NetPlaces, Inc. Privacy Policy

We do not collect, sell or share personal user information with anyone.  Period.

In order to provide optimum services, we gather minimum information about our users.  We want you to understand the conditions surrounding the capture and use of that information. This privacy statement discloses what information we gather and how we use it.  It is easy to read, easy to understand, and a useful reference document with which to compare other so-called "privacy statements" which are a smoke screen to make you think your information is private.

NetPlaces, Inc. / TheDogPlace.com / TheDogPress.com GATHERS AND TRACKS

Two types of user information:

    1.) Voluntary and Optional Information you provide in order to receive our electronic newsletters, participate in our polls and surveys, shop The Dog-e-Store, and avoid repetitive forms.
     
    2.) Page View Information which allows us to tailor content to readers' needs.  It allows our sponsors to understand the needs and demographics of our audience.  Under no circumstances do we ever receive or divulge any information about an individual user to a third party.

We gather Voluntary User Information to facilitate the following free services and Processes:

1.  The HEADlines,  a free electronic newsletter to Users who subscribe and provide their email addresses. Users may use the UNsubscribe link provided in every newsletter.

2.  CenCom, free Bulletin Boards or Forums for which Users must register and maintain current contact information in order to protect other users from abuse.

3.  Dog-e-Book, a free phone book / yellow pages service.  Obviously we don't sell or share your information but we go a step further.  We hide your email address so harvesting software can't steal it.  Most sites don't bother.  One major dog related site even made your non-listed phone number and other very private information visible until we pointed that out in a phone call with webmaster (who denied it) and then in subsequent written notice, including a downloaded copy of one of the pages.  The same day, that section was taken down and when restored, the private info including credit card numbers, was removed.

4. ThePollingPlace - interactive polls or surveys designed to allow users to share their opinions on important issues and/or participate in various Awards systems initiated on this site.  Example Judging Legends. Responses are aggregated but are not identifiable to any particular user. ThePollingPlace may use a system to "tag" IP Address after the user has voted so that there can be only one vote on a particular question. 

Children - Consistent with the Federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), we will never knowingly request personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13 without requesting parental consent.

Usage tracking - we track user traffic patterns throughout all of our sites and collect overall usage statistics according to the user's domain name, browser type, and MIME type by reading this information from the browser string (information contained in every user's browser).  We do not correlate this information with any individual user. 

We sometimes track and catalog the search terms that users enter in our Search function, but it is never associated with individual users. We use tracking information to determine which areas of our sites users like and don't like based on traffic to those areas. We do not track what individuals read, but rather how well each page performs overall. This helps us build a better service for you.

Cookies - Like all sites, we may place a text file called a "cookie" in your browser files.  The cookie itself does not contain Personal Information but will enable us to relate your use of this site to information that you have specifically and knowingly provided. A cookie can not read data off your hard disk or read cookie files created by other sites. We only use cookies to track traffic patterns as described above and to keep your login open in CenCom or to enable you to edit your listing in the Dog-e-Book.

You can refuse cookies by turning them off in your browser. If you've set your browser to warn you before accepting cookies, you will receive the warning message with each cookie. You do not need to have cookies turned on to use this site. However, you do need cookies to actively participate in message boards, forums, polling and surveys.

USE OF INFORMATION

As stated above, we utilize voluntarily provided information in order to send electronic newsletters to subscribers and to enable users to shop the Dog-e-Store, participate in polls, and forums.  We do NOT share user or mailing lists with any third parties, including advertisers, sponsors or partners.

Unlike most sites, including those that still use pop-up ads and banners, and because we do not track individual users, an advertiser or sponsor will never know that a specific user clicked their ad. We willingly forego advertising or marketing income to protect our users' privacy.  We will not disclose any information about any individual except to comply with applicable law or legal process.

SECURITY

We operate secure data networks protected by industry standard firewall and password protection systems. Our security and privacy policies are periodically reviewed and enhanced as necessary and only authorized individuals have access to the information provided by our customers.

OPT-OUT POLICY

We give users options wherever necessary and practical. Such choices include:

    * Opting not to register to receive our electronic newsletters.
     
    * Opting not to participate in certain interactive areas, which completely alleviates the need to gather any personally identifiable information from our users

YOUR CONSENT

By using this site, you consent to the collection and use of this information by NetPlaces, Inc and its subsidiaries. If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes on this page so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances we disclose it.

Thank you for your interest in our site. We work hard to provide a safe place for your use and enjoyment. If you ever have any questions regarding this policy, please contact contact@thedogplace.org.

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