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Privacy Policy
The Legal Aid Society understands your concerns about privacy and your interest in knowing how your information is used and shared, and so we have created this Privacy Policy (the “Privacy Policy”) to provide you with more information on these topics. This Privacy Policy describes the practices, policies and procedures for our website located at www.legalaidnyc.org and www.legal-aid.org (the “Website”). This Website is owned and operated by The Legal Aid Society (hereinafter referred to as “The Legal Aid Society,” or “we” or “us”). This Privacy Policy applies only to The Legal Aid Society’s online information-gathering and sharing practices occurring on the Website, and does not apply to any of our practices conducted offline. By visiting this Website, you are accepting the practices and policies described in this Privacy Policy, and you are further indicating that you agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy you should not visit this Website or use any of the “links” on this Website. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time, so please check this Privacy Policy periodically for changes. The date this Privacy Policy was last updated is stated at the end of this document.
SUMMARY
The notifications provided by this Privacy Policy include:
THE INFORMATION WE COLLECT
Personal Information You Provide And How It Is Used: You may freely visit our Website anonymously and without being required to provide us with any personal information. However, certain requests and features do require that you provide us with some personally identifying information as more particularly described below. Personal information is data that can be used to identify or contact you. Please do not send confidential information to us directly through this Website, or by email to any of the contact email addresses listed on this Website.
Donate: If you make a donation through the Website via the “donate” button, you will be asked to provide certain personally identifying information, such as your name and home address, as well as your credit card billing information, in order to process the donation. The credit card information that you provide at the time of donation is used only to process your donation and will not be stored or used for any other purpose. However, if you opt to make a recurring donation, your credit card information will be stored and used for the purpose of processing your recurring donation.
E-Newsletter: There are various opportunities for visitors of the Website to sign up for our E-Newsletter. If you opt to join our mailing list to receive the latest updates on news and events, we will ask you to provide certain personally identifying information, including your email address, and first and last name. You may unsubscribe from these emails at any time by using the link provided in the footer of all such emails.
Career & Opportunities: We offer a variety of career/internship opportunities. If you opt to apply for any of these opportunities, you will be redirected to a an “application portal,” and you will be required to provide certain personally identifying information.
Contact Us: The Website provides “contact us” links for questions visitors may have about the work we do and our Website. If you contact us through any of these contact forms, we will collect your email address, and any other personal information that you provide to us. We will use the information you provide to contact you and to respond to any requests and/or questions.
Non-Personal Information We Collect by Automated Means And How We Use It: We also collect certain non-personal information (data in a form that does not support direct association with any specific person or individual) by automated means when you visit the Website. Much of this information is collected through the use of third-party tracking services, which includes Google Analytics. The information collected may include usage information, such as the numbers and frequency of users to the Website, pages visited, web browsing histories, your location and device, social networking activities and similar data. When gathered, this data is used in the aggregate, and not in a manner that is intended to identify you personally. From time to time, this type of aggregate information may be shared with third parties. In addition to the third-party tracking services mentioned above, we also collect this information through various other means, including “cookies,” “web beacons,” and IP addresses, as further explained below.
Cookies; Scripts – A cookie is a piece of information that a web server may place on your computer when you visit a Website. Cookies are commonly used by websites to improve the user experience. Many cookies last only through a single Website session, or visit. Others may have an expiration date, or may remain on your computer until you delete them. We may use “session cookies” in order to enhance the user experience and for other web-related purposes. These session cookies are not linked to personally identifiable information. We may also use cookies for other purposes, including to maintain continuity during a user session, to gather data about the usage of our Website for research and other purposes, or to store a user name or related login credentials so that you do not have to provide this information every time you return to our Website. We may also employ the use of scripts on the website. Scripts are small computer programs embedded within web pages that give those pages extra functionality.
Most browsers will tell you how to stop accepting new cookie/scripts, how to be notified when you receive a new cookie/script, and how to disable existing cookies/scripts. If you disable the use of cookies/scripts, you may not be able to take full advantage of all the features on our Website.
Web Beacons – Our Website may contain “web beacons” (also known as Internet tags, pixel tags and clear GIFs). These web beacons allow third parties to obtain information such as the IP address of the computer that downloaded the page on which the beacon appears, the URL of the page on which the beacon appears, the time the page containing the beacon was viewed, the type of browser used to view the page, and the information in cookies set by the third party. Web beacons also may be used to track whether you have opened an HTML email. When the email is opened, a part of the code that makes up the HTML page calls a web server to load the web beacon that then generates a record showing that the email has been viewed. Web beacons may also recognize when the email was opened, how many times it was forwarded and which URLs (links within the email) were clicked.
IP Addresses – When you visit and interact with the Website, third parties with whom we have contracted to provide services for us may collect Internet Protocol addresses (each an “IP Address”), as well as browser type, Internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and page navigation. An IP Address is a unique identifier number that certain electronic devices use to identify and to communicate with each other on the Internet; your Internet Service Provider automatically assigns an IP Address to the computer that you are using. We gather this information to track Website visitor movement in the aggregate, and to gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. We may use this information to enhance our Website or for other lawful purposes.
HOW WE MAY SHARE YOUR INFORMATION
We may disclose all of the information (described herein) that we collect, as stated in this Privacy Policy including in accordance with the terms set forth in this section. The Legal Aid Society works with a variety of third-party partners in order to allow us to make the Website available to you, to host and store the information we collect from you, and to provide certain functionality and features. We may also share the personally identifiable information you provide us with partners and third parties in regard to direct mail opportunities. For example, we may provide your name and home address to OneSource Productions, which handles direct mail campaigns on our behalf.
Except as stated in this Privacy Policy, we do not reveal personally identifiable information about you to third parties for their independent use unless: (1) you expressly authorize The Legal Aid Society to do so, (2) it is necessary to allow The Legal Aid Society and its service providers or agents to provide services on The Legal Aid Society’s behalf, (3) it is to provide products or services to you, (4) it is disclosed to entities that perform marketing or data aggregation services for The Legal Aid Society, (5) it is necessary in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of The Legal Aid Society or the merger of The Legal Aid Society into another entity or any consolidation, share exchange, combination, reorganization, or like transaction in which The Legal Aid Society is not the survivor, (6) The Legal Aid Society is required or permitted to do so for any or all of the following reasons: (i) to comply with a subpoena, legal process, government request or any other legal obligation, (ii) to prevent, investigate, detect, or prosecute criminal offenses or attacks on the technical integrity of the Website or our network, and/or (iii) to protect the rights, privacy, property, business, or safety of The Legal Aid Society, its partners and employees or the visitors to the Website.
CHILDREN’S PRIVACY/NOTE TO PARENTS
This Website does not intentionally or knowingly collect, use, or disclose personally identifiable information about visitors to our Website who are less than 13 years of age. If a child under the age of 13 submits information to us through any part of the Website and The Legal Aid Society becomes aware that the user submitting the information is under the age of 13, the information provided will be deleted as soon as it is discovered and not used for any purpose. If you are the parent or guardian of a child under 13 years of age and believe the child has disclosed personally identifiable information to us, please contact us at the address below and be sure to include in your message the same user name and password and/or email address that you believe your child submitted, if applicable:
The Legal Aid Society General Counsel 199 Water Street New York, New York 10038
Or call us at 212-577-3300 and ask to speak to the General Counsel.
If you reside in a jurisdiction that would restrict the use of the Website – or any of the functionalities or features offered via the Website – because of age, or restricts the ability to enter into contracts such as this one due to age, you must abide by such age limits and you must not use the Website if you are not permitted to do so by such local jurisdiction.
If you visit the Website and reside in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (hereinafter, an “EU User”), you must be 16 years of age or older in order to submit personally identifying information. Any submission of personally identifying information by an EU User under 16 years of age is unauthorized. See the provisions below that apply to EU Users.
THIRD PARTY WEBSITES/LINKS
We may also provide links to a variety of third-party social media sites and/or websites – such as Facebook, Twitter and others – as a service to you, and in order to provide you i) additional information and/or content related The Legal Aid Society, or ii) additional venues in which you can learn about and discuss the activities of The Legal Aid Society. As noted above, we also provide a link to an “application portal” where you may apply for job/internship opportunities. Except for the application portal, we have no affiliation with any of these other parties and/or websites, and cannot control and are not responsible for the information collection, use, and disclosure practices of such third parties. We encourage you to review and understand their privacy practices and policies, if any, before using providing any personally identifying information to them. We are not responsible for the content or information of these websites, or any other use of the linked website.
HOW WE ATTEMPT TO SAFEGUARD YOUR INFORMATION
We maintain – and ask that any third-party partners who may store information on our behalf to maintain – administrative, technical and physical safeguards for the Website designed to protect your personal information against theft, loss, misuse or unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration or destruction of the personal information that we collect from you. We restrict access to personal information collected about you on the Website to our employees, those who are otherwise specified in this Privacy Policy, or others who need to know such information to provide services to you or in the course of conducting our business operations or activities. However, no website, application or transmission can guarantee security. Thus, while we have established and maintain what we believe to be reasonable procedures to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of personally identifying information obtained through the Website and we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us. When you link to one of our social media venues, the personal information you share is visible to other users and can be read, collected, or used by them. You are responsible for the personal information you choose to submit in these instances, and understand, acknowledge, and agree that you transmit certain personal information over this Website at your own risk.
USE OF THE WEBSITE FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
We do not represent or warrant that the Website, or any part thereof, is appropriate or available for use in any particular geographic location. If you choose to access our Website, you do so on your own initiative and at your own risk, and are responsible for complying with all local laws, rules, and regulations applicable in your jurisdiction. The Website is hosted in the United States and is governed by United States law. If you are visiting the Website from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated. The data protection and other laws of the United States and other countries might not be as comprehensive as those in your country. By using the Website, you consent to your information being transferred to our facilities and to the facilities of those third parties with whom we share it as described in this Privacy Policy.
PRIVACY QUESTIONS AND CONTACTING US
If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or data processing, please contact us at 212-577-3300 and ask for the General Counsel.
CHANGES TO OUR PRIVACY POLICY
We reserve the right to revise this Privacy Policy at any time. Please check back regularly to see if there have been any changes to this policy, which you can determine by reviewing the Effective Date listed below. By continuing to use the Website after those changes become effective, you consent and agree to be bound by the revised Privacy Policy.
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, SWITZERLAND AND UNITED KINGDOM USERS
The following provisions applies only to users residing in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) (“EU Users”).
In May of 2018 a data privacy law known as the EU General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) went into effect. Pursuant to GDPR, we are required to provide EU Users additional information and rights related to the “Personal Information” we collect about them. We summarize such information and rights below.
HOW TO CONTACT US
The Legal Aid Society, Inc. (the Data Controller) is the owner and operator of the Website. If you need to contact us for any reason related to this Privacy Policy or your use of the Website, please contact us at the following address:
The Legal Aid Society General Counsel 199 Water Street New York, New York 10038 212-577-3300
PURPOSE FOR INFORMATION COLLECTION
As noted in this Privacy Policy, you may visit our Websites without being required to provide us with any Personal Data. However, should you decide to provide such information, the information we collect will be used to meet your requests, or to provide you with the applicable information or service requested, and as further described herein.
LEGAL GROUNDS FOR PROCESSING PERSONAL DATA
The Legal Aid Society will process personal data that we receive from EU Users on the ground that it is in our legitimate interest for the effective administration of the Website, or to fulfill and/or address your requests.
YOUR INFORMATION AND YOUR CHOICES; WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT
GDPR provides EU Users with additional rights in respect to the Personal Data we hold about you, including the right i) to be informed about the Personal Data we have collected, and ii) to request a copy of the Personal Data, and iii) to have your Personal Data deleted, and iv) to lodge a complaint about our processing of your Personal Data with your local supervisory authority. Upon appropriate written request we will update or amend your Personal Data, but we reserve the right to use any information previously obtained to verify your identity or take other actions that we believe are appropriate and lawful. You may access, correct, or request deletion of your Personal Data – or request that we stop any processing of your Personal Data – by contacting us. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe. Certain requests – like being removed from our E-Newsletter mailing list – can also be accomplished via our unsubscribe links.
We may need to retain certain information for record keeping purposes, and there may also be residual information that will remain within our databases and other records, which will not be removed from such locations. Additionally, there may be circumstances in which we are not legally required to comply with your request because of the laws in your jurisdiction or because of exemptions provided in data protection legislation in general, and GDPR in particular. Finally, we are not responsible for removing or deleting information from the databases of third parties (such as service providers) with whom we have shared information about you, but we will make the request on your behalf for such removal/deletion.
DATA RETENTION
We will retain your information for as long as needed to provide you services, or otherwise as is reasonable and customary given the nature of the relationship you have with The Legal Aid Society. We may need to retain certain information for record keeping purposes, and there may also be residual information that will remain within our databases and other records, which will not be removed from such locations. Otherwise, we will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. We have a data retention and destruction plan that dictates the policies and procedures related to deletion and/or destruction of all information/data.
PRIVACY OF CHILDREN WHO ARE EU USERS
This Website does not intentionally or knowingly collect, use, or disclose personally identifiable information about visitors to our Website who are EU Users less than 16 years of age. If an EU User under the age of 16 submits information to us through any part of the Website and The Legal Aid Society becomes aware that the user submitting the information is under the age of 16, the information provided will be deleted as soon as it is discovered and not used for any purpose. If you are the parent or guardian of an EU User under 16 years of age and believe the child has disclosed personally identifiable information to us, please contact us at the address below and be sure to include in your message the same user name and password and/or email address that you believe your child submitted, if applicable:
PRIVACY POLICY EFFECTIVE DATE
This Privacy Policy is effective as of July 24, 2019