privacy policy

It is the Government Accountability Institute’s (GAI’s) policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect while operating our websites.

Website Visitors

Like most website operators, GAI collects non-personally-identifying information of the sort that web browsers and servers typically make available, such as the browser type, language preference, referring site, and the date and time of each visitor request. GAI’s purpose in collecting non-personally identifying information is to better understand how GAI’s visitors use its websites. From time to time, GAI may release non-personally-identifying information in the aggregate, e.g., by publishing a report on trends in the usage of its website.

GAI also collects potentially personally-identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for users performing certain activities. GAI only discloses user IP addresses under the same circumstances that it uses and discloses personally-identifying information as described below, except that user IP addresses are visible and disclosed to the administrators of the websites as needed for administrative and security purposes.

Gathering of Personally-Identifying Information

Certain visitors to GAI’s websites choose to interact with GAI in ways that require GAI to gather personally-identifying information. The amount and type of information that GAI gathers depends on the nature of the interaction. Those who engage in transactions with GAI are asked to provide additional information, including as necessary the personal and financial information required to process those transactions. In each case, GAI collects such information only insofar as is necessary or appropriate to fulfill the purpose of the visitor’s interaction with GAI. GAI does not disclose personally-identifying information other than as described below. And visitors can always refuse to supply personally-identifying information, with the caveat that it may prevent them from engaging in certain website-related activities.

Aggregated Statistics

GAI may collect statistics about the behavior of visitors to its websites. GAI may display this information publicly or provide it to others. However, GAI does not disclose personally-identifying information other than as described below.

Protection of Certain Personally-Identifying Information

GAI discloses potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information only to those of its employees, contractors and affiliated organizations that (i) need to know that information in order to process it on GAI’s behalf or to provide services available at GAI’s websites, and (ii) that have agreed not to disclose it to others. Some of those employees, contractors and affiliated organizations may be located outside of your home country; by using GAI’s websites, you consent to the transfer of such information to them. GAI will not rent or sell potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information to anyone. Other than to its employees, contractors and affiliated organizations, as described above, GAI discloses potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information only in response to a subpoena, court order or other governmental request, or when GAI believes in good faith that disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect the property or rights of GAI, third parties or the public at large. If you have signed up for email updates on any of GAI’s websites, GAI may send emails to you regarding the information specifically requested, or other information GAI deems pertinent based on your request. GAI will never sell, rent or loan your email address to anyone else for any reason, and will only disclose your email address as outlined above regarding personally identifying information. GAI takes all measures reasonably necessary to protect against the unauthorized access, use, alteration or destruction of potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information.

Cookies

A cookie is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. GAI uses cookies to help GAI identify and track visitors, their usage of GAI websites, and their website access preferences. GAI visitors who do not wish to have cookies placed on their computers should set their browsers to refuse cookies before using GAI’s websites, with the drawback that certain features of GAI’s websites may not function properly without the aid of cookies.

Privacy Policy Changes

Although most changes are likely to be minor, GAI may change its Privacy Policy from time to time, and in GAI’s sole discretion. GAI encourages visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to its Privacy Policy. Your continued use of this site after any change in this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of such change.