About the NAMASTA Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. We have created this privacy policy to explain how NAMASTA treats personal information that it collects and receives, including information related to your past use of NAMASTA products and services. To make this policy easy to find, we make it available from every single page on our website. This policy does not apply to the practices of companies that NAMASTA does not own or control, such as the Marketing Partners, third party service providers or advertiser; and this policy does not apply to people that NAMASTA does not employ.
This policy covers only information that is collected through this Web site, and does not cover information that may be collected through software downloaded from the site.
If users have questions or concerns regarding this statement, they should contact Member Services by e-mail at memberservices@namasta.com.

This privacy statement covers NAMASTA’s site www.namasta.com. Because this Web site wants to demonstrate its commitment to our users’ privacy, it has agreed to disclose its information practices.

1. What personally identifiable information NAMASTA collects.
2. What personally identifiable information third parties collect through the Web site.
3. What organization collects the information.
4. How NAMASTA uses the information.
5. With whom NAMASTA may share user information.
6. What choices are available to users regarding collection, use and distribution of the information.
7. What types of security procedures are in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of information under NAMASTA control.
8. How users can correct any inaccuracies in the information.

YOU MUST BE EIGHTEEN YEARS OR OLDER TO ACCESS THIS WEBSITE. IF YOU ARE UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ACCESS THIS WEBSITE FOR ANY REASON. DUE TO THE AGE RESTRICTIONS FOR USE OF THIS WEBSITE, NO INFORMATION OBTAINED BY THIS WEBSITE FALLS WITHIN THE CHILD ONLINE PRIVACY ACT (COPA) AND IS NOT MONITORED AS DOING SO.
Information collection

Personal information is information about you that is personally identifiable like your name, address, e-mail address, or phone number, and that is not otherwise publicly available. (Note that any non-personal information, communications or material you send to NAMASTA by Internet electronic mail is on a nonconfidential basis and is not treated as Personal Information). NAMASTA is the sole owner of the information collected on www.namasta.com. NAMASTA collects information from our users at several different points on our Web site.

REGISTRATION
In order to use certain part of this Web site, a user must first complete a registration form.
During registration to receive the NAMASTA newsletter, a user is required to give contact information (such as name and e-mail address). We use this information to contact the user about services on our site for which he has expressed interest. We do not require the user to provide demographic information (such as income level and gender), but do require unique identifiers (such as, username and password).
During registration to become a member, a user is required to give contact information (such as name and e-mail address) and fill out an order form. We use this information to contact the user about services on our site for which he has expressed interest. It is optional for the user to provide survey information (such as type of practice, needs for services, …) but encouraged so we can provide a more useful experience for our members.
We do not require a user’s social security number. Applying for liability insurance requires providing the last 4 numbers of a user’s social security number.

ORDER/MEMBERSHIP SIGN-UP
We request information from the user on our order form. A user must provide contact information (such as name, e-mail, and mailing address) and financial information (such as credit card number, expiration date). This information is used for billing purposes and to fill customer’s orders. The credit card information is not stored on our servers but on the server of the company that processes transactions or on PayPal’s servers. Paypal’s privacy policy is available here: http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/policy_privacy-outside.
If we have trouble processing an order, the information is used to contact the user.
Services obtained by users or members via Marketing Partners are governed by the respective Marketing Partners’ Terms of Service and Privacy Policies.

We may also collect some information about you using technology, so it may not be readily apparent to you that it is being collected. NAMASTA may use information collected through technology to make our site more interesting and useful to you. This includes helping advertisers on our site design advertisements our members or Newsletter readers might like. We may combine this type of information with personally identifiable information.

We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.

Information Use

Profile
We store information that we collect through cookies, log files, clear GIFs, and/or third parties to create a profile of our users. A profile is stored information that we keep on individual users that details their viewing preferences. Consequently, collected information is tied to the users personally identifiable information to provide offers and improve the content of the site for the user. This profile is used to tailor a user’s visit to our Web site, and to direct pertinent marketing promotions to them. We may share your profile with other third parties. Your profile is shared together with your personally identifiable information.

Cookies
Cookies are pieces of information that a Web site sends to your computer while you are viewing the Web site. We may use cookies on this website. Persistent cookies enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our site. See the “Profile” section.
These pieces of information allow the Web site to remember important information that will make your use of that site more useful. NAMASTA and other Internet companies use cookies for a variety of purposes. For instance, we may use cookies to remember your name when you re-enter the site after registering.
You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser (like Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer) settings. Each browser is a little different, so look at your browser Help menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies. If you turn cookies off, you won’t have access to many NAMASTA features that make your Web experience more efficient — like the features mentioned above — and some of our services will not function properly.
Some of our business partners may use cookies on our site. However, we have no access to or control over these cookies, once we have given permission for them to set cookies for advertising.

Third Party Advertising
Ads may appear on this Web site. Information about users’ visit to this site, such as number of times they have viewed an ad (but not user name, address, or other personal information), may then be used to serve ads to users on this site.
This privacy statement covers the use of cookies by www.namasta.com only and does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.

Log Files
Like most standard Web site servers we use log files. This include referring/exit pages, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement in the aggregate, and gather information for aggregate use or for the targeting of offers to individual users. This may also include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP) and platform type. In the event we use IP addresses, etc. they may be tied to personally identifiable information to enable our Web-based service. We use a tracking utilities such as Webalizer that uses log files to analyze user movement. See also the Profile section.

Clear GIFs(Web Beacons/Web Bugs)
We may employ (or the third party advertising company we may use may employ) a software technology called clear GIFs (a.k.a. Web Beacons/Web Bugs), that help us better manage content on our site by informing us what content is effective. Clear GIFs are tiny graphics with a unique identifier, similar in function to cookies, and are used to track the online movements of Web users. The main difference between the two is that clear GIFs are invisible on the page and are much smaller, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Clear GIFs may be tied to users’ personally identifiable information.
Clear GIFs can “work with” existing cookies on a computer if they are both from the same Web site or advertising company. That means, for example, that if a person visited “www.companyX.com”, which uses an advertising company’s clear GIF, the Web site [or advertising company] would match the clear GIF’s identifier and the advertising company’s cookie ID number, to show the past online behavior for that computer. This collected information would then be given to the advertising company [or Web site].
In addition, we may use clear GIFs in our HTML-based emails to let us know which emails have been opened by the recipients. This allows us to gauge the effectiveness of certain communications and the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns. If users would like to opt-out of these emails, please see the Opt-out section.
Communications from the Site

SPECIAL OFFERS AND UPDATES
We send all new newsletter registered users and NAMASTA members a welcoming email to verify password and username. Established members will occasionally receive information on products, services, special deals, and a complete newsletter. Out of respect for the privacy of our users we present the option to not receive these types of communications. Please see the Choice and Opt-out sections.

E-MAIL
If you received an electronic mailing from us, (a) your email address is either listed with us as someone who has expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future (“opt-in”), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings.
Spam is unsolicited email also known as junk mail or UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email.) By sending email to only to those who have requested to receive it, the sender will be following accepted permission-based email guidelines. There are laws restricting Spam at the State level. But spam statutes vary from State to State. Each State has its own definition of unsolicited commercial email. Additionally, there are various federal agencies keeping track of spam including the Federal Trade Commission.

NEWSLETTER
If a user wishes to subscribe to our newsletter, we ask for contact information such as username and email address. Out of respect for our users privacy we provide a way to opt-out of these communications. Please see the Choice and Opt-out sections.

SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

CUSTOMER SERVICE
We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regards to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone, in accordance with the users wishes.

CHAT ROOMS, MESSAGE BOARDS, AND PUBLIC FORUMS
NAMASTA may make available chat, message board or forum functionalities on its website. Please keep in mind that whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information online – for example on message boards, through e-mail, or in chat areas – that information can be collected and used by others. In short, by posting personal information online that is publicly accessible, you may receive unsolicited messages from other parties in return.
Sharing
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
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 Web site.

AGGREGATE INFORMATION (NON-PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE)
We may share aggregated demographic information with our existing or potential Marketing partners and advertisers in order to define new services or improve the financial terms for NAMASTA, our users and/or our Members. This is not linked to any personally identifiable information.

THIRD PARTY ADVERTISERS
NAMASTA may share Web site usage information about users with a reputable third party for the purpose of targeting Internet banner advertisements on this site and other sites. For example, NAMASTA may use cookies and clear GIFs on this site, which allow them to recognize a user’s cookie when a user visits this site. The information they collect and share through this technology is not personally identifiable.

These are the instances in which we will share users’ personal information.
We may share personal information with Third Parties. In using the varied features of the Services, you may provide information (such as name, contact information, or other registration information) to NAMASTA. NAMASTA reserves the right to occasionally contact members and users of current or future services regarding features and services, for instance by means of survey. NAMASTA may use this information and any technical information about your use of the Services to tailor its presentations to you, facilitate your movement through the Service, or communicate separately with you.
If you are using the Services as a result of solicitation by a Marketing Partner of NAMASTA, NAMASTA may share your information with the Marketing Partner. From time to time, NAMASTA may disclose aggregate user demographic data to advertisers or other third parties. One of the most valuable assets of our business is you. If there is a value for our Members, we will share your information or send you messages on behalf of another company. We will also share information for security reasons.
We may also combine this information with personally identifiable information to identify a visitor in order to enforce compliance with our or Terms and Conditions of Service or to protect our service, site, Members, or others. Sometimes we may hire companies to help us deliver products or services, like a shipping company that delivers a package. In those instances, we need to share your information with them. These companies are basically “standing in the shoes” of NAMASTA, and they are allowed to use the information only to deliver the product or service.

NAMASTA will otherwise not intentionally disclose personally identifiable information about you to third parties, unless NAMASTA believes such disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (1) comply with the law or legal process; (2) protect or defend the rights or property of NAMASTA or others; (3) enforce the membership agreement or then current Terms of Service posted on the website at www.namasta.com/termsofservice ; (4) respond to claims that the contents of any communications violate the rights of others; or (5) as otherwise provided in this Privacy Policy, the Terms of Service or membership agreement.

THIRD PARTY INTERMEDIARIES
We may use an outside shipping company to ship orders, and do use PayPal for credit card processing to bill users for membership dues and Roving Software for e-mail marketing aspects.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
We partner with other third parties to provide specific services such as health benefits. When the user signs up for these particular services directly or indirectly via the NAMASTA membership, we share names, or other contact information (with the exception of credit card information) that is necessary for the third party to provide these services.

BUSINESS TRANSITIONS
In the event NAMASTA goes through a business transition, such as a merger, being acquired by another company, or selling a portion of its assets, users’ personal information will, in most instances, be part of the assets transferred.
Choice/Opt out
Our users are given the opportunity to ‘opt-out’ of having their information used for purposes not directly related to our site at the point where we ask for information. Users who no longer wish to receive our newsletter and promotional communications may opt-out of receiving these communications by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter e-mail or by sending us an e-mail to memberservices@namasta.com with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line.
Each email sent contains an easy, automated way for you to cease receiving email from us, or to change your expressed interests. If you wish to do this, simply follow the instructions at the end of any email.
If you have received unwanted, unsolicited email sent via this system or purporting to be sent via this system, please forward a copy of that email with your comments to memberservices@namasta.com for review.
Links
This Web site contains links to other sites, including so-called co-branded website where the NAMASTA name may appear but the service is provided by a Marketing Partner. Please be aware that we, NAMASTA, are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every Web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Web site.
Surveys
From time-to-time, including after a Member has signed up, our site may solicit information from users via surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose this information. The requested information typically includes contact information (such as name and mailing address), demographic information (such as zip code) and need or interest for particular services. If contests are run, contact information will be used or shared with the contest sponsors to notify the winners and award prizes. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of this site and tailor the services NAMASTA offers. Users’ personally identifiable information is not shared with third parties unless we give prior notice and choice. Though we may at some point use an intermediary to conduct these surveys or contests, they may not use users’ personally identifiable information for any secondary purposes.
Tell-a-friend
If a user elects to use our referral service for informing a friend about our site, we ask them for the friend’s name and email address. NAMASTA will automatically send the friend a one-time email inviting them to visit the site. NAMASTA does not store this information but may in the future store this information for the sole purpose of sending this one-time email and tracking the success of our referral program. The friend may contact NAMASTA at feedback@namasta.com to request the removal of this information from our database.
Security
The importance of security for all personally identifiable information associated with our Members and users is of utmost concern to us. We use security measures to protect against the loss, misuse and alteration of data used by our system.
When you provide credit card information, we or our payment processing partners use secure socket layer (SSL) encryption to protect it. We also strive to protect user-information off-line. All of our users’ information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, our billing clerk or a customer service representative) are granted access to personally identifiable information.
There are some things that you can do to help protect the security of your information as well. For instance, never give out your Password, since this is what is used to access all of your account information. Also remember to sign out of your account and close your browser window when you finish surfing the Web, so that other people using the same computer won’t have access to your information.

If users have any questions about the security at our Web site, users can send an email to memberservices@namasta.com .
Supplementation of information
In order for this Web site to properly fulfill its obligation to users it is necessary for us to supplement the information we receive with information from 3rd party sources.

PURCHASING HISTORY
In order for this Web site to enhance its ability to tailor the site to a user’s preference, we combine information about the purchasing habits of users with similar information from our partners, to create a personalized user profile. When a user makes a purchase from a Marketing Partner, the Marketing Partner normally collect and share personal information back with us for financial reporting and marketing optimization purposes.

ENHANCEMENT OF MARKETING PROFILE
We purchase third party marketing data and add it to our existing user database to better target our advertising and provide pertinent offers we think our users would be interested in. We use this information to enhance or overlay the ‘profile’ of individual users. This aggregate marketing data may therefore be tied to the users’ personally identifiable information. See also the “Profile”.
Correcting, Updating, Deleting or Deactivating Personal Information
If a user’s personally identifiable information changes (such as zip code, phone, email or postal address), or if a user no longer desires our service, we provide a way to correct, update or delete/deactivate users’ personally identifiable information. This can usually be done by e-mailing Member Services at memberservices@namasta.com.
Notification of Changes
This policy was initially created on February 19, 2003, updated on May 1, 2003, August 31, 2003, August 21, 2004, and April 2, 2009, July 14, 2009 and can be amended at any time.
Contact Information
If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:
Telephone: +1 877 626 2782 (toll free)
Fax: +1 530 482 2311
Email: memberservices@namasta.com
Postal Address: NAMASTA, 2313 Hastings Drive, Belmont CA 94002-3317
Web site URL: www.namasta.com