Last updated: November 11, 2024
PRIVACY POLICY
XQ respects and values your privacy. This privacy policy describes the types of information XQ collects, how XQ uses and shares that information, and what choices you have with respect to the foregoing. This privacy policy governs your interaction with us, including our website, social media, and on all applications and tools we provide unless otherwise stated (collectively, the “Applications” or “XQ”). This privacy policy does not apply to the data collection and use practices of third parties that XQ does not employ, manage or control. When you use the Applications, you consent to our collection, use and disclosure of information about you as described in this privacy policy. Additionally, our Terms of Use are incorporated by reference into this privacy policy. The terms “XQ”, “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to XQ Institute, a California nonprofit, headquartered at 248 3rd St. #319, Oakland, CA 94607.
COLLECTION AND USE OF INFORMATION
XQ collects information that you provide to us directly and information that is made available when you use our Applications. We may use such collected information to, among other things: operate, maintain, enhance and provide the Applications’ functionality; provide services and information to you; personalize your experience; monitor the Applications’ usage; provide user support; generate and review reports and data about XQ’s user base and service usage patterns; compile aggregate data; aggregate the information with data provided by third parties; resolve disputes and troubleshoot problems; message you (in ways described by this privacy policy and managed by you in your account settings); prevent, detect and investigate potentially prohibited or illegal activities or a breach of the Terms of Use; assist with or inform the development or training of artificial intelligence or machine learning technologies; and to comply with legal obligations.
Of further note about the information we collect:
- Account and Profile Information: When you create an account with the Applications, we collect your name and the contact information you provide. You may also be asked to create a profile with the Applications. If you do, your username, any photo you submit, and information you provide (including geographic location) may be displayed publicly. You can customize some of the information displayed publicly in your Applications profile by going to your account and profile settings. The personal information you provide to XQ may reveal or allow others to discern aspects of your life that are not expressly stated in your profile (for example, your picture or your name may reveal your hair color, race or approximate age). You should be aware that your information may continue to be viewable to others after you close your account, such as on cached pages on Internet search engines. XQ is not responsible for any third-party use of information that a user chooses to submit to public pages. If you do not wish for others to view or access this information, please do not provide it to XQ or post it on the Applications. If you feel that an unauthorized account has been created depicting you or your likeness, please contact us at [email protected].
- Content Sharing: The information and material you share on the Applications may be visible to others. By posting on the Applications, you agree to permit us to disclose the information and material you post, including disclosure to other users or to the general public, subject to your customizable account profile settings.
- Communications: When you join the Applications by signing up for an account or creating a profile, you are opting in to receive communications from us or about XQ, including promotional, marketing, and advertising information and recommendations that XQ believes may be of interest to you. Consistent with applicable laws, including United States CAN-SPAM laws, you can opt out of certain email communications by clicking “unsubscribe” on those communications, but note that you cannot opt out of receiving certain administrative or legal notices from us. If you exchange messages with others through the Applications, in accordance with applicable law, we may store the messages in order to process and deliver them, allow you to manage them, and investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Applications.
- Applications Activity/Automatically Collected Information: We collect and may store information about your use of the Applications, such as your search activity, the pages you view, and the date and time of your visit. We also collect and may store information that your computer or mobile device provides to us in connection with your use of the Applications, such as your browser type and version, type of computer or mobile device, computer connection, browser language, IP address, ad data, mobile carrier, unique device identifier, Wi-Fi connection, geo-location, and requested and referring URLs.
- Linked Networks and Contacts: If you choose to connect your XQ profile to another network like Facebook or Google, you will be asked to enable sharing of certain information (e.g., your first and last name, contact information, profile information, and online activities and preferences, etc.) between such network and the Applications. We use this information to verify your identity as well as to provide you with our features and services. Your use of such third-party network remains subject to their policies, including their terms of use and privacy policy. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the policies and practices of third-party networks.
COOKIES AND OTHER TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES
We, and third parties we interact with, including our third-party advertisers and service providers, may use cookies, web beacons, local shared objects (sometimes called “flash cookies”), and similar technology in connection with your use of the Applications and third-party websites (collectively referred to in this policy as “Cookies”). Cookies are small data files that may have unique identifiers, and reside, among other places, on your computer or mobile device, in emails we send to you, and on our Applications.
We may use Cookies to collect information about you and your use of the Applications, such as your browser type and version, search preferences, data relating to content that has been displayed to you or that you have clicked on, and the date and time of your use. When we use Cookies, we do so in order to further Applications features and processes, provide authentication and security for your transactions on the Applications, store your preferences, facilitate relevant advertising, and help us learn more about how users engage with the Applications. Cookies may be persistent or targeted around a user’s session.
XQ also uses third-party service providers to help us provide certain features, information and services or to integrate other features. These third-party service providers may collect information when you view or use them, including information about you and your device or browser. These third-party service providers also may use Cookies, known as third-party cookies, or similar technologies to help share information with us, like how you use their website or application. To learn more about the information they collect or receive, review their privacy policies.
It may be possible to disable Cookies through your device or browser settings. The method for disabling cookies may vary by device and browser, but can usually be found in preferences or security settings. Disabling cookies may, however, affect your ability to use the Applications.
CALIFORNIA DO NOT TRACK DISCLOSURE
Please note we do not change system behavior within the Applications in response to browser requests not to be tracked.
SHARING YOUR INFORMATION
We may share the information we collect about you with third parties in connection with your use of the Applications. Our information-sharing with third parties falls into these categories and purposes:
- Agents, Contractors, Business Partners and Service Providers: We may share your information with our agents, contractors, business partners or other service providers and third parties as needed to host, operate and carry out the performance and functionality of the Applications, improve the Applications, fulfill your requests, facilitate relevant marketing and sharing information about us and our activities to you, or provide customer support. From time to time, we may run contests, special offers, or other events or activities (“Events”) on the Applications with a third-party business partner. If you provide information to such third parties, you give them permission to use it for the purpose of that Event and any other use that you approve. We cannot control third parties’ use of your information. If you do not want your information to be collected by or shared with a third party, you can choose not to participate in these Events. Generally, however, we limit the information provided to service providers to that which is reasonably necessary for them to perform their functions, and we require them to agree to maintain the confidentiality of such information.
- Other Third Parties: We may share your information with certain third parties who may contact you regarding related education initiatives.
- Affiliated Entities: We may share information from or about you with affiliates, joint ventures, or other companies under common control, in which case we will require them to honor this privacy policy.
- Other Users/General Public: Information that you post on the Applications (e.g., photos, comments, geographic location, your profile) may be made available to other users of the Applications and the general public.
- Aggregate Information: XQ may share aggregated information relating to visitors and users of the Applications with third parties. This information will not identify you personally.
- Investigations: We may investigate and disclose information from or about you, as permitted by applicable law, if we have a good-faith belief that such investigation or disclosure is (a) reasonably necessary to comply with any court order, law or legal process , including to respond to any government or regulatory request; (b) to enforce or apply our Terms of Use and other agreements; or (c) helpful to protect our rights, reputation, property or that of our users, subsidiaries or the public.
- Corporate Transactions: We may transfer or share your information in connection with the sale or transfer of some or all of our company or assets.
ACCOUNT TERMINATION AND DATA RETENTION
You can close your account at any time by calling the Help Desk at (510) 606-6335. When you close your account, your public profile will be deactivated. However, unless prohibited by applicable law, postings or comments associated with your public profile prior to closing your account will remain accessible. We may retain information about you for as long as it is necessary and relevant for XQ’s operations. The information we retain will be handled in accordance with this privacy policy unless prohibited by law.
CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
Our Applications are not directed to children under 13. If you are under 13 years of age, then you are not permitted to use our Applications unless they are specifically identified as being available to users under 13. Further, if you are under 18 years of age, then you acknowledge that certain use of our Applications do not permit use by users under 18 (as identified by, or in, the specific Application), and you agree you will not use such Applications, including in any manner that reveals personally identifiable information about yourself (such as your name, email, address or location). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and discover that your child under 13 has obtained an account on an XQ Application, then you may alert us at [email protected] and request that we delete that child’s personally identifiable information from our systems.
DATA SECURITY
We use certain physical, managerial, and technical safeguards that are designed to improve the integrity and security of your personally identifiable information. We cannot, however, ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us or store on the Applications, and you do so at your own risk. We cannot guarantee that such information may not be accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed by breach of any of our physical, technical, or managerial safeguards.
If we learn of a security systems breach, then we may attempt to notify you electronically so that you can take appropriate protective steps. We may post a notice through the Applications if a security breach occurs. Depending on where you live, you may have a legal right to receive notice of a security breach in writing. To receive a free written notice of a security breach, you should notify us at [email protected].
CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS
Under California Law, specifically California Civil Code Section 1798.83, California residents can request in writing from businesses with whom they have an established business relationship: (a) a list of the categories of personal information and the type of services provided to the customer that a business has disclosed to third parties (including affiliates that are separate legal entities) during the immediately preceding calendar year for the third parties’ direct marketing purposes; and (b) the names and addresses of all such third parties. We do not disclose personal information to third parties for such purpose. To make such a request from us, if entitled, please use the contact information listed below.
MODIFICATIONS AND UPDATES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We reserve the right, at our discretion, to change, modify, add, or remove portions of this privacy policy at any time. Please check the privacy policy here periodically for changes that are made in the future. Your continued use of the Applications after the posting of changes constitutes your binding acceptance of such changes. For any material changes to the privacy policy, we will make reasonable efforts to provide notice to you of such changes.
CONTACT
If you have questions or comments about this privacy policy, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
