Statement of Privacy
IdeaShiftersPro is an online community operated and managed by Paradigm Sample, is committed to protecting your privacy. Research serves an important function in helping promote the flow of information in open societies. Through survey research, businesses, political organizations and governments learn from representative samples of people. As a survey participant, your opinions help inform the development and improvement of new products and services, customer service programs, and public and social policies.
We conduct survey research for the benefit of our clients, who include for-profit companies, non-profit organizations and governmental institutions.
When our interviewers reach respondents by telephone or in-person, they identify themselves and state the purpose(s) of their contact. Our mail delivered or emailed survey invitations clearly identify us as IdeaShiftersPro and explain the purpose(s) of our contact.
When we contact you, we will generally do so for one of the following purposes:
- To invite you to join a survey research panel
- To conduct a survey research interview
- To validate answers you gave in a survey we conducted
- To update our records on the accuracy of your personal information
Much more occasionally, we may contact you for one of these other purposes:
- To notify you if you have won a sweepstakes we sponsored;
- To ask for your permission to use your personal information for a purpose that was not identified to you when we first collected your personal information.
The IdeaShiftersPro Statement of Privacy outlined below applies to the Web site, mobile site, web surveys, mobile surveys, and other supporting panel web and mobile sites produced and maintained by IdeaShifters.
This statement will notify you of the following:
- Privacy Commitment and Philosophy
- Collection of Personal Information
- Usage and Sharing of Personal Information
- General Rights of Community Members
- Usage of Cookies
- Affiliation with Online Privacy Organizations
- Member Services and Unsubscribe Policy
- Security of Personal Information
- Compliance with the GDPR and CCPA Regulations
- Other Pertinent Information
If you have questions regarding this statement, please email info@ideashifters.com
Privacy Commitment and Philosophy
Paradigm Sample, Inc. is a market research firm specializing in online and mobile research techniques and online panel development and management. The privacy and confidentiality of your personal information is our priority.
Our surveys are conducted for market research purposes only. All of our research studies report information in aggregate form (i.e., information about groups, not individuals). No one will ever attempt to sell you anything as a direct result of your participation in one of our surveys. All individual information provided is held strictly confidential.
Paradigm Sample is compliant with the regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when controlling and processing data for data subjects located in the European Economic Area (EEA). Paradigm Sample is also compliant with the regulations of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) when controlling and processing personal information for consumers in the state of California.
Collection of Personal Information
To join IdeaShiftersPro, we invite you to complete a brief registration survey that gathers some personal information about you. We ask that you provide your name and email address so that we can send you email invitations to participate in surveys. The additional personal information we gather during registration (which may include your employment status, household income, gender, smartphone brand and model, etc.) is to assist us in providing you with opportunities to complete surveys that are relevant and interesting to you. Paradigm Sample believes in maintaining a lean profile of member data, and our data minimization policy is in alignment to the standards of personal data collection under GDPR.
We may also collect information about your computer hardware and software (if applicable). This information may include (among other things) your IP address, browser type, domain names, access times, and referring website addresses. Paradigm Sample uses this information to operate our Web and mobile sites, to maintain quality of our services, and to provide general statistics regarding use of our sites and services.
If you participate in the registration survey and elect not to join the IdeaShifters community, the only information we will preserve is your email address for the purposes of contacting you if you are eligible to receive a survey incentive (e.g., you are a prize drawing winner). We will remind you no more than twice, by email, if you have registered but not yet opted in. Unless you opt-in to join IdeaShifters, we will not contact you for any other reason.
Usage and Sharing of Personal Information
IdeaShiftersPro member information is stored in our proprietary database and used to deliver invitations to surveys. If Paradigm Sample believes your profile makes you a potential candidate for a particular study, we may send you an email invitation to make you aware of the survey opportunity. Paradigm Sample may also use your personally identifiable information to inform you of new survey technologies and other IdeaShifters services.
Paradigm Sample may share data with trusted partners to help us perform statistical analysis. All such third parties are prohibited from using your personal information except to provide these services to Paradigm Sample, and they are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information.
Paradigm Sample may also share your personal (but non-identifiable) data with our clients who request this information for use in aggregate analysis. For example, Paradigm Sample may provide a client with data collected from a recent survey, with variables such as age, household income, or gender from the registration survey appended to the file. This is primarily designed to save our panelists time and effort, so they do not need to re-answer these questions on each and every survey. This appended data, however, will never include personally identifiable information such as your full name, mailing address, or email address.
Paradigm Sample will disclose your personal information, without notice, only if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on Paradigm Sample; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of Paradigm Sample; and, (c) act under exigent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of Paradigm Sample, its web and mobile sites and services, or the public.
General Rights of Community Members
Privacy and Consent
Our panel members and respondents are entitled to a clear and comprehensive explanation of which data are to be collected, how long the information provided shall be stored, and under which circumstances their data may be used or shared.
Data Minimization
We believe in maintaining a lean profile of member data. Our global policy of data minimization is informed by the standards of personal data collection under GDPR and CCPA. We limit all collection of personal information to that which is specifically and justifiably required to complete a particular task. All personal data collected from respondents and panel members are collected with cause, anonymized wherever possible in storage, never repurposed for alternative means without further explicit consent, and disposed of when no longer required for the initially stated purpose.
Right to be Forgotten, Right to Deletion, Right to Erasure
Members of our research panels may request the deletion of all, or select information provided throughout the duration of their membership and stored on their behalf in the panel community in which their information is stored. Respondents may request their panel communities to completely erase their data provided throughout the duration of their membership and stored on their behalf – both identifiable and non-identifiable – within a reasonably and clearly defined turnaround window. Initiation of this request will be free of charge to the consumer.
Right to Request the Edit of Data
Members of our research panels have a right to request that any edits or updates be made to their data stored within the panel community. Respondents may request that their panel community edit any specified data provided throughout the duration of their membership and stored on their behalf – both identifiable and non-identifiable – within a reasonably and clearly defined turnaround window.
Right to Data Portability
Members of our research panels have a right to access personal information that has been collected and stored on the member’s behalf, with the intent of optimally matching the member to survey and general research opportunities. Panel members may request that their panel communities make their personal information available via export, in a usable, discernable format, within a reasonably and clearly defined turnaround window. In addition, members may request to have their data provided in this same format to a nominated third party on their behalf. This request will be exercised free of charge to the consumer. This will only be done if the request is technically feasible.
Right to Be Informed
In compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), IdeaShiftersPro must disclose all forms of Personal Information sold on behalf of Consumers of California within the past 12 months. The below represent a list of categories in which Personal Information was sold in the past 12 months.
- Unique Panelist Identifiers – All surveys fielded through our research panels use a form of anonymized identifying code, such as “gwf309209qjjaf09390jf”, to identify the respondent as a participant in the survey, with our research partners. Under normal circumstances, this value is randomly generated at the point of entry for each survey. In some circumstances a unique identifier which is consistent from survey-to-survey to track consistency of response is utilized instead. These identifiers are still anonymous at all times.
- Voter Identification Code – On specific political polling-based surveys, we will collect and sell respondent voter-ID codes to validate the respondent’s status as a registered voter. This information is collected through a permission-based submission form at the point of entry into a relevant survey opportunity and never sold without explicit consent.
- Name, Mailing Address, and/or Phone Number – Upon recruitment into In-Home Product Use Test (IHUT), In-Depth Interview, Focus Group, Clinical Trial, or similar opportunities, we will collect and sell respondent Name and Address. This information is collected through a permission-based submission form at the point of entry into a relevant survey opportunity and never sold without explicit consent.
- Company Name – On specific B2B research surveys, we will collect and sell employer Company Name information to validate the respondent’s employment in their stated field of work. This information is collected through a permission-based submission form within the survey, and never collected or sold without the respondent’s consent.
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
All IdeaShifters communities offer a link titled “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” on their respective community homepage. By clicking this link, members of our communities can exercise their right to opt-out of the sale of any of personal information to a third-party. In doing so, community members can request that their personal information will not be sold, shared, or otherwise transferred on their behalf, unless IdeaShifters is provided explicit permission to do so for a specified purpose.
Clicking the “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link does not, however, prohibit IdeaShiftersPro from collecting and processing personal information. Members of the community can also access this link by clicking here.
Not Subject to Discrimination
Members of our communities who choose to exercise any of their privacy rights, shall not be discriminated against under any circumstances. A consumer will not be denied goods or services or subjected to different benefits based on privacy requests. However, IdeaShifters does offer specific opportunities containing financial incentives for those whom elect to share personal information and participate.
Usage of Cookies
A cookie is a text file that is placed on your hard disk (desktop, laptop, or mobile device) by a webpage server. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to your computer. One of the primary purposes of cookies is to provide you a convenience feature that will save you time. For example, if you register with IdeaShiftersPro, a cookie could be used to help the site recall your specific information and/or preferences on subsequent visits. Then, when you access the site in the future, the information previously provided can be retrieved, so you can easily use the IdeaShiftersPro features you customized on your previous visit. While some IdeaShiftersPro site features require the use of cookies, you always have the option to disable cookies while registering or completing a survey without affecting your participation.
We may also use cookies so you can participate in surveys regarding specific ads and promotions you view while browsing the web. To facilitate the completion of these surveys, certain third party research firms may write, set, or read cookies, locally shared/stored objects, flash cookies, and/or any other related technology. If you participate, you may be re-contacted about online ads or promotions and the market research firm will use the third party technology to determine whether you have seen, clicked on, or otherwise interacted with the online ad or promotion. If you have interacted with the online ad or promotion, the market research firm or their partners will provide you with the opportunity to complete the survey through Ideashifters.
Affiliation with Online Privacy Organizations
IMRO
Paradigm Sample adheres to the Interactive Marketing Research Organization (IMRO) Code of Ethics. We have implemented the Code of Ethics as a means of achieving and implementing ethical research practices. Over and above normal standards of research, our professional activities shall be conducted with particular respect for the individual's right to privacy, both in terms of confidentiality of information collected during the marketing research process, and the right to be free from unsolicited and unwanted contact (e.g., spam). To learn more about IMRO, please visit www.imro.org
COPPA
We are committed to protecting your child's privacy online and our practices are in full compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in addition to regulation by the FTC. This means that Paradigm Sample does not conduct research with minors under the age of 13 without a statement of permission from the parents or guardians. To learn more about COPPA, please visit http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm
Member Services and Unsubscribe Policy
IdeaShiftersPro provides you with a Member Services area of our web or mobile site, where you may correct or update your membership information, or opt out (i.e., unsubscribe or remove yourself) from the community. Instructions on how to unsubscribe from IdeaShiftersPro are also available at the bottom of each email invitation sent to community members. If you are a community member and delete your membership, your active membership status and profile information will be removed from our database. Please note that in some cases it may take three to five business days for your information to be completely removed from our records.
As a member of a research panel operated by Paradigm Sample, you also have a right to access an export of any data that have been collected and stored on your behalf. You may additionally define a specific third-party for us to share this information with. If you intend to unsubscribe from the community but would like to exercise this right to data portability, please ensure to submit this request prior to triggering the unsubscribe process, as your data will be erased once the unsubscribe option is selected.
When a user elects to use our Refer a Friend or Colleague service to inform a friend or business associate about IdeaShiftersPro, we ask for the friend's name and email address. IdeaShifters automatically sends the referral an email invitation to visit the site. Paradigm Sample stores this contact information for the sole purpose of sending this one-time email. The friend may contact IdeaShifters to request the removal of this information from our database.
Security of Personal Information
IdeaShiftersPro takes strict measures to ensure every aspect of your information is kept secure, protecting your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure on computer servers in a controlled, secure environment. Access to all personal information is restricted and limited to a few key personnel. Paradigm Sample will never ask you for private information, such as your credit card number, as part of our research. Your profile information is highly confidential and will be used only by IdeaShifters to email you information about our studies, reward notifications, and other information relevant to your panel membership.
Paradigm Sample’s panelist information is hosted and protected on its panel management platform. Databases are secured using 256-bit TLS encryption, data at rest encryption, Next-Gen firewalls, Intrusion Detection/Intrusion Prevention, Data Loss prevention, multi-factor authentication, and stringent access controls.
Other Pertinent Information
Notification of Changes
Paradigm Sample will notify you directly if there are ever any material changes in our privacy policy practices. We will take all possible measures to obtain your consent if the information we collect from you is going to be used in a different manner than stated at the time of registration. Any changes in our privacy statement will be posted 30 days prior to that change.
Compliance with GDPR and CCPA Regulations
For Community Members Located in the US State of California
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a bill intended to enhance privacy rights and consumer protection for residents of California, which was approved by the California State Legislature on June 28th, 2018. CCPA compliance becomes immediately enforceable on January 1st, 2020, for all entities when conducting business in, or engaging consumers who are located in California.
The goal of CCPA is to create a standard of transparency in the use of personal information and empower consumers to take ownership over their data. Key components of CCPA include:
- Clear notice as to the use of personal information, with the right to opt-out
- Freedom of access to the edit and erasure of personal information
- Agency in the transfers of personal information with right to portability
- Right to not be subject to discrimination for the exercise of these rights
Research panels operated by IdeaShifters are fully compliant with the CCPA.
For Community Members Located in the European Economic Area
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) allows data subjects located in the European Economic Area (EEA) to take control over their personal data through the ability to exercise rights over the data which are collected from and about them. Pursuant to this regulation, privacy rights for our respondents include the following.
- Clear, transparent acquisition of consent
- Minimization of personal data storage
- Freedom of access to the edit and erasure of personal data
- Agency in the transfers of personal data
- Right to lodge a complaint with a Supervisory Authority
Right to Lodge a Complaint with a Supervisory Authority
In the event a data subject residing in the EEA has sufficient reason to believe their personal data has been either compromised or misused without their informed consent, the data subject shall retain their right to lodge a complaint with the Supervisory Authority of their respective Member State, in accordance with Article 51 of the GDPR.
Research panels operated by IdeaShifters are fully compliant with the GDPR.
Business Transfers
As we continue to develop our business, we might sell or buy additional assets. In such transactions, Paradigm Sample's right to contact its community members and the information you have voluntarily provided in your user profile would generally be considered transferred business assets. Any sale or transfer of Paradigm Sample or substantially all of its business assets, which included our community, would be to an entity that agreed to comply with all of the material terms of our privacy policy.
Contact Information
Paradigm Sample welcomes your comments and/or requests regarding this Statement of Privacy. If you believe that Paradigm Sample has not adhered to this statement, please contact Paradigm Sample by telephone, email, or postal mail.
info@ideashifters.com
Paradigm Sample
921 Port Washington Boulevard
Port Washington, NY 11050
877-277-7910