Privacy Policy

 

PRIVACY SHIELD POLICY

 

This Privacy Shield Policy (“Policy”) applies to all personal information received by Melt Technology Computer Learning Centers, LLC. (“Melt Technology”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) in the United States from the European Economic Area (EEA) (which includes the member states of the European Union (EU) plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and from Switzerland. This Policy also applies to all personal information previously received under the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework and U.S.-Swiss Safe Harbor Framework and still held by Melt Technology. This Policy sets out our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting and disclosing that personal information.

DEFINITIONS

 

For purposes of this Policy, the following definitions shall apply:

“Agent” means any third party that collects or uses personal information under the instructions of, and solely for, Melt Technology or to which Melt Technology discloses personal information for use on Melt Technology’ behalf.

“Melt Technology” means Melt Technology Computer Learning Centers, LLC. Melt Technology Franchising Group, Inc., and any predecessors and successors in the United States.

“Personal information” means any information or set of information that identifies or could be used by or on behalf of Melt Technology to identify (together with other information) a living individual. Personal information does not include information that is anonymized or aggregated.

“Sensitive information” means any personal information that reveals race, ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership; information that concerns health or sex life; information specifying personal sexuality, ideological, or trade union-related views or activities; and information about criminal or administrative proceedings and sanctions (which are treated outside pending proceedings), or social security measures.

 

EU-U.S. AND SWISS-U.S. PRIVACY SHIELDS

 

Melt Technology participates in and complies with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework (collectively, “Privacy Shield”) as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of personal information transferred from the EEA and Switzerland to the United States, respectively. Melt Technology has certified to the Department of Commerce that it adheres to the Privacy Shield Principles of Notice, Choice, Accountability for Onward Transfers, Security, Data Integrity and Purpose Limitation, Access, and Recourse, Enforcement, and Liability, which are the basis for the principles of this Policy. If there is any conflict between this Policy and the Privacy Shield Principles, the Privacy Shield Principles shall govern. To learn more about the Privacy Shield program, and to view Melt Technology’ certification, please visit https://www.privacyshield.gov/.

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PRINCIPLES

Notice

 

Where Melt Technology receives personal information about individuals in the EEA and Switzerland collected by Melt Technology and its franchisees, it will publicly inform them about its compliance with the Privacy Shield in clear, concise language. This personal information may include basic contact information like name and email address, billing information, and courses and training taken by students.

Melt Technology uses this information to provide our educational and training-related services to franchisees, customer support for such services, to bill customers, and to correspond with customers. This information also facilitates our affiliates’ and franchisees’ services.

Melt Technology also receives information about employees of Melt Technology who are located in the EEA and Switzerland, and which is transferred in the context of the employment relationship. Melt Technology uses this information for internal employment and human resources purposes. Melt Technology commits to cooperate in investigations by and to comply with the advice of competent EEA and Swiss authorities.

Melt Technology will subject all personal information received via the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework and Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework to their respective Privacy Shield Principles.

Melt Technology is subject to the investigative and enforcement authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is obliged to disclose personal information in response to lawful requests by public authorities, for law enforcement, and national security purposes, and has potential liability for onward transfers to third parties.

Additionally, an individual may be allowed to invoke binding arbitration to resolve disputes under certain limited conditions.

Choice

Melt Technology will offer individuals the opportunity to choose whether their personal information is to be used for a purpose other than the purpose for which it was originally collected or subsequently authorized by the individual. An individual may opt-out of such uses of their personal information by contacting us at the address given below. Melt Technology does not disclose personal information to non-agent third parties. If this changes, Melt Technology will offer an opt-out to individuals. Melt Technology will not use sensitive personal information for a purpose other than the purpose for which it was originally collected or subsequently authorized by the individual unless Melt Technology has received the individual’s affirmative and explicit consent (opt-in). Melt Technology will treat as sensitive any personal information received from a third party where the third party identifies and treats it as sensitive.

Data Integrity

 

Melt Technology will use personal information only in ways that are compatible with the purposes for which it was collected or subsequently authorized by the individual. Melt Technology will take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information is relevant to its intended use, accurate, complete and current.

Transfers to Agents

 

Melt Technology contracts with third parties who perform business functions on our behalf. Melt Technology uses these third parties to manage its IT system infrastructure, provide live, online support to customers, and to manage email lists. These entities may have access to personal information if needed to perform their functions for Melt Technology. Melt Technology does not disclose personal information to non-agent third parties.

For information received under the Privacy Shield, Melt Technology will require its agents to safeguard personal information consistent with this Policy by contract, obligating the agent to provide at least the same level of protection as is required by the Privacy Shield Principles.

Under certain circumstances, Melt Technology may bear liability for onward transfers of personal information from the EEA or Switzerland where its agent processes such personal information inconsistent with the Privacy Shield Principles, unless Melt Technology proves that it is not responsible for the event giving rise to the damage.

Access and Correction

Melt Technology acknowledges the right of individuals to access their personal information. Upon request, Melt Technology will grant individuals reasonable access to personal information that it holds about them. In addition, Melt Technology will take reasonable steps to permit individuals to correct, amend, or delete information that is demonstrated to be inaccurate or incomplete. An individual may request to access their information, or otherwise correct, amend, or delete their information by contacting us at the address given below.

Security

Melt Technology will take reasonable and appropriate precautions to protect personal information in its possession from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and destruction.

Enforcement

Melt Technology will conduct compliance audits of its relevant privacy practices to verify adherence to this Policy. Any employee that Melt Technology determines is in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Melt Technology is subject to the investigative and enforcement authority of the FTC.

Dispute Resolution—Privacy Shield

In compliance with the Privacy Shield, Melt Technology commits to resolve complaints about your privacy and our collection or use of your personal information. EEA or Swiss individuals with inquiries or complaints regarding this Policy should first contact Melt Technology at the address given below. Melt Technology will investigate and attempt to resolve complaints regarding use and disclosure of personal information by reference to the principles contained in this Policy. Melt Technology commits to cooperating with European Data Protection Authorities and the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner.

Melt Technology has further committed to refer unresolved privacy complaints under the Privacy Shield Principles to the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (“ICDR”), the international division of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), a non-profit alternative dispute resolution provider located in the United States. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint, or if your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, please visit the ICDR web site at http://go.adr.org/privacyshield.html for more information and to file a complaint. Under certain limited conditions, an individual may be able to invoke binding arbitration as provided under the Privacy Shield to address an otherwise unresolved complaint.

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

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Questions regarding this Policy should be submitted to Melt Technology by mail to:

Privacy Liaison
Melt Technology LLC.
2608 Medinah Ridge Rd
Accokeek, MD 20607
+1 (703)853-5433
or by e-mail to bysmamo@melttechnology.com

 

LIMITATIONS & CHANGES

 

We may also be required to disclose an individual’s personal information in response to a lawful request by public authorities or in connection with a legal obligation. Adherence by Melt Technology to these Privacy Shield Principles may also be limited to the extent required to respond to a legal obligation, to the extent necessary to meet national security, public interest or law enforcement obligations, and to the extent expressly permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation.

This Policy may be amended from time to time, consistent with the requirements of the Privacy Shield Principles. The amended Policy will be made publicly available via Melt Technology’ website.

Effective Date: January 10, 2019