Privacy & User Consent

Privacy Statement

Last Revision: September 2021

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its websites. AOC strongly believes that if electronic commerce and online activities are to flourish, consumers must be assured that information provided online is used responsibly and appropriately. To protect online privacy, AOC has implemented the following policy which governs AOC’s relationship with you in relation to this website.

This privacy statement covers the site(s) *.crows.org.

If users have questions or concerns regarding this statement, they should contact us, by telephone at (703) 549-1600, by facsimile at (703) 549-2589, by using our online “Contact Us” form https://www.crows.org/contact-us/, or by postal service at the following address: AOC, ATTN: Customer Service, 1001 N. Fairfax St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314.

What Information Does AOC Collect?

Data AOC collects is used only to help AOC better serve its members and customers. It is our policy to collect and store only personal information that is knowingly provided. If our privacy policies change, we may notify all users by e-mail or by announcement placed on the website.

From General Users

AOC does not collect any personal information from anonymous users browsing its website other than the public IP address. Though we collect IP address information we do not link an IP addresses to a user’s personal information. Only aggregate data, such as the number of hits per page, are used. Aggregate data are only used for internal and marketing analytics purposes and do not provide any personally identifying information.

From AOC Members, Conference Registrants, Webinar Registrants, and Other Customers

To gain access to members-only resources and personalization features across the AOC’s website(s), members are asked to use their username or email address and password to securely sign-in. AOC asks other users (Guest Non-Members) to provide similar demographic & contact information as all other members in order to provide similar personalization. Credit card information is collected from an individual when joining or renewing a membership, registering for an educational course, or event, or purchasing other goods or services. This data is submitted voluntarily. Similar information may be submitted to AOC through membership applications, conference or seminar registrations, publication orders, and subscriptions. Additionally, for some emails sent in HTML format by AOC to its members and other customers, AOC may collect specific information regarding what the recipient does with that email. For those emails, AOC may monitor whether a recipient subsequently clicks through to links provided in the message. Other information collected through this tracking feature includes: email address of a user, the date and time of the user’s “click,” a message number, name of the list from which the message was sent, tracking URL number, and destination page. AOC will only use this information to enhance its services and distribution of those services to its members and other customers. If a user clicks on sponsor/advertiser’s logo/image/banner/link/etc. in an email, this “click” may be reported to the sponsor/advertiser. This information will not be distributed in any other manner without user consent.

How does AOC use Cookies?

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. Cookies used on our websites do not contain personally identifiable information. We use non-persistent, session based cookies, which terminate when the browser is closed.  A non-persistent cookie in the browser’s memory, is set whenever the user is authenticated during Login. In subsequent transactions with protected pages, this cookie helps us re-authenticate the user.  All cookies generated by activities with the AOC sites terminate when the browser is closed.

How does AOC Use Data Collected?

AOC uses information voluntarily submitted by members and other customers in the following ways:

AOC Member Services and Products

AOC, its direct subsidiaries, and designated contractors use data collected to maintain the user’s AOC profile, AOC membership, mail the Journal of Electronic Dominance (JED) and provide requested services (i.e., courses and events.) In addition, this information may be used to improve AOC’s Web content; to respond to members’ interests, needs and preferences; and to develop new products and services.

Disclosures to Third Parties

AOC makes member and guest non-member USER SELECTED contact information available to other members through the “AOC Communities” portion of its portal using the AOC Directory function. AOC does not sell member information to anyone without the express consent of the user. Member personal information is not shared with third parties other than those acting as agents of this organization and as directed by AOC. For example, a third party may act as our agent, acting as event registration manager, for AOC sponsored events. Therefore, if a user registers for an event, they may be directed to an event specific website. A third party acting on behalf of AOC may collect event registration information for the purpose of managing the event on behalf of AOC.

AOC Webinars are supported by industry sponsorship(s) and are complimentary for AOC Members and Guest Non-Members to register and view.  Webinar registrants are explicitly required to agree with the following terms in order to access the webinar content:  “The AOC will provide sponsors at the Platinum & Gold levels with my First & Last Name, Email Address, Phone, Organization, Job Title, Country, State/Province, City, & Zip/Postal Code.  The AOC and its sponsors may use the collected information for marketing purposes.”

Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order, or legal process served on our website.

AOC is subject to the investigatory and enforcement powers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

AOC will disclose personal information in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.

AOC uses third-party services that may collect information on your use of this site through the use of cookies and web beacons as follows:

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”).  Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser; however, please note that if you do this, you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.  By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

Third-Party Ad Networks

AOC uses third parties such as network advertisers to serve advertisements on our Site and on third-party websites or other media (e.g., social networking platforms). This enables us and these third parties to target advertisements to you for products and services in which you might be interested. Third-party ad network providers, advertisers, sponsors and/or traffic measurement services may use cookies, JavaScript, web beacons (including clear GIFs), Flash LSOs and other tracking technologies to measure the effectiveness of their ads and to personalize advertising content to you. These third-party cookies and other technologies are governed by each third party’s specific privacy policy, not this one. We may provide these third-party advertisers with information about you.

Users in the United States may opt out of many third-party ad networks. For example, you may go to the Digital Advertising Alliance (“DAA”) Consumer Choice Page for information about opting out of interest-based advertising and their choices regarding having information used by DAA companies. You may also go to the Network Advertising Initiative (“NAI”) Consumer Opt-Out Page for information about opting out of interest-based advertising and their choices regarding having information used by NAI members.

Opting out from one or more companies listed on the DAA Consumer Choice Page or the NAI Consumer Opt-Out Page will opt you out from those companies’ delivery of interest-based content or ads to you, but it does not mean you will no longer receive any advertising through our Site or on other websites. You may continue to receive advertisements, for example, based on the particular website that you are viewing (i.e., contextually based ads). Also, if your browsers are configured to reject cookies when you opt out on the DAA or NAI websites, your opt-out may not be effective. Additional information is available on the DAA’s website at www.aboutads.info or the NAI’s website at www.networkadvertising.org.

Online Behavioral Advertising and How You Can Opt-Out

We may work with third-party advertising companies who may utilize cookies and web beacons, and data collected on our services, to customize advertisements to you on our services, as well as on other websites or mobile applications in their networks beyond our services. Among other things, these customized advertisements may advertise our products and services and third party products and services on websites or mobile applications not affiliated with us. Some of these ads are online behavioral advertising – which serve advertisements that are more likely to be of interest to you using non-personal behavioral information. Such ads may contain cookies that allow monitoring of websites and mobile applications (including our own services) and your response to such advertisements. Cookies or web beacons placed by these companies do not collect personal information, and the third-party advertising companies do not have access to or use your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number or other personal information; they may however, anonymously track your usage across our services and other websites or mobile applications in their networks. We limit companies that place our ads from using information for any purpose other than to assist us in our advertising efforts.

For more information about these third-party advertising companies' privacy policies, visit the Network Advertising Initiative’s website at http://www.networkadvertising.org. If you prefer to not receive targeted advertising, you can opt-out of network advertising programs that use your information. To do so, please visit: the Network Advertising Initiative’s opt-out page.

Credit Card Account Information

AOC does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members and customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, AOC submits the information needed to obtain payment to the appropriate clearinghouse. All sensitive data, such as credit card information, is transmitted via SSL encryption.

How can users opt out of email communications or unsubscribe from the Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance (JED)?

Users who wish to unsubscribe from AOC emails promoting events, webinars, careers, chapter correspondence, etc. can do so by clicking “unsubscribe” at the bottom of any of these emails and managing their email subscription preferences there.  Members and Guest Non-Members can also update these preferences in the “Account & Settings” section of their AOC profile. Unsubscribing from these marketing emails does NOT remove users from receiving transactional notifications regarding their membership status, event registration confirmations, AOC store purchases, or other transactional notifications.

Users who wish to unsubscribe from the Journal of Electronic Defense (JED) and those who wish to opt-out of receiving one or more types of communications from AOC, may do so by using our online “Contact Us” form https://www.crows.org/contact-us/, contacting our Membership Department by telephone at (703) 549-1600, or by postal service at AOC, ATTN: Membership Department, 1001 N. Fairfax St., Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314.

How can users access information they have submitted through the website?

Members of AOC have direct access to review, update and/or correct their personal information through the members-only portion of the website which is accessible only by using their email address and password. Event registrants and other non-member users can gain access to their data for review and correction by contacting the Events Department using our online “Contact Us” form https://www.crows.org/contact-us/, or by telephone at (703) 549-1600. Member data may be deleted or anonymized in our systems via a written request to our online “Contact Us” form https://www.crows.org/contact-us/.

Data Protection and Transfer of Information Overseas

We are committed to protecting the security of information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your Personal Data from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure, as well as from misuse, interference or loss. We store all information in electronic form. The data collected is maintained in databases that are housed on equipment stored in secure, limited access facilities. Access to personal information is restricted to those employees that are responsible for collecting the data and those whose duties require them to use the data.  All such information is maintained in the United States, where it is stored in secure servers that are protected in controlled facilities. We constantly monitor and regularly update our security procedures to ensure that the information we collect and store is as secure as reasonably possible.

In the event we transfer your Personal Data, we will take appropriate measures to protect your privacy and the Personal Data we transfer. Should we need to transfer your Personal Data for purposes other than for providing the Services and in accordance with this Policy, we will, to the extent permitted by law, obtain assurances from the recipients that they will safeguard your Personal Data in a manner that is consistent with this Policy. In addition, if we learn that an agent is using or disclosing your Personal Data in a manner that is contrary to this Policy, we will take reasonable steps to prevent or stop such use or disclosure.

What Privacy Issues Arise with Links to Other Sites?

This website contains links to other websites. AOC has no control over and is not responsible for the privacy policies or content of such sites.

Consent to Use Personal Information and Dispute Resolution

For the purposes of the Data Protection Act(s) 1984 and 1998 (as applicable), and in compliance with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework, AOC or its agents must store, host and otherwise process the information (including personal data) supplied by the user when registering for this website. AOC may send such data outside the European Economic Area for processing. Voluntary provision of information to AOC will be considered consent for AOC to use that information in the manner and for the purposes stated above.

Except for transfers of information as described herein, we will not disclose any of your Personal Data to third parties without giving you the choice to opt-out of such of disclosure.

What Means of Redress Are Available?

If any user suspects AOC has handled its personal information in a manner that does not comply with this privacy statement, please contact us via a written request to our online “Contact Us” form https://www.crows.org/contact-us/ or by calling (703) 549-1600.

If, after contacting our Customer Service Center, the user continues to be dissatisfied with AOC’s handling of their personal information, our Executive Director should be contacted via a written request to our online “Contact Us” form https://www.crows.org/contact-us/ or by calling (703) 549-1600.

For issues regarding the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance that cannot be resolved by contacting our Customer Service Center or the AOC Executive Director, users may contact the EU Data Protection Authorities for dispute resolution.