Updated September 9, 2024
Privacy Policy
Thank you for using Benchly's ezBriefs Microsoft Word Add-In (hereinafter Product). The information contained on this website is subject to change on occasion, without notice, as deemed appropriate by Benchly. It is Benchly's policy to collect the least amount of personally identifiable information required to complete a business transaction. In some sections of our site, we ask for general contact information such as name, address, phone, email address, and some other pertinent information. From time to time, we ask for other information, such as when submitting a support request or paying access fees if applicable. This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Benchly collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information collected from users (each, a User) of Benchly's websites, including www.benchly.com and www.ezbriefs.com, and any other affiliated website, (Site(s)). Equally, this Privacy Policy serves to protect customers of Benchly and users of ezBriefs (Users) and how they access Benchly’s products and Services (Services). This privacy policy applies to all Sites, Products and Services offered by Benchly. If you do not agree with the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy, we ask that you refrain from using the Sites, Product, or any related Services. Please be aware that by accessing or utilizing the Benchly Sites and/or Services, you are acknowledging your acceptance and consent to the practices detailed in this Privacy Policy.
Personal Identification Information
Benchly is deeply committed to safeguarding the privacy of its users. To fulfill this commitment, we may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, place an order, and in connection with other activities, Services, features, or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, name, email address, organization name, mailing address, phone number, job title, and credit card information. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personal identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities or content.
Organizational Identification Information
Similar to the collection of personal identification information, information pertaining to the User's organization may be collected in instances such as the providing of contact details, including your name, the name of your organization, and an organizational physical address, phone number, and email address. This information is used for the associating of multiple User accounts within a single organization and the activation and management of any concomitant licensing for Benchly Products. To satisfy contract performance, Benchly will collect any necessary organizational information including the items listed prior to as well as practice areas, Product usage analytics, and authorized administrator information.
Accessing Your Information
If at any time, the User wishes to access or update their personal identification information, the User may do so through the provided channels within the Site. It is the sole responsibility of the User to maintain and update all personal identification information as needed. Should the User wish to suspend an account created, the User is able to accomplish this through visiting the My Account interface or contacting Benchly customer support. As a User, you possess rights under particular data and privacy protection laws to request, at no charge to you: The extent to which your information is transferable. The cessation of your personal information's processing. The ability to access your personal information. Removal of all personal information from the Site and associated encrypted databases. Should the User wish to revoke access to personal identification information, the User must submit a request, in writing, to Benchly support through either the Site on the Support tab or via mail to the address listed in the Contact tab. The User should be aware that Benchly and its staff may request further verification prior to granting Users access to personal identification information to protect against malicious ventures.
Non-Personal Identification Information
We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. The non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer, and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized as well as other similar information.
Use and Disclosure of Information.
Benchly does not disclose any information acquired through the Sites or Services, except under one or more of the following conditions:
• Provision of Services: Periodically, we may share your Personal Information on a strictly confidential basis with agents and service providers involved in the routine operation of the Sites and Services. This includes, but is not limited to, activities such as validation and vetting, account management and billing/payment processing, marketing and promotional efforts, user experience research and surveys, as well as website hosting, support, and maintenance. We limit the disclosure of your information strictly to what is necessary for these third-party service providers to fulfill their contractual obligations to us, enabling us to deliver the Services to you.
• Legal Obligations: We will release user information to external parties if we have a good-faith belief that access, use, preservation, or disclosure of such information is reasonably necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation, legal process, or enforceable governmental request, or to protect against potential harm to the rights, property, or safety of Benchly, our users, or the public, as required or permitted by law.
• With Your Authorization: We will disclose personal information to external companies, organizations, or individuals only when we have obtained your explicit consent to do so.
• Opt-Out of Marketing Communications: If you prefer not to receive marketing communications, please contact us at info@benchly.com. Additionally, all email communications will include an option to unsubscribe from future marketing messages. Please be aware that changes to your preferences may not take effect immediately.
Litigation Data You Provide In Connection with the Products and Services.
At Benchly, we fully recognize the sensitive nature of the industry we serve and are deeply committed to upholding the strictest security protocols to support our users in maintaining their obligation to client confidentiality. Benchly does not store any User content created within Microsoft Word and only references the citations that Users include in their drafted documents. For any User content uploaded to Benchly through the Services, such data is securely stored with our third-party cloud storage provider, which complies with the highest security standards.
Web Browser Cookies
Our Site may use cookies to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. Users may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.
How We Use Collected Information
Benchly may collect and use User's personal information for the following purposes: 1). To improve customer service. The information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs. 2). To improve our Site. We may use feedback you provide to improve our Products and Services. 3). To process payments. We may use the information Users provide about themselves when placing an order only to provide service to that order. We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to provide the service. We utilize a compliant third-party to capture and process credit card information. We do not capture or maintain credit card information on our servers. 4). To send periodic emails. We may use the email address to send User information and updates pertaining to their order. It may also be used to respond to their inquiries, questions, and/or other requests. If User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related Products or Service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email or User may contact us via our Site.
How We Protect Your Information
We adopt appropriate data collection, storage, and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information, and data stored on our Site. Each User bears the responsibility of ensuring the confidentiality and security of their password.
How We Share Your Information
Sensitive and private data exchange between the Site and its Users happens over an SSL secured communication channel and is encrypted and protected with digital signatures. Should your licensing activities be dependent on an obligation set forth by your organization, your information may be shared with organizationally authorized internal administrators responsible for the maintenance and preservation of strictly your organization's licensing agreement. Benchly will, at any time, disclose personal information in the event that the following are required:
• Compliance with all laws, regulations, and obligations.
• In the event an acquisition, merger, or transfer of assets occurs with another company.
• The protection of Benchly, its Users, employees, and assets must occur.
• The detection and subsequent investigation of fraudulent activities or technical issues.
We share customer email addresses with third-party service providers, including Google, to perform services such as personalized advertising, in compliance with applicable laws like the GDPR. Google acts as a data processor, using the email addresses solely to match customer information to Google accounts for targeted ads. We ensure all necessary user consent is obtained where required by law, including adherence to Google's EU User Consent Policy. You can opt out of personalized ads by adjusting your preferences or contacting us directly.
Withholding of Personal Identification Information
For the purposes of providing Users with accessibility and Services to the Site, Benchly withholds personal identification information to meet all obligations for both the User and the Company. Further, compliance with all laws and regulations, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, maintenance and security of records, and agreement enforcement constitute the purposeful retention of User data and information.
Third Party Websites
Users may find links on our Site that direct to the sites and Services of our partners, advertisers, sponsors, licensors, and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.
Children's Policy
With the sole intention of providing Services for professionals and individuals over the age of eighteen (18), Benchly does not knowingly collect information from children under the age of thirteen (13). Upon acceptance of Benchly terms, conditions, and this privacy policy, Users disclose personal information and subsequently represent to Benchly that the individual accepting these items is eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Your Acceptance of These Terms
Naturally, the contents and objectives of this privacy policy will change with the adaptation to norms within the software industry as well as normal business climates. As a result, Benchly reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time and for any reason for the purpose of protecting our organization, employees, and Users. Upon amendment, the updated Privacy Policy will be posted accordingly on the applicable and publicly accessible Benchly Site(s). It is the responsibility of the User to remain informed on all Benchly privacy policies however Benchly may or may not notify Users via email that an update has occurred at our discretion. Once more, if you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please refrain from using the Benchly Sites, Products, or Services. By accessing or using them, you acknowledge and consent to the practices outlined here.
Contacting Benchly
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this Site, or your dealings with this Site, please contact us using the channels listed on our contact page found at https://www.benchly.com/contact/.
