Last updated April 15, 2010
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| What action has Modern Bolt taken to protect children's privacy? | |
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Because Modern Bolt is intended for people ages 13 and over, its registration policy is intentionally designed to identify people who are 13 or younger. Modern Bolt will not knowingly
allow anyone under 13 to join the service. Modern Bolt has developed a process to verify and delete accounts belonging to members who are discovered to be under 13.
For more information, see our COPPA page. Note to Parents: If your child is under 13 and has become a Modern Bolt member using a false age, please notify Modern Bolt's Policy Manager, who will immediately close the account and nullify all personally identifiable information collected from them. If your child is under the age of 18 and you would like to know more about Modern Bolt's site, information practices, stored information or how to close your child's account, contact the Policy Manager. |
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| How can I reach Modern Bolt staff? | |
| If you have technical problems, questions or other issues related to your use of Modern Bolt, please check out the Help Center. Modern Bolt's Policy Manager will respond to all requests sent through mail or email from members and parents interested in knowing more about personal information stored on the Modern Bolt database, having their personal information nullified, or have additional questions regarding privacy. | |
What information does Modern Bolt collect?
Modern Bolt wants to be your favorite online destination. To encourage your
participation, your Modern Bolt experience is personalized so that you are offered the
services, products and information most relevant to you. This requires the
collection of information to help tell you apart from other Modern Bolt members. The
forms are specially designed so that you don't have to disclose any more
information than is necessary to participate in a given activity or use a given
tool.
Modern Bolt collects two kinds of information: anonymous and personally identifiable.
Anonymous information is not associated with specific individuals. For instance,
Modern Bolt may know how many people read this Privacy Policy today, but they don't
necessarily know their names, addresses or birthdays. Personally identifiable
information reveals who you are and/or how you can be contacted. It includes
your name, address, phone number and email address.
Below is a summary of the different ways Modern Bolt collects various kinds of
information about members:
Registration (mandatory to be a Modern Bolt member)
If you decide to join Modern Bolt, registration is the only place where you will be
required to submit information about yourself. To become a Modern Bolt member, you need
to complete a form with your email address (which can be your new Modern Bolt email
address), gender, birthday, zip code, and country. Modern Bolt uses this information to
provide you with more personalized service, and to learn more about its audience
demographics.
Only when you choose to participate in optional Modern Bolt programs or services will
registration information be linked to information you submit for other purposes.
For example, if you decide to be a Modern Bolt Rep, you'll be asked to provide Modern Bolt
with your full name, address, school and graduating class. Modern Bolt keeps this
information in its database with your member name and other registration data.
If you decide that you no longer want Modern Bolt to have a certain piece of
information about you, email the Policy Manager.
Your Profile (optional)
Information from registration will automatically be placed in your Member
Profile. In addition, you can choose to tell everyone your hobbies, interests,
likes and dislikes. You can fill out as much or as little of your Profile as you
want. The more you fill out, the more likely it is that you'll be able to meet
members based on things you have in common.
Wireless (optional)
In your account settings, you can register to receive Modern Bolt text messages on your
cell phone or pager. To do this, you must submit your device's area code and
number as well as the confirmation number Modern Bolt provides to you. The wireless
information you submit is linked to your member name and stored in a database
that only authorized Modern Bolt technical staff can access. For your protection, the
tech staff has devised a system of verification to ensure that nobody but you
can register your device.
Other places (optional)
Modern Bolt runs promotions, contests, submission opportunities, surveys and programs
designed to improve your experience on Modern Bolt. To participate in these programs
you may have to give contact (name, address, email address) and/or demographic
(i.e., age, gender) information. This only goes to the authorized Modern Bolt employees
who run the promotion, contest or program so that they can inform you if you
win, ask you questions about your submission and deal with other relevant
details. Modern Bolt understands your decision to participate as permission to contact
you, if necessary, and to store this additional information in its databases
with your registration data.
Public forums (privacy warning)
Modern Bolt understands your decision to post in public areas as permission to contact
you through your Modern Bolt account.
One last thing to keep in mind: Whenever you voluntarily disclose personal
information on message boards, through email, Modern Bolt Notes, Zap, Blogs, or in
chat, it can be collected and used by anyone, including law-enforcement agencies
acting under subpoena power. If you post personal information in public places,
others may send you unsolicited email messages. Always be smart about the
information you provide online. And, be aware that if Modern Bolt employees find
personally identifiable information posted in public areas, they will delete it.
What are cookies, and how does Modern Bolt use them?
Modern Bolt collects anonymous information through cookies. A cookie is a small piece
of data containing a unique identification number that is sent to your browser
from a web server, and is stored on your computer's hard drive. The unique ID
number identifies your browser to Modern Bolt's computers whenever you visit. Cookies
do not enable anyone to access personally identifiable information that you have
not already given us. Modern Bolt primarily uses cookies to connect members with
account information stored on Modern Bolt's computers. This helps Modern Bolt deliver better
and more personalized service. Modern Bolt also uses cookies to estimate Modern Bolt's
audience size for advertisers; to track the number of entries in Modern Bolt
promotions, sweepstakes and contests; to identify the areas of the site you
visit; to hold session information; and to track user preferences.
Cookies are part of the technology implemented by your browser. Most browsers
are initially set up to accept cookies. You can reset your browser to either
notify you when you have received a cookie, or to refuse them all together.
Modern Bolt uses both permanent and temporary cookies. Permanent cookies stay with your
browser, whereas temporary cookies go away after you close your browser. Modern Bolt
uses permanent cookies in order to recognize you between visits. Modern Bolt uses
temporary cookies to store information about your current visit to the site.
That information goes away when you close your browser or shut down your
computer. If you choose to not accept cookies, you cannot participate as a
registered, signed-in member.
You should be aware that Modern Bolt's advertisers sometimes use banner ads to give you
their own cookies. If you want to understand how and why an advertiser uses
cookies, check the company's site for their privacy statement.
We employ a software technology called clear gifs (a.k.a. Web Beacons/Web Bugs)
that help us better manage the content of our html emails. Clear gifs are tiny
graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies. The main
difference between the two is that clear gifs are invisible on the page and are
much smaller, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Modern Bolt
uses clear gifs in its html emails to let us know which emails have been opened
by the recipients. This allows us to gauge the effectiveness of our marketing
campaigns. The clear gifs are not used in conjunction with other user
information that is stored by Modern Bolt.
How does Modern Bolt use member information?
Modern Bolt's decisions regarding the use of information collected from Modern Bolt members
are based on two areas of interest: market research, and improving user
experience by offering personalized service, content and advertising.
Ads are a standard part of user experience on the Internet, and Modern Bolt believes
that targeted advertising enhances this experience. Modern Bolt uses information
collected from Modern Bolt members to place ads where they believe interested parties
will see them. For example, let's say an advertiser wants to get the word out
about a new set of ski boots for guys and girls aged 15-18 who live in Colorado.
Modern Bolt analyzes data from registration and cookies to find out where members who
fit the bill hang out on Modern Bolt, and place the ad accordingly. Don't worry:
Advertisers never see or have access to your personal information without you
knowing.
In addition to banner ads, Modern Bolt may advertise products, companies and events
that we think might interest you through the email address you provide.
Modern Bolt may analyze information provided directly by you, or obtained through
cookies or third parties to direct services and content based on your interests.
This is done in the aggregate (for example, let's say half of Modern Bolt's members are
females who visit the boards more than the chat rooms) and at the individual
level (for example, Modern BoltUser1234 mostly visits the Sports section). Again, this
helps the staff produce and appropriately feature tools and content tailored to
your interests.
Modern Bolt collects market research data in order to to better personalize our
services. Market research data are always anonymous and are never used to sell
anything to individual respondents based on their personal responses. Market
research data, however, may be used at the aggregate level to:
1. Improve the likelihood of a sale to a group of Modern Bolt members
2. Increase the likelihood that a group's experience on Modern Bolt is relevant to its
interests as a whole
3. Formulate group-level statistical models that are used to accomplish goal #2
(above).
Modern Bolt's market research data is collected in two ways:
1. Among individuals who opt-in to take surveys during the registration process
or while on Modern Bolt (those who sign up are contacted and take surveys through
email).
2. Through surveys that we publicly post on Modern Bolt (it is never mandatory to
answer these surveys).
Modern Bolt uses data at the individual level to sell products and services to Modern Bolt
members who express an interest in these products and services, through a poll
for example, or to members who can be presumed to have an interest based on
results from a statistical analysis.
What information does Modern Bolt log?
When you surf the Internet, your browser automatically transmits information to
the web sites you visit, including Modern Bolt. Such information includes referral data
(URL of the web page you were on before coming to Modern Bolt), IP address, time
spent on the site, and your
browser version. Modern Bolt collects this information to help improve services and
moderate the site. All the information that is automatically submitted by your
browser is considered anonymous.
Modern Bolt also logs information you submit through registration, forms for optional
programs, surveys and other entries, cookie data and communications transmitted
through Modern Bolt applications. Only authorized Modern Bolt staff have access to your
information in its entirety. Other employees may have access to bits and pieces
of this information if it pertains to their job duties.
If a user elects to use our referral service for informing a friend about our
site, we ask them for the friend's email address. Modern Bolt will automatically send
the friend a one-time email inviting them to visit the site. Modern Bolt does not store
this information. It is used for the sole purpose of sending this one-time
email.
How does Modern Bolt secure collected information?
Your Modern Bolt Profile is password-protected so that only you and authorized Modern Bolt employees have access to your account information. In order to maintain this protection, do not give your password to anyone. If anyone ever asks you for information claiming they are Modern Bolt staff, check their Member Profile -- if it doesn't say they are staff, they're not. Also, if you share a computer, you should sign out of your Modern Bolt account and close the browser window before someone else logs on. This will protect your information on public terminals.
Modern Bolt makes every effort to ensure that your information is secure on its system. Only certain authorized Modern Bolt employees can access this information if it's relevant to their job duties. Modern Bolt has staff dedicated to maintaining this Privacy Policy and other privacy initiatives, periodically reviewing web security and making sure that every Modern Bolt employee is aware of our security practices. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed 100% secure. As a result, Modern Bolt cannot guarantee the security of any information you transmit to us, and you do so at your own risk.
With whom does Modern Bolt share information?
When you submit information to Modern Bolt, it is generally collected, processed and
maintained solely by us. Sometimes we may allow partner companies to collect
information about members from us or directly from you via their web site. When
Modern Bolt is the source, it is usually so that we can provide a service with a
partner. We choose to work with upstanding companies that will treat your
information responsibly. But, since we don't own these companies, we can't speak
for them on privacy issues. Before telling them about yourself, check out their
privacy statements. If you are not satisfied with their information practices,
you can choose to not use their service.
Below is a summary of the situations in which Modern Bolt might share information:
Co-Branding
Some of our services, such as Modern Bolt mobile, are offered in conjunction with
partner companies. In order to provide these services, Modern Bolt may choose to share
some of you user data (e.g., user name and email address).
Content Partners
Some Modern Bolt content is "sponsored by" or "presented by" other companies. Modern Bolt
typically shares market research data (how the sponsorship performed, names of
contest winners, etc.) collected on the site or via email surveys with these
partners. This information is aggregate and not linked to specific users.
Partner Sponsorships
Partners may sponsor promotions, contests and sweepstakes that require you to
reveal details such as your name, address or phone number. Always check their
privacy policy before revealing information about yourself. If you don't want
these sponsors to have your personal information, you can choose to not
participate.
When visitors come to Modern Bolt, they may receive cookies from Modern Bolt's sponsors; this
information is not shared with Modern Bolt. This privacy statement does not address the
information practices of our advertisers. You should read the privacy statements
of all third-party sites, as their privacy policies may differ from Modern Bolt's.
Finally, Modern Bolt reserves the right to disclose user information from both private
and public areas of the site if required by law or if given reason to believe,
in our sole discretion, that someone is causing injury to or interference with
the rights of Modern Bolt members or the general public, or with Modern Bolt's rights of
property.
Ad Serving
Modern Bolt uses Good AdSense as its third party ad server, to serve ads on the site.
For more information about AdSense's privacy policy,
click here.
What is Modern Bolt's opt-in/out policy?
During registration you choose whether to receive correspondence from either
Modern Bolt or its partners and whether you want to participate in a variety of Modern Bolt
programs. This information lives on your Profile where you can, at any point,
easily edit it to indicate that you have changed your mind. After logging on,
click on "Account" button located below your member name on the top of the
left-hand navigation bar. Then click on "email," and make your selections under
"Modern Bolt emails" and "Special offers." If you purchase anything through Modern Bolt, we
may occasionally contact you with information about special events, sales, and
activities. You always have the option to ask Modern Bolt not to contact you with this
information again. As for promotions, contests, submission opportunities and
programs, you will not be included unless you opt-in.
If you receive unsolicited email from a Modern Bolt domain, please contact Modern Bolt's
Policy Manager.
How can Modern Bolt members edit their information?
Modern Bolt believes strongly in giving you the ability to access and edit your
personal information. You can always update the personal information in your
Profile by clicking on the "profile" button located below your member name on
the top of the left-hand navigation bar. To change your personal account
settings (e.g., your email address and password), click the "Account" button
also located below your member name. You can edit your Profile or account
settings at any time -- all you need is your member name and password.
So that we can protect the integrity of sensitive data, there are certain pieces
of information, such as your birthday, that you cannot alter yourself. For
example, since children under 13 are not allowed to register as Modern Bolt members, we
need to take reasonable measures to preserve the accuracy of our members' ages.
Go to Modern Bolt's Help Center to find out how to change information you cannot access
through your Profile.
Our databases automatically update any personal information you edit in your
Profile, or that you request we edit. Information transmitted through boards,
miniboards, Modern Bolt Notes, polls, Tagbooks or Blogs remain in our databases.
Keep this in mind if you decide to communicate personal information through any
of these applications.