This policy is effective as of May 1, 2006.

1. Introduction

89steps, LLC and its affiliate companies respect your general interests in protecting your privacy.  We provide this forum for end users of our website to state their opinions on people, places, and things in exchange for the rights to use but not abuse information about end users.  In this document we identify the uses to which we may put information about end users.  We also identify firm limits on those uses.  By visiting the Tell Us What Sucks web site [accessible through the Internet at www.TellUsWhatSucks.com (the “Site”)], you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information Collection

Information about users and user preferences are collected via the Site and web services that communicate with the Site, and is collected from users at several different points on the Site and at various times depending on usage. 89steps, LLC is the sole owner of all information collected via the Site.

3. Information Use

• Profile

In order to post material on the Web Site, or to access profiles of individual or group users of the Web Site, users must first complete the registration process. During registration users are required to provide only limited information in order to post information or data on the Site. Most of this information is optional; only a valid email address, along with a username and password for use in accessing the site, is required to successfully register. This information forms the basis for the user’s Profile.

• Personalization of the Profile

Information provided to the Site by end users is collected and maintained by the Site and its owners. The Site uses this information to support its rankings and, by enabling localized and group rankings and information services, as a way to provide a more tailored and richer user experience. Such information enables us to better aggregate data on people, places and things that end users express opinions about, as well as to provide such targeted, localized information to third parties. To support such aggregation, demographic data is collected periodically from users based on their usage patterns, from which data aggregate statistics can be developed that enable such services. Each user’s aggregate demographic data is viewable in the updated user Profile on the Site after it has been submitted.

• Cookies

A cookie is a set of data stored on the user´s computer tied to information about the user. We use both session ID cookies and persistent cookies. For the session ID cookie, once users close the browser, the cookie simply terminates. A persistent cookie is a small text file stored on the user’s hard drive for an extended period of time. Persistent cookies can be removed by following Internet browser help file directions. By setting a cookie on the Site, users would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on the Site. If a user rejects the cookie, the user may still use the Site, but the user may be limited in some areas of the Site. Persistent cookies enable us to track and foster the interests of our users to enhance the experience on the Site.

• Log Files

Most standard web site servers use log files, and so do we. This includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. Information in these log files not linked to personally identifiable information.

• Communications from the Site Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regards to issues relating to their account.

• Service Announcements

Sometimes it is necessary to send out service related announcements regarding the availability of our service for maintenance and other purposes. These communications are not promotional in nature.

• Special Offers

Members may occasionally receive information on products, services, special deals, and a newsletter. Out of respect for the privacy of our users, each user will be presented with an option to not receive these communications prior to the first such electronic mailing after that user’s registration on the Site. Your response will apply to any subsequent mailings until you elect to change your preferences.

• Updates

New members receive a welcoming email to verify password and username. Users may also receive emails regarding changes in the Site’s functionality and policies.

• Sharing of information

Legal Disclaimer: Information about our users is an important part of our business. Whenever we deal with user information, we will always comply with applicable laws and regulations in doing so. We share user information as described below:

1. Other Businesses: We work closely with other businesses, and we may share user information with those businesses. Future Web sites and services developed by 89steps, LLC will likely make use of user information.
2. Agents: We may employ other companies and individuals to perform functions on our behalf. Examples include sending e-mail and analyzing data. They would have access to personal information needed to perform their functions, but may not use it for other purposes.
3. Business Transfers: As we continue to develop our business, we might sell or buy additional services or business units. In such transactions, user information generally is one of the transferred business assets but remains subject to the promises made in any pre-existing Privacy Notice (unless, of course, the user consents otherwise). Also, in the unlikely event that the Site, 89steps, LLC, or substantially all of its assets are acquired, user information will of course be one of the transferred assets.
4. Protection of the Site, its Users and Others: We release account and other personal information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with law; enforce or apply our Terms of Use and other agreements; or protect the rights, property, or safety of the Site, 89steps, LLC, our users, or others. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organizations for fraud protection and credit risk reduction.

The above uses do not include selling, renting, sharing, or otherwise disclosing personally identifiable information from users for commercial purposes in violation of the commitments set forth in this Privacy Notice. Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on the Site.

• Aggregate Information (non-personally identifiable)

We reserve the right to share aggregated demographic information with third parties. This is not linked to any personally identifiable information.

• Third Party Advertisers

89steps, LLC reserves the right to share Site usage information about users with a reputable third party advertiser for the purpose of targeting our Internet banner advertisements on this site and other sites.

• Links

This Site may contain links to other sites. 89steps, LLC is not responsible in any way for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to pay careful attention to the privacy practices of other websites when leaving the Site, and to read the privacy statements of any website that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Site.

• Sharing Profiles

Registered users may elect to use the “Share my profile” feature, following which their profile will be available to all registered users of the site in association with the user-supplied Screen Name. The registered user may deselect this feature at any time.

4. Security

89steps, LLC takes every precaution to protect our users’ information. When users submit sensitive information via the Web Site, their information is protected both online and off-line. All users’ information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is subject to restricted access in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access to personally identifiable information. Furthermore, ALL employees are kept up-to-date on our security and privacy practices. The servers that store personally identifiable information are in a secure environment, in a locked facility. If users have any questions about the security at the Web Site, users can send an email to info@TellUsWhatSucks.com.

5. Correcting/Updating/Deleting/Deactivating Personal Information

If a user’s personally identifiable information changes (such as email), we provide a way to correct and update users’ personally identifiable information. This can usually be done at the “My TUWS” page.

6. Notification of Changes

If we decide to change our privacy policy, we will post those changes to this privacy statement and other places we deem appropriate so our users are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it. If, however, we are going to use users’ personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection, we will notify users via email and by posting a notice on the Site for 30 days.

7. Contact Information

If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at: privacy@TellUsWhatSucks.com.