree to the terms of this privacy policy as well as to the Terms of Use.

  3. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE OF AND CHANGES TO PRIVACY POLICY

    This privacy policy is effective as of October 19, 2009, and will remain in effect except with respect to any of its provisions that are changed in the future, in which case the changes will become effective thirty (30) days after they are posted to the MathCircles.org website or we otherwise notify you of the changes. Use of information we collect is subject to the policy in effect at the time such information was collected. We reserve the right to change this privacy policy at any time and you should check this privacy policy periodically. Your continued use of the Services after we post any such modifications will constitute your acknowledgment of the modified policy and your agreement to abide and be bound by the modified policy. We will also revise the “last updated” date found at the beginning of this privacy policy when we post changes to it.

  4. 4. POLICY APPLICABLE TO ONLINE ACTIVITIES ONLY

    The privacy policy does not extend to anything that is inherent in the operation of the internet, and therefore beyond MSRI’s control, and is not to be applied in any manner contrary to applicable law or governmental regulation. This privacy policy only applies to information collected through the Math Circle Services and otherwise as described in this policy. This privacy policy does not cover personal information collected by or through a math circle you attend in person – for example, at your school.

  5. 5. PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

    1. 5.1 Types Of Information Collected

      We may ask you for certain information, referred to as “personal information,” which includes information that pertains to your identity, such as your name, email address, and personal website.

    2. 5.2 Personal Information You Provide to Us

      You may be required to provide personal information to access or use certain parts or features of the Math Circle Services. For example, when registering for a new user account you will be asked to provide your first and last name, email address, and the institution you attend. After account creation, you may also choose to provide MSRI with other personal information that is optional for purposes of creating an account, such as the address of a personal website or a photograph.

    3. 5.3 Other Information

      In some jurisdictions, other types of information – such as your IP address and the content of cookies residing on your computer (both addressed below) – can also considered personal information. By accessing the Math Circle Services from such a jurisdiction, you grant MSRI permission to collect and use such information in accordance with this privacy policy and the Math Circles Terms of Use. (If you would like more information regarding MSRI’s use of cookies, please see the section below entitled “Cookies.”)

  6. 6. PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE ABOUT OTHERS

    If you choose to upload a math problem to the Math Circle Services that you did not create yourself, you will have the option of crediting the author of the problem. You should never provide information in this field that would allow the author to be contacted by any third party (e.g., their email address or their personal website). If personal information about you has been posted to the Math Circle Services by a third-party, and you would like that information removed, please contact MSRI at privacy@mathcircles.org identifying the material you would like removed, and its location (e.g., a URL) within the Services.

  7. 7. GENERAL INFORMATION WE MAY COLLECT

    1. 7.1 Types Of Information Collected

      There may be other instances in which we collect information from you that is more general in nature (“general information”). Such information may include information recorded by our server logs from your browser such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address (which enables us to identify your computer or device on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network like the internet), and the specific webpage you requested. Such general information, including the click stream data and cookies, as mentioned below, may be collected from you whenever you access or use the Math Circle Services.

    2. 7.2 Click Stream Data

      When you use the Math Circle Services, we may collect “click stream data” (server address, domain name, etc.). We may use click stream data for traffic analysis or other such analysis of our Services, to determine which features within the Math Circle Services are most or least effective or useful to you.

    3. 7.3 Cookies

      A cookie is a small string of information that the website you visit transfers to your computer for identification purposes. Cookies can be used to follow your activity throughout the Math Circle Services and that information helps us to understand your preferences and improve your experience. We do not combine the general information collected through cookies with other personal information you may provide to personally identify you. You can turn off all cookies, if you prefer not to receive them. You can also have your computer warn you whenever cookies are being used. Please refer to documentation provided with your web browser (e.g., Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Internet Explorer) for information on enabling these options. There are also software products available that can manage cookies for you. Please be aware, however, that when you choose to reject cookies, this choice may limit the functionality of the website you visit and you may lose access to some of its features.

  8. 8. USE AND SHARING OF INFORMATION.

    1. 8.1 As Specified In Your User Profile

      Some features of the Math Circle Services allow you to interact with other users and post content to the Services. For example, you can post mathematical problems, formulas, equations, diagrams, images, lesson plans, and comments to discussion boards or forums. When using these features, your postings will reference your http://www.mathcircles.org user name and any personal information you specify in your member profile page. For example, these postings can reference your first name, last name, email address, school, and the like. Please log in to your account and select the “What Information Would You Like To Share” tab to specify what personal information is shared with other users when you take advantage of these features of the Services.

    2. 8.2 To Provide Goods And Services To You

      We will use the personal information you provide and any general information we receive from you to provide Math Circle Services to you, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

      1. A. To assist those who help us in designing and operating these Services or helping us analyze collected data. These parties will only use your data for the purpose of carrying out the work as agreed with MSRI and will be required to keep the information confidential.
      2. B. To send you information or materials via email we think might interest you. This information may relate to products, offers, surveys, and news of MSRI or its licensees, affiliates, or other members of the math sciences community. (If you no longer wish to receive any emails from us, or if you want to modify your personal data or want your personal data to be deleted from our database, please see the section below entitled “CANCELING YOUR ACCOUNT, OPTING OUT OF EMAIL, AND MODIFYING PERSONAL INFORMATION.”)
      3. C. To analyze visits to the MathCircles.org website and learn about the interests of our visitors in the aggregate and also on a personal level – to better understand your interests and needs, so we can improve our products and services and deliver to you the type of content, features, and promotions that you are most interested in.
      4. D. In the application process for grants and other such funding that makes it possible for MSRI to offer these Services to you.

    3. 8.3 Business Transfers

      In some cases, we may choose to buy or sell assets. In these types of transactions, user information is typically one of the assets that is transferred. Moreover, if MSRI or substantially all of its assets were acquired, user information would likely be one of the assets that is transferred or acquired by a third party. You acknowledge that such transfers may occur, and that any acquirer of MSRI may continue to use your personal information as set forth in this policy.

    4. 8.4 Protection of MSRI and Others

      We may release personal information when we believe in good faith that release is necessary to comply with any law, enforce or apply our terms of use and other agreements, or protect the rights, property, or safety of MSRI, our employees, our users, or others. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations. We may disclose personal or general information upon receipt of a court order or subpoena, or to cooperate with a law enforcement investigation, which may include responding to requests and court orders from jurisdictions outside the United States and Canada. We reserve the right to report to law enforcement agencies any activities that we in good faith believe to be unlawful, as determined in our sole discretion.

    5. 8.5 With Your Consent

      Except as set forth herein, we will notify you or obtain your consent before your personal information may be shared with third parties, and you will be able to prevent the sharing of this information. Registered users may, at any time, elect to remove all personal information and close their account by selecting the delete option presented from within your profile.

    6. 8.6 Retention of Your Information

      We will only retain your information to the extent: (a) it is needed for the purposes which we have conveyed to you; (b) we are required by law to maintain such information; (c) it is needed for us to address any issues or inquiries that you may have; or (d) it is temporarily present in data archives we create to protect the Services against the possibility of error or failure (e.g., backups). When your information is no longer required, we will dispose of such information by destroying it or erasing it.

  9. 9. PROTECTION OF YOUR INFORMATION

    1. 9.1 Security Measures

      In order to protect both the personal information and the general information that we receive from you through your use of the Math Circle Services, we have implemented various security measures. We also follow generally accepted industry standards to protect the personal information submitted to us, both during transmission and once we receive it.

    2. 9.2 Risk Of Interception

      Please keep in mind, however, that whenever you give out personal information online there is a risk that third parties may intercept and use that information. While MSRI strives to protect your personal information and privacy, we cannot guarantee the security of any information you disclose online. By using these Services, you expressly acknowledge and agree that we do not guarantee the security of any data provided to or received by us through your use of the Math Circle Services and that any personal information, general information, or other data or information received from you through your use of these Services is provided to us at your own risk, which you expressly assume.

  10. 10. USE BY CHILDREN UNDER 13

    1. 10.1 Generally

      Any general information provided by a minor and gathered during his or her visit may be used as indicated in this privacy policy. However, pursuant to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), MSRI will never register a user we know to be under thirteen (13) years of age without obtaining verifiable parental consent. MSRI is committed to protecting the privacy of children and has no intention of collecting personal data from minors, absent proper parental consent. We encourage parents and guardians of minors to regularly check and monitor their children’s use of email and other activities online.

    2. 10.2 Parental Accounts

      If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child under thirteen (13) years of age who wishes to use the Math Circle Services, we encourage you to create an account for your child’s use and monitor the personal information your child provides MSRI though that account. As in the real world, monitoring your child’s activity is the best way to guard against any potential problems that may occur.

    3. 10.3 Child Accounts

      If you are a child under thirteen (13) years of age who wished to use the Math Circle Services, you may also ask your parent or legal guardian to submit independent verification of his/her consent to this privacy policy and the MathCircle.org Terms of Use. If you are a member of a MSRI math circle in your community, you will receive a parental consent form from your instructor. If you are interested in using the Math Circle Services, but cannot find an MSRI-affiliated math circle in your area, you can also obtain parental consent by filling out this form and returning it to us by fax, at (510) 642-8609, or by Mail to:

      MathCircles.org
      Attn: Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
      17 Gauss Way
      Berkeley, CA 94720-5070

    4. 10.4 Notice Concerning Children – Lack of Parental Consent

      PLEASE NOTE: At MSRI, we understand and are committed to respecting the sensitive nature of children’s privacy online. If we learn or have reason to suspect that a user of these Services is under age 13, and has not submitted a valid parental consent form, we will promptly delete any personal information in that user’s account. If you have such information, please contact us as privacy@mathcircles.org.

  11. 11. LINKS TO THIRD PARTIES

    For your convenience and to improve the usage of the Math Circle Services we may insert links to third party websites and services. This privacy policy does not apply to such third party websites or services. These links take you outside our Services and off the MSRI site and are beyond our control. This includes links from partners that may use MSRI’s logos as part of a co-branding agreement. The sites those links can take you to have their own separate privacy policy and, although we seek to protect the integrity of our Services, MSRI is not liable for the content and activities of those sites. Your visits and access to such websites is at your own risk. Please note that those other sites may send their own cookies to users, collect data, or solicit personal information.

  12. 12. DELETING YOUR ACCOUNT, OPTING OUT OF EMAIL, AND MODIFYING PERSONAL INFORMATION

    You may delete your account at any time by selecting the delete option presented from within your profile. We encourage you to promptly update your personal information when it changes.

    Please note that although you may opt out of receiving general emails from MSRI, MSRI reserves the right to communicate with you via email regarding specific services you have requested or inquired about, and to update you regarding material changes to the Terms of Use.

  13. 13. FOR OUR CANADIAN USERS

    Canadian citizens, except under circumstances defined by law, are entitled to access their own personally identifiable information collected by MSRI by writing to our designated Privacy Officer at the address noted below. We may ask you to pay an administrative fee for accessing or copying your information, but will inform you of the anticipated charges and confirm that you want us to proceed before processing your request. If you believe that your personal information that we have collected is incomplete or inaccurate, we will correct the information upon verification of the omission or error and of the identity of the person requesting the change. If you wish to receive additional information about our system of personal information management or to access, correct, or have us investigate any matters in relation to your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer at the address provided below.

    IN ORDER FOR US TO ACHIEVE THE PURPOSES IDENTIFIED TO YOU FOR WHICH WE COLLECT AND USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION, YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION MAY BE COLLECTED AND USED IN COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CANADA, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES. AS A RESULT, IN THE CASE OF THE UNITED STATES, WE MAY BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES, REGULATORS, OR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THESE JURISDICTIONS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE USA PATRIOT ACT.

  14. 14. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

    If you have any questions, comments, or concerns relating to the Math Circle Services or this privacy policy, please send an email to privacy@mathcircles.org or write to us at:

    Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
    Attn: Privacy – MathCircles.org
    17 Gauss Way
    Berkeley, CA 94720-5070

    We will make every effort to resolve your concerns.

Previous Privacy Policy