Privacy Statement

About our Web site

The National Academies, which include the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, National Research Council and National Academies Press, recognize the importance of online privacy.

Providing Visitors with Anonymous Access

Users can browse our Web sites without disclosing personal data subject to the specific policies and provisions set forth below. Users always have the option not to provide personal data that may be requested on our Web sites. We do collect technical information such as browser type. This information is analyzed in aggregate form to help us improve the Web sites for users. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the National Academies may share personal data that are disclosed with consultants and affiliates for internal business purposes and may divulge personal data if such data is subpoenaed, or if the National Academies believe that such disclosure may be required by law. It is the National Academies" policy to not share personal data with third parties.

Cookies

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's hard drive containing information useful for the user's Web interactions. We do not use cookies to store personal data nor do we link non-personal information stored in cookies with personal data about specific individuals. Some features of our site require that the user's browser accept a cookie that contains a unique, random number used to maintain a logon session or provide a personalized experience. We will provide an explanation of how cookies are used for such features.

Registration, Newsletter & Electronic mailing lists

If a user wishes to subscribe to one of our publications, register to gain access to specific areas of the National Academies' Web sites, or be added to an electronic mailing list maintained by the National Academies, we may ask for contact information such as name, address and e-mail address. Participation and the provision of such information are entirely voluntary. Note that use of such personal data is subject to the terms and conditions, if any, set forth on the individual Web pages, and unless indicated otherwise, such information is not shared with third parties.

Technical Feedback

We may request technical information regarding the operation and functioning of our Web sites from users through surveys. Survey participation is completely voluntary and the user has a choice whether or not to disclose any information. Information requested may include contact information (such as name and e-mail address) and demographic information (such as zip code and age). Technical feedback received is used to respond to the user's question or comment and to improve our Web sites. Personally identifiable data submitted by the user for this purpose is not used for other purposes.

Public Access Records

Electronic comments submitted in connection with or in response to a request for input in connection with a study committee created by the National Academies may become part of the public record of that project. Participation is completely voluntary and the user has a choice whether or not to disclose any information.

Community and Public Areas

Unless clearly declared a "private" area, information posted to message boards, chat areas and other interactive Web pages is available to the general public. The e-mail address of users who post such information will be available to anyone who browses or uses the message area. Please use caution when posting any such information. The National Academies does not control the sending or receiving of e-mail messages as a result of postings to our Web sites.

Children

We will not request personally identifiable information from children. If a child sends us an e-mail or other communication with a question or comment or enters a contest, we may respond using his or her e-mail address. We do not typically monitor community and public areas (described above) for use by children, and children and parents should use caution when participating in those activities.

Security of Financial Information

The National Academies recognize the importance of protecting the financial information of users of this Web site that may be collected in connection with the purchase of books, periodicals, or other products, or when making a charitable donation. Such on-line transactions may require credit card and personal contact information. We will use your credit card number only to process the payment and we will not use it for any other purpose. Security provisions may be detailed on specific Web pages. For a specific example, see the National Academies Press security statement. If you have questions about the security on other parts of our Web site, send a message to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the menu at the top and bottom of most pages on our site.

Links

Our Web pages may contain links to other Web sites. The National Academies are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other Web sites. Web sites maintained by third parties may collect information and use it in a way inconsistent with this privacy statement. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our Web sites and to read the privacy statements of each Web site they visit. Web sites maintained by third parties may also refer to products, processes or services of the National Academies; unless we have provided explicit authority, such references in no way indicate our endorsement, recommendation or preference.

Changes to this Statement

The National Academies reserve the right to change this privacy statement at any time. We will use data in accordance with the privacy statement under which any data has been collected. Questions should be directed toto our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the menu at the bottom of most pages on our site.