Preface

Askipedia Incorporated (“Askipedia”) is committed to keeping the personal information of its customers accurate, confidential, secure and private. This Privacy Policy has been designed to inform employees, customers, subcontractors and customers of Askipedia of our commitment and recognition to our obligation to meet the spirit and terms of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada).  

Contents

This Privacy Policy describes the principles Askipedia will use to protect the privacy of personal information in its possession. It addresses the reasons why such information is collected, how it is used, how its confidentiality is protected and outlines the customers' rights in respect of this information.

This Privacy Code does not apply to information about business customers who carry on business as corporations, partnerships or other forms of association. Askipedia does, however, protect the confidentiality of such information in accordance with the law and our own policies.

Personal Information Protection Principles

1.  Accountability

Askipedia is accountable for the protection of all personal information within the organization's possession or control, including any personal information that has been transferred to a third party for regulatory, legal or processing purposes. Askipedia will require a comparable level of protection of this information from its third party relations.

Askipedia shall designate one or more persons who are accountable for compliance with the following principles and who shall have overall responsibility for our protection of personal information and for Askipedia's compliance with this Privacy Policy.

2.  Identifying Purposes

Personal information that Askipedia collects from customers includes:

• the customer's name and address and other contact information;
• facts about consumption, both historic and current;
• facts about payment for services, including general financial information;
• credit and reference information.  

When an individual uses a service, Askipedia will make the individual aware of the purposes for which Askipedia is requesting the personal information. If Askipedia identifies other purposes for which the personal information may be used, Askipedia will seek the individual's consent prior to such use. Askipedia will advise that it is the individual's right to refuse permission for Askipedia to use personal information for any new purposes.

Additional purposes for collecting personal information may be identified to an individual before or at the time of collection. However, at a minimum Askipedia will collect personal information for the following purposes:

• to establish and maintain effective communication and provide on-going service;
• to bill and collect for payment of services;
• to establish and maintain responsible commercial relations with customers and provide them with ongoing service;
• to understand customer needs and eligibility for products & services;
• to recommend particular products & services to meet customer needs;
• to develop, enhance, market or provide products and services;
• to manage and develop Askipedia's business and operations, including personnel and employment matters; and
• to meet legal, regulatory and settlement requirements.

3. Consent

Askipedia will obtain consent before or when it collects, uses or discloses personal information about an individual. An individual can provide consent to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information about them expressly or implicitly. Askipedia will collect, use or disclose personal information without an individual's consent only in limited circumstances as permitted by law. Subject to certain legal and contractual restrictions and reasonable notice, an individual can refuse or withdraw their consent to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information about them at any time.

All existing customers will be informed of what types of personal information have been collected, the purpose for the collection and the procedures available for contacting Askipedia with any inquiries.

4.  Limiting Collection

Askipedia limits the amount and type of personal information it collects to that which is necessary for the business of the utility. Each affiliate of Askipedia will be responsible for its own collection, use and disclosure of information. Personal Information will be collected using procedures which are fair, transparent and lawful.

5.  Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention

Askipedia will only use the personal information for the purpose for which it was collected as identified in principle #2, unless consent is given by the individual to use or disclose it for another purpose.

Askipedia treats your Personal Information as confidential and does not disclose it to third parties or use it without your written consent, except where such Personal Information is require to be disclosed to third parties under certain circumstances. When personal information is provided to third parties, Askipedia provides only that information that is required in the circumstances. Information provided to third parties is used only for the purpose stipulated and is subject to strict terms of confidentiality. Employees of the companies to whom Askipedia may provide information must adhere to Askipedia's privacy standards.

Third parties include:

• An agent acting on behalf of Askipedia, such as a company hired to perform installation or maintenance on our behalf;
• Another communications service provider, in order to offer efficient and effective communications services;
• A collection agency , for the express purpose of the collection of past due bills;
• Law enforcement agencies, in emergencies, for internal security matters, or where required by court order or search warrant; and
• Emergency services, in emergency situations.
• Billing , settlement or market operation purposes;

Askipedia may engage employees, contractors, and other companies or third parties to perform work that involves access to Personal Information. In any case, Askipedia will ensure that such parties are required to keep the information confidential and not to use it in any way other than as is necessary to perform their work for us.

Askipedia may disclose summary information obtained by combining data from many accounts, provided that the information has been sufficiently aggregated such that any personal identifiers cannot reasonably be identified.

6.  Accuracy

In order to ensure the reliable delivery of service and the correct billing, all personal information will be kept accurate, complete and up to date.

Individuals may challenge the accuracy and completeness of personal information about them and have it amended, as appropriate.

7.  Safeguards

In executing its responsibilities with respect to the confidentiality of personal information, Askipedia will employ a number of safeguards, appropriate to the sensitivity of the information, to protect personal information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. Such safeguards will include physical measures, organizational measures and technological measures, for example, restricted access to offices, security clearances and limiting access on a “need to know” basis and use of passwords and encryption. Procedures for implementing these measures will be communicated to all employees and third parties to ensure compliance with this principle.

8.  Openness

Askipedia will make its policies and practices relating to the protection of personal information available to its customers. Askipedia will keep its customers informed of these policies and practices and customers shall be provided access to all related policies and procedures via Askipedia's web page and bill inserts. The information will be available in a format that is easy to understand.

9.  Individual Access

Any customer of Askipedia can have access to the personal information about them that Askipedia has in its possession or control. Any customer may request that their personal information be amended for purposes of accuracy and completeness.

Customers can make their requests via email privacy@Askipedia.com Response to an individual's request will be made in a timely and efficient manner.

10.Challenging Compliance

Any customer of Askipedia may challenge Askipedia's compliance with this Privacy Policy by contacting Askipedia directly. Askipedia has policies and procedures to receive, investigate and respond to individuals' complaints and questions. If the customer is not satisfied with the way Askipedia has responded to a complaint, the customer can contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.