Privacy policy & GDPR

Introduction

PrFlare Privacy Policy applies to all Members and Visitors using PrFlare Services.

Registered users ("Participants") and non-registered participants ("Visitors").

The term "Specified Countries" is used to refer to the countries of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Services

This Privacy Policy, which includes the PrFlare Cookie Policy, governs your use of the PrFlare Services.

This Privacy Policy applies to the PrFlare.com website and other PrFlare-related websites, applications, messages and services ("Services"), including Services on third-party sites (such as PrFlare advertisements, but excluding services that are subject to a different privacy policy.

Data processors and counterparties

If you reside in "Specified Countries: PrFlare will process your personal information provided and collected by or in connection with the PrFlare Services.

If you reside outside of the Specified Countries: PrFlare will process your personal data provided and collected by or in connection with the PrFlare Services.

Because you are a Visitor or Member of the PrFlare Services, the collection, use and transfer of your personal information is governed by this Privacy Policy (which includes the PrFlare Cookies Policy and other documents referenced in this Privacy Policy) and updates.

Changes

Changes to the Privacy Policy govern your use of the PrFlare Services after the effective date.

PrFlare ("we", "us") may make changes to this Privacy Policy. If we make material changes, PrFlare will post a notice through the Services or otherwise to give you the opportunity to review the changes before they take effect. If you do not agree with any of the changes, you may close your account.

By continuing to use the PrFlare Services after posting or sending notice of changes to this Privacy Policy, you agree that the collection, use and transfer of your personal information is governed by the updated Privacy Policy.

1. Data collected by PrFlare

1.1. The data you provide to PrFlare

You provide data to create an account or make a quick order on PrFlare.

Registration

You provide the data necessary to create an account, including your first and last name, email address and/or cell phone number, and a password. If you register for the Services, you will need to specify the method of payment (e.g., bank card) and payment details.

You create your PrFlare profile (a complete profile will allow you to make the best use of PrFlare Services).

Quick Order

You provide the data necessary to contact you, including your name and email address and/or cell phone number.

Profile

You will be asked to include information about yourself in your profile, such as a photo, city, or region. You are not required to include any additional information in your profile. However, profile information allows you to use PrFlare Services more effectively. PrFlare does not require members to list sensitive information in their profile and make that sensitive information publicly available. Do not post or include personal information in your profile that is intended for a limited audience.

Placement and loading

PrFlare collects your personal information when you submit, post or upload it in the course of using the Services, including when you fill out a form, participate in a survey or send a message.

You are not required to post or upload personal information. However, their absence may prevent you from communicating effectively within the PrFlare Services.

1.2. Data from other participants

Other participants may mention you in publications or write about you.

Content and news

You and others may post content that includes information about you on PrFlare (through articles, postings, comments, videos). In the absence of a waiver from you, PrFlare collects publicly available information about you, including industry news and achievements (e.g., patents issued, professional honors, conference papers, projects, etc.), and makes it available as part of the PrFlare Services.

1.3. Using the Services

PrFlare maintains a log of your visits and use of the PrFlare Services.

PrFlare records usage data when you visit or otherwise use the PrFlare Services, including the PrFlare website, app and platform technologies (such as plugins outside of PrFlare), including when you view or click on content (such as instructional videos) or advertisements (on the PrFlare website or apps or outside of PrFlare), search, share articles. PrFlare uses a login process, cookies, device information and your computer's IP address to identify and record your actions.

1.4. Cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies

PrFlare collects data using cookies and similar technologies.

As described in the Cookie Policy below, PrFlare uses cookies and similar technologies (such as web beacons, single-pixel images, ad tags and device identifiers) to recognize you and/or your device(s) within and outside of the Services and generally when using various Services and devices. In addition, PrFlare permits certain other parties to use cookies as described in the Cookie Policy. You can manage cookies in your browser settings and through other means. In addition, you may choose not to use cookies and similar technologies to track your activity on third-party websites for third-party advertisers.

1.5. Your device and location

PrFlare gets data from your devices and networks, including location data.

When you log in to use the Services or log out (including plugins or cookies and similar third party website technologies), PrFlare obtains the URL of the website from which you logged in and the website to which you navigated. In addition, PrFlare also receives information about your IP address, proxy server, operating system, web browser, add-ons, device ID and capabilities, and/or Internet service provider or mobile carrier. When you use PrFlare Services from a mobile device, that device sends PrFlare information about your location based on your phone settings. PrFlare will ask for your consent to use GPS or other means to determine your exact location.

1.6. Messages

PrFlare collects information about you when you send, receive or use communications in connection with the PrFlare Services. For example, when you receive a posting request, PrFlare tracks your responses and sends you reminders when necessary.

1.7. Information from workplaces and educational institutions

When your employer buys a Service for you to use, they provide information about you to PrFlare.

When others (such as your employer) purchase the PrFlare Services that you will use, they provide PrFlare with your personal information and information about whether you qualify for the Services that they purchase for use by their employees.

1.8. Other

PrFlare is working to improve the quality of the Services. This means that PrFlare receives new data and can create new ways to use the data over time.

PrFlare services are constantly improving. PrFlare often implements new features that may require data collection. If PrFlare begins to collect fundamentally different personal data or significantly changes the way your data is used, PrFlare will notify you and may also change this Privacy Policy.

2. Ways to use your data

PrFlare uses your information to provide, support, personalize and develop the PrFlare Services.

The way PrFlare uses your data depends on what Services you use and how you use those Services. PrFlare uses your data to provide and personalize the PrFlare Services (including advertising) through PrFlare-developed automated systems and logic constructs to make them more relevant and useful to you and other members.

2.1. Services

PrFlare uses your information to authorize access to the PrFlare Services.

Stay connected

PrFlare will use data about you (such as the sites you've visited) to help other users. You can also allow PrFlare to use your exact location.

Effectiveness

PrFlare services allow you to collaborate, search for potential partners and other Contributors to do business with. PrFlare scans messages to provide robot programs and similar tools that facilitate such tasks.

2.2. Communications

PrFlare communicates with you and implements the Member-to-Member messaging feature. PrFlare offers to configure the types of messages you receive and how often you receive certain types of messages.

You will be contacted by email, cell phone, notifications on PrFlare websites or applications, messaging and other means of communication within the PrFlare Services, including SMS text messages and push notifications. PrFlare will send you messages regarding the availability of the PrFlare Services, security, and other aspects of the Services. In addition, PrFlare sends messages about how to use the Services, reminders, and recommendations.

2.3. Advertising

PrFlare shows you personalized ads within and outside the PrFlare Services. PrFlare gives you the ability to customize the display of personalized ads, but you cannot opt out of seeing other ads.

PrFlare displays advertisements (and evaluates their effectiveness) to Participants, Visitors and others, both within and outside the Services, directly or through various partners, using the following data (either individually or in combination with each other):

• Data from advertising technologies within and outside the PrFlare Services, including web beacons, single-pixel images, ad tags, cookies and device identifiers;
• Information provided by the participants;
• Data obtained through the use of the Services (e.g. search history), including as described in Section 1.3;
• Information from advertising partners and publishers.

2.4. Marketing

PrFlare promotes its Services to you and other members.

PrFlare uses Participant data and related content in invitations and communications designed to promote participation and expand PrFlare's network, engagement and Services.

2.5. Developing Services and Research

PrFlare develops its Services and conducts research.

Developing Services

PrFlare uses data (including publicly available data) to conduct research and development to improve the Services. This will enable us to provide you and other Members with better, more efficient and more personalized Services, as well as expand the audience of Members and increase their interest in the Services

Surveys

PrFlare and third parties conduct surveys and questionnaires as part of the PrFlare Services. You are not required to participate in surveys and questionnaires and can choose what information to provide.

2.6. Customer Service

PrFlare uses data to help you and fix problems.

PrFlare uses data (including, possibly, your communications) to respond to, review and resolve claims and questions about the Services (e.g., errors).

2.7. Aggregated statistics

PrFlare uses data to generate aggregate statistics.

PrFlare uses your data to generate and disseminate aggregate statistics that do not identify you. For example, PrFlare may use your data to generate statistics about PrFlare members, their profession or industry.

3. Distribution of PrFlare information

3.1. PrFlare Services

Any content you publish as part of the PrFlare Services will be available to other users.

Your employer can see how you use the Services you provide them for work, as well as related information. PrFlare does not show personal messages to employers.

3.2. Message Archive

Regulated members should probably store their messages outside of the PrFlare Services.

Some Participants (or their employers) are required by regulatory or professional requirements to archive messages and activity using third-party archiving services. PrFlare supports the archiving of messages by these Members outside of the PrFlare Services.

3.3. Related services

PrFlare shares your data as part of the various PrFlare Services and with PrFlare Affiliates.

PrFlare will share your personal information with PrFlare Affiliates in order to provide and develop the PrFlare Services. PrFlare may aggregate information for internal purposes within the various Services governed by this Privacy Policy to make the PrFlare Services more relevant and useful to you and other members.

3.4. Service providers

PrFlare may engage third parties to provide the Services.

PrFlare uses third parties to perform Services (for example, maintenance, analysis, auditing, payment, fraud detection, marketing and development). They have access to your data to the extent reasonably necessary to perform those tasks on behalf of PrFlare. They are bound by PrFlare's obligation not to disclose or otherwise use this data.

3.5. Disclosure by operation of law

PrFlare may be required to share your data if it believes it is required by law or to protect your rights and ensure your safety, and to protect the rights and safety of PrFlare or others.

PrFlare may be required to disclose information about you as required by law, subpoena or other legal process, or when PrFlare has reason to believe that disclosure is necessary to:

• Investigate, prevent or take action against suspected or actual wrongdoing or to assist government law enforcement agencies;
• Enforce any agreements with you;
• Investigate any claims or allegations by PrFlare endeavors to notify Participants of properly asserted claims regarding their personal data when it believes it is appropriate, unless prohibited by law or court order, and unless the request is urgent.

PrFlare may challenge such requests if it believes that the requests are overbroad, unclear, or improperly authorized. However, PrFlare does not promise to challenge every request.

3.6. Change of control or sale

PrFlare may share your data if you sell your business to a third party, provided that use of that data continues to be governed by this Privacy Policy.

In addition, PrFlare may share your personal information as part of a sale, merger or change of control, or in preparation for one of these events. Any other entity acquiring PrFlare or part of PrFlare's business will have the right to continue to use your data in full compliance with this Privacy Policy (unless otherwise agreed to by you).

4. Rights and obligations of the Participant

4.1. Saving data

PrFlare keeps most of your personal data as long as your account is open.

PrFlare will retain your personal information for as long as your account exists or as needed to provide the Services to you. This includes data provided to PrFlare by you or others and data generated or logically inferred from your use of the PrFlare Services. Even if you use the PrFlare Services once every few years, PrFlare retains your data and keeps your profile until you decide to close your account. In some cases, PrFlare may store individual data in an anonymized or aggregated form.

4.2. Closing an account

PrFlare will keep some of your data even after you close your account.

If you decide to close your PrFlare account, your personal data will generally no longer be visible to other PrFlare Services users within 24 hours. PrFlare generally deletes closed account data within 30 days of the account closure date, except in the following cases.

PrFlare will retain your personal information even after closing your account if it is reasonably necessary to comply with PrFlare's legal obligations (including law enforcement requests), legal requirements, as well as to resolve disputes, maintain security, prevent fraud or abuse, enforce the PrFlare User Agreement, or fulfill your request to opt out of receiving further communications from PrFlare. PrFlare will retain anonymized information after your account is closed.

The information that you have shared (for example, in messages) will be available for viewing even after you close your account and delete the information from your profile or email. In addition, PrFlare cannot control the data that other Members have copied from the PrFlare Services. Content posted in groups and ratings and views that are associated with a closed account will appear as having been posted by an unknown user. Your profile may still appear in third-party services (for example, in search results of public search engines) until their cache is updated.

5. Other important information

5.1. Ensuring safety

PrFlare monitors and strives to address security vulnerabilities in a timely manner. Use the security features available through PrFlare Services.

PrFlare implements security measures to protect your data, particularly the HTTPS protocol. PrFlare regularly checks its systems for vulnerabilities and attacks. However, PrFlare cannot guarantee the security of all information you transmit to PrFlare. There is no guarantee that data will not be viewed, disclosed, altered or destroyed due to the failure or overcoming of any physical, technical or administrative security measures.

5.2. Cross-border data transmission

PrFlare stores and uses your data outside your country of residence.

PrFlare processes data both within and outside of Germany and the United States and relies on statutory mechanisms for cross-border data transfer. The laws of the countries in which PrFlare processes data may differ from the laws in your country and may provide less effective data protection.

5.3. Legal Basis for Processing

PrFlare has a legitimate reason for collecting, using and reporting data about you.

You can revoke the consent given by PrFlare at any time by going to settings or contacting support.

PrFlare collects and processes personal information about you for legitimate reasons. Legitimate grounds include consent (where you have given appropriate consent), contract (where processing is necessary to fulfill a contract with you (e.g. to provide the PrFlare Services you requested) and "legitimate interests.

When PrFlare relies on your consent to process personal data, you have the right to withdraw or revoke your consent at any time, and when PrFlare relies on legitimate interests, you have the right to challenge that basis. If you have questions about the legitimate basis for PrFlare's collection and use of your personal data, contact the Data Protection Officer at PrFlare.

5.4. Direct marketing and "don't track" signals

PrFlare's statements regarding direct marketing and "do not track" signals.

PrFlare does not currently share personal information with third parties for direct marketing purposes without your permission.

5.5. Contact information

You can contact us or use other claim settlement options.

All questions or complaints regarding this Policy should be sent through the site. If a response is not received or if the content is not satisfactory to the sender, you may pursue other resolution options. Residents of the Specified Countries also have the right to contact the Data Protection Officer at PrFlare.