Preamble

Personal privacy is a major concern and ECOIA focuses on keeping members trust by adhering to the following principles :

Personally identifiable information collection

An account should be first created in order to become an ECOIA member. To create an account, users are required to provide the following contact information: First name, Last name, Job title, Organization name, Country, Organisation type, Username, Email address and Password.

When registered, members may provide additional information in the Profile section. This additional information is entirely optional and enables to better identify personal profile and opportunities in the system.

In order to invite others in ECOIA, users will enter their first name, last name and email address. This information will be used by ECOIA to send personal invitation including a personal message. The names and email addresses of invitees will be used only to send the invitation and reminders. All entered information will only be viewable by the user and will not be searchable by others in the ECOIA community without permission. All information that users enter or upload about their contacts will be covered by the same terms of this privacy policy as cover own personally identifiable information.

Like most web sites, ECOIA uses cookies and web log files to track site usage. A cookie is a data file which resides on the User's computer and allows ECOIA to recognize the user when returning on the site using the same computer and web browser. Unfortunately, if the browser settings do not allow cookies, the User will not be able to use the website. Like the information entered at registration or in personal profile, cookie and log file data is used to customize the web site's experience. One type of cookie, known as a persistent cookie, is set once the User has logged in the ECOIA account. The next time the User visits the ECOIA web site, persistent cookie will allow recognizing him or her as an existing User avoiding a recurrent login before using the service. In order to access or change any personal private information (like a credit card number), however, the User must log in securely again with his or her password even if the computer contains a persistent cookie. Additionally, if the User logs out of the ECOIA site he or she will need to re-enter personal password the next time he or she visits in order to log in to the account. Another type of cookie, called a 'session' cookie, is used to identify a particular visit to the ECOIA site. Session cookies expire after a short time or when closing web browser. Due to the internet communication standards, when the User visits the web site, ECOIA automatically receives the originating URL and the site, the user is going when leaving ECOIA. ECOIA also receives the Internet protocol (IP) address of the computer (or the proxy server), the computer operating system, type of web browser and ISP name. This information is used to analyze overall statistical trends to improve quality of service. The linkage between the IP address and personally identifiable information is never shared with third-parties without permission or when required by law.

Children are not eligible to use ECOIA's service and minors (under the age of 18) are asked not to submit any personal information to ECOIA or use the service.

Information Use and Sharing

ECOIA is an online service dedicated to identifying opportunities, qualifying projects and helping professionals connecting with one another. Personally identifiable information provided on the site is used to help describing opportunities and profile to other users. Other information, that does not personally identify a user as an individual or an opportunity is collected and exclusively owned by ECOIA. This information can be utilized by ECOIA in such manner as ECOIA, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

ECOIA will communicate with users through email and notices posted on the website. Please be aware that ECOIA only sends emails related to the proper functioning of the account, such as personal messages notifications, contact requests, opportunities or new features. ECOIA may send you promotional information. Information provided at registration or in the Profile section is also used to customize website experience. For example, when you login in to the account, ECOIA we will display news feed of personal contacts or selected opportunities.

ECOIA never sells, rent, or otherwise provide personally identifiable information to any third parties for marketing purposes. Personal information will only be shared with third parties to carry out user's instructions and to provide specific services. For instance, a credit card processing company is used to bill users for subscription fees. A due dilligence company is used to verify or certify projects. These third parties do not retain, share, or store any personally identifiable information except to provide these services and are bound by strict confidentiality agreements which limit their use of such information. Aggregated data about the usage of ECOIA services may be provided to third-parties for such purposes as ECOIA deems, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate. Users may be segmented by industry, type, country or organisation. If users wish to be excluded from the aggregated research or products based upon aggregated data about users' activities on the site, please email ECOIA.

ECOIA partners with other online services to provide the combined results of both services. For example ECOIA partners with Paypal to process credit card payments. Whenever such combined services are offered, it will be each user's choice to make use of the combined services or not. In these cases, personally identifiable information will only be passed from ECOIA to the partner if the user chooses to use the combined service.

Emails initiated through ECOIA such as an invitation sent to a non-user for instance, will list the user's email address and name in the header of the message. Emails initiated may also provide aggregate information about the user's personal network but will never list the people to whom the user's is directly connected. Other communications, like requesting a contact, will list the name as the initiator but will not include personal contact information. Personal contact information will only be shared with another user if both of you have agreed to establish contact with each other.

It is possible that ECOIA may need to disclose personal information when required by law. ECOIA will disclose such information wherein ECOIA believes that it is necessary to comply with a court order, ongoing judicial proceeding, or other legal process served in the company or to exercise ECOIA's legal rights or defend against legal claims.

Accessing, changing account information

Settings and personal information can be reviewed or changed at any time by logging in the member's account on the ECOIA website and editing the information on the profile page. Account can also be closed through the ECOIA website. If a user closes his or her ECOIA account, ECOIA will remove personally identifiable information from publicly viewable data. ECOIA may retain certain data contributed by the user if it may be necessary to prevent fraud or future abuse, or for legitimate business purposes, such as analysis of aggregated, non-personally-identifiable data, account recovery, or if required by law. All retained data will continue to be subject to the terms of the ECOIA Privacy Policy that the user's has previously agreed to. To close the account and remove information from the ECOIA service, please desactivate account in the profile section and send a request to info[at]ecoia.com. Please send the request using an email account that has been registered with personal name. Response to info[at]ecoia.com requests are sent within three business days of reception.

Security procedures

In order to secure personal information, access to personal data on ECOIA is password-protected, and sensitive data (such as credit card information) is protected by SSL encryption when it is exchanged between the web browser and the web site. Old personal information is also destroyed when no longer essential to provide the same quality of service.

ECOIA may update this privacy policy. In the event there are significant changes in the way personally identifiable information is treated, a notice will be displayed on the site. Unless stated otherwise, the current Privacy Policy applies to all information in ECOIA's possesion regarding each member, opportunities and account. Notice of all changes that materially affect ways in which members personally identifiable data may be used or shared will be posted in updates in this Privacy Policy. By continuing using ECOIA's service after being informed either by email or publication on the site, the member hereby provides his consent to the changed practices.

Contact

Please send any queries, notices or information requests regarding these Privacy Policy by sending a letter of fax to ECOIA