Privacy Policy

What Is Personal Information?

As used herein, the term “personal information” means information that specifically identifies an individual (such as a name, address, telephone number, mobile number, e-mail address, or credit card number) and information about that individual or his or her activities that is directly linked to personally identifiable information. Personal information does not include “aggregate” information, which is data we collect about the use of the Sites or about a group or category of services or users, from which individual identities or other personal information has been removed. This Policy in no way restricts or limits our collection and use of aggregate information.

What Personal Information Do We Collect?

Active Collection

Personal information may be collected in a number of ways when you visit our Sites. We collect certain information you voluntarily provide to us, such as when you make a donation, send us an email or sign up to receive email updates, fill out a form, or request information. Such information may include personal information, such as your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, geographic location, and credit card information. We may also collect demographic information you may voluntarily provide from time to time, such as in response to questionnaires and surveys, including gender, ethnicity, education, and interest information. If this information is tied to personally identifiable information, it will be treated as personal information. We may also obtain information from other sources and combine that with information we collect on our Sites.

Passive Collection

When you use the Sites, some information is also automatically collected, such as your Internet Protocol (IP) address, your operating system, the browser type, the address of a referring website, and your activity on our Sites. If you access the Sites from a mobile device, we may also collect information about the type of mobile device you use, your device's unique ID, the type of mobile Internet browsers you use, and information about the location of your device. We treat this information as personal information if we combine it with or link it to any of the identifying information mentioned above. Otherwise, it is used in the aggregate only.

We may also automatically collect certain information through the use of “cookies” or web beacons. Cookies are small data files stored on your hard drive at the request of a website. Among other things, cookies help us improve our Sites and your experience. If you wish to block, erase, or be warned of cookies, please refer to your browser manufacturer to learn about these functions. However, if you choose to remove or reject browser cookies, this could affect certain features on our Sites.

Collection By Third Parties

Third party vendors, such as Google, Meta, and Substack may use cookies or other technologies to serve ads or deliver content on this or other websites based on your visits to this site and other sites on the Internet and to provide analytics services. These third parties may automatically collect information about your visits to this and other websites, your IP address, your ISP, the browser you use to visit our Site, pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked and conversion information. This Policy does not apply to, and we are not responsible for, cookies or clear gifs used by the third parties, and we encourage you to check the privacy policies of advertisers and/or ad services to learn about their use of cookies and other technology.

How Do We Use the Personal Information We Collect?

We use personal information collected through our Sites for the purposes described in this Policy or elsewhere on the Sites. For example, we may use personal information we collect:

• To provide the services, products, or information you request, and to process and complete such requests and any related transactions;
• To send you confirmations, receipts, updates, alerts, and support and administrative messages;
• To notify you about important changes to the Sites;
• To send you newsletters and otherwise provide you with information or services you request or that we think will be of interest to you;
• To connect you with other supporters, and to solicit volunteers, donations and support for Empower Oakland issues and organizations that we support;
• To request feedback and to otherwise contact you about your use of the Sites;
• To monitor and analyze site usage and trends, and to personalize and improve the Sites and our users' experiences;
• To serve ads, on this Site or other websites or media, based on the information you provide and the actions you take;
• For any other purpose for which the information was collected.

What Personal Information Do We Share With Third Parties?

It is our policy not to share the personal information we collect from you through our Sites with third parties, except as described in this Policy or as otherwise disclosed on the Sites. For example, we may share personal information as follows:

• With vendors, consultants, and other service providers or volunteers who are engaged by or working with us;
• With organizations, groups or causes that we believe have similar viewpoints, principles or objectives;
• When you give us your consent to do so;
• When we believe in good faith that we are lawfully authorized or required to do so or that doing so is reasonably necessary to comply with the law or legal processes;
• When we believe in good faith that doing so is reasonably necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Empower Oakland, our users, our employees, our volunteers, copyright owners, third parties or the public;
• To enforce or apply this Policy, or our other policies or agreements.

Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent information will not be shared with any third parties, except with vendors and service providers who need access to carry out work on our behalf, or if required by applicable law or legal process.

Links to Other Websites

Our Sites may contain links to other websites. Any personal information you provide on the linked pages is provided directly to that third party and is subject to that third party's privacy policy. This Policy does not apply to such linked sites, and we are not responsible for the content or privacy and security practices and policies of these websites or any other sites that are linked to from our Sites.

What Steps Do We Take To Protect Your Information Online?

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information in an effort to prevent loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Please be aware, however, that despite our efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse.

What Choices Do You Have Regarding the Use of Your Information?

You may “opt out” of receiving email updates and newsletters by following the instructions in those emails.

Legal Jurisdiction and Choice of Venue

This privacy policy is governed by the laws of Alameda County, California, USA. You agree that any dispute arising from or relating to this privacy policy must be brought exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Alameda County, California, USA. By using our website and agreeing to this privacy policy, you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objection to proceedings in such courts.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this Policy, please contact us at info@empoweroakland.com.