SPARK NS Privacy Policy
SPARK NS, Inc. (“SPARK NS,” “we,” “our,” and/or “us”) values the privacy of individuals who use our website (www.sparkns.org) and related services (collectively, our “Services”). This privacy policy (the “Privacy Policy”) explains how we collect, use, and disclose information from users of our Services (“Users”). By using our Services, you agree to the collection, use, disclosure, and procedures this Privacy Policy describes. Beyond the Privacy Policy, your use of our Services is also subject to our Terms of Service.
Information We Collect
We may collect a variety of information from or about you or your devices from various sources, as described below.
A. Information You Provide to Us.
Proposal Information. If you choose to submit a proposal or participate in our pre-submission review, then we will ask you for information related to your proposal, including information
about your team.
Communications. If you contact us directly, we may receive additional information about you, such as your name, e-mail address, the contents of a message or attachments that you may send to us, and other information you choose to provide.
Mailing List. If you subscribe to our mailing list, then we will collect certain information from you, such as your name, email address, Company/Institution, and profession. When we send
you emails, we may track whether you open them to learn how to deliver a better customer experience and improve our Services.
B. Information We Collect When You Use Our Services.
Device Information. We receive information about the device and software you use to access our Services, including IP address (which may provide us with your general location
information), web browser type, operating system version, and device identifiers.
Usage Information. To help us understand how you use our Services and to help us improve them, we automatically receive information about your interactions with our Services, like the pages or other content you view, the searches you conduct, and the dates and times of your visits.
Information from Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies. We and our third-party partners collect information using cookies, pixel tags, SDKs, or other tracking technologies. Our third-party partners may use these technologies to collect information about your online activities over time and across different services.
How We Use the Information We Collect
We use the information we collect:
- To provide, maintain, improve, and enhance our Services;
- To understand and analyze how you use our Services and develop new services, features, and functionality;
- To communicate with you, provide you with updates and other information relating to our Services, provide information that you request, respond to comments and questions, and otherwise provide customer support;
- For marketing purposes, such as developing and providing promotional materials that may be relevant, valuable or otherwise of interest to you;
- To find and prevent fraud and abuse, and respond to trust and safety issues that may arise
- For compliance purposes, including enforcing our Terms of Service or other legal rights, or as may be required by applicable laws and regulations or requested by any judicial process or governmental agency; and
- For other purposes for which we provide specific notice at the time the information is collected.
How We Disclose the Information We Collect
Vendors and Service Providers. We may disclose any information we receive to vendors and service providers retained in connection with the provision of our Services.
Marketing. We do not rent, sell, or share information about you with nonaffiliated companies for their direct marketing purposes, unless we have your permission.
Analytics Partners. We use analytics services such as Plausible Analytics to collect and process certain analytics data.
As Required By Law and Similar Disclosures. We may access, preserve, and disclose your information if we believe doing so is required or appropriate to: (a) comply with law enforcement requests and legal process, such as a court order or subpoena; (b) respond to your requests; or (c) protect your, our, or others’ rights, property, or safety. For the avoidance of doubt, the disclosure of your information may occur if you post any objectionable content on or through the Services.
Merger, Sale, or Other Asset Transfers. We may transfer your information to service providers, advisors, potential transactional partners, or other third parties in connection with the consideration, negotiation, or completion of a corporate transaction in which we are acquired by or merged with another company or we sell, liquidate, or transfer all or a portion of our assets. The use of your information following any of these events will be governed by the provisions of this Privacy Policy in effect at the time the applicable information was collected.
Consent. We may also disclose your information with your permission.
Your Choices
Marketing Communications. You can unsubscribe from our promotional emails via the link provided in the emails. Even if you opt out of receiving promotional messages from us, you will
continue to receive administrative messages from us.
Third Parties
Our Services may contain links to other websites, products, or services that we do not own or operate. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. Please be aware
that this Privacy Policy does not apply to your activities on these third-party services or any information you disclose to these third parties. We encourage you to read their privacy policies
before providing any information to them.
Security
We make reasonable efforts to protect your information by using physical and electronic safeguards designed to improve the security of the information we maintain. However, because
no electronic transmission or storage of information can be entirely secure, we can make no guarantees as to the security or privacy of your information.
Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect, maintain, or use personal information from children under 13 years of age, and no part of our Service(s) is directed to children. If you learn that a child has provided us with personal information in violation of this Privacy Policy, then you may alert us at info@sparkns.org.
International Visitors
Our Services are hosted in the United States and intended for visitors located within the United States. If you choose to use the Services from the European Union or other regions of the world with laws governing data collection and use that may differ from U.S. law, then please note that you are transferring your personal information outside of those regions to the U.S. for storage and processing. We may also transfer your data from the U.S. to other countries or regions in connection with storage and processing of data, fulfilling your requests, and operating the Services. By providing any information, including personal information, on or to the Services, you consent to such transfer, storage, and processing.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We will post any adjustments to the Privacy Policy on this page, and the revised version will be effective when it is posted. If we materially change the ways in which we use or disclose personal information previously collected from you through the Services, we will notify you through the Services, by email, or other communication.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about our processing activities, please email us at info@sparkns.org or write to us at: 1300 El Camino Real, Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA,
94025.
Last Updated: April 5, 2023