escargot
escargot
Last updated January 8, 2022
Escargot (parent company) take privacy very seriously. Please read this privacy policy for more information.
This privacy policy covers this web site (Escargot) and web sites that are a part of its network. All other web sites linked from or to here or other web sites in the network do not apply.
Escargot collects various pieces of information from both anonymous individuals and also registered members. Keep in mind, none of this information is sold or given to any third party or used to communicate unsolicited advertisements via email or otherwise.
Believe it or not, many people still believe that if they post something to their public blog, only their friends will see it. Contrary to such beliefs, information posted to the Internet is available to everyone who can access the Internet. We provide the ability to hide and control access to all pieces of submitted information, but we cannot control what a user post to the public.
Escargot may set and access cookies on a visitor or user's computer to customize experience. If one disables or rejects cookies, the experience may be hindered.
Escargot and its parent company may at any time, change, update, or remove any content from this privacy policy without prior notification. Generally, however, we announce all major updates to our policies.
Safeguarding your privacy is serious business. That's why Escargot's policy is simple: Except as provided in this statement, Escargot will not disclose, sell or rent any personally identifiable information without proper consent. You, the Escargot user, always have the final word on whether Escargot knows who you are. It is your choice whether you wish to share personally identifiable information with Escargot. We encourage you to consider sharing information with Escargot only if you receive true value in exchange for that information. Please use discretion when revealing personally identifiable information while using Escargot tools, as it may be collected and used by unauthorized third parties (e.g. harvesting). Such activities are beyond the control of Escargot. In other words, if for some reason you post your home phone number on the Escargot boards (which you should NOT do), you're on your own. Please take a minute to read our policy so that you understand your options and how Escargot collects, processes and shares information. If you have any questions about Escargot's information practices, please contact Escargot's Policy Manager.
If you decide to join Escargot, registration is the only place where you are required to submit information about yourself. To become a Escargot member you need to submit your email address (which can be your new Escargot email address), gender, birth-date, and name.
Escargot receives zip or postal code-based data about demographics and income levels from third parties such as Nielsen and the US Census Bureau. Escargot appends such third party data to each member's record to understand demographics and income levels for a zip or postal code or set of zip/postal codes. We use this for our own statistics, we do not give/sell/transport/email/sing/broadcast/bee dance/etc this information to third parties.
The main function of cookies is to connect members with their stored account information so that Escargot can deliver better and more personalized service. Cookies do not enable the Escargot staff to access personally identifiable information that you haven't already provided, nor do cookies give anyone unauthorized access to your computer.
Escargot uses information collected from you and other members primarily to provide more personalized service and advertising, and to learn more about its audience demographic. Escargot also collects market research data in order to generate appropriate content for users. Market research data are always anonymous and are never used to sell anything to individual respondents based on their personal responses.
Escargot logs information automatically transmitted from your browser (URL of the web page you were on before coming to Escargot, IP address, time spent on the site, and browser version); information you submit through registration, forms for optional programs, surveys and other entries; and communications transmitted through Escargot tools.
To preserve our database, Escargot retains information submitted by members for an indefinite length of time. Escargot understands your submissions as consent to store all your information in one place for this indefinite length of time. Escargot will nullify (scramble so that it is unrecognizable) account information if required by law or in response to a written member request.
Escargot makes every effort to make sure your information is secure. Your Escargot account is password-protected so that only you and authorized Escargot employees can access your information.
When you submit information to Escargot, it isn't usually shared with anyone. Sometimes Escargot's partner companies are allowed to collect certain information about members from Escargot or directly from members. When Escargot is the source, it is usually so that we can provide a service through a partner. When visitors come to Escargot, they may receive cookies from Escargot's sponsors; this information is not shared with Escargot. Escargot reserves the right to disclose user information if required by law or if Escargot has reason to believe that the law is being violated.
During registration you choose whether to receive correspondence from either Escargot or its partners, and whether you want to participate in a variety of Escargot programs. This information lives on your Profile where you can, at any point, easily edit it to indicate that you have changed your mind. As for promotions, contests, submission opportunities and programs, you will not be included unless you opt-in.
Escargot believes strongly in giving you the ability to access and edit your personal information. You can always update the personal information in your Profile by clicking on the profile button located below your member name on the top of the left-hand navigation bar. To change your personal account settings (e.g., your email address and password), click the settings button also located below your member name. You can edit your Profile or account settings at any time -- all you need is your member name and password.
Because Escargot is intended for people ages 13 and over, its registration policy is intentionally designed to identify people who are 13 or younger. Escargot will not knowingly allow anyone under 13 to join the service. Escargot has developed a process to verify and delete accounts belonging to members who are discovered to be under 13. For more information, see our COPPA page.
Note to Parents:
If your child is under 13 and has
become a Escargot member using a false age, please notify
Escargot's Policy Manager, who will
immediately close the account and nullify all personally identifiable information collected from them. If
your child is under the age of 18 and you would like to know more about
Escargot's site, information practices, stored information or how
to close your child's account, contact the Policy Manager.
Escargot's security and privacy policy are periodically reviewed and enhanced as necessary. This policy might change as Escargot updates and expands its services. Escargot will contact you via email and post notification if there are any material changes in its privacy practices. Escargot also encourages you to also check the privacy policy out periodically.
If you have technical problems, questions or other issues related to your use of Escargot, please check out the Help Center. Escargot's Policy Manager will respond to all requests sent through mail or email from members and parents interested in knowing more about personal information stored on the Escargot database, having their personal information nullified, or have additional questions regarding privacy.
What information does Escargot collect?
Escargot wants to be your favorite online destination. To encourage your participation, your Escargot experience is personalized so that you are offered the services, products and information most relevant to you. This requires the collection of information to help tell you apart from other Escargot members. The forms are specially designed so that you don't have to disclose any more information than is necessary to participate in a given activity or use a given tool.
Escargot collects two kinds of information: anonymous and personally identifiable. Anonymous information is not associated with specific individuals. For instance, Escargot may know how many people read this Privacy Policy today, but they don't necessarily know their names, addresses or birthdays. Personally identifiable information reveals who you are and/or how you can be contacted. It includes your name, address, phone number and email address.
Below is a summary of the different ways Escargot collects various kinds of information about members:
Registration (mandatory to be a
Escargot member)
If you decide to join
Escargot, registration is the only place where you will be
required to submit information about yourself. To become a Escargot member, you need to complete a form with your email address (which can be your new
Escargot email address), gender, birthday, zip code, and country.
Escargot uses this information to provide you with more
personalized service, and to learn more about its audience demographics.
Only when you choose to participate in optional Escargot programs or services will registration information be linked to information you submit for other purposes. For example, if you decide to be a Escargot Rep, you'll be asked to provide Escargot with your full name, address, school and graduating class. Escargot keeps this information in its database with your member name and other registration data. If you decide that you no longer want Escargot to have a certain piece of information about you, email the Policy Manager.
Information from registration will automatically be placed in your Member Profile. In addition, you can choose to tell everyone your hobbies, interests, likes and dislikes. You can fill out as much or as little of your Profile as you want. The more you fill out, the more likely it is that you'll be able to meet members based on things you have in common.
Escargot runs promotions, contests, submission opportunities, surveys and programs designed to improve your experience on Escargot. To participate in these programs you may have to give contact (name, address, email address) and/or demographic (i.e., age, gender) information. This only goes to the authorized Escargot employees who run the promotion, contest or program so that they can inform you if you win, ask you questions about your submission and deal with other relevant details. Escargot understands your decision to participate as permission to contact you, if necessary, and to store this additional information in its databases with your registration data.
Escargot understands your decision to post in public areas as permission to contact you through your Escargot account.
One last thing to keep in mind: Whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information on message boards, through email, Escargot Notes, Zap, Blogs, or in chat, it can be collected and used by anyone, including law-enforcement agencies acting under subpoena power. If you post personal information in public places, others may send you unsolicited email messages. Always be smart about the information you provide online. And, be aware that if Escargot employees find personally identifiable information posted in public areas, they will delete it.
What are cookies, and how does Escargot use them?
Escargot collects anonymous information through cookies. A cookie is a small piece of data containing a unique identification number that is sent to your browser from a web server, and is stored on your computer's hard drive. The unique ID number identifies your browser to Escargot's computers whenever you visit. Cookies do not enable anyone to access personally identifiable information that you have not already given us. Escargot primarily uses cookies to connect members with account information stored on Escargot's computers. This helps Escargot deliver better and more personalized service. Escargot also uses cookies to estimate Escargot's audience size for advertisers; to track the number of entries in Escargot promotions, sweepstakes and contests; to identify the areas of the site you visit; to hold session information; and to track user preferences.
Cookies are part of the technology implemented by your browser. Most browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. You can reset your browser to either notify you when you have received a cookie, or to refuse them all together.
Escargot uses both permanent and temporary cookies. Permanent cookies stay with your browser, whereas temporary cookies go away after you close your browser. Escargot uses permanent cookies in order to recognize you between visits. Escargot uses temporary cookies to store information about your current visit to the site. That information goes away when you close your browser or shut down your computer. If you choose to not accept cookies, you cannot participate as a registered, signed-in member.
You should be aware that Escargot's advertisers sometimes use banner ads to give you their own cookies. If you want to understand how and why an advertiser uses cookies, check the company's site for their privacy statement.
We employ a software technology called clear gifs (a.k.a. Web Beacons/Web Bugs) that help us better manage the content of our html emails. Clear gifs are tiny graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies. The main difference between the two is that clear gifs are invisible on the page and are much smaller, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Escargot uses clear gifs in its html emails to let us know which emails have been opened by the recipients. This allows us to gauge the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. The clear gifs are not used in conjunction with other user information that is stored by Escargot.
How does Escargot use member information?
Escargot's decisions regarding the use of information collected from Escargot members are based on two areas of interest: market research, and improving user experience by offering personalized service, content and advertising.
Ads are a standard part of user experience on the Internet, and Escargot believes that targeted advertising enhances this experience. Escargot uses information collected from Escargot members to place ads where they believe interested parties will see them. For example, let's say an advertiser wants to get the word out about a new set of ski boots for guys and girls aged 15-18 who live in Colorado. Escargot analyzes data from registration and cookies to find out where members who fit the bill hang out on Escargot, and place the ad accordingly. Don't worry: Advertisers never see or have access to your personal information without you knowing.
In addition to banner ads, Escargot may advertise products, companies and events that we think might interest you through the email address you provide.
Escargot may analyze information provided directly by you, or obtained through cookies or third parties to direct services and content based on your interests. This is done in the aggregate (for example, let's say half of Escargot's members are females who use one service more than another) and at the individual level (for example, EscargotUser1234 mostly uses a specific service). Again, this helps the staff produce and appropriately feature tools and content tailored to your interests.
Escargot collects market research data in order to to better
personalize our services. Market research data are always anonymous and are never used to sell anything to
individual respondents based on their personal responses. Market research data, however, may be used at the
aggregate level to:
1. Improve the likelihood of a sale to a group of
Escargot members
2. Increase the likelihood that a group's
experience on Escargot is relevant to its interests as a whole
3. Formulate group-level statistical models that are used to accomplish goal #2 (above).
Escargot's market research data is collected in two ways:
1. Among individuals who opt-in to take surveys.
2. Through surveys that we publicly post on Escargot (it is never mandatory to answer these surveys).
Escargot uses data at the individual level to sell products and services to Escargot members who express an interest in these products and services, through a poll for example, or to members who can be presumed to have an interest based on results from a statistical analysis.
What information does Escargot log?
When you surf the Internet, your browser automatically transmits information to the web sites you visit, including Escargot. Such information includes referral data (URL of the web page you were on before coming to Escargot), IP address, time spent on the site, and your browser version. Escargot collects this information to help improve services and moderate the site. All the information that is automatically submitted by your browser is considered anonymous.
Escargot also logs information you submit through registration, forms for optional programs, surveys and other entries, cookie data and communications transmitted through Escargot applications. Only authorized Escargot staff have access to your information in its entirety. Other employees may have access to bits and pieces of this information if it pertains to their job duties.
If a user elects to use our referral service for informing a friend about our site, we ask them for a referral identification. Escargot will automatically send the friend a one-time email inviting them to visit the site. Escargot does not store this information. It is used for the sole purpose of sending this one-time email.
How does Escargot secure collected information?
Your Escargot Profile is password-protected so that only you and authorized Escargot employees have access to your account information. In order to maintain this protection, do not give your password to anyone. If anyone ever asks you for information claiming they are Escargot staff, check their Member Profile -- if it doesn't say they are staff, they're not. Also, if you share a computer, you should sign out of your Escargot account and close the browser window before someone else logs on. This will protect your information on public terminals.
Escargot makes every effort to ensure that your information is secure on its system. Only certain authorized Escargot employees can access this information if it's relevant to their job duties. Escargot has staff dedicated to maintaining this Privacy Policy and other privacy initiatives, periodically reviewing web security and making sure that every Escargot employee is aware of our security practices. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed 100% secure. As a result, Escargot cannot guarantee the security of any information you transmit to us, and you do so at your own risk.
With whom does Escargot share information?
When you submit information to Escargot, it is generally collected, processed and maintained solely by us. Sometimes we may allow partner companies to collect information about members from us or directly from you via their web site. When Escargot is the source, it is usually so that we can provide a service with a partner. We choose to work with upstanding companies that will treat your information responsibly. But, since we don't own these companies, we can't speak for them on privacy issues. Before telling them about yourself, check out their privacy statements. If you are not satisfied with their information practices, you can choose to not use their service.
Below is a summary of the situations in which Escargot might share information:
Some of our services, such as Escargot mobile, are offered in conjunction with partner companies. In order to provide these services, Escargot may choose to share some of you user data (e.g., user name and email address).
Some Escargot content is "sponsored by" or "presented by" other companies. Escargot typically shares market research data (how the sponsorship performed, names of contest winners, etc.) collected on the site or via email surveys with these partners. This information is aggregate and not linked to specific users.
Partners may sponsor promotions, contests and sweepstakes that require you to reveal details such as your name, address or phone number. Always check their privacy policy before revealing information about yourself. If you don't want these sponsors to have your personal information, you can choose to not participate.
When visitors come to Escargot, they may receive cookies from Escargot's sponsors; this information is not shared with Escargot. This privacy statement does not address the information practices of our advertisers. You should read the privacy statements of all third-party sites, as their privacy policies may differ from Escargot's.
Finally, Escargot reserves the right to disclose user information from both private and public areas of the site if required by law or if given reason to believe, in our sole discretion, that someone is causing injury to or interference with the rights of Escargot members or the general public, or with Escargot's rights of property.
Escargot uses Google AdSense as its third party ad server, to serve ads on the site. For more information about AdSense's privacy policy click here.
How can Escargot members edit their information?
Escargot believes strongly in giving you the ability to access and edit your personal information. You can always update the personal information by going to your account panel. You can edit your Profile or account settings at any time -- all you need is your member name and password.
So that we can protect the integrity of sensitive data, there are certain pieces of information, such as your birthday, that you cannot alter yourself. For example, since children under 13 are not allowed to register as Escargot members, we need to take reasonable measures to preserve the accuracy of our members' ages.
Our databases automatically update any personal information you edit through our services remain in our databases. Keep this in mind if you decide to communicate personal information through any of these applications.