BKR International Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 25, 2018

Your privacy is very important to us at BKR.  This privacy policy describes how we use our website to collect, use, communicate and make use of your personal information.

We encourage you to read this privacy policy carefully when using our website.  By using our website, you are accepting the practices described in this privacy policy. 

Information We Collect About You

When you register for an account, or choose to interact with us in other ways, such as submitting questions online, we will collect certain information from you.  The type of information may include, but is not limited to, name, email address, contact information, and other information you choose to provide. 

How We Use Personal Information

We may communicate with members to answer questions and provide information about BKR, meetings, events, business opportunities and other matters related to BKR’s services.

For non-members who provide their information in connection with the submission of questions or requests, we use your information to answer questions and respond to your requests. 

With Whom We May Share Information

For members and member firms, our website includes a link called Find a Firm, which lists your firm details, a link to your website, as well as the contact name and email address of the individual(s) that your firm listed as the contact person(s) for BKR International.  There is also a Firm News section and Press Box, also containing information about your firm, partners, and team members that was submitted to us directly from your firm, and a Contact page, which has information of worldwide and regional chairs.  All of these sections can be accessed by the general public directly from BKR’s home page.  To access the Members Only section of our website, you need to login and provide your user name and password. We will not disclose any information in the Members Only section to any third party without your permission.  Your information may also be shared offline with other members or to people potentially looking to retain your services.  

For non-members, your information may be shared with members if you are seeking assistance from the member.

We may also share information with vendors who assist us in providing services and reserve the right to share information if we think we have to in order to comply with the law, such as if we are compelled by court order.

Online Tracking and Cookies

At this time, BKR In does not recognize browser signals regarding tracking mechanisms, which may include “Do Not Track” instructions.  BKR utilizes third party analytics and software services, such as Google Analytics, to help us learn how users interact with our website.  We cannot ensure that these providers recognize “Do Not Track” instructions; however, you can change your privacy preferences regarding the use of cookies and similar technologies through your browser.  Useful information about the technical aspects of cookies can be found at http://www.allaboutcookies.org.  Further information about our use of cookies is below.

Our site may contain links to other websites operated by third parties, including social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.  These third party websites may collect information about you if you click on the link and may automatically record information about your browsing behavior every time you visit a website that has a social media button or link.  Your interactions with these features are governed by the privacy policy of the company providing the feature, not by our privacy policy.  We do not control what information these third parties collect.

What Cookies do we use and how do we use them?

            Essential cookies and similar technologies

These are vital for the running of our services on our website. Without the use of these cookies parts of our websites would not function. We use these cookies to tell if you’re logged in to your account, which allows extra functionality, such as accessing BKR Members Area.

            Analytics cookies and similar technologies

These collect information about your use of our website, and enable us to improve the way it works. For example, analytics cookies show us which are the most frequently visited pages on BKR.com. They help us record how you interact with our website, such as how you navigate around pages and from page to page; identifying improvements we can make to the membership user experience. They also help identify any difficulties you have accessing our services, so we can fix any problems. Additionally these cookies allow us to see overall patterns of usage at an aggregated level.

            Functional/preference cookies and similar technologies

These cookies collect information about your choices and preferences, and allow us to remember things like your username (so you can log in faster). They allow us to customize the services you have accessed.

            Managing cookies

Most modern browsers are set to accept cookies by default, but you can change your settings to notify you when a cookie is being set or updated, or to block cookies altogether. Please consult the “Help” section of your browser.

Children Under 13

We do not knowingly solicit data online from or market online to children under the age of 13.

How We Protect Your Personal Information

BKR implements security measures to protect against the unauthorized access to or unauthorized alteration, disclosure or destruction of data.  We also provide training and education to our team members about their obligations to protect personal information.

Some sections of our website that contain your personal information are only available to members with a username and password.

We take security measures to help safeguard your personal information from unauthorized access and disclosure; however, no system can be completely secure.  Therefore, although we take steps to secure your information, we do not promise, and you should not expect, that your personal information, communications with other users or other website activity, will always remain secure.  Users should take care with how they handle and disclose their personal information and should avoid sending personal information through insecure email.  Please refer to the Federal Trade Commission’s website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data.shtm for information about how to protect yourself against identity theft.

Where Information is Stored

Information you submit is stored in the United States.  If you are located outside the United States, be aware that information you submit will be transferred to the United States and you consent to this transfer.  BKR endeavors to apply suitable safeguards to protect the privacy and security of your personal data and to use it only consistent with your relationship with BKR, but you should be aware that the United States may not provide the same level of protection as the laws in your country. 

Data Retention

BKR retains data for the duration of the user’s or member’s business relationship with BKR.  BKR periodically identifies and deletes data for which there is no longer a business need.  For more information on where and how long your personal data is stored, and for more information on your rights of erasure and portability, please contact BKR using the contact information at the end of this policy.

How You Can Access and Change Information

Members may update contact information via the Edit User Profile page, which is within the Member area.  Users designated as Primary Contacts of BKR members firms can update their respective firm contact information via the Member Information page, which is also within the Member area.

All BKR members and users also may request changes to, or removal of, or the opportunity to review their information at any time by sending an email to bkr@bkr.com.

Data Subject Rights

The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and other countries’ privacy laws provide certain rights for data subjects residing in those countries.  A good explanation of them (in English) is available on the website of the United Kingdom’s Information Commissioner’s Office at https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr.

This privacy policy is intended to provide you with information about what personal data the BKR collects about you and how it is used. If you have any questions, please contact us using the contact information at the end of this policy.

Policy Changes

We reserve the right to change or update this privacy policy at any time without prior notice.  We are committed to conducting business in accordance with these guiding principles in order to ensure the confidentiality of your personal information is protected and maintained.

Contact

If you have any complaints or questions regarding this policy or the personal information we collect through our website, please contact us by email at bkr@bkr.com or by mail:

            BKR International
            19 Fulton Street, Suite 401
            New York, NY 10038
            USA