Revised: December 20, 2024
Arbitration Forums, Inc., (“AF,” “we,” “our,” “us”) is committed to respecting the privacy rights of all users of AF’s website. As such, we have established this Privacy Policy, which sets forth AF’s policies regarding the collection and use of information via the website linked to this Privacy Policy (“Site”) and AF’s Online Products (as defined in the Terms of Use that govern the Site). The Site includes both (i) public areas of this Site that are generally accessible to all users (“Public Users”) and (ii) private areas of this Site, including without limitation AF’s arbitration forums, that are accessible only to users who have been authenticated and granted permission by AF (“Authenticated Users,” collectively with Public Users, “Users”), such as arbitrators, Third-Party Administrators (“TPAs”), and organizations who use AF’s Online Products.
By visiting this Site or using any of AF’s Online Products, you consent to AF’s collection, use, storage, deletion, and disclosure of information relating to you as set forth in this Privacy Policy.
AF does not collect personal information unless you voluntarily provide it to us. We do collect Usage Data (as described below) and other information related to use of the Site. We also collect Profile Information (as defined below) when an Authenticated User account is created. The following sections describe the type of information we collect, how we collect it, and how we use it.
All Users may visit the public areas of the Site without being asked to disclose personal information about themselves (although certain Usage Data may be collected as described in the Usage Data section below). However, Users will have the opportunity to request information from AF, or to otherwise interact with the Site, in which case an email or other contact information may be collected.
To become an Authenticated User, you will be asked to provide certain profile information to create your Authenticated User account. Profile information may include User ID, password, name, title, department, your company’s name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, email address, and website address (“Profile Information”). Once authenticated, Users may view their Profile Information by visiting the “My Arbfile” section of the Site and/or an Online Product and editing the “My Profile” Information.
AF does not collect User social security numbers or other personal information as Profile Information.
AF may use Profile Information to communicate with Authenticated Users regarding the operation of and changes to the Site and/or Online Products. AF may disclose the Profile Information of an Authenticated User to administrators, arbitrators, TPAs, and/or other parties who are designated by such Authenticated User (through such Authenticated User’s use of the Site or otherwise) to be provided access to such information.
AF may suspend, revoke, or withdraw permission granted to an Authenticated User at its sole discretion and without notice or cause.
During use of Online Products, Authenticated Users should refrain from disclosing confidential, proprietary, or personal information about a User, the User’s company, or any other individual. All Users are encouraged to report to AF any instance of such information appearing on public areas or private areas of the Site. Given the nature of AF’s role as the administrator of Online Products, AF cannot guarantee nor prevent Users from disclosing confidential, proprietary, or personal information to other Users.
Our servers automatically track certain information about visitors who use our Site and/or Online Products. This data may include Users’ or Authenticated Users’ domain name, type of browser and operating system, Internet service provider, Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, the website from which they arrived at the Site, the amount of time spent on the Site or using Online Products, and the ways in which they use the Site or the Online Products (collectively, “Usage Data”).
AF will monitor and use Usage Data in aggregated form to measure both the Site’s performance and Online Products activity and improve the Site’s design and functionality. This statistical or other information is not used by AF to identify individual Users visiting the public areas of the Site. This non-identifying information may include, for example, the patterns, trends, preferences, and other collective characteristics of our Users. Use of this information helps us evaluate and tailor our communications, advertisements, and general business practices to the needs of our Users and Authenticated Users.
AF may also use Usage Data in un-aggregated form to investigate and prosecute violations of the Terms of Use or security of the Site or Online Products.
Cookies are small bits of electronic information that are sent by a website to a visitor’s browser and are stored on the hard drive. Like many websites, we employ the use of cookies in certain areas of the Site to allow us to provide information that is targeted to your interests, make your online experience more convenient, and enable you to more easily communicate and interact with the Site, prevent fraudulent activity, and improve security. We do not receive or record any personal information in the cookies we use, and they are never tied to anything that could be used to identify you. Although most web browsers automatically accept cookies, you may choose to change your browser to block cookies or to notify you when you are sent a cookie. You can still use the Site if the browser is set to reject cookies.
If you are a California resident, California law may provide you with additional rights regarding our use of your personal information. The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”) and related regulations, each as amended, including the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (the “CPRA”) grants to consumers residing in California (“California Consumer(s)”) additional privacy rights, when a business collects a California Consumer’s personal information. We are a not-for-profit corporation and this Site is not to be used nor intended to be used by individual consumers to purchase consumer products or services. WE DO NOT COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS OR THEIR HOUSEHOLDS AS DEFINED BY THE CCPA.
If you are a California Consumer and you believe that your personal information was collected by AF, please contact us about your concerns using the contact information below.
If you are a resident of a state with a consumer privacy act, your state of residency may provide you with additional rights regarding our use of your personal information. For example, but not limited to, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Utah and Virgina, have enacted consumer privacy regulations that grant to consumers residing in these states additional privacy rights, when a business collects your personal information. We are a not-for-profit corporation and this Site is not to be used nor intended to be used by individual consumers to purchase consumer products or services. WE DO NOT COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM ANY CONSUMERS OR THEIR HOUSEHOLDS AS DEFINED BY APPLICABLE STATES’ PRIVACY LAWS.
If you are a resident of a state with a consumer privacy law and you believe that your personal information was collected by AF, please contact us about your concerns using the contact information below.
To “opt-out” of (1) receiving communications from AF (except for communications necessary for the operation of the Site, Online Products, or as otherwise permitted under this Policy or our Terms of Use) or (2) any other consent previously granted for a specific purpose concerning your Profile Information, send an email request to Legal@arbfile.org.
AF may provide links to third parties’ websites (“Linked Sites”) from the Site or the Online Products. Linked Sites are not necessarily reviewed, controlled, or examined by AF in any way, and AF is not responsible for the privacy policies and practices of any such Linked Sites or any additional links contained at the Linked Sites. These links do not imply AF’s endorsement or association with the Linked Sites.
AF may make information concerning Users, Usage Data, the Site, Online Products, and the uses thereof available to law enforcement personnel and agencies as required by law or to enforce the Terms of Use and may disclose such information if required by law, judicial or governmental order, or subpoena. AF may also disclose such information to protect its property or in furtherance of an investigation regarding a breach of Online Products rules and policies, unauthorized access to or use of the Site or Online Products, or any illegal activities concerning a particular User or Authorized User.
AF takes the security of your information seriously and has therefore implemented reasonably appropriate technology, security policies, and procedures intended to reduce the risk of accidental destruction, loss, unauthorized disclosure of, or access to such information; however, no server, computer, communications network or system, or data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, while we strive to protect user Profile Information or personal information disclosed by a User, we cannot ensure or guarantee the security of any information you transmit to us or through the use of any Site features; and you acknowledge and agree that you provide such information and engage in such transmissions at your own risk.
In the event that AF believes that the security of your Profile Information in AF’s possession or control may have been compromised, AF may seek to notify you of that development. If a notification is appropriate, AF will endeavor to do so as promptly as possible under the circumstances (including instructions from law enforcement or regulatory agencies) and, to the extent that AF has your email address, through your use of the Site. By continuing to use the Site, you expressly agree and consent to AF notifying you of security or privacy incidents by email.
AF may, at its sole discretion, update this Policy at any time by posting the revised or amended Policy on the Site. The revised or amended Policy shall be effective upon posting. Any access to or use of the Site or Online Products following such update shall be deemed consent to such an update. All visitors are encouraged to refer back to this page regularly.
The effective date of this Privacy Policy is December 20, 2024.
If you would like to communicate with AF regarding privacy issues or if you have questions, comments, or complaints about this Policy, please send such communication to Legal@arbfile.org or submit by mail to:
Arbitration Forums, Inc.
3820 Northdale Boulevard
Suite 115
Tampa, Florida 33624