Dr. Dobb's Journal Privacy Policy

Dr. Dobb's Journal is committed to protecting your privacy in all aspects of our business, from web sites to print publications. This privacy statement discloses what information we collect and how we use it. By using our web sites, products, or services you agree to be bound by this policy. We welcome your feedback, and can be reached in the ways described below.

What information does Dr. Dobb's Journal collect?

Internet: When you visit a Dr. Dobb's Journal web site, we collect your computer's IP address and other information. We also collect identifying information (such as your name, address, and e-mail addresses) that you knowingly provide to us-during, for example, site or trade show registration, subscriptions to one of our publications, surveys, and contests.

When you subscribe to Dr. Dobb's Journal, you may be asked to provide us with identifying information about you (including your name, address, phone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses) as well as demographic information.

When you buy a Dr. Dobb's Journal CD-ROM or register for a Dr. Dobb's Journal seminar or event, you may be asked to provide us with identifying information about you (including your name, address, phone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses) as well as demographic information.

Does Dr. Dobb's Journal collect information from children online?

We understand that children's privacy is important. We do not monitor the age of our user audience. However, if you are under age 13, you should not submit personal identifying information to the Dr. Dobb's Journal web site without the consent of your parent or guardian.

How does Dr. Dobb's Journal use customer information?

General: When you provide Dr. Dobb's Journal with information about yourself, we use that information internally to improve our products and services, to notify you about ordered products, subscription renewals and upcoming events, and to market Dr. Dobb's Journal products and services. In addition, some of our audit bureaus may use some of this information to verify cumulative demographic statistics. We also use customer-provided information to conduct research surveys and to enable our management to consult with our readers and conference or symposia attendees and registrants.

Fax and e-mail: We use your fax number and e-mail address to tell you about ordered products, subscription renewals and upcoming events. If you do not wish to receive information from us via fax or e-mail, please let us know. (Information on how to contact us is provided below.)

When does Dr. Dobb's Journal disclose customer information to third parties?

Dr. Dobb's Journal may disclose certain identifying information about you to third parties under the circumstances described below.

Private information: We treat your e-mail address and fax number as private information that might not ordinarily be known to others and we do not share this information with third parties unless you have consented to such disclosure or such disclosure is necessary to (1) comply with the law or with legal process; (2) protect and defend our rights and property; (3) protect our members, subscribers, or registrants from misuse or unauthorized use of the Dr. Dobb's Journal web site; or (4) protect the personal safety or property of our members, subscribers, registrants, or the public. When you as a customer have given us permission we may make your e-mail address available to other companies and organizations whose products or services we think might be of interest to you. If, subsequently, you do not want us to use your e-mail address for communications concerning Dr. Dobb's Journal products and services, and/or be shared with other companies or organizations, please let us know. (Information on how to contact us is provided below.)

Personal information: We consider other personal identifying information you provide (such as your name, mailing address and telephone number), any optional information you provide (such as your job title and/or other demographics), and your computer's IP address to be personal information but also a type of information that would generally be available to others. Unless you tell us otherwise, we may provide this information to our business partners and to certain select third parties. From time to time, we make our customer addresses and telephone number lists available to other companies and organizations whose products or services we think you might find interesting. If you do not wish to receive information from other companies or organizations, please let us know. (Information on how to contact us is provided below.) As with private information, personal information also may be disclosed if disclosure is necessary to (1) comply with the law or with legal process; (2) protect and defend our rights and property; (3) protect our members, subscribers, or registrants from misuse or unauthorized use of the Dr. Dobb's Journal web site; or (4) protect the personal safety or property of our members, subscribers, registrants, or the public. (Among other things, this means that if you provide false membership, subscription or registration information, or if you attempt to pose as someone else, both private and personal information about you-including your computer's IP address-may be disclosed as part of any investigation into your actions.)

Aggregate information: Dr. Dobb's Journal sometimes provides aggregate usage or tracking information to third parties. This aggregate information does not contain user-specific information that reveals the identity of a member, subscriber or registrant. We may share this information with anyone since it does not personally identify you and is not correlated to your personal identifying information.

Information you choose to disclose to third parties: From time to time, Dr. Dobb's Journal may allow third parties to advertise on our web sites, or may provide links to sites we think may be of interest to you. If you choose to disclose personal identifying information directly to one of our advertisers or to a web site to which we have linked, the information you disclose will be subject to that advertiser's or that web site's privacy policy, if any. We also may allow third parties to sponsor or cosponsor contests, promotions or surveys on our web sites. In order to enter a contest, promotion or survey, you may be asked to provide personal identifying information, and by doing so you agree that such information may be disclosed to the sponsor of the contest, promotion or survey. Any information you choose to submit will be subject to the sponsor's privacy policy, if one exists. Although Dr. Dobb's Journal encourages third parties to adhere to appropriate privacy standards and policies, we are not responsible for the actions or policies of such parties.

Information you choose to disclose publicly: Finally, if you knowingly provide personal identifying information such as your user name or e-mail address in a chat or bulletin board area, you should be aware that the information provided can be collected and used by others visiting that area.

How can I contact you?

If you have comments or questions about this policy, you can contact us at editors@ddj.com.