Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains the information that Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (“MISTA,” “we,” or “us”) collects, uses, shares, and discloses with respect to the use of MISTA’s website and any associated mobile applications. MISTA reserves the right to change the provisions of this Policy at any time for any reason. Please review this Policy from time to time to make sure that you understand it and any changes. If we make any changes to our privacy practices, we will post a revised Privacy Policy on this page, as well as the effective date of the change. By accessing or using the website and/or mobile application, you accept the terms of this Privacy Policy.

If you have any questions about this Policy or the use of your information by MISTA, please contact us by email.

 

1. What is Personal Information?

For purposes of the use of MISTA’s website and mobile application, Personal Information means information that specifically identifies an individual, such as their name, address, telephone number, cell phone number, email address, or credit card number, as well as information about your activities on this site when it is linked with other information that would enable a reader to identify you.

Personal Information does not include aggregate data that we collect about the use of our website or mobile application, or about a group or category of services or users, from which identifying information about the user has been removed. The collection of such aggregate information is in no way limited or restricted by this policy.

 

2. Information Collected Automatically

When you use our website or mobile application, we may automatically collect and store information about your computer or mobile device and your activities. This information may include:

  • Your mobile device’s unique ID number
  • Your mobile device’s geographic location while the app is actively running
  • Your computer’s IP address
  • Technical information about your computer or mobile device (such as type of device, web browser, or operating system)
  • Your preferences and settings (time zone, language, privacy preferences, etc.)
  • The URL of the last web page you visited before coming to our site
  • The buttons, controls, and links you clicked on (if any)
  • How long you used our website or app and which services and features you used
  • The online or offline status of the application.

 

3. Information You Provide

Whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information on publicly-viewable screens or pages, that information will be publicly available and can be collected and used by others. For example, if you post your email address, you may receive unsolicited messages. We encourage you to exercise discretion and caution with respect to your personal information.

You may also provide additional information about yourself (such as location, mailing address, phone number, or interests). This information may be provided as part of a registration process, by volunteering, or responding to a survey. This information may be used by us in accordance with this policy and will be treated as confidential personal information.

If you wish, we will delete your account information; to do so, please contact us.

 

4. Information About Others

We may access, collect, and store personal information about other people that is available to us through your contact list and/or address book. The website or mobile app may allow users to complete contact information, match their information with other sources, and identify issues of interest. To revoke consent for this access, you can change settings on your device, delete your profile, or uninstall the mobile app.

 

5. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide and improve our services
  • Send updates, alerts, or action opportunities
  • Personalize content for you
  • Understand how supporters use our services
  • Diagnose and fix technical problems.

 

6. Geo-Location Information

While the application is in use, we may keep track of your device’s geographic location to provide location-based updates, campaigns, or events.

 

7. Use of Your Information by Others

Except as described below, we will not share your personal information with other companies or organizations. Examples of circumstances in which we would share personal information include:

  • Service Providers: We may share all types of information we collect with vendors, consultants, or service providers who provide services to us and who require such information to carry out their work.
  • Aligned Organizations: We may share your information with other advocacy organizations, coalitions, or campaigns that we believe share similar principles or objectives.
  • Analytics Companies: We may allow analytics companies to use tracking technologies to collect information about our users’ computers or mobile devices and their online activities.
  • Mobile Device IDs: We may store your mobile device IDs (the unique identifier assigned to a device by the manufacturer) to recognize you, store your preferences, and track usage.
  • Aggregated Information: We may publicly disclose aggregated information about our users, such as total number and overall demographics.
  • Legal Matters: We may disclose any information in response to a legal request, such as a subpoena, court order, or government demand; to investigate or report illegal activity; or to enforce our rights or defend claims.
  • With Your Consent: If you consent to the sharing of certain information, including during registration or use of the application, we may share it consistent with that consent.

We are not responsible for the actions of any service providers or other third parties. Before disclosing information to any organization, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with their privacy policy.

 

8. What We Don’t Share

We do not provide third parties with your name, address, email address, or phone number, except as described in “Use of Your Information by Others.”

 

9. Children’s Privacy

We do not allow persons under 13 to register for any service, and we do not knowingly collect any personally identifiable information from persons under the age of 13.

 

10. Information from Users Outside the United States

If you’re outside the United States, your information will be sent to and stored in the United States, where our servers are located. By using our website or mobile application, you agree to the information collection, use, and sharing practices described in this Privacy Policy.

 

11. SMS Disclaimer

By providing your cell phone number, you are consenting to receive recurring automated text messages & automated calls from Michigan Smart Trade Alliance with news, updates, and information about campaigns and related issues. Message frequency will vary. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for more information. Text STOP to stop receiving messages.

Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties unless required by law.

 

Terms of Use

1. Summary of Services

Welcome to the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (“MISTA”) website.


2. Acceptance of Terms

These terms apply to your use of the MISTA website and all associated services (including, but not limited to, e-mails received from MISTA and content embedded on other websites). These terms include our Privacy Policy, which describes how we use your personal information. If you browse or donate through this site, you accept these conditions. If you do not agree, then you do not have permission to use this website.


3. Modifications

We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time, for any reason. When we amend these Terms, we will publish the amended Terms and specify when they were last revised. By continuing to use the site, you accept the updated Terms.


4. Acceptable Use

MISTA grants you the right to use our website in accordance with these Terms.


5. Eligible Users

You are eligible to access or use our Services only if:

  • You are 18 years or older (or, if between 13 and 17, using the Services with parental consent); and
  • You comply with any applicable campaign finance and donation laws.


6. Contributions

If applicable, contributions to MISTA are governed by federal and state law. By making a contribution, you affirm that:

  • The funds are your own and will not be reimbursed by another person or entity.
  • The contribution is not made by a foreign national or from prohibited sources.


7. Representations

You agree to provide accurate, complete information when making a contribution or using the Services.


8. Liability and Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold MISTA and its employees, directors, officers, agents, and volunteers harmless against any and all claims arising from your use of the Services or failure to comply with these Terms.


9. Processing Funds

If you make a contribution, your card will be charged immediately. For security reasons, MISTA does not store your credit card information. Rather, we securely transmit your credit card information to our payment processor.


10. Refunds

MISTA will make reasonable efforts to accommodate refund requests for input errors or duplicate donations but reserves the right to deny refund requests.


11. Intellectual Property

All MISTA website content, including logos, graphics, and text, is the proprietary property of MISTA. No rights are granted except as expressly stated in these Terms.


12. Disclaimer of Warranties

You use our Services at your own risk. They are provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind.


13. Limitations of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, MISTA is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the site.


14. Dispute Resolution, Governing Law, and Arbitration

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan and the United States. Any disputes shall be settled by binding arbitration in Ingham County, Michigan, administered by the American Arbitration Association.


15. Miscellaneous

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and MISTA with respect to the Services. If any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.



16. Changes to Policy

As we continue to develop and improve the MISTA website, we may need to update these policies and reserve the right to do so at any time. If any changes are made, we will list the date the policy was last updated.