Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine
The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) is very aware of our member's needs for security and privacy. To that end the following document describes how AAIM controls the private information of members and other users of www.im.org. In our privacy statement we will outline:
- The personally identifiable information AAIM collects.
- The personally identifiable information third parties collect through the website.
- The use the information from www.im.org.
- With whom www.im.org may share user information.
- The choices available to users regarding collection, use, and distribution of the information.
- The types of security procedures in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of information under AAIM and Socious control.
- Correction of inaccurate information.
Please read the following policy carefully, and if you have questions or concerns regarding this statement, please contact aaimonline@im.org.
1. Information Collection
AAIM is the sole owner of the information collected on www.im.org. AAIM collects information from our users at several different points.
In order to use www.im.org, a user must first complete the registration form (e.g., membership application, chief resident program application, etc.). During registration a user is required to give contact information (such as name and email address). This information is used to contact the user about services within the organization and on www.im.org for which he has expressed interest. It is optional for the user to provide demographic and profile information, but it is encouraged so a more personalized experience can be provided.
- User and Group Information
Other members of the AAIM charter associations and affiliated organizations with access to www.im.org may view information provided by a registered user. This information includes such items as email address and other information provided by the individual. At any time users may opt out of allowing other users to view their personal information. By removing the information from the system, other users will not be able to see it on www.im.org; however, it will be retained by AAIM.
Users may wish to participate in discussions via wwwim.org discussion forums. Users can ask questions or respond to other users' questions. Any information provided within the forum area may be viewed by other members of the corresponding www.im.org community. Users should never provide sensitive or private information in this area. When these items are displayed for others to see, www.im.org will display the user name, message, and profile picture (if available).
Users may wish to participate in and contribute to www.im.org file libraries. Users can download or provide files for other users. Any information provided within this area may be viewed by other members of the corresponding www.im.org community. Users should never provide any sensitive or private information in this area.
2. Information Use
AAIM stores collected information through a membership database, cookies, and log files, and user-created content to create a profile of our users. A profile is stored information that is kept on individual users that details their viewing preferences. Consequently, collected information is tied to the users personally identifiable information to provide information and improve the content of the site for the user. This profile is used to tailor a user's visit to www.im.org. User profile information will only be shared as part of an aggregate form with no personal or identifiable information.
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's computer tied to information about the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information while on www.im.org. www.im.org only uses session ID cookies. For the session ID cookie, once users close the browser, the cookie terminates.
Like most standard website servers, www.im.org uses log files. This includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user's movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses, etc. are not linked to personally identifiable information, and are never given to third parties.
3. Communications from the Site
- Special Offers and Updates
AAIM sends all new members a welcome email to verify password and username. Established members will occasionally receive information from AAIM or the charter associations.
On rare occasions it is necessary to send a strictly service-related announcement. For instance, if service is temporarily suspended for maintenance AAIM might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account. Please note,these communications are not promotional in nature.
AAIM communicates with users via email or phone to provide requested services and/or information relating to a user’s account.
4. Sharing
Though AAIM makes every effort to preserve user privacy, the organization may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein a good-faith belief has been established to show that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on www.im.org.
www.im.org may contain links to other sites. AAIM is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. AAIM encourage users to be aware when they leave www.im.org to read the privacy statements of each and every website that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by AAIM.
5. Security
AAIM takes every precaution to protect user information. When users submit sensitive information via www.im.org, their information is protected both online and offline.
Should a user ever need to provide sensitive information (e.g., credit card number, social security number, etc.), that information is encrypted and is protected with SSL secuirty. While on a secure page, the lock icon (most commonly located on the address bar) becomes locked, as opposed to un-locked, or open, when users are not on a secure page. While AAIM currently does not collect and store this type of information, it is possible we will provide services requiring this need in the future.
While AAIM uses SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, the organization also works to protect user-information offline. All user information is restricted in our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job are granted access to personally identifiable information. Furthermore, ALL employees are kept up-to-date on AAIM’s security and privacy practices throughout the year. Finally, the servers that store personally identifiable information are in a secure environment,.
Please contact aaimonline@im.org with questions about the security of user data.
6. Correcting/Updating/Deleting/Deactivating Personal Information
Users can update their contact information or express their wish to deactivate their profile by contacting memberservices@im.org.
7. Notification of Changes
If AAIM makes changes to its privacy policy, the association will post those changes to this privacy statement, the homepage, and other appropriate locations so users are aware of the information collected, how it is used, and under what circumstances, if any, it will be disclosed. AAIM will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.
If, however, AAIM is going to use users' personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection AAIM will notify users via email. Users will have a choice as to whether or not their information be used in this different manner. However, if users have opted out of all communication with the site, or deleted/deactivated their account, then they will not be contacted, nor will their personal information be used in this new manner. In addition, if any material changes in AAIM’s privacy practices that do not affect user information already stored in the member database, AAIM will post a prominent notice on the website notifying users of the change. In some cases where AAIM posts a notice, the organization will also email users who have opted to receive communications from us, notifying them of the changes in the privacy practices.
8. Contact Information
Please contact AAIM with questions or suggestions regarding this privacy policy at aaimonline@im.org.