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Privacy Policy
D&B - An Industry Leader in Data Protection
Practices
For more than 160 years, Dun & Bradstreet
has collected information on businesses to create products and services that
assist its customers in critical buying and selling decisions.
Today, D&B is one of the world's leading providers
of business-to-business credit, marketing, purchasing and receivable management
services. As a leader in the information industry, D&B developed data protection
practices more than 20 years ago. The fundamental principles of those data protection
practices still apply to our traditional information products and services.
Data Protection
Practices for the Internet
Driven by requests from customers, D&B delivers products and services through
the Internet faster and more efficiently than ever before. Many of the measurable
benefits derived from D&B products and services are a result of the ability
to freely move information. Dun & Bradstreet recognizes that the free flow of
information must be balanced against an individual's privacy interests. The
company also believes that the adoption of balanced data protection practices for
the Internet makes good business sense. Therefore, D&B subscribes to the practices
described below:
These practices have been implemented only on Dun
& Bradstreet's www.dnb.com Web site and they are being communicated
to D&B sites located around the world, as well as to Web-site partners, in an
effort to have consistent practices across sites.
D&B Data Collection Practices Browsing
a Web Site
Generally, a visitor to a D&B Web site does not have to reveal any individually
identifiable information such as name, address or telephone number. On most
sites, D&B does not require a visitor to provide individually identifiable
information and we do not collect any through the use of technology. Some non individually
identifiable information is collected by Web site servers such as what browser
is being used (e.g., Netscape) or the domain name from which a visitor entered
the site (e.g., www.your company.com or www.your university.edu).
Use of Internet
Technology
There is technology available today, such as "cookies" or "JavaScript", that
can be used to provide a Web site visitor with a more customized interaction
with the site. Currently, D&B is analyzing if the benefits which can be delivered
by these technologies will outweigh any potential data protection concerns.
To better serve our customers, D&B may implement the use of these or other advanced
Internet technologies.
D&B Data Collection and User Choice Options
Ordering Products or Services & Customer
Registrations
Some pages within D&B sites require provision of individually identifiable information
to order a product or to register with D&B. When this information is requested,
you will know because you will be asked to complete a form and return it to
us. The data requested may include your name, mailing and e-mail addresses,
telephone and fax numbers.
D&B collects this individually identifiable information
to complete business transactions, deliver products and services, administer
individual accounts, provide customer support and meet government regulatory
requirements such as sales tax collection. D&B does not store the information
on its Web servers nor does the company sell or otherwise share the information
externally. D&B does, however, from time to time compile online transaction
and registration information for internal analyses such as researching and identifying
market segments and needs. When users register for D&B Internet Access as worldwide
credit card customers, they can choose whether to receive updates about D&B's
products and services.
In some instances, D&B also collects credit card
information for billing purposes. Generally D&B uses security techniques, including
encryption and secure servers, to protect against unauthorized access to transmitted
information used for billing purposes. D&B does not store, use or share credit
card information for any other purpose.
D&B D-U-N-S® Number Registration
D&B provides businesses the opportunity to apply for a D&B D-U-N-S®
Number online. The information submitted to obtain the D&B D-U-N-S Number becomes
a part of the D&B database, which is the core of all of the company's high quality
business information products and services. Being listed in the D&B database
offers benefits to businesses including identification and recognition in the
marketplace. Information in the database is licensed to third parties who offer
businesses useful products and services. Companies included in the D&B database
may opt to be excluded from lists licensed for marketing purposes.
Confidentiality and Security Safeguards
D&B takes technical, contractual, administrative and physical steps to protect
against unauthorized access to and disclosure of individually identifiable information.
If, during their employment, D&B associates acquire confidential or proprietary
information belonging to D&B or its customers, such information will be handled
in confidence and may not be disclosed to unauthorized third parties. D&B associates
are also responsible for the internal security of such information. On some
D&B sites, technology is used to further secure the information.
Updates to D&B's Data Protection Practices
for the Internet
The practices outlined above represent current (as of March 1998) data protection
practices. To keep up with the rapidly evolving Internet environment, D&B will
from time to time review and revise these practices and communicate any updates.
Questions and Concerns
For more information, questions or concerns regarding D&B data protections practices,
please contact us.
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