Berkeley Electric Privacy Policy
SUMMARY: Berkeley Electric Cooperative (Berkeley Electric) is committed to protecting the privacy of all authorized users. As part of that commitment, this website/newsletter privacy policy statement informs authorized users: 1. What information is collected and under what circumstances;2. Whether it is voluntary or involuntary; 3. How that information is used; 4. With whom that information will be shared and under what circumstances; and 5. The ability of the authorized user to choose how that information is used, how it can be reviewed, and how it can be corrected.
This policy applies only to information collected, maintained, and used by Berkeley Electric and does not apply to the collection and use practices of websites that users connect to through BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or Power Smart newsletter links, nor does it apply to information posted on BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or the or Power Smart newsletter that is provided by third parties.
COLLECTION OF INFORMATION:
1. Initial log-on/authentication – To become an authorized user of the “Pay My Bill” section of BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop, the prospective user will be required to provide for authentication purposes some basic information about themselves and their electric account. This information is voluntary provided and is used to identify the user as an authorized account holder with Berkeley Electric. The only information that is retained is the member's email address and password for the purposes of allowing future access to this section. 2. Web server log information – This is basic information, that does not identify any specific individual, is collected on all user visits such as the domain from which BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop was accessed, IP address, type of browser or operating system, date, time, duration of access, pages visited, links visited and more. This information is automatically (involuntarily) collected and used to help BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop improve and maintain the availability and usefulness of the website for authorized users. This information is used in the aggregate for this purpose and no attempt is made to identify any specific individual. Authorized users cannot opt-out of the collection of this information and it is not reviewable or correctable by the authorized user because it is not personally identifiable information. 3. Cookies – Cookies are not currently utilized on BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop. 4. Requests for products/services/information – When authorized users request products, services, or information from, or respond to surveys conducted by BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or the Power Smart newsletter, personally identifying information such as name, home address, social security number, and internet address may be requested in order to complete the process. Failure to provide the requested information, however, may preclude delivery of the product, service or information requested. This information is voluntary and the user can opt-out of providing this information by simply not providing it as requested.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION - Any information collected and retained by BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop.com or the Power Smart newsletter will not be released to third parties except as indicated below.
1. Any information needed by a contractor to perform services for Berkeley Electric will be disclosed to the contractor. Those contractors will be required by contract to observe the same privacy protections that apply to BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or the Power Smart newsletter. 2. Any information required by Berkeley Electric employees to respond to an authorized user's request for products, services, or information will be shared with the appropriate employees. Unless an election is made to opt-out, any information provided when authorized users request services, products, or information or respond to surveys conducted by BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or the Power Smart newsletter, will be made available to appropriate personnel within Berkeley Electric in order to offer those authorized users other products, services, or information they might find useful. 3. Any necessary information will be disclosed to appropriate personnel within Berkeley Electric for purposes of implementing new services and making users aware of website features, improvements, modifications, etc. 4. Any necessary information will be disclosed to any appropriate internal or external authorities in order to identify and pursue remedies against users who attempt to damage, misuse, or otherwise interfere with Berkeley Electric operations or to otherwise protect Berkeley Electric’s legal interests. 5. Any necessary information required to respond to properly issued legal processes such as search warrants, court orders, or subpoenas will be disclosed to the appropriate requesting authorities. Berkeley Electric will make every reasonable effort to limit such disclosure.
INFORMATION SECURITY
Berkeley Electric, as the owner of this website and sender of the Power Smart newsletter, has implemented best business practice technical, administrative, and physical security methodologies in order to protect its legal interests, against loss, unauthorized access, destruction, misuse, modification, and improper disclosure of all information collected and maintained by Berkeley Electric. While no information is absolutely safe in an electronic environment, by implementing best business practice security methodology, Berkeley Electric has taken reasonable steps to secure information collected, retained, and used. Berkeley Electric is not responsible for information security breaches caused by the illegal or unauthorized acts of any individual. REVIEW AND CORRECTION OF COLLECTED INFORMATION: Authorized users of BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or the Power Smart newsletter may review and correct as needed or desired any sensitive, non-personally identifiable information or personally identifiable information collected or retained by BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or the Power Smart newsletter by contacting the cooperative by phone at (843) 761-8200 or email BECMemberInfo@bec.coop.
CHANGES TO WEB SITE/NEWSLETTER PRIVACY POLICY
Authorized users of BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or the Power Smart newsletter will be notified of all changes to the substance of this policy through postings on BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop or through the Power Smart newsletter alerting them to affirmatively review the changed policy posted on the BERKELEYELECTRIC.coop web site or through the Power Smart newsletter. QUESTIONS If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the cooperative by phone at (843) 761-8200 or emailBECMemberInfo@bec.coop.