Privacy Policy
Last Updated: June 10, 2025
NOTICE: This Privacy Policy Contains an Agreement to Arbitrate Disputes and a Class Action Waiver.
View Arbitration AgreementTo view how we collect and use personal information as part of our online chat module, click the button below.
Introduction
TE El Paso, LLC and each of our subsidiaries and affiliated entities under common ownership and control (collectively, "Company" or "we" or "us") respects your privacy and the information that you have entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy describes our collection, use and disclosure of the information we may collect from you whenever you visit the Company's physical location(s) or website(s) (hereinafter a "Site" and collectively the "Sites"), or otherwise access any of our other products, services, and content (hereinafter "Services"). This Privacy Policy applies to all visitors and customers of our Sites, including those consumers and/or customers who apply for and/or receive financing for personal, family or household purposes. If you become an inactive customer, or if we close or suspend your account, we will continue to adhere to the Privacy Policy in place when we collected your personal information as long as we retain it in our databases. We may delete any or all of your information at any time without notice to you or for any reason or no reason unless we are otherwise required by law or retain it. The following privacy policy explains how the Company processes your personal data and outlines a set of consumer rights under state law, which may or may not apply to the Company. To qualify for the state-specific section and consumer rights, you must be a resident of that state. While the Company will review the consumer requests described below, it may not be required to fulfill them under state law. If the Company chooses to honor some requests despite not being required to do so, that does not obligate the Dealer to honor other requests.
Sections
This Privacy Policy is comprised of the following sections.
Section 1 - Consumer Privacy Disclosures
Section 2 - Other Important Privacy Disclosures
Section 1 - Consumer Privacy Disclosures
Notice of Collection
NOTICE: We may sell your sensitive personal data.
NOTICE: We may sell your biometric personal data.
The purpose of this Notice of Collection is to provide consumers with information about the categories of personal information that our Company collects about them and the purposes for which the personal information will be used. As outlined above, any reference to state privacy law is for informational purposes as the law may or may not apply to Company.
We may collect the following categories of "personal data":
- Audio / Video / Visual / Electronic such as photographs, recorded calls, voicemails, and online & electronic communications, such as those made via a live or automated online chat module.
- Commercial such as products, services, and repairs purchased, obtained or considered; personal property records (e.g., vehicle titles and registration cards); or other purchasing or consuming histories or tendencies.
- Customer Records such as digital and electronic signatures, telephone numbers, insurance policy numbers, credit and debit card numbers, financial and credit-related information, physical characteristics and descriptions (e.g., government identification), bank account numbers, and medical and health insurance information (in the context of employment).
- Education such as diplomas and transcripts for student rebate eligibility.
- Geolocation such as tracking and user-enabled location identification.
- Identifiers such as real name, postal address, IP address, email address, SSN, driver's license number, passport number, cookies, pixel tags, and similar identifiers.
- Inferences to create a profile about you reflecting your product or service preferences, purchasing tendencies and behaviors.
- Internet Activity such as interactions with our websites, applications, and advertisements.
- Professional/Employment such as job title, occupation, company or business name, and employment history information.
- Protected Classes under state or federal law, such as gender, age, and veteran status.
We use the categories of personal information listed above for one or more of the following "business purposes":
- Advertising & Marketing to send advertisements and marketing material via physical and electronic mail relating to product specials and other promotional events or offers, perform marketing research and data analytics, and perform similar activities.
- Contextual and Behavioral Targeting to provide contextual customization of ads shown as part of an interaction with our website or application, such as through the use of "first-party" or "session" cookies.
- Counting Ad Impressions & Website Interactions to audit interactions with our websites, applications, or advertisements, count ad impressions to unique visitors, verify position and quality of ad impressions, and perform similar activities.
- Customer Service to provide customer service, maintain and service products and accounts, provide training for quality assurance purposes, and perform similar activities.
- Defending Against Claims & Litigation to defend against or respond to potential or actual claims and litigation, including, but not limited to, those against the manufacturer of a particular product and/or service we've sold.
- Fraud Prevention to help ensure security and integrity, such as necessary to detect security incidents, protect against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity, and to prosecute those responsible for that activity.
- Processing Transactions to process or fulfill orders and transactions, verify customer information, process payments, confirm eligibility for manufacturer rebates, and perform similar activities.
- Providing Financing to provide financing in connection with a purchase, lease or related products or services.
Job Applicant Information
In some instances, you may be provided with a separate privacy notice when you apply for a job with us. In all other instances, the below disclosure describes how we handle your personal information when you apply for a job with us.
When you apply for a job with us, we may collect identifiers, professional or employment-related information, and education information from you via our website forms and otherwise, including:
- Information you provide in connection with your application;
- Information about you that is publicly available;
- Health information, including disability information;
- Information that you authorize us to collect via third parties, including former employers or references;
- Any other information provided in connection with your application.
We only use your personal Information to assess your skills in relation to the applicable job requirements. We may also use your personal information to contact you during the hiring process.
In certain circumstances, you may submit your application for employment through a third-party service that displays our job posting. We do not control the privacy practices of these third-party services. Please review their privacy policies carefully prior to submitting your application materials.
Privacy Policy
The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to provide consumers with a comprehensive description of our Company's online and offline practices regarding the collecting, use, disclosure, and sale of personal information.
The tables below describe how we collect, use, and disclose consumers' personal information. Please note that because the categories of personal data collected and shared largely depends on how a consumer has interacted with our Company, not all of the items listed in the tables below will be relevant to you. For example, we generally only collect veteran status when a consumer qualifies for a military rebate.
Categories of Personal Data We Collect
Categories of Personal Information Collected |
Categories of Sources from which the Personal Information is Collected |
Business or Commercial Purposes for which the Personal Information was Collected or Shared |
Audio / Video / Visual / Electronicsuch as photographs, recorded calls, voicemails, and online & electronic communications, such as those made via a live or automated online chat module. |
Advertising Networks & Agenciessuch as digital advertising companies and other marketing firms.
Captive Finance Companiesand wholly-owned subsidiaries of that offer loans, lease programs, and other financial services to our customers.
Credit Reporting Agenciessuch as Experian, Transunion and Equifax that gather account information from various creditors and provide that information to dealers in connection with an application for credit. Data Brokers & Analytics Providerssuch as equity mining, data mining, call tracking, and sales prospecting tools. Directly from Consumersthrough our website forms and via in-person applications, forms and contracts.
Government Entities such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and various other state and federal agencies.
Insurance Companiesthat provide us with information relating to vehicle collisions, auto accidents, and other claims.
Online Lead Providersand third party websites that collect and share data relating to consumers whose product preferences or inquiries align with the offerings of our Company.
Social Media Networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms used to run various advertising campaigns.
Tow Companiesthat transport customer vehicles to the dealer's service department.
Manufacturersfor which we are franchised to sell products and services.
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Advertising & Marketingto send advertisements and marketing material via physical and electronic mail relating to product specials and other promotional events or offers, perform marketing research and data analytics, and perform similar activities.
Contextual and Behavioral Targetingto provide contextual customization of ads shown as part of an interaction with our website or application, such as through the use of "first-party" or "session" cookies.
Counting Ad Impressions & Website Interactions to audit interactions with our websites, applications, or advertisements, count ad impressions to unique visitors, verify position and quality ofad impressions, and perform similar activities.
Customer Serviceto provide customer service, maintain and service products and accounts, provide training for quality assurance purposes, and perform similar activities.
Defending Against Claims & Litigation to defend against or respond to potential or actual claims and litigation, including, but not limited to, those against the manufacturer of a particular product we've sold.
Fraud Preventionto help ensure security and integrity, such as necessary to detect security incidents, protect against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity, and to prosecute those responsible for that activity.
Processing Transactionsto process or fulfill orders and transactions, verify customer information, process payments, confirm eligibility for manufacturer rebates, and perform similar activities.
Providing Financingto provide financing in connection with a purchase, lease or related products or services. |
Commercialsuch as products, services, and repairs purchased, obtained or considered; personal property records (e.g., vehicle titles and registration cards); or other purchasing or consuming histories or tendencies. |
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Customer Recordssuch as digital and electronic signatures, telephone numbers, insurance policy numbers, credit and debit card numbers, financial and credit-related information,physical characteristics anddescriptions (e.g., government identification), bank account numbers, and medical and health insurance information (in the context of employment). |
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Educationsuch as diplomas and transcripts for student rebate eligibility. |
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Geolocationsuch as tracking and user-enabled location identification. |
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Identifierssuch as real name, postal address, IP address, email address, SSN, driver's license number, passport number, cookies, pixel tags, and similar identifiers. |
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Inferencesto create a profile about you reflecting your product or service preferences, purchasing tendencies and behaviors. |
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Internet Activity such as interactions with our websites, applications, and advertisements. |
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Professional/Employmentsuch as job title, occupation, company or business name, and employment history information. |
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Protected Classesunder state or federal law, such as gender, age, and veteran status. |
Disclosure of Personal Data to Third Parties
Categories of Personal Information Disclosed for a Business Purpose or Shared with Third Parties |
Categories of Third Parties to Whom the Information was Disclosed |
Categories of Third Parties to Whom the Information was Shared for Cross-context Behavioral Advertising |
Audio / Video / Visual / Electronicsuch as photographs, recorded calls, voicemails, and online & electronic communications, such as those made via a live or automated online chat module. |
Software Vendors, Auditors & Consultants, Social Media Networks, Attorneys & Law Firms |
N/A |
Commercialsuch as products, services, and repairs purchased, obtained or considered; personal property records (e.g., vehicle titles and registration cards); or other purchasing or consuming histories or tendencies. |
Software Vendors, Records Management Companies, Government Entities, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Professional Service Companies, F&I Product Providers & Administrators, Website and Hosting Providers, Chat Modules, Insurance Brokers (non-health related), Reputation Management Companies, Social Media Networks, Auctions & Wholesalers, Financial Institutions, Lien Sale Companies, Attorneys & Law Firms |
Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies, Data Brokers & Analytics Providers, Manufacturers |
Customer Recordssuch as digital and electronic signatures, telephone numbers, insurance policy numbers, credit and debit card numbers, financial and credit-related information, physical characteristics and descriptions (e.g., government identification), bank account numbers, and medical and health insurance information (in the context of employment). |
Software Vendors, Claims & Benefits Administrators, Records Management Companies, Government Entities, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Professional Service Companies, F&I Product Providers & Administrators, Auditors & Consultants, Website and Hosting Providers, Chat Modules, Insurance Brokers (non-health related), Tow Companies, Payment Processors & Gateways, Reputation Management Companies, Social Media Networks, Auctions & Wholesalers, Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs), Financial Institutions, Attorneys & Law Firms |
Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies, Data Brokers & Analytics Providers, Manufacturers |
Educationsuch as diplomas and transcripts for student rebate eligibility. |
Records Management Companies, Software Vendors, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Website and Hosting Providers, Financial Institutions, Attorneys & Law Firms |
Manufacturers |
Geolocationsuch as tracking and user-enabled location identification. |
Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Website and Hosting Providers, Chat Modules, Social Media Networks, Software Vendors |
Manufacturers, Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies |
Identifierssuch as real name, postal address, IP address, email address, SSN, driver's license number, passport number, cookies, pixel tags, and similar identifiers. |
Software Vendors, Claims & Benefits Administrators, Records Management Companies, Government Entities, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Professional Service Companies, F&I Product Providers & Administrators, Auditors & Consultants, Website and Hosting Providers, Chat Modules, Insurance Brokers (non-health related), Tow Companies, Payment Processors & Gateways, Reputation Management Companies, Social Media Networks, Auctions & Wholesalers, Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs), Financial Institutions, Lien Sale Companies, Attorneys & Law Firms |
Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies, Data Brokers & Analytics Providers, Manufacturers |
Inferencesto create a profile about you reflecting your product or service preferences, purchasing tendencies and behaviors. |
Software Vendors, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Records Management Companies, Website and Hosting Providers, Social Media Networks |
Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies, Data Brokers & Analytics Providers, Manufacturers |
Internet Activitysuch as interactions with our websites, applications, and advertisements. |
Software Vendors, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Records Management Companies, Website and Hosting Providers, Chat Modules, Reputation Management Companies, Social Media Networks |
Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies, Data Brokers & Analytics Providers, Manufacturers |
Professional/Employmentsuch as job title, occupation, company or business name, and employment history information. |
Software Vendors, Claims & Benefits Administrators, Records Management Companies, Government Entities, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Professional Service Companies, Website and Hosting Providers, Insurance Brokers (non-health related), Social Media Networks, Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs), Financial Institutions, Attorneys & Law Firms |
Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies, Data Brokers & Analytics Providers |
Protected Classesunder state or federal law, such as gender, age, and veteran status. |
Software Vendors, Claims & Benefits Administrators, Records Management Companies, Government Entities, Digital Retailers & eCommerce Platforms, Website and Hosting Providers, Insurance Brokers (non-health related), Social Media Networks, Credit Reporting Agencies (CRAs), Financial Institutions, Attorneys & Law Firms |
Advertising Networks & Marketing Agencies, Data Brokers & Analytics Providers, Manufacturers |
Your Rights
Depending on applicable state law, you may be entitled to exercise the rights listed in the table below at no cost.
Disclosure of Personal Information We Collect About You |
You have the right to know:
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Your Right of Access |
You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information. |
Your Right to Correct |
You have the right to ask us to correct personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think needs to be completed. |
Your Right to Restriction of Processing |
You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances. |
Your Right to Data Portability |
You have the right to ask that we transfer the personal information you gave us to another organization, or to you, in certain circumstances. |
Personal Information Used for a Business Purpose |
In connection with any personal information disclosed to a third party for a business purpose, you have the right to know the categories of personal information we disclosed about you for a business purpose. |
Right to Deletion |
Subject to certain exceptions set out below, on receipt of a verifiable request from you, we will:
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Your Right to Object to Processing |
You can object to processing your personal information in certain circumstances. The consequence of the objection is that we no longer process the personal information relating to you unless we can demonstrate a compelling legitimate reason for the processing which overrides your interests, rights, and freedoms, or the processing serves to assert, exercise or defend legal claims. |
Protection Against Discrimination |
You have the right not to be discriminated against by us because you exercised any of your rights under the applicable state privacy laws. This means we cannot, among other things:
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Right to withdraw given consent (including consent for us to use Marketing Cookies for you) |
If you have given your consent, you can withdraw your consent at any time. The withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out based on the consent until the withdrawal. |
Right to Lodge a Complaint |
Without affecting any other administrative or judicial appeals, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the appropriate regulatory authority or enforcement agency, if you consider that the processing of personal data relating to you infringes applicable data protection laws. |
We will fulfill your request to exercise any of these rights within the applicable time period prescribed by such laws. You can exercise these rights, express concerns, or obtain additional information about the use of your personal data by contacting us as outlined below.
How to Submit a Request
To submit anyone of the noted requests, please contact us by email at privacy@vernongenes.com, or call (800) 960-9000.
Authentication of Requests
To protect against fraud, identity theft, and the unauthorized disclosure or deletion of personal data, we require that consumers submitting requests first verify their identity. This may include a combination of SMS (text message) verification, email verification, and one or more questions regarding the consumer's particular interaction or transaction with our Company. If the consumer fails to verify their request via these methods, or the information provided by the consumer otherwise does not match our existing records, we will deny the request.
Denial of Request and Appeal
If we decline to take action in response to your exercise of a privacy right, we will inform you of the reason for the denial. Where provided by statute, you may have the right to appeal our decision. We will give you instructions on how to appeal the decision in response to your privacy request. If you are unsatisfied with our response to your appeal, you may contact your state Attorney General's office.
Authorized Agents
Depending upon applicable state law, a consumer may designate an authorized agent to make a request on the consumer's behalf. If a consumer wishes to authorize another person to act as an authorized agent on the consumer's behalf, the consumer must provide the authorized agent permission to do so.
To help prevent fraudulent requests, we reserve the right to deny a request from an agent that does not submit proof that he or she has been authorized by the consumer to act on the consumer's behalf. As proof that the agent has been duly authorized by the consumer to submit a request, the agent will be required to upload either (1) power of attorney signed by consumer, or (2) other signed permission from the consumer. If the agent provides some other signed permission from the consumer, we may require that the consumer (1) verify their identity directly with us through a combination of SMS (text message) verification, email verification, and one or more questions regarding the consumer's particular interaction or transaction with our Company and (2) confirm that he or she provided the authorized agent permission to submit the request.
Contact Us
For questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy, please contact us by email at privacy@vernongenes.com or by phone at (800) 960-9000.
Section 2 - Other Important Privacy Disclosures
Consent and Notification of Revisions
By accessing or using our Sites and/or Services, you consent to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy or our Terms of Service, please do not access or use the Site(s) or Services. We may periodically modify or update our Privacy Policy with or without notice to you by posting the most updated version on this page. Please see the "Revision Date" at the top of this document to see when the Privacy Policy was last changed. We will update the "Revision Date" in the privacy policy to notify you of any substantive changes to the way we collect and use information. We encourage you to periodically review this Privacy Policy to obtain the most up-to-date information on how we are handling your personal information. If you do not agree to changes to this Privacy Policy, you must stop using the Sites after the last revision date of such changes.
Collection of Anonymous Information
We collect anonymous user information, such as data collected from tools like Google Analytics, which includes anonymous and aggregate details (such as pages visited and time spent on our Site) from all visitors to our Sites. This type of anonymous information is not directly associated with any of your personal details unless you voluntarily provide that information to us. This information helps us create statistical reports about the usage of our Sites.
However, if you accept the use of cookies and similar technologies through our site's cookie banner or other available mechanisms that control the use of online data shared with third parties, the above disclosure about anonymous information may not apply. In such cases, your data could be combined or linked in ways that might identify you.
How We Respond To Do-Not-Track Signals & Universal Opt-Out Mechanisms
A "do-not-track" signal is a privacy preference feature in some web browsers that tells a website that a user does not want their online activity to be tracked. We currently support Do Not Track ("DNT") and Global Privacy Control ("GPC"), specifications designed to allow internet users to notify businesses of their privacy preferences, such as whether or not they want to be tracked or have their personal information shared with third parties for targeted advertising. These specifications consist of a setting or extension in the user's browser or mobile device and act as mechanisms that our websites can use to honor your privacy settings. If your browser or device has enabled DNT or GPC, it will override your preferences selected in the cookie banner or privacy settings on this Site.
You can learn more about DNT by clicking here . GPC is available for an increasing number of browsers and browser extensions, click here to view the options . If you want to use GPC, you can download and enable it via a participating browser or browser extension. More information about downloading GPC can be found by clicking here .
Third-party Links
This Privacy Policy applies only to our Sites and Services, and information collected for us or by us through various features and online offerings on our Sites. Our Sites contain links to other third-party sites, and our Privacy Policy does not apply to any third-party site or service linked to our Sites or recommended or referred by our Sites or by our staff. We are not responsible for the website, privacy practices or content of any third-party. If you have any questions about how these other sites use your information, you should review their policies and contact them directly.
Security
We implement reasonable security measures to ensure the security of your personal information. However, no data transmissions over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure by nature. Consequently, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us and you understand that any information that you transfer to us is done at your own risk. We may attempt to notify you electronically of any security system breach so that you can take appropriate steps. By using the Services or providing personal information to us, you agree that we can communicate with you electronically regarding security, privacy and administrative issues relating to your use of the Services. We may post a notice via our website if a security breach occurs or send an email to you at the email address you provided. You may have a legal right to receive notice of a security breach in writing depending on where you live.
While we use encryption to protect online information, we also make all reasonable efforts to secure and protect your information offline. All of our customers' information is restricted in our offices and only employees who need the information to perform a specific job function are granted access to this information. The services that store your personal information are housed in a secure environment.
Business Transfers and Related Activities
We may share or transfer your information in the course of any direct or indirect reorganization process such as, but not limited to, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, bankruptcies, and sales of all or a part of our assets. Your information may be shared as a result of such transaction and/or during the assessment process pending transfer. In the event your information is transferred due to one of these events, know that your information would remain subject to this Privacy Policy or a privacy policy that protects your privacy to an equal degree as this Privacy Policy.
International Data Transfers
This site is intended for use solely in the U.S. by U.S. residents. We make no claims that the site is appropriate for use outside of the U.S.. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from residents outside of the U.S., including the European Union ("EU"). If you choose to provide us with information, please understand that your personal information may be transferred to the U.S. and that we may transfer that information to our affiliates and subsidiaries or to other third parties, across borders, and from your country or jurisdiction to other countries or jurisdictions around the world. If you are visiting from the EU or other regions with laws governing data collection and use that may differ from U.S. law, please note that you are transferring your personal information to the U.S. and other jurisdictions which may not have the same data protection laws as the EU. You acknowledge you understand that by providing your personal information: (i) your personal information will be used for the uses identified above in accordance with this Privacy Policy; and (ii) your personal information may be transferred to the U.S. and other jurisdictions as indicated above, in accordance with applicable law.
Disclaimer Regarding Video Content
The Services may contain video content, audiovisual content, or content of a like nature (collectively, "Video Content"). Video Content is provided for the purpose of enhancing the user experience within the Services and is, therefore, provided in connection with our provision of Company-related Services. We are not in the business of renting, selling, or delivering Video Content in a commercial manner. By using the Services, you agree that we are not a "video tape service provider" as defined in the Video Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C.A. § 2710.
Chat Modules
We (or our third-party vendors on our behalf) may collect certain categories of personal information from you when you use our interactive chat module. In addition to the information you may enter into the chat box or live chat feature, the categories of personal information include, but are not limited to, name, phone number, email, mailing address, and other identifiers you may provide. Additionally, we (or our third-party vendors on our behalf) may also store any transcripts from such conversations and link those transcripts with your personal information. We (or our third-party vendors on our behalf) may also collect information from you to perform data analytics and thereby enhance your experience and help improve the functionality of our tools and digital advertising in an effort to present to you only relevant products and services. Such information includes, but is not limited to, geolocation, IP address, pixel tags, browsing history, viewing behavior, clicks, online activity, and other analytics. By interacting with the chat module, you understand and agree that we may use this data to communicate with you about our products and services. You also consent to our collection and analysis of all personal information provided as part of the chat module and understand that we utilize a vendor to process, analyze, and store the content of the chat on our behalf. By using the chat module, you are consenting to us disclosing and sharing with the chat module vendor any information (including personal information) you provide.
Use of Session Replay Tools
We (or our third-party vendors on our behalf) may collect certain categories of personal information from you when you interact with our website(s) or application(s) through the use of session replay tools. Session replay is a tool that recreates your sessions from our websites or applications (including visual elements), giving us (or our third-party vendors on our behalf) a better understanding of how you interact with our websites and applications to help maximize the customer's experience. Session replay tools that we may utilize include, but are not limited to, video-like playback, error tracking integration, application performance monitoring (APM) integration, real user monitoring (RUM) session timeline, and speed controls. Depending on your interaction with our website (e.g. when you complete a "Contact Us" form), the categories of personal information we may also capture include, but are not limited to, name, phone number, email, mailing address, and other identifiers that you may provide. By interacting with our website(s) or application(s), you are consenting to us (or our third-party vendors on our behalf) capturing any interactions and any information (including personal information) you provide.
Children Under 13 Years of Age
Our Sites and Services are not intended for children under thirteen (13) years of age.
1. Data Collection from Minors Under 13
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without prior, verifiable parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us at privacy@vernongenes.com, and we will take steps to delete it promptly.
2. Parental Consent Requirements
If we need to collect information from children under 13 (e.g., for participation in a promotional event or educational program):
- We will request verifiable parental consent.
- Parents or guardians may review and request deletion of their child's information at any time by contacting us.
3. Data from Teenagers (13-17)
For teenagers aged 13 to 17, we may collect limited personal information with their consent. This information will only be used for the purposes disclosed at the time of collection. Parents may request access to or deletion of their teenager's data.
4. Purpose of Data Collection
Any data collected from children or teenagers may include:
- Basic contact information (e.g., name, email, or phone) for contest registration or educational events.
- Feedback or content voluntarily submitted (e.g., artwork for a Company-sponsored contest).
We will not use this information for targeted advertising or share it with third parties without explicit consent.
5. Parental Rights
Parents or legal guardians have the right to:
- Access the personal data we have collected from their children.
- Request the correction or deletion of such data.
- Withdraw consent for further data collection or use.
Use of Cookies & Similar Technologies
We use cookies and other similar technologies (e.g. web beacons, tracking pixels, scripts, fingerprinting, and local storage) to deliver content specific to your interests, track your website activity, help our Sites remember you, enhance your online experience with us, and provide you with information you're most likely to need. Cookies are small pieces of text used to store information on web browsers. Cookies and any technology that serves a similar purpose as a cookie in the context of tracking users/devices, identifying users/devices, processing information that users or their devices send to or through the Site, or building consumer profiles are included in our use of the term "cookie" for the purpose of this Privacy Policy. We, our service providers, or third-parties (e.g., advertisers and social media) may use and/or receive information from "first-party cookies" or "third-party cookies" as described below.
Cookies are first categorized by who places them or who is intended to receive information from them (first-party vs. third party), and secondly by their purpose.
1. First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
- First-Party Cookies:First-Party Cookies refer to cookies that are created or placed by us. Many first-party cookies are essential cookies as described below.
- Third-Party Cookies:Third-party cookies refer to any cookie that is created or placed by a third-party. A third-party cookie often (but not always) shares or enables the sharing of information to an entity other than our own Sites.
We employ a holistic approach to determine if a cookie is classified as "first-party" or "third-party" including the domain that creates the cookie; the cookie's domain attribute; and the domain of the server to which network requests that transmit information related to the cookie are sent. Accordingly, under this definition, even cookies with a first-party domain attribute may be classified as a "third-party cookie" if the cookie is set by, used by, or shared with a third party.
2. Cookie Purpose Categories
- Essential Cookies:Essential cookies refer to cookies that are critical for the functioning of a website. These cookies enable basic features such as page navigation, and access to secure areas of the website. Essential cookies are typically used to maintain a user's session, store authentication information, hold shopping cart items, comply with state or federal laws (e.g., accessibility or cookies preferences), and ensure the security of transactions. Without these cookies, a website may not work or may not be able to provide certain basic services or features, and its performance may be affected. Essential cookies can be first-party cookies or third-party cookies. Our Sites do not support an inherent mechanism to allow users to opt-out of essential cookies.
- Functional Cookies: These cookies allow the Sites to remember choices made by the user, such as language preferences, login details, or region selection, to provide a more personalized experience. These cookies also allow optional functionality, like chat modules, payment calculators, and service scheduling tools, to run. Functional cookies are also used to improve the functionality of the Site, such as by tracking errors. In the absence of these cookies, the website will still function, but certain features or enhancements may not be available or may have limited functionality.
- Marketing Cookies: Marketing cookies consist of two subcategories of cookies:
- Analytics Cookies:These cookies collect and transmit analytics and statistical information about how visitors use a website. These cookies help website owners understand how visitors interact with their site. The information gathered may include the number of visitors to the site, the pages they visited, the average time spent on the site, and the referring websites. This data is then used to improve the website's performance, content, and user experience. By analyzing visitor behavior, website owners can identify areas that need improvement, optimize their site for better engagement, and make data-driven decisions to enhance their online presence. (Note: not all analytics cookies are used for marketing purposes.)
- Targeting Cookies: Also known as targeted advertising cookies and cross-context behavioral advertising cookies, these cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are more relevant to users based on their interests and browsing behavior. These cookies collect information about a user's online activities (including by uniquely identifying the user and/or user's browser and device), such as the websites they visit, the pages they view, and the links they click. This data can then be used to create a profile of the user's interests, which allows advertisers to display targeted ads that are more likely to be of interest to the individual. They are also used to limit the number of times an ad is shown and to help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Targeting cookies can also be used for retargeting, where ads for previously viewed products or services follow the user across different websites. The purpose of targeting cookies is to improve the effectiveness of online advertising by showing users ads that are more aligned with their preferences and interests.
Users may opt-out of cookies as described in the cookie banner that appears when first visiting our Sites. Additionally, users can opt-out of marketing cookies by using a browser or plug-in that supports Do Not Track ("DNT") or Global Privacy Control ("GPC"), by submitting an opt-out request (see this Privacy Policy for more info), or as otherwise described in this Privacy Policy.
Additional Information about Cookies.
Some web browsers offer settings that allow you to choose whether cookies are set by the websites that you visit. These controls vary by browser, but may allow you to disable all cookies, disable cookies for individual websites, or notify you whenever a cookie is set. Please note that if you disable cookies, you may still use our website, but your ability to use some features or areas of the Site may be limited.
Our Sites may use products, such as Google Analytics, to measure how you interact with our Sites and to improve your user experience. For more information on Google Analytics, its privacy practices, and opt-out mechanisms, please visit the Google Analytics Security and Privacy Principles page at https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en. For Google's privacy policy and instructions on opting-out of Google Analytics, please visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
The Network Advertising Initiative also offers a means to opt-out of a number of advertising cookies. To learn more, please visit www.networkadvertising.org. Note that opting-out does not mean you will no longer receive online advertising. It means that the company or companies from which you opted-out will no longer deliver ads tailored to your preferences and usage patterns.
Note that this Site's cookie banner and privacy settings will only opt you out of the future tracking and sharing by cookies that are deployed by our Sites. In order to manage the information sharing and advertising cookies not deployed by our Sites (e.g., other third-party companies' cookies that are already tracking you), you may want to consider using one of the consumer choice tools created under self-regulation programs, such as the US-based https://optout.aboutads.info/?c=2&lang=EN choices page.
Dispute Resolution, Arbitration Agreement, Class Action Waiver
Initial Dispute Resolution Procedure
Notice of Dispute, Requirement to Attempt to Resolve Disputes Informally.
By visiting the Sites and/or using the Services you and Company agree that if there is any controversy, claim, action, proceeding, demand, or dispute arising out of or related to your visit to the Sites, use of the Services, or the breach, enforcement, interpretation, or validity of this Privacy Policy or any part of it (hereinafter "Dispute"), both you and we shall first try in good faith to resolve such Dispute informally by providing written notice to the other party describing the facts and circumstances of the Dispute and allowing the receiving party thirty (30) calendar days in which to respond to or resolve the Dispute. Notice shall be sent to us at:
ATTN: Legal Department
9111 North Freeway
Houston, Texas 77037
Notice will be sent to you at the address or email we have on file for you. Both you and the Company agree that this dispute resolution procedure is a condition precedent that must be satisfied before initiating any litigation or filing any claim against the other party. This notice and informal resolution requirement will not apply to the extent it is prohibited by law.
Arbitration, Class Action Waiver.
IF ANY DISPUTE CANNOT BE RESOLVED BY THE ABOVE INITIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE, WE BOTH AGREE THAT THE DISPUTE WILL BE DECIDED BY BINDING ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
This means that if you and we have a Dispute that is not resolved in the informal process described in section 3.1 above, we both agree to resolve it through arbitration. Arbitration means that a neutral third party will hear both sides and make a decision. This is different from a court trial, where a judge or jury hears the case in a formal court setting and makes a decision. We both agree not to sue each other in court.
This arbitration agreement is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16). The arbitration will be before a single arbitrator and the arbitrator's decision will be final and binding on both of us.
The arbitration will be held pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association - Consumer Arbitration Rules (if you are a business, the American Arbitration Association - Commercial Arbitration Rules will apply instead) (as applicable, the "Rules"). You can access a copy of the rules at: www.adr.org/rules . The Rules provide the steps required to start an arbitration case.
This arbitration agreement does not apply to Disputes that you or we bring against the other party that are within the jurisdiction of small claims court. If the amount in controversy of a Dispute in small claims court exceeds the jurisdiction of the small claims court, that Dispute will be subject to this arbitration agreement.
Class action waiver. We both agree that any Dispute will be handled individually. This means that you or we cannot join together with other people who have a similar problem to bring a single case against the other party. You also cannot be part of a class action lawsuit (or class action arbitration) against us, and we cannot be a part of a class action lawsuit (or class action arbitration) against you.
By using our Services, and visiting our Site, you agree to this arbitration agreement and class action waiver. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services or visit our Site.
If any part of this arbitration agreement and/or class action waiver is found to be invalid or cannot be enforced, the rest of the arbitration agreement and class action waiver will still apply. The arbitrator will decide if any part is invalid or cannot be enforced.
Other Arbitration Agreements
In the event of a conflict between this arbitration agreement and any other arbitration agreement between you and us, such as an arbitration agreement contained in a retail installment sale contract, purchase order, lease agreement, or repair estimate (hereinafter "Other Arbitration Agreement"), the terms of the Other Arbitration Agreement shall govern and prevail in each instance.
Venue And Choice Of Law
This Privacy Policy has been made in and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Texas without giving effect to any conflict of law principles. Any disputes or claims not subject to the arbitration provision discussed above shall be resolved by a court located in that state and you agree and submit to the exercise of personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of litigating any such claim or action.
If any part of this Privacy Policy is found to be invalid or cannot be enforced, the rest of the Privacy Policy will still apply.