TACCGC Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 2025-05-16

The Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (TACCGC) is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and website users. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information. By using our website (https://taccgc.org) and providing us with your information, you consent to the practices described in this policy.  

1. Information We Collect:

We collect various types of information from our members and website users, including but not limited to:  

• Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address.
• Membership Information: Company name, job title, industry, membership level, and payment details.
• Profile Information: Information you choose to provide in your member profile, which may include professional background, interests, and other details.
• Photos and Media: Photographs or other media that you provide for your member directory, event participation, or other chamber-related activities.
• Website Usage Data: Information about how you use our website, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, pages visited, and the dates/times of your visits. We may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect this information (please see our Cookie Policy below for more details).  
• Communication Data: Records of your communications with us, including emails, phone calls, and messages sent through our website.
• Event Participation Information: Information related to your registration and participation in TACCGC events, including dietary restrictions or other relevant details.

2. How We Collect Your Information:

We collect your information through various means, including:

• Membership Application Forms: When you apply for membership with TACCGC.
• Member Profile Updates: When you update your information in your member profile on our website.
• Event Registration Forms: When you register for TACCGC events.
• Website Forms: When you fill out contact forms or other forms on our website.
• Direct Communication: When you contact us via email, phone, or postal mail.
• Automated Technologies: Through cookies and other tracking technologies when you use our website.
• Publicly Available Information: In some limited cases, we may collect information from publicly available sources.

3. How We Use Your Information:

We use your information for various purposes, including:

• Membership Management: Processing membership applications, managing member accounts, providing member benefits, and communicating membership-related information.
• Member Directory: Displaying member information (as chosen by the member in their profile settings) in our online member directory to facilitate networking among members. This may include name, company, and potentially photos and other profile details.
• Communication: Sending you important notices, updates, newsletters, event invitations, and other information related to TACCGC activities.
• Event Management: Organizing and managing TACCGC events, including registration, communication, and providing relevant information to attendees.
• Website Improvement: Analyzing website usage data to understand how users interact with our website and to improve its functionality and user experience.
• Personalization: Customizing your experience on our website and tailoring communications to your interests.
• Internal Operations: For internal record-keeping, data analysis, and to improve our services.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.

4. How We Share Your Information:

We may share your information with the following categories of recipients:  

• Other Members (Member Directory): Information you choose to include in your public member profile will be visible to other logged-in TACCGC members.
• Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, managing our membership database, processing payments, sending communications, organizing events, and performing other services on our behalf. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
• Event Sponsors and Partners: For specific events, we may share limited attendee information (e.g., name, company) with event sponsors or partners. We will inform you of this at the time of registration.
• Legal Authorities: We may disclose your information to legal authorities if required by law or in response to a valid legal request, such as a subpoena or court order.  
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or other business transfer, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you if such a transfer occurs and your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.  

5. Your Rights and Choices:

You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you.  
• Correction: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.  
• Deletion: You have the right to request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.  
• Objection to Processing: You may have the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.  
• Withdrawal of Consent: If we rely on your consent to process your personal information, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.  
• Managing Your Profile: You can review and update the information in your member profile through our website. You can also control the visibility of certain profile fields to other members.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We may require you to verify your identity before processing your request.  

6. Data Security:

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:  

• Implementing secure socket layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission.  
• Using secure servers and data storage.
• Limiting access to personal information to authorized personnel only.
• Regularly reviewing and updating our security practices.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

7. Data Retention:

We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Membership information is typically retained for the duration of your membership and for a reasonable period thereafter for administrative purposes.

8. Links to Other Websites:

Our website may contain links to other websites that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any website you visit.  

9. Children’s Privacy:

Our website and services are not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children without parental consent. If you believe that we have collected personal information from a child without consent, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to remove the information.  

10. Cookie Policy:

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect website usage data. By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy.

• What are Cookies? Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website.  
• How We Use Cookies: We use cookies for various purposes, including:
  • Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the basic functionality of our website, such as enabling you to log in and navigate the site.  
  • Analytics Cookies: These cookies help us understand how users interact with our website by collecting information about the pages visited, the time spent on pages, and any errors encountered. This information helps us improve our website’s performance.
  • Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow our website to remember your preferences (such as language settings) and provide enhanced features.  
• Third-Party Cookies: We may also use third-party cookies for analytics and other purposes. These cookies are subject to the respective privacy policies of the third-party providers.  
• Your Choices: You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. You can choose to block or delete cookies. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

11. Consent to refer and release your contact information to others:

Please read the following information carefully and indicate your consent by checking the box below.  By checking the box, you agree to allow TACCGC to share your commercial and/or personal contact information with others looking for services, mentorship, information, and/or other reasons for personal or commercial purposes.

12. Terms and Conditions to receive referrals of Members:

Please read the following information carefully and indicate your consent by checking the box below.  By checking the box, you agree that any personal/commercial information you receive from TACCGA should not be used to make sales of any kind.  The referral is for services you need and not to make sales to the TACCGC member.  Any violation of this policy will result in the immediate termination of your membership.

13. Changes to this Privacy Policy:

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post any changes on this page and update the “Last Updated” date at the top of the policy. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.  

14. Contact Us:

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Chicago (TACCGC)

Email: taccgc@taccgc.org

By using our website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.