The ASCVTS Privacy Policy explains our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of information that users may provide through this website. We want to assure users that any personal information that users provide through ASCVTS will be treated carefully and appropriately, as explained below.

User Consent

By using this site, users agree with the terms of the ASCVTS Privacy Policy as stated herein. Whenever information is submitted via this site, users consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of that information in accordance with the ASCVTS Privacy Policy.

How We Collect Information

Active Collection of Information. ASCVTS actively collects information from its users both by asking specific questions and by permitting users to communicate directly with and through ASCVTS via e-mail, feedback forms, surveys, and discussion forums. Some of the information that users submit may be personally identifiable information (that is, information that can be uniquely identified with users, such as full name, address, e-mail address, phone number, and so forth). Some areas of this site may require users to submit information in order to benefit from the specified features (such as newsletter subscriptions, personal homepage, and order processing) or to participate in a particular activity. Users will be informed at each information collection point what information is required and what information is optional.

Use and Disclosure of Information

Except as otherwise stated herein, ASCVTS may use collected information to improve the content of ASCVTS, to customize the site to reflect a user’s preferences, to communicate information to users (if users have requested it), for marketing and research purposes, and for the purposes specified in the ASCVTS Privacy Policy.

If users provide personally identifiable information to ASCVTS, ASCVTS may combine that information with other actively collected information unless ASCVTS specifies otherwise at the point of collection. ASCVTS will take reasonable measures to prevent personally identifiable information from being combined with passively collected information, unless users consent otherwise.

ASCVTS may disclose personally identifiable information to other ASCVTS affiliates worldwide that agree to treat a information in accordance with the ASCVTS Privacy Policy. In addition, we may disclose a user’s personally identifiable information to third parties, such as contractors we use to support our business (for example, fulfillment services, technical support, industry sponsors, delivery services, and financial institutions). ASCVTS will require such third parties to agree to treat the user’s information in accordance with the ASCVTS Privacy Policy. Under limited circumstances, ASCVTS may release personally identifiable information where required by applicable laws, court orders, or government regulations.

Updating Personally Identifiable Information

Users are encouraged to keep personally identifiable information accurate, current, and complete by accessing the ASCVTS Profile Update page. ASCVTS will take reasonable steps to update or correct personally identifiable information in the possession of ASCVTS that users have previously submitted via the ASCVTS website.

Security

We take reasonable steps to protect personally identifiable information as a user transmits information from his or her computer to the ASCVTS website and to protect such information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no Internet transmission is ever 100% secure or error-free. In particular, e-mail sent to or from the ASCVTS website may not be secure, and users should therefore take special care in deciding what information users send to ASCVTS via e-mail. Moreover, where users use passwords, ID numbers, or other special access features on the ASCVTS website, it is the user’s responsibility to safeguard them.

Links to Other Websites

ASCVTS provides links to other websites. Please be aware that ASCVTS is not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites, and that the ASCVTS Privacy Policy does not apply to other websites.

Changes to the ASCVTS Privacy Policy

If the ASCVTS Privacy Policy changes, the revised policy will be posted on this site. Please check back periodically, and especially before providing any personally identifiable information. This Privacy Policy was last updated on December 1, 2013.

Contacting ASCVTS

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments regarding the ASCVTS Privacy Policy at
The Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
Dept. of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine,
University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655
Japan
FAX:+81-3-3818-5461