1. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE
A. All Content on Helix Strategy Center (“HSC”) Websites is Proprietary and Is Protected by Law, Including the Copyright and Intellectual Property Laws
Software, documentation, electronic text and image files, audio and video clips and all other content on this website are proprietary and are protected by copyright and intellectual property laws and may be covered by other restrictions as well. Helix Strategy Center retains all rights, including copyright, in data, image, text, and any other information contained in this site or its files. Copyrights and other proprietary rights in the material on this site may also subsist in individuals and entities other than, and in addition to, HSC. HSC expressly prohibits the copying of any protected materials on this site without written permission. Permission from HSC for such use is granted on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of HSC. All requests should be directed to [email protected]. For use of copyrights and other proprietary rights that may subsist in third parties other than and in addition to HSC, those third parties must also be contacted directly for permission to copy and use their protected materials.
B. Disclaimer of Liability
The Helix Strategy Center provides this website as a public service for informational purposes. In providing information on this site, HSC has attempted to be as accurate, complete and timely as possible. However, HSC makes no claims, guarantees or promises about the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the information provided. In no event shall HSC be liable for any errors or omissions with respect to any information on this site. Users are solely responsible for compliance with the copyright and intellectual property laws with respect to use of any and all information gained from this site or links available on or through this website.
C. Links to Third Party Websites and Third Party Transactions
This website provides links to sites of other organizations maintained by third parties. A link does not constitute an endorsement, express or implied, of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of that website. Links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience to the user; HSC does not control, endorse or recommend their content. Once you link to another website from this website, you are subject to their terms and conditions of that website. The third party websites and users of those sites are solely responsible for compliance with the copyright and intellectual property laws and the compilation and use of any and all information on the third party website.
HSC does not assure the accuracy of any information provided by a third party that is available on HSC’ s websites.
HSC has no responsibility relating to any transactions undertaken or contractual relationships entered into between third parties through or as a result of links to third party websites or representations made on or through HSC’s websites
D. Third Party Website Links to This Website
Linking by third party websites to this website is strictly prohibited unless HSC grants express written consent. All requests to link to this site should be directed to [email protected].
E. Accessibility
If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of any part of this Website please contact us via email at [email protected].
2. PRIVACY
Definitions
The following definitions apply to, and appear in italics, in this privacy policy:
Personal Information shall have the meaning set forth in section 202 of the State Technology Law.
State Agency Website shall have the meaning set forth in section 202 of the State Technology Law.
User shall have the meaning set forth in section 202 of the State Technology Law.
Introduction
Thank you for visiting the Helix Strategy Center (“HSC”) website (hereinafter referred to simply as “website”). The website is designed to make it easier and more efficient for individuals and businesses to get information from and, in certain circumstances, to interact with HSC. HSC recognizes the importance of protecting website visitor’s privacy and has taken measures to protect users privacy with respect to visit to this website.
Consistent with the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Law, and the Personal Privacy Protection Law, this policy describes HSC’s privacy practices regarding information collected from users of this website. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used. Because this privacy policy only applies to HSC’ s website, to you would be well advised to examine the privacy policy of any website, including other state agency websites, that you may access.
For purposes of this policy, “personal information” means any information concerning a natural person which, because of name, number, symbol, mark, or other identifier, can be used to identify that natural person. HSC does not collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail, responding to a survey, or completing an on-line transaction.
SUMMARY OF PRIVACY POLICY
HSC respects your privacy. HSC will not collect personal identifying information about you when you visit our websites, unless you choose to provide us with that information. Exceptions to this policy are when such information is required for law enforcement investigations or in the case of hackers, or others who might attempt to do harm to HSC’s system. HSC will not retain “cookies” except for what is necessary to run the system. HSC may archive web server activity logs or related summaries at our discretion for an indefinite period to be used to study site usage and to aid in our efforts to improve all aspects of our sites. HSC will retain e-mail communications long enough to allow us to appropriately respond.
If you do submit personal information and requests via this website, that information may be used only by HSC or its affiliates and only: (1) in the compilation of data for use only by the HSC and its affiliates; or (2) to provide you with information or materials about HSC or New York State or to distribute prizes. This information will not be shared with any other organization.
Where appropriate, HSC may add additional terms and conditions of use and privacy for certain interactive events or programs. In such circumstances, access to the additional terms and conditions will be conspicuously displayed.
A. Information Collected Automatically When You Visit this Website
When visiting this website SC automatically collects and stores the following information about your visit:
- User client hostname. The hostname or Internet Protocol address of the user requesting access to a state agency website.
- HTTP header, “user agent.” The user agent information includes the type of browser, its version, and the operating system on which that the browser is running.
- HTTP header, “referrer.” The referrer specifies the web page from which the user accessed the current web page.
- System date. The date and time of the user’s request.
- Full request. The exact request the user made.
- Status. The status code the server returned to the user.
- Content length. The content length, in bytes, of any document sent to the user.
- Method. The request method used.
- Universal Resource Identifier (URI). The location of a resource on the server.
- Query string of the URI. Anything after the question mark in a URI.
- Protocol. The transport protocol and the version used.
None of the foregoing information is deemed to constitute personal information. The information that is collected automatically is used to improve this website’s content and to help HSC understand how users are interacting with the website. This information is collected for statistical analysis, to determine what information is of most and least interest to our users, and to improve the utility of the material available on the website. The information is not collected for commercial marketing purposes and HSC is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose the information collected from the website for commercial marketing purposes.
B. Cookies
Cookies are simple text files stored on your web browser to provide a means of distinguishing among users of this website. The use of cookies is a standard practice among Internet websites. To better serve you, we occasionally use “session cookies” to enhance or customize your visit to this website. Session cookies can be created automatically on the device you use to access this website, and generally do not contain personal information and do not compromise your privacy or security. We may use the cookie feature to store a randomly generated identifying tag on the device you use to access this website. Depending upon your system settings, session cookies may be erased during operation of your browser or when your browser is closed.
You may be able to personalize your computer with respect to this website and permit a “persistent cookie” to be stored on your computer’s hard drive. If not currently available, this option may be available in the future. A persistent cookie would allow the website to tailor information presented to you based on your past needs and interests. HSC would use persistent cookies only with your permission.
The software and hardware you use to access the website allows you to refuse new cookies or delete existing cookies. Refusing or deleting these cookies may limit your ability to take advantage of some features of this website.
C. Information Collected When You E-Mail or Complete a Transaction
During your visit to this website you may send an e-mail to HSC. Your e-mail address and the contents of your message will be collected. The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats included in the message. Your e-mail address and the information included in your message will be used to respond to you, to address issues you identify, to improve this website, or to forward your message for appropriate action. Your e-mail address is not collected for commercial purposes and the HSC is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose your e-mail address for commercial purposes.
During your visit to this website you may complete a transaction such as a donation, survey, registration, or order form. The information, including personal information, volunteered by you in completing the transaction is used by HSC to operate HSC’ s programs, which include the provision of goods, services, and information. The information collected by HSC may be disclosed by HSC for those purposes that may be reasonably ascertained from the nature and terms of the transaction in which the information was submitted.
Unless for a children’s contest, HSC does not knowingly collect personal information from children or create profiles of children through this website. Users are cautioned, however, that the collection of personal information submitted in an e-mail will always be treated as though it was submitted by an adult or with parental approval and supervision, and may, unless exempted from access by federal or State law, be subject to public access. HSC strongly encourages parents and teachers to be involved in children’s Internet activities and to provide guidance whenever children are asked to provide personal information on-line.
D. Information and Choice
As noted above, HSC does not collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail, responding to a survey, making a donation or completing an on-line form. You may choose not to send us an e-mail, respond to a survey, make a donation or complete an on-line form. While your choice not to participate in these activities may limit your ability to receive specific services or products through this website, it will not normally have an impact on your ability to take advantage of other features of the website, including browsing or downloading information.
E. Disclosure of Information Collected Through This Website
The collection of information through this website and the disclosure of that information are subject to the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act. HSC will only collect personal information through this website or disclose personal information collected through this website if the user has consented to the collection or disclosure of such personal information. The voluntary disclosure of personal information to HSC by the user, whether solicited or unsolicited, constitutes consent to the collection and disclosure of the information by HSC for the purposes for which the user disclosed the information to HSC, as was reasonably ascertainable from the nature and terms of the disclosure.
However, HSC may collect or disclose personal information without consent if the collection or disclosure is: (1) necessary to perform the statutory duties of HSC, or necessary for HSC to operate a program authorized by law, or authorized by state or federal statute or regulation; (2) made pursuant to a court order or by law; (3) for the purpose of validating the identity of the user; or (4) of information to be used solely for statistical purposes that is in a form that cannot be used to identify any particular person.
Further, the disclosure of information, including personal information, collected through this website is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Law.
HSC may disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce its rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to HSC’s information technology assets.
F. Retention of Information Collected Through This Website
The information collected through this website is retained by HSC in accordance with the records retention and disposition requirements of the New York State Arts & Cultural Affairs Law. Information on the requirements of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Law may be found at http: www.archives.nysed.gov. In general, the Internet services logs of HSC, comprising electronic files or automated logs created to monitor access and use of Agency services provided through this website, will be retained for several backup cycles and then destroyed unless relevant audit, documentation requirements have not been met or unless appropriate review and verification has been completed. Information, including personal information, that you submit in an e-mail or when you complete a survey, registration form, or order form is retained in accordance with the records retention and disposition schedule established for the records of the program unit to which you submitted the information. Information concerning these records retention and disposition schedules may be obtained through the Internet privacy policy contact listed in this policy.
G. Access to Correction of Personal Information Collected via this Website
Any user may submit a request to HSC to determine whether personal information pertaining to that user has been collected through this website. Any such request shall be made in writing and must be accompanied by reasonable proof of identity of the user. Reasonable proof of identity may include verification of a signature, inclusion of an identifier generally known only to the user, or similar appropriate identification. The e-mail address to which such requests should be made is:
Within five (5) business days of the receipt of a proper request HSC will attempt to provide a response or access to the personal information; deny access in writing, explaining the reasons therefore; or acknowledge the receipt of the request in writing, stating the approximate date when the request will be granted or denied, which date shall not be more than thirty (30) days from the date of the acknowledgment.
In the event that HSC has collected personal information pertaining to a user through the state agency website and that information is to be provided to the user pursuant to the user’s request, the privacy compliance officer shall inform the user of his or her right to request that the personal information be amended or corrected under the procedures set forth in section 95 of the Public Officers Law.
H. Confidentiality & Integrity of Personal Information
HSC is strongly committed to protecting personal information collected through this website against unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Consequently, HSC limits employee access to personal information collected through this website to only those employees who need access to the information in the performance of their official duties. Employees who have access to this information follow appropriate procedures in connection with any disclosures of personal information.
In addition, HSC has implemented procedures to safeguard the integrity of its information technology assets, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. These security procedures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of this website as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.
For website security purposes and to maintain the availability of the website for all users, the Agency employs software to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise damage this website.
I. Privacy Policy Disclaimer
The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided through this website.
J. Contact Information
For questions regarding this Internet privacy policy, please contact: [email protected] with “Attn: Webmaster” in the Subject line.