Privacy Policy

This Web site was designed and is hosted by Society for Science & the Public (SSP), a nonprofit organization and publisher of Science News magazine.

SSP Privacy Policy

General Privacy Policy Statement and Practices

Society for Science & the Public (“SSP”) is concerned about the privacy of subscribers, members, donors, volunteers, and others.  This Policy is intended to clearly outline our current privacy policy and practices.

Please read this Policy carefully before providing personal information to SSP.

Privacy Policy Updates

SSP will occasionally update this Policy. Any changes to this Policy will be posted on each of SSP’s websites (collectively, the “Websites”) to help ensure that users are aware of what information we gather, how we might use that information, and whether we will disclose it to anyone.  The terms “You” and “User” are used to refer to anyone who is accessing the Websites.

Please address Privacy Policy inquiries to SSP by e-mailing privacy@societyforscience.org, by calling (800) 552-4412, or by mailing Society for Science & the Public, ATTN: Customer Service, PO Box 1674 Williamsport, PA 17703.

Scope of Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions

This Policy is intended to cover all programs and publications of Society for Science & the Public including, but not limited to, the Intel Science Talent Search (known as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search until 1998), Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (also known as “Intel ISEF,” or “ISEF”), the Broadcom MASTERS (known as the SSP Middle School Program or Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge), SSP Fellows Program, SSP’s Alumni and Membership Programs, and  SSP publications Science News and Science News for Kids.

From time to time, SSP may apply a more stringent version of this Policy for an individual program, including those referenced above. Please refer to the specific privacy information related to those programs.

This Policy also applies to each of the Websites on which it is posted: www.societyforscience.org, www.sciencenews.org, and www.sciencenewsforkids.org.

Collected Information

There are many instances where an individual may provide SSP with personal information. These include but are not limited to:  students applying to participate in an education program (e.g. Intel Science Talent Search), an individual subscribing to one of our publications (e.g. Science News), or an individual interested in volunteering. The following guidelines set forth our practices for handling such information.

Education Program Applicants, Entrants, and Finalists

SSP currently administers programs that engage students in grades 6-12. Any student providing information as part of an application will have their information used only for consideration of entry to the program. Any entrant not selected for participation will have their information purged from our database within a reasonable amount of time from the closing of the selection process.

Applicants selected to participate in an SSP program will have their applicant information transferred to an Alumni Database following program participation.  Those individuals may be contacted by SSP’s alumni program staff for participation in additional alumni activity. Alumni may also be encouraged to participate in other programs or to receive SSP publications.

Science News subscribers, members, donors, and other commercial activity

Address and other personally identifiable information will be stored as necessary to process an individual’s gift, membership, subscription, or other commercial transaction. This information may be shared with other programs and publications of SSP or as otherwise described elsewhere in this Policy.

Other “Friends” of SSP

Many individuals provide information in order to volunteer with SSP, receive the SSP Newsletter, or otherwise participate in or learn more about SSP programs and publications. In general, an individual’s information will – by default – be shared among SSP programs and publications, unless otherwise directed by the individual, or as otherwise described elsewhere in this Policy.

Parent’s Right to Review or Delete Information

A parent may review the information a child has submitted to SSP by e-mailing SSP a written request addressed to privacy@societyforscience.org, by calling (800) 552-4412, or by mailing Society for Science & the Public, ATTN: Customer Service, PO Box 1674 Williamsport, PA 17703­­­­­­­­.  The request must include the name and address of the child, and any other information that will allow SSP to verify that the writer is the parent of the child whose information is being requested.

In addition, a parent can instruct SSP to delete a child’s information at any time and can also instruct SSP not to collect any more personal information from the child by e-mailing SSP a written request addressed to privacy@societyforscience.org, by calling (800) 552-4412, or by mailing Society for Science & the Public, ATTN: Customer Service, PO Box 1674 Williamsport, PA 17703.  Parents should be advised that a deletion request may prevent the child from participating in certain activities.

Web-Specific Privacy Policy Statement and Practices

SSP collects information about the Users of the Websites in order to assist in determining which parts of the Websites visitors find most valuable. This allows SSP to continually improve the services it provides. For example, SSP may track the URL that Users visited before Users came to the Websites, the URL to which Users next go, as well as Users’ IP addresses. SSP uses Users’ IP addresses to help diagnose problems with SSP’s servers and to administer the Websites.

Users may use the Websites without registering, but registration must occur in order to use any of the personalized web services. The Websites’ registration form requires specific contact information, including, but not limited to, name and e-mail address. The customer contact information is used to learn more about our users and to contact users when necessary. Unique identifiers are collected to verify User’s identity and for use as account numbers in our record system.

Users may also be prompted for address information in order to subscribe to SSP publications, including, but not limited to, the SSP Newsletter and Science News. SSP may send solicitation and/or subscription offers along with these communications, subject to User’s opt out selection described below.

Opt Out

SSP provides users with an opportunity to opt out of receiving web-based communications from SSP at the point where they are asked to provide personal information. An individual may opt-out of these communications by emailing privacy@societyforscience.org, by calling (800) 552-4412, or by mailing Society for Science & the Public, ATTN: Customer Service, PO Box 1674 Williamsport, PA 17703.

Security

The Websites have security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information that is under the control of SSP.

Child Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Statement

SSP wants to protect the safety of children using the Websites.  To the extent necessary, SSP complies with applicable laws and regulations, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which governs information gathering online from or about children under the age of 13. Verifiable consent from a child’s parent or guardian is required before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from a child under the age of 13.  SSP does not:

  • Collect online contact information from children under the age of 13 without prior parental notification and consent, which includes an opportunity for the parent to prevent use of the information and the child’s participation in the related activity.  Without prior parental consent, online information will only be used to respond directly to a child’s request (i.e., subscription to a newsletter, however, parental consent is required prior to the second communication) and will not be used for other purposes.
  • Collect personally identifiable offline contact information of a child under age 13 without prior parental consent.
  • Provide any personally identifiable information, regardless of its source, to any
    third-party for any purpose whatsoever concerning our users under 13 years of age, unless otherwise disclosed to children and their parents during the information collection process.
  • Give children under age 13 the ability to publicly post or otherwise distribute personally identifiable contact information without prior parental consent.
  • Entice any child by the prospect of a special game, prize, or other activity, to divulge more information than is needed to participate in the activity.

When the Websites need to collect information about a child under 13 years old, COPPA required information and instructions will be provided by the specific web page that collects information about the child. The web page will specify exactly what the information will be used for, who will see it, and how long it will be kept.

There are several exceptions that permit collection of a child’s email address without receiving parental consent in advance:

  • To provide the parents with notice and to seek consent for communications with the child. Note: this may require collection of the parent’s email address as well.
  • To protect the safety of a child who is participating on the site; i.e., in a chat room.
  • To protect the Websites or to respond to law enforcement; i.e., in the case of a Website compromise.

Personal information about your child will be destroyed immediately upon completion of its intended purpose. On rare occasions, it may be determined that a communication from a child under 13 years old should be maintained for historical purposes. Should such an occasion occur, SSP will obtain the necessary consent from the child’s parent.

Finally, we provide many on-line tools and services in support of SSP’s mission. A child under 13 years old may inadvertently provide personal information to one of these services. If this should happen, the information about the child will be deleted immediately upon discovery.

Cookies

Cookies are files that contain information created by a web server that can be stored on a User’s hard disk for use either during a particular session (“per-session” cookie) or for future use (“persistent” cookie). SSP uses cookies only to facilitate automated activity, store and track SSP ID numbers, session status, and navigation patterns. Cookies are not used to disseminate significant information about users over the Internet or to analyze any information that users have knowingly or unknowingly provided. When a User registers, the system will ask whether the user approves of the attachment of a cookie.

Users may instruct their Internet browsers to opt out of accepting a “persistent” cookie and rather accept only a “per-session” cookie, but will need to login each time they visit the Websites to enjoy the full benefits. If the User declines the attachment of any cookie, the User may not have access to the full benefits of the website. Registration enables the Websites to better determine a User’s interest areas and provide the most relevant information.

E-mail Communications

SSP sends email communications to current and past program participants, volunteers, subscribers, and other individuals or organizations upon request. Every bulk email includes an “unsubscribe” link that will allow the recipient to either modify the frequency or type of communication, or to decline all future email communication from SSP. Removal from all lists may take up to five business days to complete. Replying directly to the email, rather than using the unsubscribe form, may require additional time to process.

The only instance where an “unsubscribe” link would not be included in the bottom would be an email sent as direct correspondence from an SSP staff person. Please respond directly back to that individual staff person if you would prefer to be removed from future communication.

E-Commerce Security Practice

Maintaining the confidentiality of a User’s personal information is important to SSP. Credit card numbers are used for the limited purpose of processing your SSP subscription, registration, donation, membership, or other orders. When User’s credit card information is transmitted to SSP for validation, it is secured by encryption technology, which enables information to be sent over the Internet in an encrypted form to ensure protection against unauthorized access to your personal information.

Notwithstanding the above, SSP makes NO WARRANTY in respect of the strength or effectiveness of the encryption and SSP is not responsible for events arising from unauthorized access of the information you provide.

Third-Party Disclosure of Information

SSP contracts with third-party companies to provide certain services on a User’s behalf. These services include credit card processing, mail distribution and processing, and other customer support services. Information provided to third-party service providers is strictly limited to the services required or as required by law.

SSP may use a User’s personally identifiable information to provide the User with promotional information about programs, services, events and publications offered by SSP or select third-parties. SSP closely reviews every request for information by third-parties to help ensure they are trustworthy and reputable. A User may opt-out of such sharing with third-party organizations or modify User’s communication preferences at any time by emailing privacy@societyforscience.org, by calling (800) 552-4412, or by mailing Society for Science & the Public, PO Box 1674, Williamsport, PA 17703.

SSP may also use aggregate data that is not personally identifiable in discussions, presentations, or reports to current or potential grantors. This data may include demographic, geographic or other broadly representative data.

SSP will divulge any information collected from a User on the Websites when required to do so by law.

Terms of Use and Legal Information: SSP’s Websites

The websites of the Society for Science & the Public (“SSP”) (www.societyforscience.org, www.sciencenews.org and www.sciencenewsforkids.org) (collectively, the “Websites”) and their contents are the property of SSP.  This web page states the “Terms of Use” for the use of the Websites.

Please also review our Privacy Policy above.

By using the Websites, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Use.  SSP may revise the Terms of Use at any time by updating this posting.  The terms “You” and “User” are used to refer to anyone who is accessing the Websites. If you are using the Websites on behalf of a company or other legal entity, that entity may have a separate agreement with SSP, but you are nevertheless individually bound by the Terms of Use.

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF USE, DO NOT USE THE WEBSITES.

Ownership of Copyrights, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property

Copyright protects original works of authorship, including literary works, commercial and
non-commercial works, pictorial and graphic works and other intellectual property.  Works that are created and fixed in print, electronic, fax, CD-ROM, and other formats, including electronic mail, now known or developed hereafter are protected by copyright.  Information received from or posted on the Internet is not free to be reproduced or transmitted to others without appropriate permission or without a license agreement from the author if your use is beyond a fair use a determined under the copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code).  Copyright notices are not required by law, so if you do not see a copyright notice on any item, do not assume that it is free to use or to transmit to others.

The entire contents of the Websites, including the text, graphics, images, logos, button icons, HTML code, and other material are copyrighted by SSP under the copyright laws of the United States. User agrees not to remove or obscure copyright notices appearing on the Websites.  SSP grants no copyright or ownership interests to User in any of the material and proprietary information referred to herein belonging to SSP. Permission to use content on the Websites may be granted in special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Please direct any request to use content to webmaster@societyforscience.org. Below are selected permitted and prohibited uses of SSP material that is posted at the Websites.

Permitted Uses of Materials
  1. Anyone who is doing personal, noncommercial research may view, print material, and temporarily store materials from the Websites, provided that SSP’s copyright notices are not
    removed and that the reuse of material does not conflict with any of the prohibited uses below.
  2. Others may view material, print material, and temporarily store materials from the Websites for their particular use only provided: (i) that copying fees are paid to the
    Copyright Clearance Center for printing of files beyond that permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Act, (ii) SSP’s copyright notices are not removed, and (iii) the reuse of material does not conflict with any of the prohibited uses below.
  3. A link or links may be made to any document or location on the Websites, provided that the link does not bypass any license agreement or provide access to any secure areas on the Websites that require payment for access.
Prohibited Uses of Materials
  1. Except for the permitted uses above, User agrees not to reproduce, distribute, transmit (via print, fax, electronic, or other means), modify, alter, or create derivative works of any materials contained in the Websites without prior written permission from SSP.
  2. User agrees that materials contained in the Websites may not be sold to third-parties without prior written authorization from SSP.
  3. User agrees that materials contained in the Websites may not be systematically stored on a server so as to substitute for the purchase of a subscription and/or license
    agreement to/for the materials.
Name and Logo

User agrees not to use the name of SSP or its logo for any promotional or commercial purpose or any other purpose without the prior written consent of SSP.

Prohibited uses of the Websites

User agrees not to post any false or inaccurate biographical information, delete or change any information posted by another person, or share User’s password with any third-party. User agrees not to do anything that interferes with the proper working ability of the Websites. This includes activity that can overload the Websites’ infrastructure, use of software or other device other than that which is available from SSP, tampering with the Websites’ software or programming, or destroying or changing information posted by any other person. User agrees to comply with all applicable laws, as well as with the Terms of Use. User agrees not to engage in any unlawful or commercial activity on the Websites. User agrees not to post material that is copyrighted without first obtaining proper written consent from the copyright owner.

User Submissions

By posting information and material on the Websites, User grants SSP, by agreeing to the Terms of Use, a world-wide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, unlimited, assignable, sub-licenseable, fully paid, and non-exclusive right to use the posted information and material for any purpose.  User grants any other user the right to access, display, view, store, and reproduce this information and material solely for their personal use.  In addition, by posting information and material on the Websites, User grants any other user the right to access, display, view, store, and reproduce this information and material solely for their personal use. By submitting any information to SSP, you represent and warrant that the submission is accurate to your best knowledge, not confidential, and not in violation of any contractual restrictions or other third-party rights. SSP does not represent or guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or reliability of communications, information and materials posted by users or endorse any opinions expressed by users.  User acknowledges that any reliance on information or material posted by other users will be at your own risk. SSP is under no obligation to exercise control over any content you or others submit when using the Websites.

Registration and Password

Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their information and password.  User is responsible for all use of the Websites associated with User’s registration and the compliance with the Terms of Use.  User agrees to notify SSP immediately of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security.

Termination of Account

SSP reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to pursue all of its legal remedies, including, but not limited to deletion of User’s postings from the Websites, immediate termination of User’s registration with the Websites or ability to access the Websites and/or any other service provided to User by SSP, upon any breach by User of the Terms of Use or if SSP is unable to verify or authenticate any information User submits to the Websites for registration.  SSP shall not be liable to User nor any third-party for any termination of User’s account or access to the Websites.

Waiver of Liability

SSP does not screen or censor User-generated content made available on the Websites. SSP shall not be liable for any content posted on the Websites.  User assumes all risks associated with dealing with other Users with whom User comes in contact through the Websites.  Should a dispute arise between You and another User, You hereby agree to release SSP from all claims, demands, and damages associated with such a dispute. In no event shall SSP or any third-parties mentioned on the Websites be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, lost profits or damages resulting from lost data or business interruption) resulting from the use or inability to use the Websites and the material, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory, and whether or not SSP is advised of the possibility of such damages.

No Warranties

The content that is posted on the Websites may contain inaccuracies or typographical errors.  SSP makes no warranties about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the Websites, the material or other posted content, services, software, text, graphics, and links. The Websites and material are provided on an “as is” basis without any warranties of any kind. SSP disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied, including the warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and infringement of copyright to the fullest extent permitted by law. SSP does not warrant that the Websites will operate error-free or that the Websites and SSP’s server are free of computer viruses or other harmful mechanisms. If your use of the Websites or the material results in the need for servicing or replacing equipment or data, SSP is not responsible for those costs.

Links to Other Sites

The Website may contain links to third-party websites.  These links are provided solely as a convenience to User and not as an endorsement by SSP of the third-party or the contents of such third-party websites. Because SSP does not have any control over such third-party websites, SSP is not responsible for the content of linked third-party sites and does not make any representations regarding the content or accuracy of materials on such third-party websites.  Linking to third-party websites is performed at User’s own risk.

Indemnity

User agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless SSP, its officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any claims, actions or demands, including without limitation reasonable legal fees, resulting from your use of the Websites or your breach of the Terms of Use, including without limitation, your submission of content that violates third-party rights or applicable law. SSP shall provide prompt notice to User of any such claim, suit, or proceeding and shall assist User, at User’s expense, in defending any such claim, suit or proceeding.

Foreign Access

If User accesses the Websites from outside the United States, User does so at User’s own risk.  User agrees to comply with all applicable local rules and laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the United States or the country in which you reside.

Governing Law

The Terms of Use are governed by laws of the District of Columbia. Jurisdiction for any claims arising under the Terms of Use shall lie exclusively with the state or federal courts within the District of Columbia.  If any provision of the Terms of Use is found to be invalid by any court having competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of the Terms of Use, which shall remain in full force and effect.  No waiver of any term of the Terms of Use shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.

Security

Users are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of the Websites.  The Websites have security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse, and alteration of the information under SSP’s control. Please see Privacy Policy for further details concerning the Websites’ privacy practices.