HWCN is committed to providing our members and guests with a service that respects their privacy. This is a summary of the HWCN privacy policy and practices.

• Members of HWCN are asked to provide personal information such as the name, phone number and street address of the account holder so that HWCN can keep clear records of who our members are and to which address the service is being provided. This information is obtained for that specific purpose and is not published in any publicly accessible directory, used or shared in any other manner without the express written permission of the account holder.
  
  
• Upon creation of an Internet account, each member is assigned a user id which our system can directly associate with a member’s personal information. HWCN uses the user id strictly for account administration which includes such tasks as helpdesk support, account changes or modifications and contact with members via E-mail when sending out renewal notices, service bulletins and other communication related specifically to their membership in the Hamilton Community Network.
  
  
• Any personal information you do provide is protected under the federal Privacy Act. This means that, at the point of collection, you will be informed that your personal information is being collected, the purpose for which it is being collected and that you have a right of access to the information with 30 days written notice to HWCN. HWCN will respond in writing to the home address you provide.
  
  
• The HWCN system use software that receives and records the Internet Protocol (IP) address of computers that connect to our network from the internet. We make no attempt to link these addresses with the identity of individuals visiting our site. The IP address may be shared with other internet service providers if such action is necessary to resolve security/abuse issues related to that specific IP address.
  
  
• The HWCN system actively tracks the amount of time used by each member and the time of day that connections/logins are made. This information is used for managing time quotas, and for resolution of system problems and security issues (such as a virus being spread from your computer). The HWCN mail system tracks the source address and destination address for mail, along with the date and time each message is sent or received. HWCN does not track the surfing habits of members.
  
  
• Internally, information is not used by anyone except HWCN personnel who need the information to respond to a request for helpdesk assistance to resolve account related issues.

For questions or comments regarding this policy or for additional information about the administration of the Privacy Act by HWCN contact us by e-mail or call 905.528.4936. If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concern, you may wish to contact the HWCN Chairman of the Board or the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.