Privacy Statement
Last Updated 01-12-2010
The American Society of Medical Doctors (ASMD) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it at all times. This online privacy statement explains how the ASMD collects, uses and safeguards information on its Web site. This Internet Privacy Statement applies only to information collected by the ASMD through its Web site.
Changes to the Internet Privacy Statement
As our organization, membership and benefits change from time to time, this Internet Privacy Statement is expected to change as well. We reserve the right to amend the Internet Privacy Statement at any time, for any reason. We will post a notice that this Internet Privacy Statement has been amended by revising the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.
If you have questions about this Internet Privacy Statement, please send us an e-mail. Please note that we cannot process opt-out requests sent to this e-mail address.
Information we collect
When you browse www.theasmd.org and do not interact with the site for any online service or product from the ASMD, you browse anonymously. Personally identifiable information--such as your name, address, phone number and e-mail address--is not collected as you browse.
When you become a registered user on our site, or choose to interact with our site in other ways, such as subscribing to ASMD publications, purchasing an ASMD product, applying for ASMD membership, participating in online surveys, submitting questions or comments or requesting information or materials, we will collect certain personal information from you. The type of personal information collected will vary but may include name, address, phone number, birth date, billing and delivery information, e-mail address, credit card information and other demographic information. We do not collect Social Security numbers via an ASMD Web site. The type of product or service that you seek will determine the personal information that is collected. For a listing of the exact type of personal information that will be collected from you, please refer to the appropriate online form.
Tracking activity on our Web site
We track how our site is used by both anonymous visitors and visitors who interact with the site. One way we track is by using "cookies." A cookie is a small file or string of text on the site user's computer that is used to aid Web navigation. Two types of cookies are commonly used. A session cookie is created by a Web site when that Web site is accessed; that type of cookie is automatically deleted by closing the Web browser. A persistent cookie is a cookie that is stored on the hard drive of the user’s computer for a period of time chosen by the Web site that set the cookie, usually for a number of years, unless the user deletes it manually. This policy distinguishes between short-lived cookies and long-lasting cookies. Short-lived cookies include all session cookies and those persistent cookies that are set to be stored for no more than one week. ASMD-related Web sites may at times require users to accept short-lived cookies in order for the Web sites to function properly. Long-lasting cookies may be used on the site to track visitor practices to help determine which site features and services are most important and guide editorial direction. Other long-lasting cookies may make it possible for the user to access the site without requiring entry of a user name or password, allow the user to view different restricted areas of the site without reregistering, allow the user to personalize the site for future use and provide other features and benefits. Users who do not desire the functionality created by the long-lasting cookie can disable the long-lasting cookie function, either by indicating when asked that they do not wish to have a long-lasting cookie created or by disabling the long-lasting cookie function on their Web browser. Individuals can opt out of long-lasting cookie functions that permit tracking of personal information at any time.
Cookies are required for the Members-Only and e-commerce sections of the Web site. Cookies are essential for site administration and security. We do not track site activity by using transparent electronic images called "clear GIFs," "Web bugs," or "Web beacons" on this site’s Web pages. These images count the number of users who visit that page from specific banner ads outside www.theasmd.org or through e-mail links. We do not use any of these electronic images to collect personally identifiable information.
How we use personal information
Once collected, we may use your personal information (except for e-mail address, which is outlined below) for the following purposes:
Register you for programs and services you have requested
Process, fulfill and follow up on your orders or membership application
Answer your e-mails or on-line requests
Send information you request
Send and process surveys
Ensure the ASMD site is relevant to your needs
Deliver ASMD services such as newsletters, meetings or events
Notify you about new products/services special offers, upgrades and other related information from the ASMD and other approved third parties
How we use your e-mail address
The following defines how e-mail will be handled for anyone who have supplied their e-mail address to the ASMD.
Those who have opted in are sent the any ASMD e-publications.
The ASMD may also send "transactional or relational e-mail messages" to physicians, medical students, and non-physicians with whom we already have a relationship.
It is ASMD policy that anyone who has supplied the ASMD with their e-mail address will receive only messages they have specifically requested.
We do not share, sell, trade, exchange or rent your e-mail address to vendors for them to market their products or services to you. When we hire vendors to deliver e-mails to you on our behalf, they are under agreement and limited from using your e-mail address for any other purpose.
When we send e-mail to you, we may be able to identify information about your e-mail address, such as whether you can view graphic-rich HTML e-mail. If your e-mail address is HTML-enabled, we may choose to send you graphic-rich HTML e-mail messages.
How to opt out of e-mail
To opt out of an e-mail list, click the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any e-mail newsletter from the ASMD.
With whom we may share information
The ASMD may share personal information with our business partners in order to provide them an opportunity to offer products or services that may be of interest to you. The ASMD also occasionally hires other companies to provide limited services on our behalf including, but not limited to, packaging, mailing and delivering purchases, answering customer questions about products or services, consulting services, data modeling, printing, sending postal mail and processing event registration. We will only provide those companies the information they need to deliver the service. They are prohibited from using that information for any other purpose.
The ASMD may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to legal requirements or comply with legal process served on the ASMD; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of ASMD; or (c) protect the personal safety of ASMD personnel or members of the public in urgent circumstances.
Banner advertisements on our Web site -- Online advertisements on the ASMD’s Web site do not collect any personally identifiable information on individual visitors. The ASMD does collect nonmedical aggregate data on visitors such as time of day and Web browser type. Such information may be shared with advertisers to determine their advertising effectiveness.
Children under 13 -- We do not knowingly solicit data online from or market online to children under the age of 13.
Information security
The ASMD implements security measures to protect against unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of data. We restrict access to personal information to the ASMD’s business partners who may need to know that information in order to operate, develop or improve our services. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.
How we safeguard information
Site security features
User ID and password – Some areas of the site require the use of a user ID and password as an additional security measure that helps protect your information. This allows ASMD to verify who you are, thereby allowing you access to your account information and preventing unauthorized access.
No guarantee -- Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Accordingly, and despite our efforts, ASMD cannot guarantee or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us, or to or from our online products or services.
Linking to other Internet sites
You should be aware that other Internet sites that link to the ASMD site or to an ASMD e-mail may contain privacy provisions that differ from the provisions of this Internet Privacy Statement. To ensure your privacy is protected, we recommend that you review the privacy statements of other Internet sites you visit.
How you can access and change information
If you are a registered user of the ASMD Web site, subscriber to ASMD publications, purchaser of ASMD products or an ASMD member, you may review and update/correct your information by using your user name and password.
Changes to the Internet privacy statement
The ASMD regularly reviews its compliance with this Internet Privacy Statement. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns regarding this Internet Privacy Statement or ASMD’s treatment of personal information by sending us an e-mail. Changes to our Internet Privacy Statement will be noted below so that you can be fully informed about the privacy protections we provide and your choices with regard to our use of personal information.
Changes to our Internet Privacy Statement will be noted below so that you can be fully informed about the privacy protections we provide and your choices with regard to our use of personal information. Changes to our Internet Privacy Statement will be noted below so that you can be fully informed about the privacy protections we provide and your choices with regard to our use of personal information. Changes to our Internet Privacy Statement will be noted below so that you can be fully informed about the privacy protections we provide and your choices with regard to our use of personal information. Changes to our Internet Privacy Statement will be noted below so that you can be fully informed about the privacy protections we provide and your choices with regard to our use of personal information.