First Semantic Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to First Semantic. This statement discloses the information practices for First Semantic, including what type of information is gathered and tracked, how the information is used, and with whom the information is shared.
First Semantic abides by the Safe Harbor framework as set forth by the United States Department Of Commerce regarding the collection, use and retention of information collected from the European Union by a Web site on the FirstSemantic.com domain.
Personal information
In general, you can visit First Semantic on the Internet without telling us who you are and without giving any personal information about yourself. There are times, however, when we or our partners may need information from you.
You may choose to give us personal information in a variety of situations. For example, you may want to give us information, such as your name and address or e-mail id, to correspond with you, to process an order, or to provide you with a subscription. You may give us your credit card details to buy something from us or a description of your education and work experience in connection with a job opening at First Semantic that you wish to be considered for. We intend to let you know how we will use such information before we collect it from you; if you tell us that you do not want us to use this information to make further contact with you beyond fulfilling your requests, we will respect your wishes. If you give us personal information about somebody else, such as a spouse or work colleague, we will assume that you have their permission to do so.
Back to topUsing and Sharing Personal Information
The following paragraphs describe in more detail how First Semantic may use your personal information and with whom we may share it. Depending on the type of First Semantic Web site you are visiting, one or more of the paragraphs may apply. For example, if you order a product from a First Semantic Web site, your information will be handled as described in such paragraphs as Fulfilling Your Transaction Request and Marketing Use.
Fulfilling Your Transaction Request
If you request something from an First Semantic Web site, for example, a product or service, a callback, or specific marketing materials, we will use the information you provide to fulfill your request. To help us do this, we may share information, with others, for instance, other parts of First Semantic, First Semantic's Business Partners, financial institutions, shipping companies, postal or government authorities (for example, Customs authorities) involved in fulfillment. In connection with a transaction we may also contact you as part of our customer satisfaction surveys or for market research purposes.
Marketing Use
The information you provide to First Semantic on certain First Semantic Web sites may also be used by First Semantic and selected third parties for marketing purposes. Before we use it, however, we will offer you the opportunity to choose whether or not to have your information used in this way.
First Semantic Human Resources Web Sites (including Recruitment)
In connection with a job application or inquiry, whether advertised on a First Semantic Web site or otherwise, you may provide us with information about yourself, such as a resume or curriculum vitae. We may use this information throughout First Semantic and its related entities for the purpose of employment consideration or your inquiry. Except where you tell us not to, we will keep the information for future consideration.
Information for Business Partners
If you represent a First Semantic Business Partner, you may visit a First Semantic Web site intended specifically for First Semantic Business Partners. We may use information provided on that site to administer and develop our business relationship with you, the Business Partner you represent, and First Semantic Business Partners generally. For instance, this may involve using your information to send you details of First Semantic Business Partner programs. It may also include sharing certain information with other Business Partners (subject to any confidentiality obligations that may exist), or First Semantic customers or prospects. In connection with a particular transaction or program, we may also contact you as part of customer satisfaction surveys or for market research purposes.
First Semantic Supplier Administration
If you represent a First Semantic supplier, you may visit a First Semantic Web site intended specifically for use by First Semantic suppliers. We may use the information provided on that site in connection with entering into or performing a transaction with you. For example, this may include sharing information with other parts of First Semantic, First Semantic's Business Partners, customers, shipping companies, financial institutions, postal or government authorities involved in fulfillment. It may also be used to administer and develop our relationship with you, the supplier you represent and/or other First Semantic suppliers generally.
First Semantic Discussion Forums and Chat Rooms
If you participate in a First Semantic discussion forum or chat room, you should be aware that the information you provide there will be made broadly available to others, potentially inside or outside First Semantic, who have access to that discussion forum or chat room. Also, please recognize that individual forums and chat rooms may have additional rules and conditions. Each participant's opinion on a forum or chat room is his or her own and should not be considered as reflecting the opinion of First Semantic.
Other First Semantic Web Site Notices
In some cases, specific First Semantic Web sites may contain other notices about their use and the information practices applicable to those sites.
Our Worldwide Practices
First Semantic is a global organization, with legal entities, business processes, management structures, and technical systems that cross borders.
Our privacy practices are designed to provide protection for your personal information, all over the world.
We may share your personal information within First Semantic and transfer it to countries in the world where we do business.
Some countries may provide less legal protection for your information. In such countries First Semantic will still handle information in the manner we describe here.
Information Security and Quality
We intend to protect your personal information and to maintain its quality. We implement appropriate measures and processes, such as using encryption when transmitting certain sensitive information, to help us to keep your information secure and to maintain its quality.
Supplementing Information
From time to time we may supplement information you give us via a First Semantic Web site with information from other sources, such as information validating your address or other available information about businesses. This is to help us maintain the accuracy of the information we collect and to help us provide a better service.
Use of Suppliers
In some cases First Semantic uses suppliers to collect, use, analyze and otherwise process information on its behalf. It is First Semantic's practice to require such suppliers to handle information in a manner consistent with First Semantic's policies.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Circumstances may arise where, whether for strategic or other business reasons, First Semantic decides to sell, buy, merge or otherwise reorganize businesses in some countries. Such a transaction may involve the disclosure of personal information to prospective or actual purchasers, or receiving it from sellers. It is First Semantic’s practice to seek appropriate protection for information in these types of transactions.
Cookies and Other Technologies
We sometimes collect non-identifiable information from visits to our Web sites to help us provide better customer service. For example, we keep track of the domains from which people visit, and we also measure visitor activity on First Semantic Web sites, but we do so in ways that keep the information non-identifiable. This information is sometimes known as "click stream data." First Semantic or others on First Semantic's behalf may use this data to analyze trends and statistics and to help us provide better customer service.
Also, when we collect personal data from you in a transaction, we may extract some information about that transaction in a non-identifiable format and combine it with other non-identifiable information such as click stream data. This information is used and analyzed only at an aggregate level to help us understand trends and patterns. This information is not reviewed at an individual level. If you do not want your transaction details used in this manner you can disable your cookies.
We collect the information we mentioned in the previous paragraphs through the use of various technologies, including one called "cookies". A cookie is a piece of data that a Web site can send to your browser, which may then be stored on your computer as an anonymous tag that identifies your computer but not you. Some First Semantic pages use cookies, sent by First Semantic or its third party vendors, or other technologies to better serve you when you return to the Web site. You can set your browser to notify you before you receive a cookie, giving you the chance to decide whether to accept it. You can also set your browser to turn off cookies. If you do so, however, some Web sites may not work properly.
Service Quality Monitoring
Certain Web transactions may also involve you calling us or our calling you. Please be aware that it is First Semantic's general practice to monitor and in some cases record such calls for staff training or quality assurance purposes.
Personalized URL Link
On occasion, we may personalize and customize Web sites for certain visitors. If you visit one of these sites, you may find it customized with references to products and/or services that we believe may be of interest to you, based on your previous interactions with First Semantic and information you have provided to us. While you are visiting these Web sites, we may collect information about your visit to better tailor the site to your interests. An invitation to visit one of these Web sites is usually presented as a personalized URL in an e-mail, a notice on a Web site registration page, or as a response to you logging on to a certain Web site.
If you choose to visit one of these Web sites, you are agreeing to let First Semantic collect information about your visits and also to its association with other information about you and your relationship with First Semantic. If you do not wish your information to be used in this way, do not accept the invitation to visit these sites.
Disclosures Required By Law
Please be aware that in certain circumstances, it is possible that personal information may be subject to disclosure pursuant to judicial or other government subpoenas, warrants, or orders.
Privacy Technology
Technology will increasingly help give you more control over your personal information. It will also help organizations to manage their privacy practices and policies. As an information technology provider, First Semantic actively supports the development of privacy technologies to help achieve these goals and to help create greater trust and confidence in the way personal information is handled.
Other products and services are available which can assist you with the control of your personal information while navigating the Web. See http://www.privacyalliance.org/resources/rulesntools.shtml for an overview of many privacy-related tools. Please note that First Semantic has not formally evaluated these tools.
Links to non-First Semantic Web sites
First Semantic Web sites may contain links to other Web sites. First Semantic is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of those other Web sites.
Notification of Changes
This privacy statement was last updated on December 11, 2004. A notice will be posted on our Web site home page for 30 days whenever this privacy statement is changed in a material way.
Privacy Questions and Access
If you have a question about this statement, you can send an email to the First Semantic Web site coordinator. The address for this is privacy@firstsemantic.com. You can also contact us at this address if you have a question about First Semantic's handling of your information.
If you wish to obtain a copy of particular information you provided to First Semantic, or if you become aware the information is incorrect and you would like us to correct it contact us at access_request@firstsemantic.com.
Before First Semantic is able to provide you with any information or correct any inaccuracies, however, we may ask you to verify your identity and to provide other details to help us to respond to your request. We will endeavor to respond within an appropriate timeframe.
This Web site is maintained by First Semantic or one of its subsidiaries around the world.