Privacy, Security and Terms of Use 

[Publication date: 17 September 2008] 

OUR WEBSITE

YOUR SECURITY

OUR TERMS OF USE

SUBMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT

CHANGES IN POLICIES

Thank you for your interest in our work, our website and the privacy and security policies and terms guiding the use of this website.

This privacy and security statement explains how personal or other information communicated by you on or through the website is collected, protected and managed by Researching Children/SOS-Kinderdorf International. Respecting and protecting your privacy is also of utmost importance to us.

We encourage you to read through the complete privacy and security statement including the section on terms of use, which describes limitations placed on your use of information, images and technology provided on or through the website. These are issues of legal concern to us. YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Throughout this statement on our policies and terms, you will see the terms "Researching Children", "we", "our" and "us" - these terms refer to Researching Children, the chief editing unit of which is located in Innsbruck, Austria, and is the operator of this website. The technical service provider of this website is SOS-Kinderdorf International, a private, non-profit making, charitable, non-political and non-confessional organisation, which works on behalf of orphaned and destitute children worldwide. The terms "you", "your" and "yours" in this statement refer to visitors and users of our website.

OUR WEBSITE

1. What is the purpose of this website?

We maintain this website to provide you with information about Researching Children and offer a platform for sharing best practices of projects in child and youth participation. If you register on our website, you can obtain access to this information. The website includes features, which make it possible.

YOUR PRIVACY

2. Where and why does Researching Children collect information on or through the website?

We do not ask you for any personal information if you are just visiting our website. However, for you to take advantage of some of our services, we may ask for some personal information. Also in order to help us continually to learn and improve our content and services, data is collected in an anonymous and aggregated manner, for example the number of visitors to certain pages or the use of such features as tell-a-friend.

Some personal data such as name, address and preferences are collected when you register on our website. The data you provide enables us to give you information in a personalised manner. Registration and sign-up are completely voluntary. Completing the optional fields is your choice.

Data such as credit card numbers or other billing information are collected in order to process a conference registration. It is your decision whether you would like to store these payment details with us for a longer period than it takes to process the registration fee. If you do, you will not have to re-enter all your details the next time you decide to make a registration payment.

3. Does Researching Children use cookie information?

A "cookie" is a small piece of data that is sent to your browser from our web server and stored on your computer's hard drive. Researching Children uses cookie information in order to provide better and more personalized content and services to the visitors of this website. For example, we may use the information for tracking which areas of our website you have visited, and how frequently. We may match information obtained from cookies with other data you provided in order to develop statistics.

Please check your computer or software manual for specifics on how cookies work on your computer. It is possible to block cookies from being loaded onto your computer. Please note, however, that blocking cookies can affect the performance of websites.

Any change of our policy concerning cookies will be communicated on our homepage and through a new version of this privacy statement.

4. Does Researching Children share information collected on the website with third parties?

Personal data collected is not distributed, shared, rented or sold to companies or organisations that are not a part of Researching Children's organisational structure. In the case that administrative services such as credit card processing are required from third parties, such services are acquired under the understanding that all personal information is treated confidentially and only for the purpose of Researching Children.

If compelled by law or some other regulatory authority, Researching Children may share personal information. This is also valid if we have good reason to believe that there has been an inappropriate interference with or use of our website. In such cases we maintain the right to disclose personal information as we deem appropriate, or as asked for by a legal or regulatory authority.

Aggregated, statistical and other non-personal information such as the number of visitors to our website and their use of certain features or services may be shared with third parties working with us, for example for the promotion of our website.


5. Does Researching Children use addresses collected on the website for sending additional information through e-mails, traditional mail or by other means?

Researching Children sends you additional information by e-mail or snail mail only when you have expressed an interest in this. On our website you can subscribe and unsubscribe to our electronic newsletter any time.

6. How can I opt-out of mailing lists for the newsletter?

You are free at any time to unsubscribe from our newsletter. Should you have any problems doing this, you are welcome to contact us by completing the contact form on our website or writing to the e-mail address given at the bottom of this statement.


7. What rules apply if I "click" over to another website?

Researching Children may choose to link its website to the website of third parties in order to provide either a particular service or more in-depth information on a specific topic. However, our Privacy and Security statement no longer applies when you leave the website. It is not possible for us to control the information collected on you by externally linked websites, nor the use of this information. For the policies guiding these third party websites, please consult their respective privacy and security statements.

YOUR SECURITY

8. How does the website of Researching Children provide security and protect confidential information?

Researching Children's technical service provider uses well-recognised and proven technology for payments. Payment information is transferred by the use of an SSL connection which offers the highest degree of security that your browser is able to support.

Data on all on-line transactions are saved on a secure server hosted by an international, experienced and reputable company. Several layers of built-in security, including an advanced firewall system, encryption of credit card numbers, and use of passwords, protect the collected information.

OUR TERMS OF USE

9. May Researching Children change or discontinue any service or content offered?

Researching Children maintains the right to change or discontinue any content, aspect or feature, which receives too little interest. In the case that we should decide to discontinue a more permanent way to support Researching Children, all registered visitors with a valid and functional e-mail address will be notified.


10. Are there any limitations on how I can use the website including its texts, images and features?

WHEN YOU USE OUR WEBSITE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THIS STATEMENT. THESE TERMS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR YOUR PROTECTION, AS WELL AS OURS.

Much of the content, features and technology have been offered to us on condition that their ownership rights are respected. Other material and technology is owned by our technical service provider.

Copy or use of texts, photos, graphical elements, features or technology for personal financial gain, commercial purposes or any inappropriate or unlawful activity will not be accepted. This includes use of material or technology for private interests or activities, which may harm Researching Children or is not related to our work. Photos and graphical images under "tell-a-friend" are not excluded from these terms and conditions of use.

The name and logo of Researching Children are protected by law, and the use of the name in any language is not permitted without the explicit and written approval by Researching Children, and the use of the logo in any language is not permitted without the explicit and written approval by Ideenweberei, located in Innsbruck, Austria.

IT IS IMPROPER, AND MAY BE A VIOLATION OF LAW, IF YOU POST OR DOWNLOAD ANY MATERIAL YOU DO NOT OWN OR FOR WHICH YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO USE. VIOLATION OF SOMEONE'S COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK OR OTHER PROPERTY RIGHTS MAY SUBJECT YOU TO CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

The above includes posting or storing any information on our website, which violates the law or third parties' rights (including, but not limited to copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, patents, privacy and confidentiality).


11. Does Researching Children take responsibility for links and their content?

Our website may provide links to other websites or resources. As we have no control over these websites or resources, we cannot take responsibility for their availability. Nor can we endorse, take responsibility or liability for any content, advertising, products or other materials on or available from such websites or resources. Further we do not take responsibility or liability, direct or indirect, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on such content, goods or services available from externally linked websites or resources.


12. What is Researching Children's liability for the use of this website?

With regard to services provided on or through the website free of charge, Researching Children shall be liable only in cases of wilful misconduct or gross negligence by its legal representatives or any other employee when performing her or his duties for the organisation.

These limitations in terms of liability apply to all compensation claims for damages regardless of whether they are based on breach of contract, tort or any other reason.

Should any dispute arise concerning liability, the legal domicile would be Innsbruck, Austria, the location of the Head Office of SOS-Kinderdorf International.

SUBMISSIONS AND COPYRIGHT

You must own the copyright and related rights of submitted work to "Submit your project" and you will maintain your copyright and related rights. You warrant that you are the copyright holder or have the rights to submit your work to Researching Children. If a claim is made, you will be responsible and Researching Children will not accept any liability for any third party claims.

If your work is published by Researching Children we have the right to use your content for promotion of Researching Children and will give you reasonable credit as author of your submission.

The terms and conditions of use of Researching Children's Web site prohibit unauthorized copying of any intellectual property. However, Researching Children will not be liable in the event a copy of your work is taken from the Web site and used by some unscrupulous visitor. It is your responsibility to pursue any infringements.

We do not endorse, take responsibility or liability for any content, advertising, products or other materials provided by those submitting projects or our third-party co-operation partners in the platform Reseaching Children. Further we do not take responsibility or liability, direct or indirect, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on such content, goods or services available from such external resources.

CHANGES IN POLICIES

13. Does Researching Children ever change its website policies?

From time to time, we may add features or services to our website, or we may decide to discontinue certain sections or services. This may imply collecting different types of information and/or changing the uses of the information. As a consequence some of our privacy, security or terms of use may change. Policies may also be adjusted as a consequence of changes in the legal framework or new needs.

Adjustments of our policies will always be communicated under this section of the website, and marked with a new publication date. This date can be found at the top of this page. Substantial changes in our policies will also be communicated on our homepage.


14. Who do I contact with questions or comments about the privacy, security or terms of use?

Should you have any question or comments regarding our privacy, security or terms of use, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please contact: researchingchildren@sos-kd.org

We thank you for your interest and for taking the time to read our privacy and security policies and terms of use. We wish you an enjoyable time on our website.