The California Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP) is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and customers. CAFP maintains safeguards to store and secure information it has about members and customers. The safeguards may be physical, electronic, or procedural. This document describes how CAFP collects data from its Web sites and how CAFP uses this information.

What information does CAFP collect?

It is CAFP's general policy to collect only personal information that the member or visitor knowingly chooses to provide. The following information is collected from all visitors to CAFP’s Web site and is recorded in a log file:

• Date and duration of the visit
• Page(s) viewed

From general users

CAFP does not collect any personal identifying information from users who are browsing the public areas of CAFP’s Web site other than those data items mentioned above. Users to the public areas of CAFP’s Web site browse anonymously. CAFP does not review the use of publicly accessible pages by individual users unless this information will assist CAFP staff in troubleshooting individual problems. CAFP will also review this information if a user's account is associated with:

• Attempts to violate security of CAFP computer networks
• Activity that degrades the performance of CAFP’s Web site
• Activity that might be related to copyright violations

From CAFP members and meeting registrants

If a member has logged into the password-protected area of CAFP’s Web site, the user's name and member ID number are recorded into an online database. This online database does not provide CAFP any information pertaining to the browsing activities of individual members. In the course of using CAFP’s Web site, the member may be asked to provide personal information in order to purchase a product, participate in CAFP activities, or otherwise interact with the CAFP. In addition, the member may be asked to update their member contact information.

Important note for CAFP members: The AAFP and CAFP maintain a membership database independent of its Web operations. The information from this database is drawn from membership applications, dues payment forms, subscriptions, product orders, CME reporting, member surveys, and other correspondence between the AAFP/CAFP and members.

If a non-member registers for a meeting online, the user's name, address, and other personal identifying information are recorded. In some instances, demographic information is collected and recorded.

Credit Card information: CAFP does not disclose credit card account information or activity provided by its customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, CAFP submits this information encrypted to obtain payment from the appropriate clearing house. If credit card numbers are stored in CAFP databases, they are encrypted.

How does CAFP use data collected?

CAFP uses the data it collects from its Web site to better serve members. CAFP uses information submitted on its Web site by members and other customers in the following ways:

CAFP services and products: CAFP uses data collected to improve its Web content, to respond to visitor needs and preferences, and to develop new products and services.

Disclosure to third parties: CAFP does not share member information with third parties without the expressed permission of the member.

Disclosure required by law or emergency circumstances: CAFP may release personal information to third parties in order to comply with valid legal requirements such as a law, regulation, search warrant, subpoena, or court order. In the event that CAFP is legally required to disclose your personal information to a third party, CAFP will notify you unless doing so would violate the law or court order.

External relationships

CAFP has agreements with other organizations that offer products and services through the CAFP Web site or affiliate agreements. When the user interacts with these organizations, different rules and privacy policies may apply. CAFP does not control the collection or use of information provided under these circumstances.

How does CAFP use cookies?

Cookies are a technology used by CAFP to identify a user as the user moves through the CAFP Web site. The user's browser allows CAFP to place some information on the user's hard drive that identifies the computer utilized. Two types of cookies are commonly used. A session cookie is a temporary file stored in memory on the user's computer drive whenever a Web site is accessed and is terminated by closing the browser. A persistent cookie is a file stored on the user's hard drive that may be deleted manually by the user or expired by the Web server.

CAFP may use session cookies on some public areas of its Web site in order to provide greater functionality. CAFP may use persistent cookies in the password-protected areas of its Web site. These persistent cookies may be used to personalize a member's visit, to offer greater functionality, and to track visitor practices. The information generated from these cookies is used to help determine which services are most important and guide editorial decisions.
The user who may not desire the functionality offered by the cookie has the option to disable the cookie either by indicating when asked that they do not wish to have the cookie created or by disabling the cookie function in their browser. A member must have cookies enabled in order to access the member sections of CAFP’s Web site.

CAFP Podcasts

CAFP's podcasting service consists of news and information files that may be downloaded to your computer and/or transferred to your portable MP3 player.

CAFP podcasts are available only for private, non-commercial use. Any other uses are strictly prohibited. You may not edit, modify or redistribute the podcast content or links supplied by www.familydocs.org.

CAFP reserves the right to discontinue providing the podcast service at any time and to require you to cease displaying, distributing or otherwise using any or all of the podcast content for any reason.

CAFP assumes no liability for any of your activities in connection with the podcast content or for your use of the podcast content in connection with your web site, computer or MP3 player.

CAFP Blogs - User Generated Content

You shall not upload, distribute, or otherwise publish any libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, abusive, or otherwise illegal material.

Be courteous. You agree that you will not threaten or verbally abuse other members, use defamatory language, or deliberately disrupt discussions with repetitive messages, meaningless messages or "spam."

Use respectful language. Like any community, the online conversation flourishes only when our members feel welcome and safe. You agree not to use language that abuses or discriminates on the basis of race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual preference, age, region, disability, etc. Hate speech of any kind is grounds for immediate and permanent suspension of access to all or part of the service.

Debate, but don't attack. In a community full of opinions and preferences, people always disagree. CAFP encourages active discussions and welcomes heated debate on the Service. But personal attacks are a direct violation of this agreement and are grounds for immediate and permanent suspension of access to all or part of the service.

Post noncommercial submissions. You shall not, without the express approval of CAFP, distribute or otherwise publish any material containing any solicitation of funds, advertising or solicitation for goods or services.

You are solely responsible for the content of your submissions. However, while CAFP is not responsible for the content of these messages, CAFP reserves the right to delete, move, or edit submissions that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, in violation of copyright or trademark laws, or otherwise unacceptable.

By making a submission, you are consenting to its display on the site and for related online and offline promotional uses.

For privacy questions or concerns about CAFP’s Web site, please contact cafp@familydocs.org.