The Information We Collect
This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on the Youth For Understanding USA web site. In general, our system may collect usage information that we use in aggregate form to improve our web site and maintain site security. On some pages, you can make requests, apply to programs, register to receive materials, and order products. The types of personal information collected at these pages are name, address, e-mail address, and phone number. Personal information necessary to process your application includes data needed to make arrangements for your participation in YFU programs or ensure a safe and successful YFU program experience, and expressed interest in specific programs, scholarship opportunities, or related information.

On some pages, you can submit information about other people. For example, if you order an application online and want it sent directly to the recipient, you will need to submit the recipient’s address. In this circumstance, the types of personal information collected are name, address, phone number, and the type of information/service request.

The Way We Use Information
YFU USA does not sell or lease the information you provide. We use the information you provide about yourself when placing a request, to apply to a program, scholarship, or to join us as a volunteer or staff to complete the service requested and follow up accordingly. We use the information you provide about yourself to make information about the programming/scholarship/volunteering opportunities that fall within the scope of your order or information request available to you. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to complete the order or delivery of related information.

We use the information you provide about someone else when placing an order to e-mail information or ship the information or product and to confirm delivery. On occasion, we use the information you provide to make information about other programming/scholarship/volunteering opportunities that fall within the scope of your order or information request available to you. YFU USA does not sell or lease the information you provide. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to complete the order or delivery of related information.

We use return e-mail addresses to answer the e-mail we receive and provide the information you have requested. Such addresses are not used for any other purpose and are not shared with outside parties.

You can register with our web site if you would like to receive our newsletters, applications, or updates on our new programs and services. Information you submit on our web site will not be used for this purpose unless you fill out the registration form.

We use non-identifying and aggregate information to better design our web site and to share with sponsors or advertisers. For example, we may tell a sponsor that X number of individuals visited a certain scholarship area on our web site or that Y number of men and Z number of high school juniors or seniors filled out our registration form, but we would not disclose anything that could be used to identify those individuals without their consent or the consent of the parents of a minor.

Finally, we never use or share the personally identifiable information provided to us on line in ways unrelated to the ones described above without also providing you an opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prohibit such unrelated uses.

Our Commitment To Data Security
To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect on line. We reserve the right to use cookies to track identifying information with the purpose of maintaining and enforcing site security, preventing abuse of the restricted areas of our web sites, and protecting our systems and the information contained in them.

Our Commitment To Children’s Privacy
Protecting the privacy of the very young is especially important to us. We encourage parents to inform children to obtain parental consent before providing personal information. We will strive to ensure that requests from minors are done with the consent of their parents. We do not specifically collect or maintain information at our web site from children under 13 and our web site is not structured to attract children under 13.

How You Can Access Or Correct Your Information
You can access all your personally identifiable information that we collect and maintain by calling the admissions office at 1-240-235-2100. We use this procedure to better safeguard your information.

You can correct factual errors in your personally identifiable information by sending us a request that credibly shows error.

To protect your privacy and security, we will also take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.

How To Contact Us
Should you have other questions or concerns about these privacy policies, please send us an e-mail at admissions@yfu.org or call the admissions office at 1-240-235-2100.

Privacy Policy Changes
If and when we decide to change our policies we will post these changes here.

Rules of Conduct

By posting information in or otherwise using any communications service, chat room, message board, newsgroup, software library, or other interactive service that may be available to you on or through this site, you agree that you will not upload, post, or otherwise distribute or facilitate distribution of any content – including text, communications, software, images, sounds, data, or other information – that:

1. is unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, libelous, deceptive, fraudulent, invasive of another’s privacy, tortuous, contains explicit or graphic descriptions or accounts of sexual acts (including but not limited to sexual language of a violent or threatening nature directed at another individual or group of individuals), or otherwise violates Youth For Understanding USA’s rules or policies;
2. victimizes, harasses, degrades, or intimidates an individual or group of individuals on the basis of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, or disability;
3. infringes on any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, right of publicity, or other proprietary right of any party;
4. constitutes unauthorized or unsolicited advertising, junk or bulk e-mail (also known as “spamming”), chain letters, any other form of unauthorized solicitation, or any form of lottery or gambling;
5. contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs that are designed or intended to disrupt, damage or limit the functioning of any software, hardware or telecommunications equipment, or to damage or obtain unauthorized access to any data or other information of any third party;
6. impersonates any person or entity, including any employee, volunteer, student, parent of a student, host parent, or representative of Youth For Understanding; or
7. is contrary to the purpose, mission and/or values of Youth For Understanding and/or the reasons why it was established and exists.

You also agree that you will not harvest or collect information about the users or members of this site or use such information for the purpose of transmitting or facilitating transmission of unsolicited bulk electronic e-mail or communications.

You further agree that you will not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from a child 13 years old or younger without appropriate prior verifiable parental consent.

Youth For Understanding USA generally does not pre-screen, monitor, or edit the content posted by users of communications services, chat rooms, message boards, newsgroups, software libraries, or other interactive services that may be available on or through this site. However, Youth For Understanding USA and its agents have the right at their sole discretion to remove any content that, in Youth For Understanding USA’s judgment, does not comply with the Rules of User Conduct or is otherwise harmful, objectionable, or inaccurate. Youth For Understanding USA is not responsible for any failure or delay in removing such content.