MERLOT Privacy Policy

1.0 Privacy Policy

MERLOT respects the privacy of those who visit our websites and those who choose to be registered members of MERLOT and its services, events, and other programs. This privacy policy demonstrates our commitment to respect your privacy. Please review the MERLOT Privacy Policy to understand your options in using the MERLOT website and our services.

2.0 Scope of Policy

The MERLOT Privacy Policy covers our treatment of personally identifiable information (e.g., first and last names, email address, other addresses, telephone number, institution or affiliation, etc.) that MERLOT may hold. You may visit the MERLOT website without identifying who you are or revealing personally identifiable information.

Users of MERLOT websites, services, events, activities and other programs provide MERLOT personally identifiable information. This information is gathered through use of a part of a website, by signing up for a service, event, activity or program or in requesting information from MERLOT. MERLOT collects no other personal information on users except that provided by the user.

MERLOT is not responsible for the privacy practices of non-MERLOT website, services, or organizations to which MERLOT may link, refer, or recommend.

3.0 Information Collected about You

We handle the information that we learn about you when you visit our website in strict confidence. The information we receive depends upon what you do when visiting our websites or participating in other MERLOT services, activities, etc. We will not obtain personal identifying information about you when you visit our site unless you choose to provide such information.

When you use the MERLOT site, our servers may collect information indirectly and automatically (through, for example, the use of your "IP address") about your activities while visiting the site, including the web pages you view, the times you view them and information about the browser you are using.

We do not link browsing information to the Personal Information you submit to us; we use this browsing information for internal purposes such as to help understand how the site is being used and to improve it, and for systems administration purposes. An IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer when you use the Internet. In some cases your IP address stays the same from browser session to browser session; but if you use a consumer internet access provider, your IP address probably varies from session to session.

We use the information we collect to help us measure the use of particular services, different parts of MERLOT and to help us improve MERLOT's organization, performance and usefulness. This information is only examined in the aggregate.

If you are a registered member of MERLOT, or have participated in one of our services, such as contributing materials, making comments creating a personal collection, or have participated in various trainings or workshops:

• We use personal identifying information from users in various ways to provide the educational services and support you desire. For example, we use your email address to respond to your questions and submissions. We also use email in order to identify who you are and make it easy for you to be a regular user or participant in our programs.
• From time to time we may conduct surveys of users in order to evaluate the use of our services, programs, etc. and we may use your information to contact you about participation in the evaluation.
• When we publish information about MERLOT awards and awardees, we highlight the names of winners and their learning materials; the general public may read this information.
• People may search the site's member directory to learn more about registered users. They may also search personal collections for information about users who have created personal collections. Please note that any information that you post in the member profile or in your personal collection is available to all persons accessing the site.

Member information (such as name, address, and affiliation) is provided as a service for MERLOT members, offering a convenient way to network with colleagues. The data provided may not be harvested, sold to others, incorporated into any type of database, used to generate mailing lists, or employed for any commercial purpose.

4.0 Cookies

MERLOT may choose to use 'cookies' to store your preferences. These files do not contain any personally identifiable information unless you have already chosen to volunteer that information to us. If you choose to register with us, your personal information may be linked to the information stored in the cookie. We use cookies to improve your experience on the site and to understand how visitors use different features and services.

5.0 Sharing of Information

To date, MERLOT uses the personal information that you provide to record and support your activities within the MERLOT sites, services, to inform you about MERLOT and its activities and events, and to support your participation in activities and programs. MERLOT does not sell, rent or share any personal information that it collects on its websites or web-based services, or in organizing any activity or event. MERLOT reserves the right to change this policy and will give you sufficient notice prior to doing so.

Personal information about MERLOT members and users may occasionally be shared with outside contractors, auditors, consultants, collaborators, partners and others contracted by MERLOT to assist in carrying out financial, evaluation or operational activities. MERLOT informs recipients of information about safeguarding personal information and requires them to use it only for authorized purposes consistent with this privacy policy. In these kinds of cases, information is returned to MERLOT or destroyed upon completion of the project or activity.

We cannot ensure that your Personal Information will not be disclosed to third parties. For example, we may be legally obligated to disclose information to the government or third parties under certain circumstances, or third parties may circumvent our security measures to unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications.

6.0 Security

MERLOT has implemented and follows industry standard measures to protect against unauthorized access to and unlawful interception or processing of Personal Information. However, no Internet site can fully eliminate security risks.

7.0 Removing or Correcting your Personal Information

As a registered user of MERLOT, you can login with your username and password to view and change your personal information. MERLOT Will make every effort to preserve your privacy and security by verifying your identify when you use our system.

You may contact MERLOT at any time, by emailing the MERLOT Webmaster at webmaster@merlot.org, to request that your personal information be removed from our database or if you have any questions or concerns regarding the site. 

8.0 Children's Guidelines

If you are under 13, please have your parent(s) or guardian(s) read this policy and approve your use of our services. At any time, your parent(s) or guardian(s) have the right to request that we remove your personal information by following the procedures listed in paragraph 7.0, "Removing or Correcting your Personal Information" above.

Questions or comments regarding this policy should be sent to webmaster@merlot.org.

Last revised - November 2007