This Policy applies to residents of the United States. If you are a resident of another country, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

This Privacy Policy explains how we handle the personal information that you provide to us on web sites controlled by VRC (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) which link to this Privacy Policy (referred to as “VRC web sites”). This Privacy Policy does not apply to personal information collected from you offline, to VRC web sites that do not link to this Privacy Policy, to residents of countries other than the United States, or to third-party web sites to which VRC web sites may link. Your use of VRC web sites, which link to this Privacy Policy, is subject to this Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use.

Please read this Privacy Policy before using VRC web sites or submitting personal information to us.

How does this Privacy Policy define "personal information"?

“Personal information” means information that identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you and which is submitted to and/or collected by VRC web sites and maintained by VRC in an accessible form. Examples of personal information include your name, your postal address and your telephone number.

How does VRC collect information online?

VRC collects information in two ways:

• Personal Information You Submit: VRC collects personal information that you enter into data fields on VRC web sites. For example, you may submit your name, postal address, e-mail address, and/or other information in order to register for the VRC panel, contact VRC, or respond to VRC surveys. To protect your privacy, you should not provide VRC with any information that is not specifically requested.
• Passive Collection of Unidentifiable Information: VRC web sites may collect information about your visits to VRC web sites without you actively submitting such information. Unidentifiable information may be collected using various technologies, such as cookies, Internet tags, and web beacons. Your Internet browser automatically transmits to VRC web sites some of this unidentifiable information, such as the URL of the web site you just visited and the browser version your computer is operating. Passive information collection technologies can make your use of PVRC web sites easier by allowing VRC to provide better service, customize sites based on preferences, compile statistics, analyze trends, and otherwise administer and improve PRC web sites. Certain features of VRC web sites may not work without use of passive information collection technologies. Information collected by these technologies cannot be used to identify you without additional identifiable information.

In what circumstances might VRC collect and use personal information?

VRC will use the personal information you provide through VRC web sites to respond to your questions and to provide you with efficient panel service. After you have entered personal information into a form or data field on an VRC web site, VRC may use certain identifying technologies to allow that web site to “remember” your personal preferences, such as sections of that web site that you visit frequently and, if applicable, your user ID. We may also use this personal information for other research purposes, such as to offer you the opportunity to receive notices regarding VRC’s research opportunities, to invite you to participate in surveys, or to notify you about special information.

Does VRC consolidate personal information?

VRC may consolidate the personal information of customers who use VRC web sites. We use this information to help us better design VRC web sites and VRC products, to communicate information to you, to enhance our marketing and research activities, and to facilitate other business functions.

What choices do I have about how VRC collects and uses personal information about me?

You may always limit the amount and type of personal information that VRC receives about you by choosing not to enter any personal information into forms or data fields on VRC web sites. Some of our online services can only be provided to you if you provide us with appropriate personal information. Other parts of VRC web sites may ask whether you wish to opt out or opt into our contact lists for offers, promotions and additional services that may be of interest to you.

You may also be provided with preference questions or preference boxes allowing you to indicate that you do not want VRC web sites to use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to “remember” your personal information, such as user IDs or mailing addresses, on return visits. However, VRC web sites that use tracking technologies to collect unidentifiable information do not generally provide you with the ability to opt out of the tracking technologies. Some Internet browsers allow you to limit or disable the use of tracking technologies that collect unidentifiable information.

Who will have access to personal information about me?

Personal information can be accessed by a restricted number of VRC employees. We train our employees about the importance of privacy and how to handle and manage data appropriately and securely.

Does PRC share personal information with third parties?

As a general rule, VRC does not share your personal information with third parties. Where required by law, VRC will not disclose your personal information to third parties for those third parties’ marketing purposes, unless you have been provided with an opportunity to opt into or opt out of this disclosure. However, if VRC sells one of its product lines or divisions, your personal information may be transferred to the buyer so that the buyer can continue to provide you with information and services. If VRC provides your personal information to individuals and entities which assist us with our business activities, it is VRC’s practice to require those individuals and entities to keep your personal information confidential and to use your personal information only to perform functions for VRC. VRC reserves the right to disclose your personal information to respond to authorized information requests from government authorities, to address national security situations, or when otherwise required by law.

How does VRC secure personal information?

It is VRC’s practice to secure each web page that collects personal information; however, the confidentiality of personal information transmitted over the Internet cannot be guaranteed. We urge you to exercise caution when transmitting personal information over the Internet, especially personal information related to your health. VRC cannot guarantee that unauthorized third parties will not gain access to your personal information; therefore, when submitting personal information to VRC web sites, you must weigh both the benefits and the risks. In addition, PRC web sites covered by this Privacy Policy will display a warning whenever you link to a web site that is not controlled by VRC or subject to a VRC privacy policy; you should check the privacy policies of such third-party web sites before submitting personal information.

VRC has policies which provide for the proper use and protection of Social Security numbers obtained in the course of doing business with VRC. VRC’s policies require that Social Security numbers be appropriately secured to avoid loss, misuse or unauthorized access of Social Security numbers. Unlike this Privacy Policy, which applies only to on-line personal information, VRC’s policies governing Social Security numbers apply to both on-line and off-line collection and use of Social Security numbers.

How does VRC protect the privacy of children?

VRC does not knowingly collect or use any personal information from children (we define "children" as minors younger than 13) on VRC web sites. We do not knowingly allow children to communicate with us, or use any of our online services. If you are a parent and become aware that your child has provided us with information, please contact us using one of the methods specified below, and we will work with you to address this issue.

How may I correct personal information or delete it from current records?

You may request to remove your personal information from our current records or to amend your personal information. Please notify us of your wishes by contacting us in one of the ways specified below. For our record keeping purposes, we will retain certain personal information you submit in conjunction with commercial transactions.

How can I contact VISION RESEARCH CENTER?

If you have questions about the use, amendment, or deletion of personal information that you have provided to us, or if you would like to opt out of future communications from an VRC or a particular VRC program, please contact us by clicking on the “Contact Us” link on the web site you are visiting or by e-mailing us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively, you may send a letter to the following address:

VISION RESEARCH CENTER
18 S. 3rd Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA 19106

In all communications to VRC, please include the e–mail address used for registration, the web site address or the specific VRC program to which you provided personal information and a detailed explanation of your request. If you would like to delete or amend your personal information and are contacting us by e-mail, please put “Deletion Request” or “Amendment Request”, as applicable, in the subject line of the e-mail. We will do our best to respond to all reasonable requests in a timely manner.

How will I know whether VRC has updated this policy?

VRC reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy without prior notice to reflect technological advancements, legal and regulatory changes and good business practices. If VRC changes its privacy practices, a new Privacy Policy will reflect those changes and the effective date of the revised Privacy Policy will be set forth in this paragraph. This Privacy Policy was last updated on October 27, 2008 and is effective as of that date.

Copyright © 2008 VRC. Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.

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