I agree to the Submission Agreement

Spec Scout's Privacy Policy as of October 22, 2014

Legalese

Spec Scout, Inc. (“SSI,” "we," or the “Company”) is committed to protecting the privacy of people who visit our Web sites (“Visitors”) and people who register to use the Services as defined below (“Customers”). This Privacy Statement describes SSI’s privacy practices in relation to the use of the Company’s Web sites and the related applications and services offered by SSI (the “Services”).

If you have questions or complaints regarding SSI’s Privacy Statement or associated practices, please contact us by sending an email to info@specscout.com.

This Privacy Statement only applies to information that is collected, handled, or maintained through the Web sites covered by this Privacy Statement.

Plain English

Our goal is to protect the privacy of our visitors and our users. If you have any questions about our policies, please contact us at info@specscout.com.

1. Web sites covered

Legalese

This Privacy Statement covers the information practices of Web sites that link to this Privacy Statement, including: http://www.specscout.com and http://www.specscout.net (collectively referred to as “SSI’s Web sites” or “the Company’s Web sites”).

SSI’s Web sites may contain links to other Web sites. The information practices or the content of such other Web sites is governed by the privacy statements of such other Web sites. The Company encourages you to review the privacy statements of other Web sites to understand their information practices.

Plain English

This policy only applies to Spec Scout's websites, which currently means SpecScout.com (our main site) and SpecScout.net (our internal-use-only site), including those sites' sub-domains.

2. Information collected

Legalese

When expressing an interest in obtaining additional information about the Services or registering to use the Services, SSI requires you to provide the Company with personal contact information, such as name, company name, address, phone number, and email address (“Required Information”). When purchasing the Services, SSI may require you to provide financial qualification and billing information, such as billing name and address, credit card number, and the number of employees within the organization that will be using the Services (“Billing Information”). SSI may also ask you to provide additional information (“Optional Information”). Required Information, Billing Information, and Optional Information about Customers are referred to collectively as “Data About SSI Customers.”

As you navigate the Company’s Web sites, SSI may also collect information through the use of commonly-used information-gathering tools, such as cookies and Web beacons (“Web Site Navigational Information”). Web Site Navigational Information includes standard information from your Web browser (such as browser type and browser language), your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, and the actions you take on the Company’s Web sites (such as the Web pages viewed and the links clicked).

Plain English

We collect the data you give us when you sign up and/or pay for our services. We also log many of the actions you take on our site, including how you got to the site (e.g., whether you opened and clicked through a link in an email we sent you).

3. Use of information collected

Legalese

The Company uses Data About SSI Customers to perform the services requested. For example, if you fill out a “Contact Me” Web form, the Company will use the information provided to contact you about your interest in the Services.

The Company may also use Data About SSI Customers for marketing purposes. For example, the Company may use information you provide to contact you to further discuss your interest in the Services and to send you information regarding the Company, its affiliates, and its partners, such as information about promotions or events.

SSI uses credit card information solely to collect payment from prospective Customers. The web forms SSI uses to accept payments are provided by third parties (currently, Stripe.com and PayPal.com); SSI does not store any credit card information whatsoever.

SSI uses Web Site Navigational Information to operate and improve both the Services and the Company’s Web sites. The Company may also use Web Site Navigational Information alone or in combination with Data About SSI Customers to provide a personalized experience on the Company's Web sites.

Plain English

We capture data about our users for the purposes of delivering the services we provide. Examples include subscriber applications, which allow us to qualify applicants and credit card data, which allows us to process a purchase. Spec Scout does not store credit card data.

4. Web Site Navigational Information

Legalese

SSI uses common information-gathering tools, such as cookies and Web beacons, to collect information as you navigate the Company’s Web sites (“Web Site Navigational Information”). This section describes the types of Web Site Navigational Information used on the Company’s Web sites and how this information may be used.

Cookies

SSI uses cookies to make interactions with the Company’s Web sites easy and meaningful. When you visit one of the Company’s Web sites, SSI’s servers send a cookie to your computer. Standing alone, cookies do not personally identify you; they merely recognize your Web browser. Unless you choose to identify yourself to SSI, either by responding to a promotional offer, opening an account, or filling out a Web form (such as a “Contact Me” Web form), you remain anonymous to the Company.

SSI uses cookies that are session-based and persistent-based. Session cookies exist only during one session. They disappear from your computer when you close your browser software or turn off your computer. Persistent cookies remain on your computer after you close your browser or turn off your computer. Please note that if you disable your Web browser’s ability to accept cookies, you will be able to navigate the Company’s Web sites, but you will not be able to successfully use the Services.

Web Beacons

SSI uses Web beacons alone or in conjunction with cookies to compile information about Customers and Visitors’ usage of the Company’s Web sites and interaction with emails from the Company. Web beacons are clear electronic images that can recognize certain types of information on your computer, such as cookies, when you viewed a particular Web site tied to the Web beacon, and a description of a Web site tied to the Web beacon. For example, SSI may place Web beacons in marketing emails that notify the Company when you click on a link in the email that directs you to one of the Company’s Web sites. SSI uses Web beacons to operate and improve the Company’s Web sites and email communications.

IP Addresses

When you visit SSI’s Web sites, the Company collects your Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses to track and aggregate non-personal information. For example, SSI uses IP addresses to monitor the regions from which Customers and Visitors navigate the Company’s Web sites. SSI also collects IP addresses from Customers whey they log into the Services as part of the Company’s “Identity Confirmation” and other security features.

Plain English

We use "cookies" and "web beacons" to make your experience of the site better. We also log the IP address of your computer when you log into the site.

5. Public forums, refer a friend, and customer testimonials

Legalese

SSI may provide bulletin boards, blogs, chat rooms or other similar features on the Company’s Web sites. Any personal information you choose to submit in such a forum may be read, collected, or used by anyone who visits these forums, and thus may be used to send you unsolicited messages. SSI is not responsible for the personal information you choose to submit in these forums.

Customers and Visitors may elect to use the Company’s various referral programs to inform friends about the Company’s Web sites. When using a referral program, the Company requests the friend’s name and email address. SSI will automatically send the friend a one-time email inviting him or her to visit the Company’s Web sites and will maintain a record of doing so.

SSI occasionally posts lists of Customers and testimonials on the Company’s Web sites that contain information such as Customer names. SSI obtains the consent of each Customer prior to posting Customer names on such lists or posting testimonials.

Plain English

Writers who are given Scouted log-ins have the opportnity to share information about them in their profile. Subscribers can see that information and they may use it to contact the writers. We may use social media tools that request the user recommend our services on social media. We may also ask a writer or subscriber for permission to include their positive comments about Spec Scout publicly on the site.

6. Sharing of information collected

Legalese

Service Providers

SSI may share Data About SSI Customers with the Company’s contracted service providers so that these service providers can provide services on our behalf. SSI may also share Data About SSI Customers with the Company’s service providers to ensure the quality of information provided. Unless described in this Privacy Statement, SSI does not share, sell, rent, or trade any information with third parties for their promotional purposes.

SSI Affiliates

The Company may share Data About SSI Customers with other companies in order to work with them. For example, the Company may need to share Data About SSI Customers for customer relationship management purposes.

Business Partners

From time to time, SSI may partner with other companies to jointly offer products or services. If you purchase or specifically express interest in a jointly-offered product or service from SSI, the Company may share Data About SSI Customers collected in connection with your purchase or expression of interest with our joint promotion partner(s). SSI does not control our business partners’ use of the Data About SSI Customers we collect, and their use of the information will be in accordance with their own privacy policies. If you do not wish for your information to be shared in this manner, you may opt not to purchase or specifically express interest in a jointly offered product or service.

Billing

SSI uses third-party service providers to manage payment processing (currently, Stripe.com and PayPal.com). These service providers are not permitted to store, retain, or use Billing Information except for the sole purpose of credit card processing on the Company’s behalf.

Compelled Disclosure

SSI reserves the right to use or disclose information provided if required by law or if the Company reasonably believes that use or disclosure is necessary to protect the Company’s rights and/or to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process.

Plain English

We take your privacy very seriously and only share your information with the people and companies we need to in order to provide service to you. Other than that, we will not sell, trade or otherwise share your information with anyone, ever, unless required to by law or a legal proceeding.

7. International transfer of information collected

Legalese

To facilitate SSI’s operations, the Company may transfer and access Data About SSI Customers from around the world, including the United States. This Privacy Statement shall apply even if SSI transfers Data About SSI Customers to other countries.

Plain English

We use a number of web-based services to provide our Services, some of which may come from companies based outside the United States, which technically means some of your Data might be transferred outside the United States.

8. Communications preferences

Legalese

SSI offers Visitors and Customers who provide contact information a means to choose how the Company uses the information provided. You may manage your receipt of marketing and non-transactional communications by clicking on the “unsubscribe” link located on the bottom of the Company’s marketing emails. Additionally, you may send a request specifying your communications preferences to info@specscout.com. Customers cannot opt out of receiving transactional emails related to their account with SSI or the Services.

Plain English

We may send you marketing emails from time to time, and you may opt out of receiving them. You can't opt out of receiving transactional emails (e.g., receipts) from us, though.

9. Correcting and updating your information

Legalese

Customers may update or change their registration information by editing their user profiles. To update a user profile, login with your username and password and click “Edit Profile.” To update Billing Information, please email info@specscout.com or call +1 (310) 954-1456. To discontinue your account, please email info@specscout.com or call +1 (310) 954-1456. Requests to access, change, or delete your information will be handled within 30 days.

Plain English

These are instructions for updating your profile information.

10. Customer Data

Legalese

SSI Customers may electronically submit data or information to the Services for hosting and processing purposes or for other purposes relating to the Services (“Customer Data”). SSI will not review, share, distribute, or reference any such Customer Data except for the purpose of providing the Services, preventing or addressing service or technical problems, at a Customer’s request in connection with customer support matters, or as may be required by law.

Plain English

The only thing we'll ever do with the data we receive from you is use it to provide our service to you (or as otherwise required by law).

11. Security

Legalese

SSI uses robust security measures to protect Data About SSI Customers and Customer Data from unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and help ensure the appropriate use of Customer Data. When Customers submit information using Internet Explorer version 7.0 or later, Google Chrome version 26.0 or later, Firefox version 2.0 or later, or Safari version 3.0 or later, Secure Socket Layer (.SSL.) technology protects Customer Data using both server authentication and data encryption. These technologies help ensure that Data About SSI Customers and Customer Data is safe, secure, and only available to the Customer to whom the information belongs and those to whom the Customer has granted access. The Company hosts its Web sites in a secure server environment that uses firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other advanced technology to prevent interference or access from outside intruders. SSI also offers enhanced security features within the Services that permit us to configure security settings to the level we deem necessary. Customers are responsible for maintaining the security and confidentiality of their SSI usernames and passwords.

Plain English

We take all practical precautions to make sure our sites can't be hacked, including a common security practice called "SSL." Please take care not to let other people learn your username and password.

12. Changes to this Privacy Statement

Legalese

SSI reserves the right to change this Privacy Statement. SSI will provide notification of material changes to this Privacy Statement by updating the effective date at the top of this page at the time the change is made.

Plain English

If we change our policies, we'll let you know.

13. Contacting us

Legalese

Questions regarding this Privacy Statement or the information practices of the Company’s Web sites should be directed to us by email at info@specscout.com.

Plain English

Email us questions at info@specscout.com.