Privacy Policy

EFFECTIVE [December 15, 2023]

Our Commitment To Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy, we provide this privacy policy (“Policy”) explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this Policy easy to find, we make it available on our homepage and at every point where personally identifiable information may be requested.

This Policy applies to all Software Engineering Professionals, Inc. (“SEP,” “us,” “our,” and “ours”) websites, including, but not necessarily limited to, www.sep.com (“Site”). If and when our data practices change, SEP will post the changes on this Site to notify you of the changes. We encourage you to check this Site frequently.

Your Consent

This Policy is part of the Terms of Use that govern your use of this Site. A link to our Terms of Use is provided at the bottom of each page of this Site. Please take a few minutes to review the Policy. If you do not agree to the terms in this Policy, do not use the Site.

Privacy Notices

This Policy may be supplemented or amended from time to time by “privacy notices” posted on this Site. These privacy notices provide a level of detail that we cannot provide in this more general description of our privacy practices. For example, certain pages of this Site may contain privacy notices providing details about the Personal Information we collect on those pages, why we need that information, and choices you may have about the ways we use that information.

Other Agreements

When you sign up to use a special feature of this Site, you may be asked to agree to special terms governing your use of the special feature. In such cases, you may be asked to expressly consent to the special terms, for example, by checking a box or clicking on a button marked “I agree.” This type of agreement is known as a “click-through” agreement. If any of the terms of the click-through agreement are different than the terms of this Policy, the terms of the click-through agreement will supplement or amend this Policy, but only with respect to the matters governed by the “click-through agreement.”

The Information We Collect

This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on the Site. Some of the information we collect through this Site may be “Personal Information” – information that identifies or is reasonably capable of identifying you personally, alone or in combination with other information available to us..

We collect and may have collected in the past 12 months the following categories of Personal Information from you:

(1) Identifiers, such as name, alias, postal address, unique personal identifier, online identifiers, Internet Protocol address, email address, account name, signatures, telephone number, or other similar identifiers.

(2) Characteristics of Protected Classifications under state or federal law, such as age, gender, and marital status.

(3) Commercial Information, such as records of personal property, products or services purchased, obtained, or considered, or other purchasing or consuming histories or tendencies.

(4) Internet or Other Network Information, such as browsing history, search history, information regarding your interactions with our websites or advertisements.

(5) Geolocation Data, such as device location that is more granular than a city or town.

(6) Audio, Electronic, Visual and Similar Information, such as call and video recordings.

(7) Professional or Employment-Related Information, such as work history and prior employer.

(8) Education Information, as defined in the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, such as student records and directory information.

(9) Inferences drawn from any of the Personal Information listed above to create a profile or summary about, for example, an individual’s preferences, characteristics, psychological trends, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, and aptitudes. This category includes Sensitive Data Inferences, which are inferences made by us based on Personal Information, alone or in combination with other data, to indicate your Sensitive Personal Information.

This notice does not apply to information that is not Personal Information or any Personal Information collected offline or in any other way.

 How We Collect Your Personal Information

Information You Manually Provide

We collect the Personal Information you manually provide (using your keyboard, mouse, or touchpad) when you use our Site. We may also collect any Personal Information you submit on or through our Site when you provide Feedback, comment on an article, or contact us with questions. For example, we collect the Personal Information you provide when you subscribe to one of our newsletters or event notifications, review or comment on one of our products, or contact us with questions. Some of the information you post to this Site may constitute User-Generated Content. All User-Generated Content must comply with our Terms of Use.

Information Sent to Us by Your Web Browser

We collect information that is sent to us automatically by your Web browser. This information typically includes your IP address, the identity of your Internet service provider, the name and version of your operating system, the name and version of your browser, the date and time of your visit, and the pages you visit. Please check your browser if you want to learn what information your browser sends or how to change your settings.

More About IP Addresses

Your IP address is the identifier assigned to your particular computer when you access the Internet. Depending on how you connect to the Internet, your IP address may always be the same, or it may change each time you access the Internet. IP addresses do not include your name, email address or other Personal Information, but in some cases, they can be used to identify you. For example, if you have registered with our Site, we may link your IP address to account information that identifies you personally. We may also provide your IP address to our external service providers who can use it to identify information such as your state and zip code. If we suspect inappropriate or criminal activity or a threat to our Site or their users, we may also disclose our server logs—which contain users’ IP addresses—to the appropriate investigative authorities, who could use that information to trace and identify individuals.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

Most websites use cookies and/or similar technologies to place information about a user’s visit to that website in a small data text file that is stored on the user’s computer. In general, we use cookies and other web technologies to:

  • collect information about the ways visitors use our Site—which pages they visit, which links they use, and how long they stay on each page;
  • support the features and functionality of our Site—for example, to save you the trouble of reentering information already in our database or to prompt the settings you established on previous visits; and
  • personalize your experience when you use our Site, including by serving targeted advertisements.

If you do not wish to receive cookies, you may be able to set the browser of your computer or mobile or tablet device to reject cookies or to alert you when a cookie is delivered. You may also be able to delete our cookies as soon as you leave our Site. Although you are not required to accept our cookies when you visit our Site, if you set your browser to reject cookies, you may not be able to use all of the features and functionality of our Site.

Using GPS technology, we may also collect real-time location information from your device and use that information to deliver tailored content to you. Your device may allow you to adjust your settings so that location information is not available to any mobile website or application. If you have questions about the security and privacy settings of your mobile or tablet device, please refer to instructions from your mobile service provider or the manufacturer of your device.

Information About Third-Party Cookies and Interest-Based Advertising

In addition to the cookies we deliver to your computer or mobile or tablet device through our Site, certain external service providers may deliver cookies to you for a variety of reasons. For example, we use Google Analytics, a web analytics tool that helps us understand how visitors engage with our Site. Learn more about Google Analytics here.

Other external service providers may deliver cookies to your computer or mobile or tablet device for the purpose of tracking your online behaviors across nonaffiliated websites and delivering targeted advertisements either on our Site or on other websites.

You have choices about the collection of information by external service providers on our Site. For example, if you don’t want information about your visit to our Site sent to Google Analytics, you may download an Opt-out Browser Add-on by clicking here. Please note that the Add-on does not prevent information from being sent to us.

In addition, if you would like to opt-out of having interest-based information collected by certain entities during your visits to our Site or other websites, please click here. You will be directed to an industry-developed website that contains mechanisms for choosing whether each listed entity may collect and use data for online behavioral advertising purposes. It may be that some of the external service providers that collect interest-based information on our Site do not participate in the industry-developed opt-out website, in which case the best way to avoid tracking of your online behaviors may be through your browser settings and deletion of cookies.

User-Generated Content

The User-Generated Content you submit on or through this Site is available to others who visit this Site. In addition, we may use User-Generated Content you submit on or through this Site in advertising campaigns and other promotions. We may or may not use your name in connection with such use, and we may or may not seek your consent before using the content for such purposes.

Therefore, you should have no expectation of privacy with respect to User-Generated Content you submit on or through this Site. You should not submit any content you do not wish to make available to the general public, and you must take special care to make sure your submissions comply with our Terms of Use. In particular, your submissions must not violate the privacy or other rights of others.

How We Use Personal Information Collected Through This Site

Generally, we use the Personal Information we collect through this Site:

  • to provide the information, products and services you request;
  • for security or fraud prevention purposes;
  • to provide you with effective customer service;
  • to provide you with a personalized experience when you use our Site;
  • to contact you with special offers and other information we believe will be of interest to you (in accordance with any privacy preferences you have expressed to us);
  • to contact you with information and notices related to your use of our Site;
  • to invite you to participate in surveys and provide feedback to us (in accordance with any privacy preferences you have expressed to us);
  • to better understand your needs and interests;
  • to improve the content, functionality and usability of this Site;
  • to improve our products and services;
  • to improve our marketing and promotional efforts; and
  • for any other purpose identified in an applicable privacy notice, click-through agreement or other agreement between you and us.

Please see below for information about the choices you have about the ways we use your Personal Information.

Use of Aggregated Information

We may use information gathered through our Site to create a compiled, aggregate view of our Site’ audiences and their visitors’ usage patterns. We use aggregated information to operate our services and to better understand our audience as we develop new products and services. We may also disclose aggregated information to our external service providers as well as with potential investors, advertisers, and subscribers so they can better understand and/or market to our audience. For example, we might disclose that a certain percentage of our users are female or within a certain age range or live within a cluster of zip codes. Aggregate information is not personally identifiable.

Use of Survey Information

From time to time, we may post a survey on our Site or, if we have your contact information and your consent, we may send you a questionnaire or survey. We compile statistical information from the responses to our surveys. These statistics are not personally identifiable. These statistics help us understand the needs and preferences of the groups we serve and improve the content and functionality of our Site.

Your Choices

In General. We respect your right to make choices about the ways we collect, use and disclose your Personal Information. In most cases, we will ask you to indicate your choices at the time we collect your Personal Information. For example, if you register with this Site, we provide you with an opportunity to “opt out” of receiving certain communications from us. In addition, we will include an “opt out” link in each electronic newsletter or promotional e-mail we send you, so that you can inform us that you do not wish to receive such communications from us in the future.

Previously Expressed Preferences. You may change previously expressed preferences regarding how we use your Personal Information. If you are a registered member of this Site, you may be able to change certain privacy preferences through your account settings. Otherwise, if at any time you wish to be taken off our mailing lists, please contact us by e-mail at [email protected], or by mail at the address located at the end of this Policy. Please provide your full name, postal address and e-mail address so that we can find you on our mailing lists. Once we have the information we need, we will remove you from our mailing lists as you have requested. Please give us a reasonable amount of time to honor your request.

Do Not Track Mechanisms. Because of the changing state of technology and indecision within the industry regarding the meaning of DNT signals, we currently do not make any guarantee that we will honor DNT signals.

How to Access, Update or Correct Your Personal Information

You can access, update or correct Personal Information related to your membership with us by contacting us at [email protected]. If you are unclear as to how to access, update or correct your Personal Information, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to you within a reasonable time and, in any case, within the time limits established by applicable law. We may ask you for additional information to verify your identity. In most cases, we will provide access and correct or delete any inaccurate information you discover. In some cases, however, we may limit or deny your request if the law permits or requires us to do so or if we are unable to verify your identify.

Steps We Take to Safeguard your Personal Information

We maintain reasonable administrative, physical and technological measures to protect the confidentiality and security of Personal Information you submit on or through this Site. Unfortunately, no Web site, server or database is completely secure or “hacker proof.” We therefore cannot guarantee that your Personal Information will not be disclosed, misused or lost by accident or by the unauthorized acts of others. Further, we cannot control dissemination of Personal Information contained in User-Generated Content you post on or through our Site, and you should have no expectation of privacy in such information.

How We Disclose Your Personal Information
External Service Provider. We disclose Personal Information collected through our Site with external service providers who act for or on our behalf. For example, we may use external service providers to design, operate, and/or host our Site, to conduct surveys, and to help us with our promotional efforts. These external service providers may need information about you to perform their functions.

With Other Users of this Site. The User-Generated Content you submit on or through our Site is available to others who visit our Site. Any Personal Information contained in User-Generated Content you submit can be read, collected, or used by others, and could be used to send you unsolicited messages. In addition, we may use User-Generated Content you submit on or through our Site in connection with our news gathering and reporting activities or for advertising campaigns and other promotions. We may or may not use your name in connection with such use, and we may or may not seek your consent before using the content for such purposes. Therefore, you should have no expectation of privacy with respect to User-Generated Content you submit on or through our Site. You should not submit any content you do not wish to make available to the general public, and you must take special care to make sure your submissions comply with our Terms of Use. In particular, your submissions must not violate the privacy or other rights of others.

Business Negotiations. We may contemplate, for strategic or other reasons, selling, buying, merging, or otherwise reorganizing one or more of our businesses. While negotiating such an arrangement, we may need to disclose your Personal Information. In such cases, we will take reasonable measures to protect the Personal Information we disclose, for example, by requiring a prospective purchaser to sign a non-disclosure agreement limiting the use and protecting the confidentiality of the Personal Information.

Business Transfers. We may transfer the Personal Information you submit on or through our Site to any organization that acquires or merges with us.

Compliance with Laws and Protection of Our Rights and the Rights of Others. We may disclose your Personal Information when we, in good faith, believe disclosure is appropriate to comply with the law, a court order, or a subpoena. We may also disclose your Personal Information to prevent or investigate a possible crime, such as fraud or identity theft; to protect the security of this Site; to enforce or apply our Terms of Use or other agreements; or to protect our own rights or property or the rights, property or safety of our users or others.

In Aggregate or De-Identified Form. We use information collected through our Site to create a compiled, aggregate view of usage patterns. We may disclose aggregate information to non-affiliated parties so we and they can better understand our user base. We may also disclose to external service providers information about the usage patterns of a particular Site user, as opposed to Site users collectively. We may provide basic demographic information (gender and age) in conjunction with providing Individualized Data. External service providers typically use this information for analytical purposes and to market their own products and services.

As Described in a Privacy Notice. We reserve the right to disclose your Personal Information as described in any privacy notice posted on a page of this Site where you provide that information. By providing your Personal Information on that page you will be consenting to the disclosure of your Personal Information as described in that privacy notice.

As Described in a Click–Through Agreement. We reserve the right to disclose your Personal Information as described in any click–through agreement to which you have agreed.

Retention of Personal Information.

We retain your Personal Information for the period reasonably necessary to provide goods and services to you and to support our business operational purposes described in this Policy.

Children Under the Age of Thirteen

Our Site is not intended for children or minors under the age of thirteen years without the permission of a parent or guardian. Please do not provide your Personal Information to us if you are under the age of thirteen years and we do not knowingly collect Personal Information from individuals who are under the age of thirteen years. If you believe that a child’s Personal Information was submitted on or through our Site in error, please contact us using the information provided below [email protected] so that we can take appropriate action.

Links to Other Sites

Our Site may provide links to other websites operated by external parties. We expect our external service providers to be transparent about their data protection practices. Be aware, however, that we have no control over external websites. This Policy does not apply to Personal Information collected on any external website. When you access external websites through a link on our Site, please take a few minutes to review the privacy policy posted on that site.

Your California Privacy Rights

California residents who have an established business relationship with us may request and obtain information, free of charge and on an annual basis, about the personal information that we disclosed to other businesses for their own direct marketing use within the prior calendar year. If applicable, this information will include a list of the categories of personal information disclosed to external service providers and the names and addresses of  external service providers to which we disclosed this information in the immediately preceding calendar year. To obtain this information, please contact us at the number or address below and let us know you have a “California Shine the Light Privacy Request.” We will then respond to you with the requested information. If you are a California resident and under the age of eighteen (18), you may request that we remove content or information that you have posted to our Site by contacting us using the contact information below.

Jurisdiction

This Site and our Services are operated in the State of Indiana, United States of America. If you access this Site or our Services from outside of the United States, you are responsible for compliance with any applicable laws. The data protection laws of the country in which you reside may be more restrictive than the data protection laws of the United States. Your personal information may be subject to disclosure under the laws of the United States or other countries to which it is transferred, and it may be accessible to law enforcement and national security authorities of those jurisdictions.

Certain Definitions

The term “Affiliate” means any entity that is controlled, directly or indirectly, by SEP, including all wholly owned subsidiaries of SEP.

The term “Content” refers to all of the software and code comprising or used to operate our Site, and all of the text, photographs, images, illustrations, graphics, sound recordings, video and audio-video clips, and other materials available on our Site, including User-Generated Content.

The term “Feedback” refers to the Content you post on or through our Site that is specifically about how we can improve our Site and the products and services we make available through our Site.

The term “User-Generated Content” refers to all of the text, photographs, images, illustrations, graphics, sounds, video, audio-video clips, and other content you post on or through this Site using the social networking tools we make available to registered members of this Site. One way that User-Generated Content differs from other information you provide to us is that, once submitted, User-Generated Content is made available instantaneously to others who visit this Site. Examples of User-Generated Content include comments posted to discussion boards and reviews of products available on this Site.

The term “External Service Provider” refers to a service provider, contractor, or processor which collects, stores, or otherwise handles data for us and is bound by contractual obligations to use your Personal Information only as directed by us.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us using the information provided below:

SEP
16080 Westfield Blvd.
Carmel, IN 46033

Phone: 317.843.1640
Email: [email protected]