Privacy Policy

In the course of serving its customers, BearTel acquires, stores and transmits customer communications and information that customers may regard as private or sensitive. Some of this information - such as the customer's name, address, telephone number, and credit card data - is provided to BearTel by its customers in order to establish service. Other information - such as the customer's account status, choice of services, and customer logs - is created and maintained by BearTel in the normal course of providing service. BearTel also uses cookies, which are small pieces of information that a web site can store in a designated file on a user's computer for various reasons. For example, BearTel uses cookies on the landing pages of products sold online which record the customer information that is required on the order form. This information is then forwarded to an internal sales tracking database within BearTel. In addition, BearTel may store customers' electronic mail and other communications as a necessary incident to the transmission and delivery of those communications.

This Privacy Policy applies only to BearTel's treatment of data collected online, and does not apply to any offline data collection practices or to the data collection practices of any third parties, BearTel customers, or any entities affiliated with BearTel. Also, please note that use of BearTel' website constitutes acceptance of this Privacy Policy.

BearTel's policies and procedures for handling customer information have been created with the understanding that Internet technologies are still evolving and that Internet business methods are continuing to evolve to meet the needs and opportunities of the changing technologies. As a result, BearTel's policies and procedures are subject to change. Changes will be posted to the website and use of BearTel’s website will constitute acceptance of and agreement to be bound by those changes.

Data Security

BearTel protects the confidentiality of its customers' information, account information and personal communications. To secure the information collected online, prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy and ensure only appropriate use of information that is collected from customers, BearTel has implemented appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures. Further, BearTel requires that employees keep customer information confidential. BearTel cautions its customers and website visitors that no medium of communication, including the Internet, is entirely secure. Accordingly, BearTel cannot be responsible for loss, corruption or unauthorized acquisition and use of personal information provided to our website, or for any damages resulting from such loss, corruption, unauthorized acquisition or unauthorized use.

How is customer information used?

BearTel may share customer information with selected partners, for example, to provide customers with information about products which might be of interest to the customer or to enable the customer to take advantage of special partner programs. BearTel may also use customer information to provide its customers with system information or information about new or upgraded products. In addition, BearTel may collect and share non personally identifiable information (such as website usage information) from visitors to its web sites with third-party companies for various purposes such as statistical analysis, performance optimization and promotional uses. In the case of a business transaction, including but not limited to, a merger or sale of a portion of BearTel's assets, customer information will likely be part of the assets transferred. In this event, BearTel will attempt to notify impacted customers that their information has been transferred.

Opt Out & Modifications

Customers may opt out of receiving notices of new or upgraded products from BearTel and BearTel partners by filling out this on-line No Solicitation Request form. However, customers may not opt out of receiving information from BearTel that is essential for maintaining or updating customers' accounts or system information.

Most customers may access and modify their personal information via their online personal control panel/account information page. All other customers may access and modify their personal information by contacting the appropriate BearTel Billing organization. Disclosure of customer information and communications

BearTel will not otherwise disclose its customers' personal and account information unless BearTel has reason to believe that disclosing such information is necessary to identify, make contact with, or bring legal action against someone who may be causing harm or interfering with the rights or property of BearTel, BearTel's customers, or others, or where BearTel has a good faith belief that the law requires such disclosure such as in response to legal process seeking disclosure of such information.

BearTel also will not, except for reasons stated below, disclose to third parties the contents of any electronic mail or other electronic communications that BearTel stores or transmits for its customers. The circumstances under which BearTel will disclose such electronic customer communications are when:

* it is necessary in order to provide service to the customer;
* it is necessary to protect the legitimate interests of BearTel and its customers;
* it is required to cooperate with interception orders, warrants, or other legal process that BearTel determines in its sole discretion to be valid and enforceable; and
* it is necessary to provide to a law enforcement agency when the contents are inadvertently obtained by BearTel and appear to pertain to the commission of a crime.

BearTel disclaims any intention to censor, edit or engage in ongoing review or surveillance of communications stored on or transmitted through its facilities by customers or others. BearTel, however, review, delete or block access to communications that may harm BearTel, its customers or third parties. The grounds on which BearTel may take such action include, but are not limited to, actual or potential violations of BearTel's Acceptable Use Policy.