Privacy Policy

For a printable version of the Privacy Policy, please click here.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to American Policy Ventures (“we”, “us”, “our”, “APV”) official website (the “website” or “site”). American Policy Ventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that works with policymakers, philanthropists, practitioners and Member of Congress to architect innovative ways to accelerate common sense policy solutions on key issues. We understand that visitors to our website may have questions about how this website collects and uses information. APV is committed to safeguarding the privacy of our supporters’ information. This Privacy Policy explains our privacy practices, including the information we collect from you when you use our website, apps, and other digital and online services (collectively, the “Services”) and how we and our affiliated committees may use that information; our rights to share and disclose such information to third parties; how you can review and modify information that you provide to us; and your preferences regarding our use and disclosure of such information.

This Privacy Policy only applies to the information collected by APV and any third parties acting with our authorization or information otherwise provided to us by third parties about you, in each instance, in connection with your use of the Services. This Privacy Policy applies regardless of the computer, mobile phone, tablet, or other electronic device (“Device”) you use to access the Services and whether you are accessing the Services as a registered user or otherwise.

By using the Services, you agree that your use of the Services is governed by this Privacy Policy. From time to time, we may update this Privacy Policy. We encourage you to periodically check this Privacy Policy for updates. Your continued use of the Services affirms your agreement to any changes we make to this Privacy Policy.

INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU.

Registration Information. In order to access and use certain features, content or functions of the Services (e.g., contributions, communication/networking features, promotions, etc.), you may be asked to provide certain information, including your name, username, password, e-mail, date of birth, gender, address, employment information, and other descriptive information.

Contributions and Payment Information. If you make any contribution (including any donation or purchase) on or through the Services, your payment information (e.g., credit or debit card type, number and expiration date) and related information (e.g., physical address) may be collected by us and/or our third-party payment processors.

Election Law Disclosures. To comply with Federal election law and the regulations of the Federal Election Commission, we are required to make our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 per election cycle. Generally, contributions are non-refundable. Should you choose to contribute, you will receive an email confirmation of your contribution.

Information You Choose to Provide to Us. We collect any information you provide to us on or through the Services or in any other way. For example, we collect any information you provide when you update your user account and profile (“User Account”); participate in contests, surveys, and other promotions; and sign up to receive newsletters and other communications. We may also collect the content of your communications when you contact us or interact with us online.

Device and Location Information. In addition, the Services may include features that rely on the use of information stored on, or made available through, your mobile Device. We may also ask to collect or use the specific location of your mobile Device (e.g., by accessing your Device’s GPS). If you agree to allow access to your location, you agree that we and our service providers may collect such location-based information from your Device. The type of location data we collect depends on a number of factors, including the type of Device you are using (e.g., laptop, smartphone, tablet) and the type of connection enabled on your Device (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, broadband cable). The APV Apps or other features of the Services may rely on this location information in order to provide certain location-based services, such as APV promotional offers, merchandise offers, or event information or other APV-related content that may be of interest to you. We may also use location information to improve the functionality of the APV Apps and our other applications and services. If you do not wish to have this location information collected and used by APV, you may opt-out by disabling the location and Bluetooth features on your Device and/or in the APV Apps. To do this on an iPhone, (1) go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > and choose an app; (2) Select the app > tap on “location;” (3) Scroll down and slide the “Precise Location” toggle to Off. To do this on an Android, (1) go to Location Services > Google Location Accuracy; and (2) Toggle Improve Location Accuracy to Off. As a general note, you may choose not to provide certain information, but you may not be able to access certain content or take advantage of certain features of the Services.

Depending on the Device you are using, we may use third-party services to provide mapping services. For example, APV may use Google maps on certain Devices. You can learn more about the information that Google collects through its mapping services at http://www.google.com/privacy.html.

User Submissions. You may have the ability to use the Services to communicate with other users of the Services and post comments to or otherwise interact with certain aspects of the Services that are available to the public and/or other users. We may collect any information you submit, post, or provide in the course of such activities, and reserve the right to store any information about the people you contact via the Services.

Any information, communications, or material of any type or nature that you submit to our Services (including, but not limited to any of our pages contained on a social media platform or website such as Facebook or Twitter) by email, posting, messaging, uploading, downloading, or otherwise (collectively, a “Submission”), is done at your own risk and without any expectation of privacy. We cannot control the actions of other users of any social media platform or website and we are therefore not responsible for any content or Submissions contained on such sites and platforms. By visiting any of our pages or websites contained on a social media platform or website, you are representing and warranting to us that you have reviewed the applicable privacy policy of that platform or website and that you will abide by all such provisions contained therein

Additionally, in the event that we offer a message board or any other interactive or social-type feature on a website administered directly by us, please be aware that these areas may allow you to publicly post, and share with other users, certain messages, content, or other information (e.g., stories, pictures, etc.). Although we may take certain precautions to protect those who use these areas of one of our websites, we encourage you to be wary of giving out any personal information in such public forums. The information you post can be collected and used by people you do not know. We cannot guarantee the privacy and safety of these areas and are therefore not responsible for any information you choose to post. Your use of these features is fully at your own risk.

Usage Data and Technical Information. The Services include features that automatically collect certain information, which may include the unique Device identifier assigned to your Device, Third Party Platform anonymous identifiers, and other information regarding your use of the Services to, among other things, assist us in authenticating your usage and/or Device, keeping track of your preferences, creating a more tailored user experience, and better serving your particular interests and needs. The Services and/or third parties may use “cookies” (which are small data files containing information about you that is stored on your hard drive), “embedded scripts,” “pixel tags,” and other similar tracking technologies (collectively, “Tracking Technologies”) to collect information automatically as you interact with the Services. Such information may include “clickstream” data, the domain name of the service providing you with Internet access, your Device type and attributes, Internet protocol (IP) address, network connection type (e.g., Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE), browser type and version, operating system and platform, the average time spent on the Services, pages viewed, content searched for, access times and other relevant statistics, and your interactions with playlists, audiovisual content, other users of the Services, advertising, and products and services which are offered, linked to or made available on or through the Services. Such information may be collected by us and/or our third-party service providers and partners. Certain Tracking Technologies enable us to customize your experience on the Services and provide tailored recommendations, promotions, advertisements and other content relating to your specific interests. Other Tracking Technologies are used to make login to the Services easier (such as by remembering your user ID) and allow us to collect non-specific location information. You can learn more about the use of cookies and other Tracking Technologies on the Services below.

Third Party Platform Information. If you access the Services via your Third Party Platform account (e.g., by logging in to the Services using your Third Party Platform account credentials) and/or integrate your APV account with your Third Party Platform account, we may collect certain information from the Third Party Platform, such as your username and other information you provided to the Third Party Platform in connection with your account (e.g., name, country, date of birth, gender and e-mail address). You can learn more about adjusting your settings and preferences with respect to Third Party Platforms below.

Sensitive Personal Information. We may collect sensitive personal information either directly from you or automatically, which may include political affiliations and precise geolocation information.

HOW WE USE INFORMATION THAT WE COLLECT.

Except as prohibited by the terms and conditions of any applicable Third Party Platform (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.), we may use information we collect for, among other things, the following purposes:

  • Sending you APV and affiliated committees’ marketing, promotional, e-mails, messages and other correspondence and notifications regarding the Services;
  • To notify you about new features and offerings of the Services, including, but not limited to, promotions, events, discounts, news about products and services, and/or special offers;
  • Delivery of features, content, services, and products available to you through the Services based on your location;
  • Allowing affiliates, service providers, contractors, agents, sponsors, and other third parties to assist us in providing and managing the Services;
  • Contacting you regarding the administration of any features or functions of the Services you have registered to use;
  • Sending you information about your relationship or transactions with us;
  • Marketing and promoting the Services, including, without limitation, promotions and other initiatives and activities;
  • Where you order goods or services, performing credit checking or other authentication;
  • For the prevention and detection of fraud or infringement of our or any third party’s rights;
  • Responding to your questions or other requests;
  • Subject to applicable contractual or legal restrictions, in connection with a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of APV;
  • Subject to applicable contractual or legal restrictions, in connection with the sale or exchange of Service user information and related data to a broker, political committee, or other non-profit or for-profit entity;
  • Tailoring your experience on the Services and/or otherwise customizing what you see when you visit and use the Services;
  • Saving your User Account, registration and profile data or other information (so you do not have to re-enter it each time you visit or use the Services);
  • Tracking your return visits to and use of the Services;
  • For other purposes disclosed at the time you provide us with the information or which are reasonably necessary to provide the Services or other related product and/or service requested;
  • For research purposes, for marketing/promotional purposes and/or to provide anonymous reporting for Third Party Platforms, etc.;
  • Accumulating and reporting aggregate, statistical information in connection with the Services and user activity;
  • Determining which features and services users like best to help us operate the Services, enhance and improve our services and the Services and display advertising and marketing information;
  • Saving certain information for your ongoing use of the Services.

OPTING-OUT OF CERTAIN USES OF YOUR INFORMATION.

User Account Privacy Settings. You may be able to adjust certain privacy, permission and User Account settings by responding to request alerts or notifications that may be presented to you on your Device prior to or following the collection of the relevant information or by navigating to the settings, account or privacy section (as the case may be) of your Device or the applicable Third Party Platform and limiting certain Service functionality (e.g., location services, etc.). Please be aware that if you limit the collection of certain information, you may not be able to use all of the features and functionality of the Services.

Marketing and Promotional Communications. At times, you may be presented with the option of whether to receive or automatically entered to receive, certain marketing and promotional communications from us and APV affiliated committees that we think will be of interest to you. Recipients of such communications can unsubscribe following the specific instructions included in such communications. Other privacy request can be emailed to contact@apventures.org.

Please note that “opt-out” and “unsubscribe” requests may not take effect immediately and may take a reasonable amount of time to receive, process, and apply, during which time your information shall remain subject to the prior privacy settings. Additionally, you should be aware that any information provided to third parties prior to your election to opt-out or unsubscribe cannot be retrieved or rescinded by us unless required by applicable law, and you cannot retroactively opt-out or unsubscribe with respect to such third parties. Please note that in order to keep you informed about the operation of our Services and related services, we may always send you emails and announcements that are needed for the proper functioning and administration of our Services, including for the purposes described in “HOW WE USE INFORMATION WE COLLECT” above, in connection with your use of such Services. We may also have features that allow you to submit information, questions or feedback to us. In those instances, we may retain your emails and other information you submit to us for our internal purposes, and to help us to serve you better.

Privacy Preferences. You may also change certain privacy preferences (e.g., choose to cease receiving certain communications or ask us not to share your personal information with a particular third party) by sending an email to us at contact@apventures.org detailing your privacy request. If you ask APV to stop using your personal information, we will honor that request, provided that we may retain a record of such information as necessary to comply with applicable law and we may continue to use your contact information to contact you about your Services-related transactions and to respond to your requests, as well as your IP address to determine the country in which you are accessing the Services. Other privacy preferences (e.g., deactivating your User Account, etc.) may be made by modifying your User Account settings on the Services, your Device and/or the applicable Third Party Platform. You always have the right to access, review and correct the personal information you have provided and generally, you may review, update or delete certain information collected by the Services at any time by accessing your User Account as described herein or by contacting us.

Opting-Out of Use of Certain Information That May be Collected by Tracking Technologies.

Tracking Technologies: Most browsers are initially set to accept cookies (other than Flash cookies) and allow local storage, but you should be able to change your settings to notify you when a cookie is being set or updated, local storage is being used, and/or to block cookies and/or the use of local storage altogether. Please consult the “Help” section of your browser for more information. Please note that by blocking any or all cookies you may not have access to certain features, content and/or other personalization available through the Services.

Flash Cookies: Users can manage the use of Flash technologies, with the Flash management tools available at Adobe’s website, see http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/security/privacy_policy/faq.html.

Do-Not-Track Signals: Certain browsers transmit “do-not-track” signals to the websites with which such browsers communicate; however, this feature, and how it is used and activated, varies from browser to browser. Therefore, it is not clear whether the signals are intentionally transmitted by a user, or whether a user is even aware of this. Despite current efforts, there is still disagreement amongst leading Internet standards organizations, industry groups, technology companies and regulators, concerning what, if anything, websites should do when they receive such signals and no standard has been adopted to date. APV takes privacy and security very seriously. With respect to “do not track signals,” we currently do not take action in response to these signals, but if a standard is established and accepted, we may reassess how to respond to these signals. SHARING AND

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION WE COLLECT.

Disclosure to Third Parties. We reserve the right to use, share, exchange and/or disclose to APV affiliated committee and third parties any of your information for any lawful purpose, including, but not limited to, as described in “HOW WE USE INFORMATION WE COLLECT.” You may choose to opt-out of certain such uses at the time such information is collected or by subsequently changing your preferences, as further described in “OPTING-OUT OF CERTAIN USES OF YOUR INFORMATION” above. While we may disclose aggregated survey content and results, personal information collected via SMS message to 314159 will not be disclosed to third parties.

Disclosure of Certain Information in User Submissions Intended to Be Disclosed. Certain information associated with a Submission may be intended for disclosure, such as your username. We will disclose any such information in connection with the display of, and other services relating to, such Submission, and by submitting a Submission on or in connection with the Services you affirmatively consent to the distribution of your information as described herein. No such information will be collected via SMS messages to 314159.

Service Providers, Owners, and Licensees. We may provide and disclose your information to affiliates, operators, service providers, and other third parties for the purpose of providing, offering, supporting, administering and maintaining the Services, and providing the full range of content, activities, services, features, and functions offered on or in connection with the Services. No such disclosure will involve information gathered from SMS messages to 314159.

Additional Disclosures. There may be instances when APV may access or disclose information without providing you a choice in the following circumstances: (i) to protect or defend the legal rights or property of APV, our affiliated committees or their employees, agents and contractors (including enforcement of our agreements); (ii) to protect the safety and security of our Services and users; (iii) protect against fraud or for risk management purposes; (iv) if we believe your actions violate this Privacy Policy; or (v) to comply with law or legal process.

DATA COLLECTION FROM CHILDREN.

The Services are not intended for use by minors under 18. We do not knowingly contact or collect personal information from minors without appropriate parental notice and consent, and our Services are not intended to solicit information of any kind from minors. If we are informed that we have unintentionally received personal information from a minor, we will delete that information. If you want to notify us of our possible receipt of information by a minor, please contact us at contact@apventures.org.

SECURITY.

While no data transmission over the Internet is 100% secure from intrusion, we maintain reasonable physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your information. However, it is possible that third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications despite our efforts to prevent this, and we, therefore, make no guarantees regarding the security of user information. Consequently, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us, and you understand that any information that you transfer to us is done at your own risk. If we learn of a security system breach we may attempt to notify you electronically so that you can take appropriate protective steps. By using the Services 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 the Site. We may post a notice via our Services if a security breach occurs. We may also send an email to you at the email address you have provided to us in these circumstances. Depending on where you live, you may have a legal right to receive notice of a security breach in writing.

If you register with our Services, you are responsible for maintaining the security of your password at all times. You may gain access to and review your personal information by accessing your account. You are responsible for activity occurring while logged into your account.

CALIFORNIA’S “SHINE THE LIGHT” LAW.

If you are a resident of the State of California, we provide you with information on how to exercise your disclosure choice options, such as your right to opt-out (which we may sometimes refer to as “unsubscribing”) or opt-in for use of your information by third parties for marketing purposes. APV does not share your personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes; therefore, pursuant to the California Civil Code, we are not required to maintain or disclose a list of the third parties that received your information for marketing purposes during the preceding year. If you are a California resident and wish to request information about how to exercise your third party disclosure choices, please submit your request at contact@apventures.org or by postal mail to American Policy Ventures , c/o Privacy Administrator, 20 F Street NW, Suite 726, Washington, D.C. 20001 Attn: Your California Privacy Rights. All requests must be labeled “Your California Privacy Rights” on the email subject line or envelope or postcard. For all requests, please clearly state that the request is related to “Your California Privacy Rights”, include your name, street address, city, state, zip code and e-mail address (your street address is optional if you wish to receive a response to your request via email) and indicate your preference on how our response to your request should be sent (email or postal mail). We will not accept requests via telephone or by fax. We are not responsible for notices that are not labeled or sent properly or do not have complete information.

INTEGRATION OF THIRD PARTY PLATFORMS AND SERVICES.

The Services may be linked to, rely on, and/or be integrated with websites, applications, interfaces, services, and/or platforms operated by third-party companies, including service providers and Third Party Platforms. APV is not responsible for the privacy practices of any websites, applications, interfaces, services, and platforms operated by such third parties that are linked to, rely on, and/or are integrated with the Services. Once you leave this Services via such a link, access a third party application, interface, service, or platform, including Third Party Platforms and websites operated by service providers, you should check the applicable privacy policy of such third party to determine, among other things, how they will handle any personally identifiable or other information that they may collect from you.

APV uses a Twitter, Facebook, Reddit and LinkedIn share widget on this website. As a result, the website makes requests to each respective platform’s servers for you to be able to share our webpages using your respective social media account for each platform. These requests make your IP address visible to the social media platform, who may use it in accordance with their data privacy policy.

PRIVACY POLICY CHANGES.

From time to time, we may modify this Privacy Policy to reflect industry initiatives, third party requirements or changes in the law, technology, our information collection and use practices, or the features and functionality of the Services, and such modifications shall be effective upon posting. When we change this Privacy Policy in a material way, a notice will be posted on our website along with the updated Privacy Policy. Your continued use of the Services after we post a revised Privacy Policy (and, where appropriate, notify you of this change) signifies your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy. It is therefore important that you review this Privacy Policy regularly to ensure you are updated as to any changes. We may also seek your affirmative consent to the terms of the updated Privacy Policy. For example, we may ask for your consent before implementing new uses of the personal information that we have already collected from you if such new use was not addressed by the privacy policy under which such information was collected.

ACCURACY.

It is your responsibility to give us current, complete, truthful, and accurate information, and to keep such information up to date. We cannot and will not be responsible for any problems or liability that may arise if you do not give us accurate, truthful, or complete information, or you fail to update such information. We will reject and delete any entry that we believe in good faith to be false, fraudulent, or inconsistent with this Privacy Policy.

INTERNATIONAL USAGE AND DATA TRANSFERS.

The Services are controlled, operated, and administered entirely within the United States. If you visit, access, interact with, and/or otherwise use the Services from a location outside the United States, please be advised that any information you provide in connection with any such activity may be processed in and/or transferred to the United States of America and/or other territories and locations, where privacy protections may not be as comprehensive as those in the territory or location where you interact with or otherwise use the Services. By using the Services, you affirmatively consent to the transfer, use, disclosure, provision, and other administration of your information as described herein and do not require separate notification of each such transfer that occurs.

CONTACT US.

If you have any questions about our privacy practices or any of the terms or conditions of this Privacy Policy, please feel free to contact us at:

American Policy Ventures

c/o Privacy Administrator

20 F Street NW, suite 726

Washington, D.C. 20001

Email: contact@apventures.org

SOLE STATEMENT

This document is the sole statement of the Services’ Privacy Policy and no summary, restatement or other versions thereof, or other privacy statement or policy, in any form, including, without limitation, machine-generated, is valid.