MINDSPRING COMPUTING PRIVACY POLICY
INTRODUCTION
1. Thank you for taking the time to review our Privacy Policy. At times, Mindspring
Computing will collect certain personal information about customers and visitors to
websites hosted by us. Such information will include both identifiable personal data, as
well as non-identifiable personal information [Non-identifiable data generally includes: a
postal code; the date and time sites are accessed (if you gather this); pages visited
(usually done to monitor demand and improve the usefulness of the site); the type of
the browser being used; the operating system and the type of personal computer being used
to access the services]. Identifiable personal information will be collected when you sign
a contract for service with us, or use our website for a transaction or subscription service.
Non-identifiable information is gathered automatically when you visit our website or those
websites hosted by us, and stored for use in our system.
2. The purpose of this privacy policy is to explain to customers what types of information we
will collect and how that information is used. In most cases, we collect this information to
ensure network integrity and that we continue to provide you with the most relevant
content and best possible service that suits your needs. In some cases, we are required
by law to collect personal information about customers. Except where the law requires
otherwise, we undertake to protect the confidentiality of such data.
CONFIDENTIALITY
3. Mindspring Computing respects customer privacy and the privacy of those accessing
our website, or those websites hosted by us. We undertake to protect the confidentiality
of our customers and users including all personal information supplied in the course of
contracting with us for services. We undertake not to sell your personal information to
third parties for commercial or marketing purposes.
COLLECTION OF PERSONAL DATA
4. Mindspring Computing collects personal data about our users when you visit a website
hosted by us; apply for a service subscription; respond to a customer questionnaire; and
through the use of cookie technology. We may also combine information about you that
we have with information we obtain from our business partners or affiliates.
A cookie is a data file that sits on your computer hardisk. The cookie is placed there by a
remote web server that you have visited using a browser like Netscape or Internet Explorer.
It is used to uniquely identify you during web interactions with a website and contains data
parameters that allow the remote HTML server to keep a record of who you are, and what
actions you take at the remote web site. You have the option to disable the cookie function in
your browser, but will be restricted from accessing many sites as a result.
USE OF PERSONAL DATA
5. Mindspring Computing may on occasion use your personal information to contact you
about promotional offers; advise you of matters relevant to service provision and in some
cases, solicit your feedback. However, Mindspring Computing will provide you with an
option within every communication to opt out of receiving any communications of this
nature or you can contact our customer services representatives to ensure that you do
not receive such promotional information, at +27-21-657-1780.
6. Mindspring Computing may log the websites you visit; collect IP addresses and
information about your operating system and the type of browser you use for the
purposes of network/system administration; to report aggregate information to our
advertisers, and to audit the use of our site. This data however will not be used to
identify individual users who will at all times remain anonymous.
7. Any information Mindspring Computing collects from you through correspondence
with us, whether via e-mail, telephonically or by written letter, will only be used to
address the matters within that correspondence. If this requires referring such
correspondence within Mindspring Computing or to a third party to ensure customer
service, your personal information will only be disclosed to the point necessary to address
your query or concerns, and will otherwise be kept confidential.
PUBLIC SPACE (BULLETIN BOARDS, CHAT ROOMS and THIRD-PARTY-SITES)
8. Any information that customers disclose in a public space, including on any bulletin
board, chat room or any site Mindspring Computing may host for you, is available to
anyone else who visits that space. Mindspring Computing cannot safeguard any
information you disclose there.
SITE LINKING
9. Mindspring Computing’s websites contain many links to sites that belong to third
parties unrelated to us. Mindspring Computing cannot be held responsible for any use
of your personal information arising from you disclosing personal such information on
third party sites. Mindspring Computing cannot protect any information you may
disclose on these sites and recommends that you review the privacy policy statements of
those sites you visit.
MINORS
10. Mindspring Computing will not enter into a service subscription contract with a minor
unless such minor has explicit written consent from a parent or guardian to do so.
Mindspring Computing undertakes not to contact minors about promotional offers or
for marketing purposes without a parental consent.
RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
11. Mindspring Computing reserves the right to disclose information about customers
where required in good faith, to do so by law or to exercise our legal rights or defend
ourselves against legal claims.
12. Mindspring Computing further reserves the right to share information with law
enforcement to investigate or prevent illegal activities being committed over our network.
13. Mindspring Computing reserves our rights to disclose your personal information where
you have given us explicit legal written consent to do so.
14. Mindspring Computing reserves the right to monitor user and network traffic for site
security purposes and prevent any unauthorized attempts to tamper with our site or
cause damage to our property.
15. Mindspring Computing reserves the right to make changes to this privacy policy or
update it. Where a major change is made, customers will be informed by e-mail
notification or through a notice on our website. Customers and site visitors bear the
responsibility to ensure that they have read the changes or updates as the case may be.