The CityBlogUSA Network

Privacy Policy

Current Policy Date: May 1, 2007
Prior Policy Date: None
Welcome to the CityBlogUSA Network Privacy Policy, hereafter known as Policy.

The Policy is designed to inform users and members about the manner in which CityBlogUSA manages the personal information submitted to us by those who set up blogging rights or make purchases from us.

The Policy also defines how privacy issues may work within the websites used by the CityBlogUSA blogging Network and users hereby agree that it is incorporated into and made a part of The CityBlogUSA Network Agreement and that The CityBlogUSA Network Agreement is incorporated into and made a part of this Policy and there for binding on users and members, passive and active.

Use of any or all of the CityBlogUSA blogging Network by anyone shall constitute by default an understanding, consent, agreement and intended compliance of the user with the terms and conditions of this Policy.

What is Personal Information as Defined by the CityBlogUSA Network?

Personal information is any form of data that is submitted to a website(s) by a user that can potentially be used by another to identify specifically who someone is, perhaps where they live and other important matters about a person(s).

Why does CityBlogUSA Collect Personal information?

The CityBlogUSA Network is a national, state and community-based blog network of websites. Blogging by its nature may contain personal information about the author or the commenter, such as their name and email address.

Another reason personal information is collected is to execute the desired wishes of the user for such actions as setting up a personal account, making an online purchase or other activity initiated by the user.

Finally, another reason for the collection of personal information are legal requirements that must be followed for collection of personal information when pertains to eCommerce. A transaction cannot be processed without collecting personally identifiable information, just as any non-cash purchase made by a consumer in a shopping mall store would require the collection of personal information.

What Personal Information will The CityBlogUSA Network Collect?

We only collect personal information that is necessary in order to facilitate the requests of users. The types of personal information we may collect includes, but is not limited to, information about:
  • Users who request to post information in the blogs
  • Advertisers who want to place ads in our Network
  • Sponsors who have requested to be featured in particular topic
  • People who make eCommerce purchase of products or services
The CityBlogUSA Network collects names, addresses, login information, contact details, phone numbers, email addresses and where requested by a user, eCommerce information for processing credit card payments in a secure environment. Some personal information will always be required and without it we cannot process user accounts, memberships, blog comments and the purchase of products or services offered via the CityBlogUSA Network.

In addition, because the Network is a blogging network, CityBlogUSA will collect and use IP addresses, Internet browser identification information, computer and server IP addresses, referring URL's, requested URL's and activity and timestamp data. This information is used statistically for in-house analysis to help us provide better services, to understand the traffic patterns of our users.

What Methods are used in the Collection of Required Personal information?

  1. Blog Login Accounts. Users may be required to submit personal information in order to blog. The types of personal information submitted by a user will depend on the level of security required. Generally, the more control and security a user has, the more information we will need.
  2. Website Forms and Email Identifiers. The CityBlogUSA Network uses forms and email links that may require the user to submit personal information. Sometimes users have an email address that includes their name, such as John@JohnDoe.com. In this case, there is a good chance the email address itself contains personal information because it specifically identifies the user as John Doe.
  3. eCommerce. The CityBlogUSA Network operates a secure payment system for those who wish to purchase products and services offered by the Network. This secure payment system is known as a Secure Socket Layer or, SSL, as some call it. It utilizes a secure system that will encrypt and/or hide vital information such as a credit card number. This encryption will ensure security of a user.s credit card number and his/her personally identifiable information.
  4. Other Methods of Collection. CityBlogUSA will often collect personal information in other ways such as asking a user to send us a facsimile, which may ask for name, address and phone number. Sometimes users voluntarily submit personal information to us through out Service Department using email requests. Finally, we will sometimes converse via telephone with users and their phone number and ours may be captured by the other Party.
  5. Use of Cookies. A cookie is a file that is place on your computer that contains some of your personal information. It is not a virus or a spy code. Rather, it is a piece of code that allows you to easily enter the CityBlogUSA Network without having to always supply information. In other words, we use cookies in order to make your use of the blogging Network easy. Cookies are not required to access and use the CityBlogUSA Network, but they are helpful. Should you desire to block cookies you may do so by setting your browser.s Internet Security settings so that cookies are blocked or refused. However, this may prohibit you from utilizing some of the CityBlogUSA Network and its services.
  6. IP Addresses. Because of the nature of blogging, its exchange of information and the various features used by us, such as polling, CityBlogUSA collects IP addresses. IP stands for Internet Protocol and it refers to the numbering system used by all computers that are connected to the Internet. Each user has an IP Address that is associated with the PC, notebook computer and even servers. We collect IP addresses as a part of insuring access, accuracy and compliance.

What Happens to Personal Information and is it Disclosed?

CityBlogUSA uses personal information for the reason(s) given at the time it is submitted by the user. Mainly, we use it for account access, login and to allow users to use the blogging Network efficiently.

In addition, CityBlogUSA may use personal information for secondary purposes which are related to the primary purpose and in other circumstances authorized by law

How do we use the personal information submitted to us?

  • We use it to help us fulfill our obligations related to conducting our business;
  • We use it to provide and market our products and services to users;
  • We use it to help us know who is logging into your account.
  • We use it to communicate with users when they are having problems;
  • We use it for eCommerce purchases;
  • We use it as required by law to comply with our legal obligations;
  • We use it to help us create, manage, analyze and enhance our offerings;
  • We use it to help us with statistical analysis that will improve performance;
  • We use it when required by legal authorities and the courts to do so;
  • We use it with third party email and marketing providers;
  • We use it in ways the user might authorize from time-to-time.
Sometimes users are prompted with questions about other offerings and their willingness to receive them. Users may choose to NOT receive such offerings from CityBlogUSA.com by checking or un-checking various boxes and you will NOT receive unwanted emails that promote our service or the services of our affiliate third party providers.

CityBlogUSA uses personal information to help us with the analysis of our services and our performance. For example, we might want to know how many users are in a particular State, City or zip code. Some of this information is helpful to advertisers but the information we provide will NOT be a format that can personally identify a particular person.

Third Party Website Links

The CityBlogUSA Network uses a number of third party services whose websites may be accessed via linking from within our blogging Network. These websites and companies are NOT necessarily affiliated with CityBlogUSA and we do NOT share personally identifiable information with them nor are we responsible for the posting, access or existence of a third party.s privacy policies. So, please check all third party providers for their specific privacy policy. If you cannot find one in the website, please contact them BEFORE you submit any personal information.

How is Personal Information of its Users Managed and Accurate?

CityBlogUSA uses every reasonable means possible to secure and protect personal information user submit. By means of secure logins, physical security measures and restrictions, CityBlogUSA guards a user.s personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, changes and disclosure to non-users who do not have the authority for accessing such information.

Only a pre-selected and limited number of CityBlogUSA employees and personnel have access to any personal records. User records are guarded and their confidentiality and privacy is respected. We take reasonable measures to destroy personal information that we are no longer required by law to maintain.

All registered users are encouraged to review their personal information on a regular and timely basis to insure it is accurate and up-to-date. When a user.s personal information changes, he/she can update the information online through the CityBlogUSA website(s). You can access your personal information by emailing us at privacy@CityBlogUSA.com.

Our release of information is always in accordance with the Privacy Act and inquirers will be asked to verify their true identity and to specifically detail all information they request. In addition, CityBlogUSA is allowed to charge a service fee for providing this service to users.

Privacy Policy Updates

CityBlogUSA may, at its sole discretion, and from time-to-time, modify this Privacy Policy. Therefore, users are advised that changes to the Privacy Policy can occur at any time. When we make a change to the Privacy Policy, the change will be noticed as a date at the top of the Privacy Policy statement labeled .Current Policy Date. and the .Prior Policy Date., if any, will also be noted. Users, by their act of use, hereby acknowledge their agreement with the Privacy Policy and accept full responsibility to review the Current Privacy Policy regularly.

How to Contact CityBlogUSA

Questions about the Privacy Policy should be addressed to privacy@CityBlogUSA.com. or by mail to:
CityBlogUSA
POB 3205
Prescott, AZ 86302-3205