Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society

Privacy Policy

How is Personal Information Used?

The SEC Historical Society uses its best efforts to respect the privacy of its online visitors. At our site, www.sechistorical.org (the "Site"), we do not collect personally identifiable information from individuals unless they provide it to us voluntarily and knowingly. This means we do not require you to register or provide information to us in order to use the Site. The SEC Historical Society only gathers personally identifiable data, such as names, addresses, zip/postal codes, e-mail addresses, etc., when voluntarily submitted by a visitor. For example, personally identifiable information may be collected in order to respond to a stated desire to volunteer time, provide relevant information, donate documents to the SEC Historical Society or to make a financial donation online. This information is used solely by the SEC Historical Society or other entities involved in the operation of this Site, solely for the SEC Historical Society’s internal purposes. Please note that personally identifiable data submitted may be merged with other information the SEC Historical Society already knows, such as whether you have previously contacted or contributed to the Society.

E-mail addresses may be used (unless otherwise requested) to send you information about the SEC Historical Society, its events and programs, and opportunities to support the SEC Historical Society through additional gifts or memberships. If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from the SEC Historical Society please contact us at: j.cobb@sechistorical.org and we will promptly remove your name and e-mail address from our e-mail list.

Information to Third Parties

SEC Historical Society lists are never sold to third parties. We will only share personally identifiable information with third parties if: (i) the person submitting the information authorizes us to share it; (ii) sharing the information is a necessary operation of the Site through, for instance, to process a credit card transaction; or (iii) we are required to do so by law. The SEC Historical Society only contracts with reputable companies that respect customer privacy. However, the SEC Historical Society has no control over, or responsibility for, the data collection and use practices of third parties that process online donation credit card transactions.

Is Credit Card Information Secure?

We care about the safety and security of your transaction. The Site uses VeriSign’s Payflow Link product to communicate with your browser software. This method is the industry standard security protocol, which makes it difficult for anyone else to intercept the credit card information you send to us. Companies we work with to process credit card transactions also use high grade encryption and security protocols.

Contributions may also be made by calling 202-756-5015 or by mailing a check to SEC Historical Society, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20004.

Is My Personal Information Secure?

Yes. The same high grade encryption and https security protocols used for financial transactions on our Site are used in collecting personal information.

How Do We Use "Cookies"?

Visitors should be aware that non-personal information and data may be automatically collected by the SEC Historical Society Website through the use of "cookies." "Cookies" are small text files a website can use to recognize repeat visitors, facilitate the visitor’s ongoing access to and use of the site, and allow a site to track usage behavior and compile aggregate data that will allow content improvements. Cookies are not programs that come onto a visitor’s system and damage files. Generally, cookies work by assigning a unique number to the visitor that has no meaning outside the assigning site. If a visitor does not want information collected through the use of cookies, there is a simple procedure in most browsers that allows the visitor to deny or accept the cookie feature. The SEC Historical Society uses "cookie" technology only to obtain non-personal information from its online visitors in order to improve visitors online experience and facilitate their visit within our Site.

We Care About Doing It Right

In addition to maintaining privacy and security controls over information you share with us, the SEC Historical Society works to accurately process your contribution information. During business hours, staff is available to answer questions about your financial donation or any other questions regarding your personal information. You may also send us a message at j.cobb@sechistorical.org.

The SEC Historical Society employs error-checking procedures to make certain transactions are processed completely and accurately. As necessary, changes are made to improve our systems.

The Privacy Policy may be changed or updated from time to time so please check regularly for any changes.

We are available to answer your questions and hear your concerns.

Thank you for visiting our Site. Please contact us at j.cobb@sechistorical.org, should you have any questions about the operation of the Site.

Last Revised: November 1, 2011

Permission for Use

The virtual museum and archive is copyrighted by the SEC Historical Society. The Society reserves the right to restrict access to or use of the museum by any user at any time.

Users are prohibited from sharing or downloading any material for publication or commercial purposes without written permission from the Executive Director. Requests for permission must be submitted by email and specify the material requested and for what purpose.

Material used with the Society's permission should be credited to: www.sechistorical.org.