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Privacy Policy

Introduction

As the information superhighway continues to grow more crowded, there is an increasing chance for accidents, which means that prudent users are wise to be concerned about the privacy of their personally identifiable information. This Privacy Policy is intended to serve as a guideline to describe the ways in which Twing utilizes the information it collects about its users (i.e., you). Twing respects the privacy of every individual - registered user or not - who uses Twing's search services.

Your Consent and Changes to the Privacy Policy

By using Twing and its search services, you consent to the collection and use of your information as outlined in this Privacy Policy and the User Agreement. Twing may change its Privacy Policy on occasion by updating this page to reflect changes in the way we collect, use or disclose information. In the event we use members' personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection, we will notify users via e-mail. Users will have a choice to opt out of the User Agreement, thereby preventing us from using their personally identifiable information. Users who already have opted-out will not be contacted, nor will their personally identifiable information be used in any new manner.

What Information is Gathered

Twing does not collect any personally identifiable information (name, mailing address, age, gender, etc.) about you unless you expressly provide us with that information. In the event you send personal correspondence to us (e-mail, letter) or a third party sends us correspondence about your activity and/or posting(s) on the site, Twing may collect such information in a file specific to you. When you register as a member, Twing will only collect your screen name, password, e-mail address and your intention to enroll in our E-Zine/newsletter and/or service update options. In the event Twing or its assets are sold or otherwise transferred, this information may be included in the transferred assets. If your personal information is to be used in a new manner, you will be contacted via e-mail and given an opportunity to opt-out from having your information used in this new manner.

Site Visitors/Non-Members

As a visitor, you can browse parts of our site without telling us who you are or revealing any personal information. If you choose to use features available only to members, we will require you to provide a screen name, password and valid e-mail address. You always have the option not to provide this information; however, failure to provide this information or unwillingness to do so may mean that services and/or features of the site will not be available to you.

Other Information We May Collect

In addition to any information you provide, Twing also collects and compiles information relating to its users (members and non-members) on an aggregated basis. This information may include the time and date the site is visited, browser type, browser language, operating system and IP address. Other information we track includes the number of people who visit each page and use features/services of the Web site in order to learn which features/services are most popular so that we can continue to enhance our Web site. We also record statistical information to better understand our audience and provide a compelling product and online experience. This information is recorded as anonymous group statistical information and is not connected to any personally identifiable information you may provide to Twing.

International Visitors

Twing is a domain on the World Wide Web, which means we may be accessed by an international audience. By visiting our Web site and providing us with data, you acknowledge and agree that your personal information may be processed for the purposes identified in this Privacy Policy. Additionally, such information may be stored on servers located outside of your resident jurisdiction, which may have different privacy practices. By providing your information, you are giving your consent to the transfer of that information.

Member E-Mails

As a registered member, you must elect to receive our system e-mails. System e-mails are used to contact you in the event of changes to our service, Terms of Use and/or Privacy Policy. Twing also may use URL tracking in the e-mails sent to you that may record the time at which you opened/viewed the e-mail and any URLs you clicked on within that e-mail. Twing also will record whether your e-mail program is capable of receiving HTML-encoded e-mail. URL tracking may use cookies.

How Information is Used

We know you value the privacy of your personally identifiable information, which is why the primary reasons we use your information are to provide you with services and enhance our service offerings. To this end, we may use your personal information to: improve our services; troubleshoot problems; measure consumer interest in our products and/or services; keep you informed about online and offline offers, products, services and updates; customize your user experience; protect you and us against error, fraud and any other criminal activity; enforce our Terms of Use; and as otherwise described to you at the time of collection and in this Privacy Policy. Additionally, we may look across multiple users' information to identify problems, and specifically we may examine your information to identify users employing multiple User IDs and/or aliases.

E-Mail Communication from Twing

From time to time, we may send you e-mails through our messaging system to keep you up-to-date on issues regarding your membership, site developments and to inform you of new offers.

Third-Party Use and Partner Site E-Mail Communications

Twing's focus is to bring you the highest quality online experience by providing the most comprehensive set of search features on a single site. To that end, we may enter into partnerships with other Web-based service providers. Some of these arrangements may include the sharing of personally identifiable information in order for our partners to extend their services to you. We will share this information only after receiving your explicit agreement.

Twing, as well as its partner sites, may send e-mail messages on a regular basis to keep you informed on issues regarding your membership, site developments and to apprise you of new offers. For example, you may receive e-mails from our partners informing you of special offers. Included within each message will be instructions on how you can opt-out from receiving any further e-mails.

Third-Party Sharing to Provide Services to You

We may use third-party services to assist us in performing certain functions, such as transmitting e-mails in response to your requests and other service-related functions. In the event these third-parties require access to your personally identifiable information, they will be obligated to abide by this Privacy Policy when handling your information. We may require third-party service providers to limit their use of your personal information to providing services on behalf of Twing and its users consistent with this policy.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Twing's objective is to build relationships with its members and visitors based on trust and respect. With that goal in mind, let us assure you that at no time will your personally identifiable information by sold to any outside parties. Your personal information always will remain within your control as you continue to spend time on Twing.

However, there may be times when we may need to disclose your personally identifiable information to organizations or entities not described in this policy and without providing prior notice to you. Twing may be required to disclose your personal information: (i) if we believe it is reasonably necessary to comply with a legal process (such as a court order, subpoena, search warrant, etc.) or other legal requirement of any governmental authority; (ii) when it potentially would mitigate our liability in an actual or potential lawsuit; (iii) when it is otherwise necessary to protect our rights or property or that of others; and (iv) when it is necessary to protect the interests of other users of our Web site.

Merger or Sale of Twing

We also may transfer the information in our possession in connection with a sale and/or merger of the company and/or its assets.

Respecting the Privacy of Others

By agreeing to our Terms of Use, you agree that, with respect to others users' personal information that you obtain through the site or through a Twing-related communication or Twing-facilitated transaction, Twing hereby grants to you a license to use such information only for: (i) Twing-related personal communications that are not unsolicited commercial messages; (ii) using services offered through Twing; and (iii) any other purpose that a user expressly agrees to after you tell him/her the purpose for which you would like to use it. In all cases, you must provide an opportunity for him/her to be removed from your system and a chance to review what information you have collected. Additionally, under no circumstances, except as defined in this paragraph, can you disclose personal information about another user to any third-party without our consent and the consent of that user. You further agree that other users may use your personal information to communicate with you under the terms set forth in this paragraph.

Twing and our members do not tolerate spam. As a result and without limiting the foregoing, you are not licensed to add a Twing member, even one who participates on your domain, to your mailing list (e-mail or physical mail) without their express consent. To report Twing-related spam to our attention, please contact us.

Security of Information

Your personally identifiable information is stored on Twing's servers located in the United States. We use procedural and technical safeguards to protect your personal information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access and disclosure to protect your privacy.

Of course, the Internet cannot be 100 percent safe and no data transmission sent over the Internet is guaranteed to be absolutely secure. As a result, while we make every effort to protect your personal information, Twing cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us or from our online products and services, and you do so at your own risk. Once we receive your transmission, we do our utmost to ensure the security of your information on our system.

Please be aware that we cannot guarantee the absolute security of member account information. Unauthorized entry or use, hardware or software failure and other factors may compromise the security of member information at any time. Therefore, although we use industry standard practices to protect your privacy, we do not promise, and you should not expect, your personal information or private communications to always remain private.

If Twing learns of a security breach we may attempt to notify you electronically so you can take appropriate protective measures. By using this Web site or providing personal information to us, you agree that we can communicate with you electronically regarding security, privacy and administrative issues relating to your use of this site. Twing may post a notice on our Web site if a security breach occurs. In this event, you will need a Web browser that enables you to view the Twing Web site. Twing also may send an e-mail to you at the e-mail address you provided in these circumstances. Depending on your resident location, you also may have a legal right to receive notice of a security breach in writing. To receive a free written notice of a security breach (or to withdraw your consent from receiving an electronic notice) you should Contact Us.

Cookies, Links, Web Beacons and Personalization Cookies

Cookies are small files placed on your hard drive that assist us in providing our services. We offer certain features that only are available through the use of a cookie. We use cookies to enable you to enter your password less frequently during a session. Cookies also can help us provide information that is specifically targeted to your interests.

Twing uses cookies to store users' preferences and record session information for purposes including: ensuring users are not repeatedly offered the same advertisements; customizing advertising and Web page content based on browser type and user profile information; estimating and reporting our total audience size and traffic; and conducting research to improve our content, features and services. We do not link the information stored in cookies to any personally identifiable information you submit while on our Web site. You may be able to configure your browser to accept or reject all or some cookies, or notify you when a cookie has been set. Keep in mind that each browser is different and you should check the "Help" menu of your browser to learn how to change your cookie preferences. However, you must enable cookies from Twing in order to use most of the features on the site.

To set your browser to accept cookies, follow the instructions below depending on your browser type:

Netscape Navigator 6.2

1. From the "Edit" menu select "Preferences"
2. Under "Preferences," go to the "Category" section and select "Advanced"
3. In the "Advanced" section, go to "Cookies" and check the box labeled "Accept all cookies"

Internet Explorer 5.5+

1. In the "Tools" menu select "Internet Options"
2. Under the "Security" tab, indicate your preferred security level
3. Move the lever up for a higher security level or down for a lower security level
4. If you choose, click "Customize Level" for custom security settings, or click "Default Level" to return your browser to its original security settings

Please note that Twing permits third-party advertisers who present advertisements on some of our pages to set and access their cookies on your computer. Advertisers' use of cookies is subject to their respective privacy policies, not the Twing Privacy Policy. For more information about third-party privacy policies, you should contact the relevant third-party advertising network directly.

Links

The Web sites, advertisements, forums and messages displayed as search results or linked to by Twing are developed and published by people over whom Twing exercises no control. Other sites and forums may send cookies to users, collect data or solicit personal information. Certain information, such as archive threads, may be collected by Twing as a result of the links displayed via our search service. Twing uses this information to understand and improve the quality of our search service and related technology, including the accuracy and efficiency of our search service.

Web Beacons

Twing uses Web beacons to research certain usage and activities on our Web site. The information collected via these Web beacons is used to find out more about our users, for more accurate reporting and to improve the effectiveness of our marketing. No personally identifiable information about you is shared by Twing as a result of this research.

You agree that we may use your personal information to contact you and deliver information that, in some cases, is targeted to your interests, such as targeted banner advertisements, administrative notices, product offerings and communications relevant to your use of the Web site. By accepting the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, you expressly agree to receive this information.

Personalization

Along with the opportunity to post content on any of the public Twing domains, you also can create customized searches, preferences and alerts tailored to your own special interests. To help build a sense of community within Twing, you must be registered as a member to take advantage of these personalization features. Once you've registered, you can customize your Twing experience by creating alerts to keep you informed on new developments in your favorite forums.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Twing believes it is essential for parents to be involved in their children's online experiences. With that in mind, and in compliance with federal law, we do not knowingly collect personal information of any kind from anyone under the age of 13. If we become aware of a user under age 13 providing information on our site, we will immediately terminate their account and purge out databases of all information provided by that user.

Access to and Changing Information

Once you become a member of Twing, your personal information is stored within the site. You may access or change your information at any time.

Notice of Modifications

In the future, Twing may update and revise this Privacy Policy. We will provide conspicuous notice on our Web site if we decide to change our Privacy Policy in a way that would be materially less restrictive than this policy. At that time, you will have the opportunity to decide whether you would like Twing to apply the new policy to your personal information or opt-out of the new policy. If you continue to use Twing, then you will be accepting the new policy. If you decide to opt-out of the new policy, then you no longer will be able to use features and services of the site exclusive to members. The effective date of this policy is December 1, 2007.

Ultimately, you are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your password and/or account information. Please be careful and responsible anytime you are online. The few Twing employees who have access to personal data are trained to comply with this Privacy Policy and will be made aware of any updates or modifications.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy that remain unanswered after reviewing this policy, please feel free to contact us. Or you can mail us at: