Privacy Policy

This policy covers user privacy, system security, and Hat Monster information collection practices. This Privacy Policy Statement applies only to Hat Monster web sites.

Information presented on these pages is considered private information and may not be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is required.

Site Management Data:

Hat Monster Web servers automatically collect information for site management and for statistical purposes. This computer system uses software programs to create summary statistics, which are used for such purposes as assessing what information is of most and least interest, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas.

The use of "cookies":

Hat Monster does not use "persistent cookies" or other persistent tracking technology.

Consent to Voluntary Information Collection and Sharing:

All the information users submit to Hat Monster is done on a voluntary basis. When a user clicks the "Submit" button on any of the Web forms found on Hat Monster's sites they are indicating voluntarily consent to the conditions outlined in this policy. We do not collect personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, phone number, e-mail address) unless you provide it. In all cases, the information collected is used to respond to user inquiries or to provide services requested by our users. Any information provided through one of our Web forms is removed from Web servers within seconds, increasing the protection for this information.

How e-mail is handled:

We use information you send us by e-mail only for the purpose for which it is submitted (e.g., to answer a question, to send information). In addition, if you do choose to provide information, it is only used to respond to your request (e.g., addressing a package to send you pamphlets or booklets) or to provide a service you are requesting (e.g., email notifications). Information we receive by e-mail is disclosed to the public only pursuant to the laws and policies governing the dissemination of information. However, information submitted to Hat Monster becomes an agency record and therefore might be subject to a Freedom of Information Act request.

How information is used:

The information Hat Monster collects is used for a variety of purposes (e.g., E-spotter forms, product user survey forms). We make every effort to clearly disclose at the point of collection how information is used and allow our Web site visitor to determine whether they wish to provide the information.

How long information is retained?:

We destroy the information we collect when the purpose for which it was provided has been fulfilled unless we are required to keep it longer by statute, policy or both.

Interaction with Children:

The Hat Monster offers educational content to children under 13. No personally identifiable information is collected from these visitors unless voluntarily submitted as a request for information or services. The information collected is used to respond to user inquiries or to provide services requested by our users.

Privacy Act System of Records:

The Hat Monster does not maintain and retrieve information submitted to it based upon personal identifiers (name, email addresses, etc.). Consequently, Hat Monster Web sites do not use or collect information for any Privacy Act System of Records.

Information Protection:

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage to the information on our Web sites. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this service are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act.

Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits.

Conditions under which the information may be shared with other Federal agencies:

Hat Monster may share information received from its Web sites with other Federal agencies. For example, if a breach of our IT security protections were to occur, the information collected by our servers and staff could be shared with appropriate law enforcement and homeland security officials.

Dispute Resolution:

If for some reason you believe this site has not adhered to these principles, please notify the Hat Monster Office by e-mail at customerservice@hatmonster.com If our web pages are not fully in compliance with our stated policies, they will be corrected.