Privacy Policy

This policy describes the fair information practices that govern the collection, maintenance, use, and disclosure of information on websites owned and operated by the copyright holder of this website hereinafter referred to as the site operator. Unless otherwise provided, all information provided on the website is made available subject to this Privacy Policy. By accessing this site website, you agree, without limitation or qualification, to be bound by this Privacy Policy.

  • Information Collected and Stored Automatically
    The site operator may automatically collect and store anonymous information about site visitors to enable us to make the website more useful and improve the overall quality of the visitor’s online experience.  Anonymous information refers to data that cannot be tied back to a specific individual. We may collect the following anonymous information from you every time you access the website:

    1. Internet domain from which you access our website (e.g. google.com, your-company.com, bing.com)
    2. IP address.  An IP address is automatically assigned to your computer or mobile device when you surf the web.  In some cases, these addresses may be individually or regionally identifiable.  However, even when an IP address is identifiable, it usually takes additional effort to link a particular IP address to a specific individual.  For many users, an IP address cannot be linked to a specific individual.
    3. Type of browser and operating system used to access our website
    4. Date and time of access
    5. Pages visited
    6. Address of the website (if any) from which you linked to the website

    Weblogs may also be automatically created and used to identify visitors who seek to damage the website, use the website in unauthorized ways, or interfere with operations.  Information about users who try to engage in any unapproved activities may be shared with law enforcement agencies. We do not collect any personal information about a routine visitor unless the visitor provides information to us.

  • Personal Information Collection and Use 
    You do not have to provide any personally identifiable information to visit this website; however, if you use the website to send us an e-mail, subscribe to a newsletter or e-mail alert, ask for information, or if you provide personally identifiable information through the website in any other way, we may collect and may maintain the information that you provide. Personally identifiable information refers to data that tells us specifically who you are (e.g. your name, address, e-mail, electric service characteristics, dispute). In the situations described above, your personally identifiable information may be shared among our staff, members, and support services (including third party vendors) as we deem necessary. Once information reaches the correct office, it will be used in the same manner as comparable information collected in other ways. In no event will we sell, rent or lease your personally identifiable information to any third parties.
  • Linking to other sites  
    From time to time, the website may provide links to other websites, not owned or controlled by us, that we think might be useful or of interest to you. We cannot, however, be responsible for the privacy practices used by other website owners or the content or accuracy of those other websites. Links to various websites do not constitute or imply endorsement of these websites, any products or services described on these sites, or of any other material contained in them.
  • Security and Data Quality
    1. The site operator maintains its website and its information with technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect against loss, unauthorized access, destruction, misuse, modification, and improper disclosure. We are committed to maintaining accurate, timely, relevant, and appropriate information about our users.  No computer or mobile operating system can ever be fully protected against every possible hazard. We provide reasonable and appropriate security to protect against foreseeable hazards.
    2. We require that employees who have access to personally identifiable information from the website acknowledge in writing that they have read this privacy policy and that they are expected to follow it.  Any employee who fails to comply with these rules may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
    3. Please note that your e-mail, like most, if not all, non-encrypted Internet e-mail communications, may be accessed and viewed by other Internet users, without your knowledge or permission, while in transit to us.  For that reason, to protect your privacy, please do not use e-mail to communicate information to us that you consider confidential.
    4. “Phishing” is a scam designed to steal your personal information.  If you receive an e-mail that looks like it is from us asking you for your personal information, do not respond.  We will never request your passwords, user names, credit card information, or other personally identifiable information through e-mail.
  • Cookie Policy
    A “cookie” is an element of data that a website can send to your browser and store your preferences when you link to that website.  It is not a computer program and has no ability to read data residing on your device or instruct your device to perform any step or function.  By assigning a unique data element to each visitor, the website is able to recognize repeat users, track usage patterns, and better serve you when you return to our site.  The cookie does not extract personally identifiable information about you.In order to better understand how we use cookies, the following descriptions below account for the different types of cookies which may be utilized on our website. First party cookies are cookies set by the website you are visiting. Persistent cookies are cookies that remain on your device for the period of time specified in the cookie.  Persistent cookies are activated each time that you visit the website that created that particular cookie. To help serve you better, we use persistent, first-party cookies to receive and store certain types of information whenever you interact with our website through your computer or mobile device. This information helps us identify return visitors to enhance your user experience, to tailor the website to your preferences and track usage to understand what content is most useful to website visitors. You may update your “cookie” settings on your device at any time. The help function of your browser should contain instructions to allow you to set your device to accept all cookies, to notify you when a cookie is issued, or to not receive cookies at all.

If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, visit Microsoft Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

If you use Google Chrome, visit Google Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

If you use Firefox, visit Mozilla Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

If you use Apple Safari, visit Apple Support to obtain information on how to set your cookie preferences.

Note that if you set your preferences so your device does not receive cookies, certain features of the website cannot be provided to you, and you may not be able to take full advantage of all the website content.

  • Uses and Disclosures
    1. The site operator uses its website to provide services and information to its members, employees, and members of the general public.
    2. General
      We may share information we collect on our website with companies that provide support services to us (such as auditors, web hosting providers, or call center service providers). These companies may need this information in order to perform their functions.  We generally direct recipients to agree to safeguard personal information, to use it only as authorized by us, and to return it or destroy it when no longer required.
    3. Legal Process
      We could be required to disclose personal information in response to valid legal processes, such as a search warrant, subpoena, or court order. Any record keeper faces this possibility. Disclosures may also be appropriate to protect our legal rights or during emergencies if physical safety is believed to be at risk. We believe that these events are unlikely, but they are possible. We will take reasonable steps to limit the scope and consequences of any of these disclosures.
    4. Recruiting Services
      Web users can search and apply online for employment opportunities with the site operator and its affiliated companies. If you complete a job application online, provide a resume, or disclose other personal information for a recruitment activity, we may use your information in the same manner as if you applied by regular mail or in person. The information will only be used for recruiting and employment purposes.  It is possible that information about you or about your application will be shared externally to verify the information, to obtain references, or for other employment-related purposes. When appropriate, application information will be shared with a member cooperative that advertised a vacancy. Each member cooperative has independent policies and practices for the use and disclosure of employment applications.
  • Subscriptions
    You may voluntarily sign up to receive various newsletters, updates or alerts, and other such communications, directly or indirectly, from our staff or affiliates. By electing to receive any communication, you understand that your information will be retained by us and may be added to our contact database. Based upon your election, we may contact you directly concerning other publications or events that may be useful to you. Note that as a recipient of any generated communications, you may unsubscribe from future messages via a link at the bottom of each email message to be removed from our contact list. We do not sell, rent, or otherwise share lists of subscribers to publications, online newsstand services, or list servers.
  • Changes to this policy
    We may change this statement from time to time. We encourage you to periodically reread this policy to see if there have been any changes that may affect you. This statement is not intended to and does not create any contractual or other legal rights in or on behalf of any party.
  • Children and Privacy
    We are committed to protecting the privacy needs of children and encourages parents and guardians to take an active role in their children’s online activities. Our website does not target and is not intended to attract children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly solicit personal information from children under the age of 13 nor send them requests for personal information.

Effective Date: February 2021

Ben Lomand Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (“Ben Lomand” or “we” or “us”) recognizes that you care how information about you is collected and used. This Privacy Policy explains our collection and use of information that may identify you and covers information collected through the Ben Lomand Home smartphone mobile application (the “App”). It is Ben Lomand’s policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect, subject to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use of the App (“Terms of Use”), as either or both may be amended from time to time. Other electronic resources of Ben Lomand, including our websites, other smartphone, device or electronic applications or tools, social media platforms, emails, text messages, direct messages, or other communications whether electronic or written (collectively “Resources”), may include different terms or policies, and you should review any such terms and policies carefully, as they will control your use of that Resource. Terms not defined in this Privacy Policy have the meanings ascribed them in the Terms of Use. By providing us any information or accessing or using the App, you agree to the following terms and conditions as final and binding.

Types of Information We Collect

We collect the following information about you:

  • Personal Information. This is information that directly or indirectly identifies you, such as your name, email address, or other identifying information about you, or that would, when combined with other information you provide or that is broadly available, be likely to identify you.
  • Other Information. Other Information is information that is not Personal Information, that is, by itself, it does not individually identify you, such as browser type, operating system, technical data, and usage. We may link together different types of Other Information or link Other Information to Personal Information.

Individuals may interact with us in ways that require us to gather Personal Information. The amount and type of information that we gather depends on the nature of the interaction. For example, in order to use the App, we may request that users provide a username and email address, plus such other information as we may believe useful, including financial or other information, depending on the nature of the transaction contemplated. In each case, we collect such information only insofar as is legal and appropriate. If you do not wish for us to collect any information about you, you can simply not utilize any of the App or otherwise supply Personal Information. Your choice not to provide information may, however, prevent you from using or engaging in certain activities on the App.

Like most application operators, we collect Other Information of the sort that applications and servers typically make available to operators, like the device type, language preference, referring site, and the date and time of each visitor request. We may use this information for a number of purposes including, for example, to better understand how our visitors use our App. The purposes for collecting and using this data may change from time to time at our discretion, and we may release non-Personal Information in the aggregate. By utilizing the App, you agree to such use.

How We Collect Information

We collect Personal Information and Other Information in the following ways:

  • Information you give us. For example, the App may require you to create an account or a user name and password, or provide information about your Wi-Fi network. In order to configure App settings, the App may require information about devices and people on your home Wi-Fi network.
  • Information We Get from Your Use of Services. We may collect information about the App and how you use it. This information includes:
    • Computer, tablet, or mobile telephone information. We may collect device-specific information (such as your hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, device sensors and mobile network information including phone number) and device sensors and related information. We may associate your device identifiers or phone number with your account. We will comply with the usage/license restrictions and requirements applicable to the device from which the information comes.
    • Log information. When you use the App or view content provided by us, we may automatically collect and store certain information in server logs. This may include, for example:
      • details of how you used the App.
      • Internet protocol address.
      • device event information such as crashes, system activity, hardware settings, browser type, browser language, the date and time of your request and referral URL.
      • cookies that may uniquely identify your browser or your account.
    • Location information. When you use the App, we may collect and process information about your actual location, like GPS signals sent by a mobile device. We also may use various technologies to determine location, such as sensor data from your device that may, for example, provide information on nearby Wi-Fi access points and cell towers.
    • Unique application numbers. The App may include a unique application number. This number and information about your installation (for example, the operating system type and application version number) may be sent to us when you install or uninstall an application or utilize the App or when the App periodically contacts our servers, such as for automatic updates.
    • Local storage. We may collect and store information (including Personal Information) locally on your device using mechanisms such as browser web storage (including HTML 5) and application data caches.
    • Cookies and anonymous identifiers. We use various technologies to collect and store information when you use the App as described below, and this may include sending one or more cookies or anonymous identifiers to your device.

How We Use Information We Collect

We take your privacy seriously. We use the information that we collect about you to provide, maintain, protect and improve the services and products that we provide to you. We do not sell your information to any third parties and only use it for legitimate business purposes.

We use your Personal Information for the following purposes, or may use it for these purposes in the future:

  • To respond to questions that you may have.
  • To assist you in managing your home Wi-Fi network.
  • To inform you of updates regarding Ben Lomand, or services or products that may be of interest to you.
  • To provide administrative notices, or communications, such as notice planned network maintenance, applicable to your use of the App.
  • To manage your participation in events, and other promotions where you have signed up for such events and promotions.
  • To operate, evaluate and improve our business and the products and services we offer.
  • To analyze and enhance our marketing communications and strategies.
  • To analyze trends and statistics regarding visitors’ use of our App including mobile applications and social media assets.
  • To protect against and prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions, claims and other liabilities.
  • To improve our customer service.
  • To respond to and support customers regarding their use of the App.
  • To comply with all applicable legal requirements.

We also may use the information we obtain about you in other ways for which we provide notice at the time of collection. We may ask for your consent before using information for a purpose other than those set out in this Privacy Policy.

Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies

We may use “cookies” or other automatic data collection technologies like pixel tags and web beacons (often called “smart cookies”), log files, JavaScript and similar technologies to improve the functionality of the App. Cookies are text files that are sent by servers to web browsers and stored on your computer or device. They tell us which parts of the App you’ve visited so Ben Lomand can alert you to software compatibility issues and save your preferences for future uses of the App. Smart cookies are images embedded in a webpage or e-mail for the purpose of measuring and analyzing usage and activity. The App, or third party service providers acting on our behalf, may use these technologies help us analyze usage and improve our functionality. Some of these technologies may serve to recall Personal Information previously provided by a user.

We use information collected from cookies and other technologies to improve your user experience and the overall quality of our services. We use this information to help us identify and track visitors, their usage of the App, and their access preferences. We may use your Personal Information to see how you use the App. We can then develop statistics that help us understand how our users use the App and how to improve them. App users who do not wish to have cookies placed on their computers or device should set their browsers to refuse cookies before using the App; provided, however, that Ben Lomand disclaims, and you hereby waive, any claim or liability that may arise due to your partial or incomplete access to the content of any of the App as a result thereof.

We also may use cookies provided by Google Analytics and/or Google AdSense or other third parties to help us measure how visitors use the App. The information collected is used for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, site traffic reporting, unique visitor counts, and content optimization. Although Google Analytics logs the information coming from the App on our behalf, we control how the data may and may not be used. You can opt-out of this website analysis tool by clicking: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

How We Share Information We Collect

As part of the use of your information for the above purposes, we may disclose your Personal Information or Other Information to our vendors and other contractors who perform various functions on our behalf. We require these third parties to agree in writing to safeguard your Personal Information against improper disclosure and in accordance with the law.

We also may provide Personal Information to our affiliates or other trusted businesses or persons who provide services to you or us, based on our instructions and in compliance with our Privacy Policy and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures.

If Ben Lomand or any of our affiliates is involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, joint venture or other, similar transaction, your information may be transferred to, or accessed by, a successor or other entity and may be subject to that entity’s privacy policies, which may vary from this Privacy Policy. We may transfer or allow access to Personal Information as part of the transaction and in review or preparation for it as described below under “Business Transfers”.

We also may provide information about you to other third parties with your consent or for one of the purposes above, e.g., following a subpoena or other legal process or to a regulatory agency in order to protect against fraud or investigate a criminal or civil matter or when Ben Lomand believes in good faith that disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect Ben Lomand’s rights and interests, third parties, or the public at large.

How We Protect Your Information

Ben Lomand discloses Personal Information to those of its employees, contractors, agents and affiliated organizations that need to know that information in order to process it on Ben Lomand’s behalf or to provide services. Some of those employees, contractors, agents and affiliated organizations may be located outside of your state, province or country. By using the App or providing us information, you consent to the transfer of such information to them. Ben Lomand will not rent or sell potential Personal Information to anyone.

If you are a registered user of the App or have supplied your email address, you agree that Ben Lomand may further send you emails to provide you with information, to inform you of new products, to solicit your feedback, or to keep you up to date on Ben Lomand and its products. If you send us a request (for example via a support email or via one of our feedback mechanisms), we reserve the right to publish it in order to help us clarify or respond to your request or to help us support other users. You may choose not to receive marketing email communications from us by clicking on the “unsubscribe” link in our marketing emails. You also may ask us not to send you other marketing communications by contacting us as specified in the “Contact Us” section below, and we will honor your request.

We aim to maintain our services in a manner that protects information from accidental or malicious destruction. Because of this, we may not immediately delete residual copies of Personal Information that is on our active servers and may not remove information from our backup systems. If you believe that Personal Information we maintain about you is inaccurate, subject to applicable law, you may have the right to request that we correct or amend the information by contacting us as indicated below.

Ben Lomand undertakes commercially reasonable efforts to guard against unauthorized access, use, alteration or destruction of Personal Information, which efforts you agree are sufficient, adequate and complete. In some cases, we cannot control, and are not responsible for, information that is shared about you. For example:

  • Information you share. The App may let you share information with others. Remember that when you share information publicly, it may be indexable by search engines or otherwise further disclosed.
  • Social Media Accounts. Ben Lomand maintains various social network accounts such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Please note that comments and information that you leave in such settings are likely to be broadly visible and we cannot control the actions of the providers or the other users of any social media platform. We do not guarantee the privacy and safety of these areas. We encourage you to be wary of providing any of your personal information in such public forums. The information you submit can be collected and used by people you do not know. Again, your use of these features and any information you provide are fully at your own risk. We are therefore not responsible for any information or messages you leave in such settings or for how such information may be used by others. Please review the terms of use and privacy policies of any social network platforms you use, as they will control your rights and responsibilities, and your use of those platforms is not covered by this Privacy Policy.
  • Accessing and updating your Personal Information. If you provide us with information or create an account in order to access or use the App, we may or may not be able to provide you with access to your Personal Information. If information that we control about you is incorrect, we strive to give you ways to update it quickly or to delete it (unless we have to keep that information for legitimate business or legal purposes). When updating your Personal Information, we may ask you to verify your identity before we can act on your request.

Business Transfers

In the event (i) Ben Lomand engages in one more asset sales or purchases, (ii) Ben Lomand is acquired, (iii) Ben Lomand engages in one or more business combinations, mergers or acquisitions, (iv) substantially all of Ben Lomand’s assets are acquired, or (v) Ben Lomand is subject to an event of bankruptcy, you acknowledge and agree that user information comprises an asset of Ben Lomand and that the same is subject to assignment, transfer and/or acquisition by a third party. Accordingly, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Privacy Policy, you acknowledge and agree that such transfers may occur, and that any acquirer of Ben Lomand may continue to subsequently use your Personal Information, and that such subsequent use may not be consistent with this Privacy Policy.

Comments

You acknowledge and agree that Ben Lomand has no duty or obligation to respond to or save user comments, but we may further use and disclose your comments as otherwise described in this Privacy Policy.

Third Party Links

The App may contain links to webpages or tools operated by parties other than Ben Lomand. We do not control such websites or tools and are not responsible for their contents or the privacy policies or other practices of such websites or service providers. Our inclusion of links to an outside website or tool does not imply any endorsement of the material on such websites or tools or any association with their operators. Further, it is up to you to take precautions to ensure that whatever links you select or software you download (whether from the App or other websites) is free of such items as viruses, worms, trojan horses, defects and other items of a destructive nature. These websites and services may have their own privacy policies, which you will be subject to upon accessing the third party’s website. We strongly recommend you review the third party’s terms and policies.

Children

The App is not intended for use by children.  We do not intentionally gather Personal Information about individuals who are under the age of 13.  If a child has provided us with Personal Information, a parent or guardian of that child may contact us to have the information deleted from our records. If you believe that we might have any information from a child under age 13, please contact us at PrivacyOfficer@benlomand.org.   If we learn that we have inadvertently collected the Personal Information of a child under 13, or equivalent minimum age depending on jurisdiction, we will take steps to delete the information as soon as possible.

Contact Us

If you have any specific questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact:

Ben Lomand Connect

Attn: Privacy Officer

311 North Chancery Street

McMinnville, TN 37110

PrivacyOfficer@benlomand.org

Policy Changes

Ben Lomand reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy from time to time and at any time, without notice, within the sole, independent, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. By checking the Effective Date above, you can determine the date of our latest changes to this Privacy Policy. Ben Lomand encourages visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to its Privacy Policy. Your continued use of the App after any change in this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of, and consent and agreement to, such change.