Polaris Marketing Research – Privacy Policy

Since the inception of the Internet, privacy has been an issue for concern that Polaris Marketing Research (Polaris) takes very seriously. Every possible step is taken to ensure the privacy of our online users. Information furnished by users will never be given to others (except our clients), unless the user has given a clear, unambiguous consent to do so. Polaris will protect the identity and anonymity of individuals who access its Web sites and online surveys.

In addition to our own privacy policy, Polaris adheres to the policies set forth by the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO). CASRO is the trade organization for commercial, full-service survey research companies based in the United States. As a member, we have sworn to uphold and practice CASRO’s code of standards and ethics for survey research. Included in this code is a section completely devoted to online research. The following provides information on the types of information that Polaris Marketing Research collects from its users/clients.

Information Collected from the Polaris Marketing Research Web Pages

Information can be collected on the Internet in two broad ways: Directly or Indirectly. Directly refers to when the user actively chooses to provide information on various web pages or online surveys. Indirectly, on the other hand, refers to the use of various technologies to collect information about the user without their active participation.

Information Collected Directly

As a market research firm, Polaris’ core function is to collect information. The raw information collected from individual respondents, known as data, is then aggregated with other participants, cleaned, analyzed, and put into the form of reports. While we are very interested in opinions and “answers,” our interest is more global. We are trying to gain a better understanding of what a specific population “thinks” or “feels,” not individuals.

Polaris uses the Internet to collect information through online surveys. These surveys are always voluntary, and information collected remains strictly confidential and anonymous. We solicit participation in our surveys only from individuals who have given prior permission to be contacted, either overtly through registering to participate, or implicitly by association (for example, company employees or association members). Every individual solicited by Polaris to participate in a survey may freely elect not to participate; non-participation by individuals is never reported to third parties. In addition, we offer survey respondents the choice of “No Answer” to survey questions and the option to “Opt Out” of further survey invitations. The “Opt Out” option is similar to having your name removed from a calling list. Once you choose to “Opt Out,” you will no longer receive invitations to participate in our online surveys.

Polaris offers its interested business clients a way to get in touch with Polaris or a way to gather additional information. We allow for this through our Contact Us section of the website. Information collected through this avenue is used solely to answer questions or to make business contact with the individual or company wishing for the contact. 

Information Collected Indirectly

Polaris does not use cookies, small electronic information files that a Web site can transfer to a visitor’s hard drive. Polaris does however record the date of visit, time of visit, IP address, referring URL, operating system of users PC, browser type and version of users PC, reverse DNS and computer name if possible, into what are known as log files. Log files are just what the name suggests. They are simply a “log” or record of computers that have accessed our Web sites. We collect that information for security purposes (in the event of an attack on our network, our log files can assist in finding the culprits) and in order to troubleshoot (allowing us an option to repair errors). We make no other use of these files, nor are they tied to personal information.

Third-Party Information

As a market research organization, Polaris collects survey data for our clients. Some of this data collection can occur via the Internet through our online surveys. We take every step necessary to ensure the privacy of this information. While we collect information for our clients, we will never sell or trade access to our databases.

Internal Security of Information

Security and protection of an individuals’ personal information from the outside world is crucial. Equally important to Polaris Marketing Research is appropriate internal access of information. The employees at Polaris are constantly and consistently made aware of the importance of safe guarding individuals’ personal information. At Polaris, we hold mandatory weekly meetings to discuss issues such as privacy and security. Every employee is updated on the latest issues and given a chance to respond and ask questions. In addition, all Polaris employees are required to sign non-disclosure agreements regarding information provided by either our clients or survey participants.

In addition to our commitment of keeping our employees involved with privacy issues, we also take steps to limit employees access to personal information. Access to databases is strictly limited to those employees with legitimate business reasons.

Links to Other Web Sites

At times, Polaris may list on its Web site other Web sites not owned or operated by Polaris. It is important to realize that these sites may have different policies on privacy and the collection of personal information. We encourage all Internet users to continuously check the “privacy policy” of the Web sites they visit. Not all privacy policies are created equal.

Privacy Policy Changes or Updates

While it is certainly not the intention of Polaris Marketing Research to continually change its privacy policy, at times, it is necessary. If this need arises, Polaris makes it a policy to make public its privacy statement 30 days prior to the actual change taking effect. We will publicize any change with an announcement or alert message on our Web site home page which contains a link to our privacy statement. We encourage all users of the Polaris Web sites to visit our privacy policy on a frequent basis. This will ensure that the user remains up-to-date on any potential changes.

Contacting Us

Polaris Marketing Research has appointed a Privacy Policy Administrator. It is the responsibility of this individual to continually monitor and assess the privacy policy needs of the public and the organization. This administrator will maintain the privacy policy on Polaris’ Web sites and work with management to ensure consistent and fair policy. This individual is also responsible for the prompt reply to inquiries of any kind regarding the privacy policy.

If for any reason you wish to contact someone at Polaris about our privacy policy, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail at privacy-administrator@polarismr.com. We will be happy to respond to any inquiries.

In addition, if you would like to change, correct, or update your personal information you can also e-mail us at privacy-administrator@polarismr.com.

Finally, if you would like to be removed from receiving any further e-mails inviting you to complete an online survey, please e-mail us at privacy-administrator@polarismr.com.