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.

Terms of Use

Rev. 9/18/2012

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY. BY ACCESSING OR USING THIS WEB SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN AND ALL TERMS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE THIS WEB SITE.

This website is operated by the Government Accountability Institute (“GAI”, “we” or “us”). These Terms of Use apply solely to your access to, and use of, the G-A-I.org Web site operated by GAI and other GAI Web sites which link to these Terms of Use (the “Sites”). These Terms of Use do not alter in any way the terms or conditions of any other agreement you may have with GAI.

We reserve the right to change or modify any of the terms and conditions contained in the Terms of Use or any policy or guideline of the Sites, at any time and in our sole discretion. Any changes or modification will be effective immediately upon posting of the revisions on the Sites, and you waive any right you may have to receive specific notice of such changes or modifications. Your continued use of these Sites following the posting of changes or modifications will confirm your acceptance of such changes or modifications. Therefore, you should frequently review the Terms of Use and applicable policies from time-to-time to understand the terms and conditions that apply to your use of the Sites. If you do not agree to the amended terms, you must stop using the Sites.

All questions or comments about the Sites or site content should be directed through the “tip box” field at G-A-I.org.

1. Privacy Policy

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for information on how we collect, use and disclose personally identifiable information from our users.

2. Copyright and Limited License

Unless otherwise indicated in the Sites, the Sites and all content and other materials on the Sites, including, without limitation, GAI’s logo, and all designs, text, graphics, pictures, information, data, software, tools, widgets, sound files, other files and the selection and arrangement thereof (collectively, the “Site Materials”) are the proprietary property of GAI or its licensors or users and are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.

You are granted a limited, non-sublicensable license to access and use the Sites and the Site Materials for your informational, non-commercial and personal use only. Such license is subject to these Terms of Use and does not include: (a) any resale or commercial use of the Sites or the Site Materials therein; (b) the reproduction, distribution, public performance or public display of any Site Materials, except as expressly permitted on the Site; (c) modifying or otherwise making any derivative uses of the Sites and the Site Materials, or any portion thereof; (d) use of any data mining, robots or similar data gathering or extraction methods; (e) downloading (other than the page caching) of any portion of the Sites, the Site Materials or any information contained therein, except as expressly permitted on the Sites; or (f) any use of the Sites or the Site Materials other than for its intended purpose. Any use of the Sites or the Site Materials other than as specifically authorized herein, without the prior written permission of GAI, is strictly prohibited and will terminate the license granted herein. Such unauthorized use may also violate applicable laws including without limitation copyright and trademark laws and applicable communications regulations and statutes. Unless explicitly stated herein, nothing in these Terms of Use shall be construed as conferring any license to intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication or otherwise. This license is revocable at any time.

3. Trademarks

All logos and slogans contained in the Sites are trademarks of GAI, its suppliers or licensors, or other third parties and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of GAI or the applicable trademark holder. You may not use any meta-tags or any other “hidden text” utilizing “GAI” or any other name, trademark or product or service name of GAI without our prior written permission. In addition, the look and feel of the Site, including all page headers, custom graphics, button icons and scripts, is the service mark, trademark and/or trade dress of GAI and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without our prior written permission. All other trademarks, registered trademarks, product names and company names or logos mentioned in the Sites are the property of their respective owners. Reference to any products, services, processes or other information, by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, and supplier or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation thereof by us.

4. Hyperlinks

You may not use any GAI logo or other proprietary graphic of GAI to link to these Sites without the express written permission of GAI. Further, you may not use, frame or utilize framing techniques to enclose any GAI trademark, logo or other proprietary information, including the images found at the Sites, the content of any text or the layout/design of any page or form contained on a page on the Sites without GAI’s express written consent. Except as noted above, you are not conveyed any right or license by implication, estoppel or otherwise in or under any patent, trademark, copyright or proprietary right of GAI or any third party.

GAI makes no claim or representation regarding, and accepts no responsibility for, the quality, content, nature, or reliability of third-party Web sites accessible by hyperlink from the Sites, or Web sites linking to the Sites. Such sites are not under the control of GAI and GAI is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any review, changes or updates to such sites. GAI provides these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply affiliation, endorsement, or adoption by GAI of any site or any information contained therein. When you leave the Sites, you should be aware that our terms and policies no longer govern. You should review the applicable terms and policies, including privacy and data gathering practices, of any site to which you navigate from the Sites.

5. Submissions

You acknowledge and agree that any feedback, questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, or other information or materials regarding the Site or GAI that are provided by you in the form of email or other submissions to GAI, or any postings on the Sites, are non-confidential and shall become the sole property of GAI. GAI shall own exclusive rights, including all intellectual property rights, and shall be entitled to the unrestricted use and dissemination of these materials for any purpose without acknowledgment or compensation to you.

6. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless GAI, its independent contractors, service providers and consultants, and their respective directors, employees and agents, from and against any claims, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to any User Content you post, store or otherwise transmit on or through the Sites, your use of the Interactive Areas, or any act or omission relating to the Site or the User Content, including without limitation any actual or threatened suit, demand or claim made against GAI and/or its independent contractors, service providers, employees, directors or consultants, arising out of or relating to the User Content, your conduct, your violation of these Terms of Use or your violation of the rights of any third party.

7. Disclaimers

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN A WRITING BY GAI, THE SITES, THE SITE MATERIALS CONTAINED THEREIN AND THE SERVICES PROVIDED ON OR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH (THE “SERVICES”) ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. GAI DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT AND AS TO ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, FORMS OR OTHER SITE MATERIALS ACCESSED THROUGH THE SITE. GAI DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE SITES, THE SITE MATERIALS OR THE SERVICES ARE ACCURATE, COMPLETE, RELIABLE, CURRENT OR ERROR-FREE.

GAI IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. WHILE GAI ATTEMPTS TO MAKE YOUR ACCESS AND USE OF THE SITES AND SERVICES SAFE, GAI CANNOT AND DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT THE SITES, THE SITE MATERIALS OR THE SERVER(S) ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS; THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD USE INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED SOFTWARE TO DETECT AND DISINFECT VIRUSES FROM ANY DOWNLOAD.

GAI reserves the right to change any and all content contained in the Sites and any Services offered through the Sites at any time without notice. Reference to any products, services, processes or other information, by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, supplier or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by GAI.

8. Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL GAI OR OUR EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR VOLUNTEERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF PROFITS OR LOSS OF DATA, WHETHER IN AN ACTION IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NEGLIGENCE) OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITES, THE SERVICES, THE CONTENT OR THE SITE MATERIALS CONTAINED IN OR ACCESSED THROUGH THE SITE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY OR RESULTING FROM RELIANCE BY USER ON ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM GAI, OR THAT RESULT FROM MISTAKES, OMISSIONS, INTERRUPTIONS, DELETION OF FILES OR EMAIL, ERRORS, DEFECTS, VIRUSES, DELAYS IN OPERATION OR TRANSMISSION OR ANY FAILURE OF PERFORMANCE, WHETHER OR NOT RESULTING FROM ACTS OF GOD, COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE, THEFT, DESTRUCTION OR UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO GAI’s RECORDS, PROGRAMS OR SERVICES. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF GAI, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, WHETHER ACTIVE, PASSIVE OR IMPUTED), PRODUCT LIABILITY, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER THEORY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITES OR THE SITE MATERIALS EXCEED ANY COMPENSATION YOU PAY, IF ANY, TO GAI FOR ACCESS TO OR USE OF THE SITES.

CERTAIN STATE LAWS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR THE EXCLUSION OF LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES. THEREFORE, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MIGHT HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.

9. Applicable Law and Venue

These Terms of Use and your use of the Site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Florida applicable to agreements made and to be entirely performed within Florida, without resort to its conflict of law provisions. You agree that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use shall be filed only in the state and federal courts located in Florida and you hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of these Terms of Use.

10. Termination

Notwithstanding any of these Terms of Use, GAI reserves the right, without notice and in its sole discretion, to terminate your license to use the Sites, and to block or prevent future your access to and use of the Sites.

11. Severability

If any provision of these Terms of Use shall be deemed unlawful, void or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from these Terms of Use and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

12. Questions & Contact Information

All questions or comments about the Sites or site content should be directed through the “tip box” field at G-A-I.org.

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