PenPal Garden understands and respects that your privacy should always remain strictly under your control. It is because of this philosophy that you can be confident that the information you divulge to PenPal Garden will not be accessible to people whom you have not authorized. Neither will it be sold or otherwise distributed to third parties other than in accordance with this policy without your consent. PenPal Garden is not a source of unsolicited email.

Questions

1. Is it really free to join PenPal Garden?
2. When is my information given out?
3. What do you use my personal details for?
4. Does PenPal Garden sell my information to third parties?
5. How secure is your web server?
6. Will I be added to any mailing lists?
7. Do you send unsolicited emails?
8. What do you use cookies for?
9. How will I be notified of changes?
10. How do I cancel my membership?
11. How do I contact you?

Is it really free to join PenPal Garden? top

It is and always will be free to join PenPal Garden. Later on, a paid membership will be offered for advanced users but the basic free service will always be available.

When is my information given out? top

Your personal info, like e-mail address or birthday, will never be shown on any pages at PenPal Garden.

What do you use my personal details for? top

PenPal Garden will use your name so that PenPal Garden can personalise your experience with me. PenPal Garden will use your e-mail address for security reasons to confirm that you are who you say you are.

PenPal Garden also collects other data, which may include your IP address and what browser you are using. PenPal Garden uses this information to statistically analyze site usage and to customize our site's content, layout and services. The resulting information will allows PenPal Garden to improve PenPal Garden site and better understand and serve PenPal World's users. It is compiled and analyzed on an aggregated basis only.

Does PenPal Garden sell my information to third parties? top

As a matter of policy, PenPal Garden does not sell, rent or lend any of your personal information to third parties other than in accordance with this policy without your consent. However, the following describes some of the ways that your personal information may be used in the normal routine to provide PenPal Garden range of services to you.

Service Management. PenPal Garden uses your personal information to provide the services you request. PenPal Garden uses your personal information to: troubleshoot problems; measure consumer interest in PenPal Garden's services, inform you about offers, products, services, and updates; customize your experience; detect and protect PenPal Garden against error, fraud and other criminal activity; enforce PenPal World's Terms of Use; and as otherwise described to you at the time of collection.

You agree that PenPal Garden may use personal information about you to improve PenPal Garden's marketing and promotional efforts, to analyze site usage, improve PenPal Garden's content and product offerings, and customize the site's content, layout, and services. These uses improve the site and better tailor it to meet your needs, so as to provide you with a smooth, efficient, safe and customized experience while using the site.

You agree that PenPal Garden may use your personal information to contact you and deliver information to you that, in some cases, are targeted to your interests, such as targeted banner advertisements, administrative notices, product offerings, and communications relevant to your use of the site. By accepting the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, you expressly agree to receive this information. You may make changes to your email notification preferences at any time.

Advertisers. PenPal Garden might disclose non-personally identifiable aggregated (gather up data across all member accounts) information to advertisers and other third parties. An example of non-personally identifiable information would be 'the number of members aged 20-30'.

Law Enforcement. PenPal Garden cooperates with law enforcement inquiries, as well as other third parties to enforce laws, such as: intellectual property rights, fraud and other rights, to help protect you and PenPal Garden's service. Therefore, in response to a genuine request by law enforcement or other government officials relating to a criminal investigation or alleged illegal activity, PenPal Garden can disclose personal information about you.Third parties may unlawfully intercept or access transmissions or private communications, or users may abuse or misuse your personal information that they collect from the site. Therefore, although PenPal Garden uses industry standard practices to protect your privacy, PenPal Garden does not promise, and you should not expect, that your personal information or private communications will always remain private.

Acquisition. It is possible that as PenPal Garden continues to develop its website and its business, PenPal Garden's service and/or related assets might be acquired. Notwithstanding any provision in this policy to the contrary, in event of a merger or acquisition, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, and become subject to the acquirer's data practices.

How secure is your web server? top

PenPal Garden's web servers enjoy following on scene security:

• Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA)
• Separated Smoke Alarm System
• Fogtec - MIST fire suppression system
• CCTV-System surveillance monitoring all entries/exits and all main areas
• 24 hour - 365 day video recording
• PAC security card entry control
• Visual verification of all people entering the data level
• Redundant air conditioning

PenPal Garden uses industry standard technology to keep your personal information as safe as possible. Additionally, PenPal World has dedicated non-stop power systems, with multiple back-up generators, in case of power failure. As a further safety feature, all the data is backed-up on a daily basis. PenPal Garden's servers are housed on a dedicated ethernet segment with a dedicated router port for added network security.

Will I be added to any mailing lists? top

PenPal Garden does not sell, rent or lend e-mail addresses for any other purpose than in direct association with your use of PenPal Garden's service or as otherwise described in this privacy policy.

Do you send unsolicited emails? top

PenPal Garden will not send any unsolicited information, including e-mail. You will, however receive emails which form an essential part of the service.

What do you use cookies for? top

Cookies are a standard internet technology, and many major web sites use them to provide useful features for their members. Cookies allows PenPal Garden to store and retrieve login information on a user's system. They provide PenPal World with data that PenPal Garden can use to improve PenPal World's service to you. If you so choose, you can save your login or password so you don't have to re-enter them each time you visit PenPal Garden'ssite.

Cookies themselves do not personally identify users, although they do identify a user's computer. Most browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. If you'd prefer, you can set yours to refuse cookies. However, you may not be able to take full advantage of PenPal Garden's web site if you do so.

How will I be notified of changes? top

PenPal Garden may amend this Privacy Policy at any time by posting the amended terms on the site. All amended terms shall automatically be effective immediately after posting on the site. PenPal Garden might notify you in accordance with its importance.

How do I cancel my membership? top

You always have the option not to become a member or to cancel your membership at any time.

If you are a member and no longer wish to participate in PenPal Garden you can sign in to the site and click on the 'My Profile' at the top of the page; then select 'cancel membership' and follow the simple instructions.

This action will cancel your membership and delete your details from the system, expect your e-mail address and the date you've joined the first time. You will be assured that, PenPal Garden will not contact you directly at the e-mail address we have on record for you, other than to respond to requests you may make to PenPal Garden in the future.

How do I contact you? top

If you have any questions about PenPal Garden's privacy statement, the practices of this website or your dealings with this website, you can contact PenPal Garden via the Contact Us page.