Seafax's Privacy Policy and Data Protection Practices
This page provides information and links about Seafax's privacy and data protection policies and practices for the United States. All relevant data protection materials for Seafax's online and offline operations in the United States can be accessed here.Since 1985, Seafax has collected information on businesses to create products and services that assist its customers in critical buying and selling decisions. Today, Seafax is the most trusted source for the information seafood, meat and poultry companies need to make their business a success.
Recognizing that the free flow of information must be balanced against an individual's privacy interests, Seafax has developed and implemented formal data protection policies. The fundamental principles of those data protection practices apply to our traditional (offline) information products and services. Clearly, employing data protection practices makes good business sense. Therefore, Seafax subscribes to the practices described below.
Notice:
Seafax collects information on more than 12,000 seafood, meat and poultry business establishments located primarily in the USA and Canada. While all of the data collected is business-related, some elements are specifically identifiable to the individual owners or principals of the business. Data collected about owners or principals is limited to information deemed relevant for business decision-making. For example, this data is collected to give trading partners a sense of who is responsible for the decisions that drive the business, to provide the business qualifications of the business manager (such as education), and to serve as a resource to assess the likelihood of a business' success. Such business uses represent non-personal interests and do not pertain to the individual personally.Access and Correction:
A complimentary copy of a business report is available upon request to an authorized agent of the business reported upon, by calling a Seafax customer service representative at 800.777.3533. When a business owner or principal contacts Seafax about a potential error, we act promptly to verify and correct it, if appropriate. A correction notice is sent to businesses or others that Seafax knows to have received erroneous data. A detailed process is in place for managing corrective action including report revision and correction notice steps.Marketing Information / Delisting:
A business may have its information removed from business marketing lists published by Seafax. An authorized representative of the business can request the "delisting" (removal from marketing directories and/or mailing lists) process orally or in writing. To be delisted, call our Customer Service Center at 800.777.3533 or send e-mail to customerservice@Seafax.com.Security:
Seafax takes technical, contractual and administrative steps to control data in order to protect against unauthorized access and disclosure. For instance, Seafax will not provide reports or information to third parties without a contract. Our strict contractual processes stipulate valid/authorized uses of, and restrictions upon, Seafax data and bind customers to relevant U.S. and foreign laws.In addition, Seafax requires employees to complete extensive data handling training. The company has developed numerous volumes of training documents that detail the policies and procedures associated with data collection, accuracy, quality, updating, notification, disclosure, privacy concerns and more. A leading statement in our training materials reads "there is a vital need to respect individuals' right of privacy," and "employees will not discuss Business Information Reports or the contents of Business Information Reports with non-business associates or friends."
System Integrity:
Client agrees to comply with all applicable local, state, federal, and international laws, statutes, rules and regulations relating to Client's use of the Site. Without limiting the foregoing, Clients are responsible for observing all applicable tariffs and trade laws.Client shall not provide access to the Site to other persons through use of Client's User Name or Password. The Client is solely responsible for ensuring that it takes no action or omits to take action that in either case results in any other person utilizing Client's User Name or Password. Seafax is specifically not responsible for the use of any Client's User Name or Password by another party, except to the extent due to the gross negligence of Seafax.
Client agrees not to tamper in any way with the software or functionality of the Site. Without limiting the foregoing, Client agrees not to put any material into the Site which contains any viruses, time bombs, Trojan horses, worms, cancelbots or other computer programming routines that may damage, interfere with, intercept or expropriate any system, data or information.
Client agrees not to disclose other Clients' confidential information consistent with accepted industry practices. In addition, Client agrees not to disclose proprietary or confidential information of Seafax, such as a Client's User Name and Password, even within Client's own organization, except on a need-to-know basis. Client agrees not to invade another Client's privacy, including without limitation breaching or attempting to breach the security of another Client's computer, software or data without the knowledge and express consent of such Client. The use or distribution of tools designed for compromising privacy or security is strictly prohibited.
Data Quality and Sources:
Data quality is at the heart and soul of any successful information company. Working to ensure that information is up-to-date and accurate benefits the report subject and Seafax. To help ensure quality data, Seafax employs extensive measures, including direct contacts with businesses and quality review at both the point of collection and at the end of the data collection process. Our primary sources of information are the owners or senior management of businesses, bank experience, trade references and public record data such as bankruptcy filings and business registrations.Internet Data Protection Practices:
Driven by requests from customers, Seafax delivers products and services through the Internet faster and more efficiently than ever before. Many measurable benefits derived from Seafax products and services result from the ability to freely move information. The free flow of information must be balanced against data protection interests, and Seafax believes that a fair balance makes good business sense.Seafax's web site for the United States implements the Internet data protection practices in this notice.
Web Site Data Collection Practices:
A visitor to the Seafax's web site is not asked to reveal any individually identifiable information. We collect some information about visitors indirectly through standard web logs, including the IP address and what browser is being used (e.g., Firefox). We normally use this information in the aggregate to administer and improve our web site. Some data may be traceable to an individual, but we do not normally seek to identify individuals unless we believe that someone is using our site improperly.Some existing customers come to our web site with IDs and passwords already assigned. Others who register at our web site are asked to provide standard contact information, such as name, mailing and email addresses, and telephone numbers.
We sometimes use an Internet device called a cookie to store login or other information on your computer. A cookie is a small amount of information that a web site transfers to your computer's hard drive. Many web sites use cookies to make your life as a web user easier and more engaging. We use cookies to simplify your access or to tailor our services to your needs and interests. In the seafax.com site, we offer users the choice of having an ID or password stored in a cookie.
Cookies come with some protections. We do not store credit card numbers in cookies. No other site can read a cookie set by Seafax, and we can't read a cookie that another web site wrote to your computer. Most Internet browsers are set to accept cookies. Users can reset browsers to refuse cookies and still use our web site, although access may not be as simple.
Through our web site, we occasionally offer users the opportunity to receive sales or promotional information for Seafax products and services of interest to them. A user who agrees may be asked to provide contact information (e.g., name, mailing address, email address, telephone and fax number) that we will use to provide information about our products and services.
Use, Disclosure, and Choice:
Seafax collects individually identifiable information from registered users to complete business transactions, deliver products and services, administer individual accounts, provide customer support and meet government regulatory requirements. Seafax does not store the information on its web servers. We ask each registered user to choose whether to receive email updates about Seafax products and services, we will honor the choices made. However, we reserve the right to email customers on rare occasion when we think it is important.From time to time, Seafax compiles online transaction and registration information for internal analysis such as researching and identifying market segments and needs.
Information may be shared with contractors who directly support the Internet services and who only use the information in accordance with this policy. In the ordinary course of business, we may share information with auditors, lawyers or contractors, but we require that recipients use the information only for the purpose of the disclosure and that they destroy or return the information when no longer required. When necessary or appropriate, we may disclose information in response to a court order or subpoena or when otherwise legally required. We may also disclose information if appropriate to protect our web site or our legal rights.
