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ABOUT ABBOTT
Effective Date: September 20, 2016
This is the Privacy Policy for the Abbott News Twitter account ("our Account"), which is operated and provided by Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott"). Our Account will be used for sharing information on our Account. Our Account will allow Abbott to access your personal information if you upload such data to Twitter in certain circumstances. In very limited circumstances, described below, we may also be required by law to collect and further process some of the data you upload.
In addition to this Abbott Twitter Privacy Policy, our access and collection of information through our Account, and our use of that information, is subject to Abbott's Privacy Policy, which you can review by clicking here. This Abbott Twitter Privacy Policy provides information about our data handling practices that are specific to the Abbott News Twitter Program, and the terms of this Abbott Twitter Privacy Policy are in addition to any terms appearing in the Abbott Privacy Policy.
How does Abbott access information about you? Through our Account, Abbott can access information about you to the extent you have uploaded such information via your Twitter user account.
Abbott may collect and process your personal data to the extent necessary to allow Abbott to monitor and respond to Tweets. We are more likely to process your personal data if we chose to follow you with our Account on Twitter, or if any of your Tweets contain either a reference to our Account, Tweets by our Account, a topic of interest for Abbott, or Abbott.
If we become aware of an adverse health event related to the use of our products, we may also be required by applicable law to notify the competent regulatory authorities. For this reason, we may need to collect, process and transfer to competent regulatory authorities and other relevant third parties your personal data if you have made it available, either via your user account details or your Tweets. We are most likely to become aware of an adverse health event you have Tweeted about if, specifically, that Tweet also contains: (i) the character "#" followed by a word already 'hash-tagged' by a Tweet from our Account (i.e., your Tweet contains "#Abbott" after our Account already Tweeted "#Abbott"); and/or (ii) information directly relating to a topic of interest for Abbott (such as the operation of our Account, the subject of its Tweets, Abbott and/or Abbott brands, services or products).
Our ability to process your personal data for the above purposes may be limited by your Twitter account privacy settings. Apart from as described above, we will not collect and further process any personal data through our Account.
Where do we keep the information that we store? We will not collect any personal data accessible through our Account and will not retain a database of such data. However, we will be able to access your user account details and your Tweets at any point while you are following our Account, to the extent you have made such details publicly accessible.
In the event that we are required to collect and process your personal data under our obligation to report adverse health events, described above, we may be required to store your personal data. It is likely that such data will be stored in the U.S. The U.S. may not offer the same level of privacy and confidentiality protection that you are used to in the country where you live. Where Abbott is responsible for storing the information you provide to us, then Abbott will handle such information in accordance with Abbott's policies and applicable law.
Please note that no method of transmitting or storing electronic data is ever completely secure, and we cannot guarantee that such information will never be accessed, used, or released in a manner that is inconsistent with this policy.
How do we use data?
How long will Abbott store information accessible from Twitter? In general, Abbott will only store your personal information and health information for as long as it is needed to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, subject to applicable data retention periods imposed upon Abbott by applicable law.
How do we share personal information that we collect about you? Although we may share personal information that we collect about you through our Account within Abbott, we generally do not share this information with third parties, except as described in our Abbott Privacy Policy.
We also may share this information with outside vendors, such as vendors that help us update and maintain our Account, but we will instruct those vendors not to use any information that we share with them in a manner that is inconsistent with this Abbott Twitter Privacy Policy and our Abbott Privacy Policy.
Please be aware that information you make accessible to our Account will also be accessible to other Twitter account holders following our Account, and made available in other countries outside the U.S. where those Twitter account holders are located. Abbott shall not be responsible for protecting the privacy of the information you choose to transmit from your Twitter account, including to other Twitter account holders who may be located outside the U.S. and over whom Abbott has no control.
What rights and choices do I have over my information? You can email us at webmaster@abbott.com with the words "Deletion Request" in the subject line or write to us at the address provided in our Abbott Privacy Policy. Any email you send should indicate the name of your Twitter account, the email address to which your request relates (if different), and a statement that you wish to opt out of marketing communications relating to our Account. (Please note that, even if you opt out, we still may send you certain administrative communications, such as legal and account notices.)
You may request to remove, amend or correct your personal information by email to the same address or by writing to us at the address provided in our Abbott Privacy Policy.
Will these privacy practices change? We occasionally may change these privacy practices, so you should review this Abbott Twitter Privacy Policy, and our Abbott Privacy Policy, periodically. If we make material changes to our privacy practices that are specific to our Account, we will notify you of our new practices by Tweeting a link to the updated policy. For generally applicable material changes, we will notify you of our new practices by posting an update on our Abbott Privacy Policy. In each case, we will indicate the date on which the policy was most recently changed so that you can easily determine if there are any updates.
Who should you contact with questions? If you have questions about this Abbott Twitter Privacy Policy or our privacy practices more generally, please email us at webmaster@abbott.com with the words "Abbott Twitter Privacy Policy" in the subject line.
Abbott Privacy Policy US Residents Only
This Policy applies to residents of the United States. If you are a resident of another country, please click here for applicable information.
This Privacy Policy explains how we handle the personal information that you provide to us on Web sites controlled by Abbott Laboratories (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) which link to this Privacy Policy (referred to as "Abbott Web sites") and other information collected through your use of Abbott Web sites. This Privacy Policy does not apply to personal information collected from you offline, to Abbott Web sites that do not link to this Privacy Policy, to residents of countries other than the United States, or to third-party Web sites to which Abbott Web sites may link. Your use of Abbott Web sites, which link to this Privacy Policy is subject to this Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use.
Please read this Privacy Policy before using Abbott Web sites or submitting personal information to us.
How does this Privacy Policy define "personal information"? "Personal information" means information that identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you and which is submitted to and/or collected by Abbott Web sites and maintained by Abbott in an accessible form. Examples of personal information include your name, your postal address and your telephone number.
How does Abbott collect information online? Abbott collects information in two ways:
Does Abbott engage in Retargeting and Interest-Based Advertising? Abbott uses third party advertising companies to place ads on other websites. These companies may use Non-identified information (discussed immediately above) about your visits to Abbott Web sites and other websites in order to measure advertising effectiveness and to provide advertisements about our goods and services that may be of interest to you. Like most advertisers, we place advertisements where we think they will be most relevant to customers. One way we do so is by allowing network advertising companies with whom we work to place their own cookies when an individual visits Abbott Web sites. This enables the network advertising company to recognize individuals who have previously visited Abbott Web sites. When the individual visits a third-party web site on which that network advertising company has purchased ad space, the advertising company can then recognize the individual’s interest in our products and services and deliver one of our advertisements.
Some of our websites use two Google Analytics Advertising Display Features, which collect information through cookies: Remarketing with Google Analytics and Demographics and Interests reporting. If you would like to opt-out of having your data used by these cookies, please use the Google Analytics opt-out available here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/.
The Digital Advertising Alliance maintains a web site where consumers can opt out from receiving interest-based advertising from some or all of the network advertising companies participating in the program (www.AboutAds.info/choices).
In what circumstances might Abbott collect and use personal information? Abbott will use the personal information you provide through Abbott Web sites to respond to your questions and to provide you with efficient customer service. After you have entered personal information into a form or data field on an Abbott Web site, Abbott may use certain technologies to allow that Web site to "remember" your personal preferences, such as sections of that Web site that you visit frequently and, if you choose, your user ID. We may also use this personal information for other business purposes, such as to offer you the opportunity to receive notices regarding Abbott’s products or services, to invite you to participate in surveys about our products, or to notify you about special promotions.
Does Abbott consolidate personal information? Abbott may consolidate the personal information of customers who use Abbott Web sites. We use this information to help us better design Abbott Web sites and Abbott products, to communicate information to you, to enhance our marketing and research activities, and to facilitate other business functions.
What choices do I have about how Abbott collects and uses personal information about me? You may always limit the amount and type of personal information that Abbott receives about you by choosing not to enter any personal information into forms or data fields on Abbott Web sites. Some of our online services can only be provided to you if you provide us with appropriate personal information. Other parts of Abbott Web sites may ask whether you wish to opt out or opt into our contact lists for offers, promotions and additional services that may be of interest to you.
You may also be provided with preference questions or preference boxes allowing you to indicate that you do not want Abbott Web sites to use tracking technologies, such as cookies, to "remember" your personal information, such as user IDs or mailing addresses, on return visits. However, Abbott Web sites that use tracking technologies to collect non-identified information do not generally provide you with the ability to opt out of the tracking technologies. Some Internet browsers allow you to limit or disable the use of tracking technologies that collect non-identified information.
Who will have access to personal information about me? Personal information can be accessed by a restricted number of Abbott employees, by certain companies with which Abbott may conduct joint programs, and by individuals and entities with whom Abbott contracts to carry out business activities for Abbott. We train our employees about the importance of privacy and how to handle and manage customer data appropriately and securely. Also, it is Abbott’s practice to notify you if you are registering for a program which is conducted in conjunction with another company that may require access to your personal information. In addition, Abbott’s practice is to require its contractors to keep your personal information confidential and to use personal information only to perform functions for Abbott.
Does Abbott share personal information with third parties? As a general rule, Abbott does not share your personal information with third parties, unless it is necessary to conduct a joint program or to carry out a program or activity through a contractor. However, if Abbott sells one of its product lines or divisions, your personal information may be transferred to the buyer so that the buyer can continue to provide you with information and services. If Abbott provides your personal information to individuals and entities which assist us with our business activities, it is Abbott’s practice to require those individuals and entities to keep your personal information confidential and to use your personal information only to perform functions for Abbott. Abbott reserves the right to disclose your personal information to respond to authorized information requests from government authorities, to address national security situations, or when otherwise required by law.
How does Abbott secure personal information? It is Abbott’s practice to secure each web page that collects personal information; however, the confidentiality of personal information transmitted over the Internet cannot be guaranteed. We urge you to exercise caution when transmitting personal information over the Internet, especially personal information related to your health. Abbott cannot guarantee that unauthorized third parties will not gain access to your personal information; therefore, when submitting personal information to Abbott Web sites, you must weigh both the benefits and the risks. In addition, Abbott Web sites covered by this Privacy Policy will display a warning whenever you link to a Web site that is not controlled by Abbott or subject to an Abbott privacy policy; you should check the privacy policies of such third-party Web sites before submitting personal information.
Abbott has policies that provide for the proper use and protection of Social Security numbers obtained in the course of doing business with Abbott. Abbott’s policies require that Social Security numbers be appropriately secured to avoid loss, misuse or unauthorized access of Social Security numbers. Unlike this Privacy Policy, which applies only to on-line personal information, Abbott’s policies governing Social Security numbers apply to both on-line and off-line collection and use of Social Security numbers.
How does Abbott protect the privacy of children? Abbott does not knowingly collect or use any personal information from children (we define "children" as minors younger than 13) on Abbott Web sites. We do not knowingly allow children to order our products, communicate with us, or use any of our online services. If you are a parent and become aware that your child has provided us with information, please contact us using one of the methods specified below, and we will work with you to address this issue.
How may I correct personal information or delete it from current customer records? You may request to remove your personal information from our current customer records or to amend your personal information. Please notify us of your wishes by contacting us in one of the ways specified below. For our record keeping purposes, we will retain certain personal information you submit in conjunction with commercial transactions.
How can I contact Abbott? If you have questions about the use, amendment, or deletion of personal information that you have provided to us, or if you would like to opt out of future communications from an Abbott business or a particular Abbott program, please contact us by clicking on the "Contact Us" link on the Web site you are visiting or by e-mailing us at webmaster@abbott.com. Alternatively, you may send a letter to the following address:
Abbott Laboratories Attention: Public Affairs, Department 383 100 Abbott Park Road Abbott Park, IL 60064-6048
In all communications to Abbott, please include the e–mail address used for registration (if applicable), the Web site address or the specific Abbott program to which you provided personal information, and a detailed explanation of your request. If you would like to delete or amend your personal information and are contacting us by e-mail, please put "Deletion Request" or "Amendment Request", as applicable, in the subject line of the e-mail. We will do our best to respond to all reasonable requests in a timely manner.
How will I know whether Abbott has updated this policy? Abbott reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy without prior notice to reflect technological advancements, legal and regulatory changes and good business practices. If Abbott changes its privacy practices, a new Privacy Policy will reflect those changes and the effective date of the revised Privacy Policy will be set forth in this paragraph. This Privacy Policy was last updated on October 2, 2008 and is effective as of that date.
Abbott News Twitter Usage Protocol
Effective Date: August 14, 2011
Your use of the Abbott News Twitter account is subject to this Usage Protocol. This account is operated and provided by Abbott Laboratories ("Abbott"). Abbott may not respond to all @ mentions and/or replies, and is not responsible for content altered via retweets by other Twitter users. Your use is also subject to the Abbott News Twitter Privacy Policy, which you can review by clicking here. Abbott is not responsible for the terms and conditions, privacy policy or content of any website accessed through links or references in our tweets.
Abbott reserves all rights relating to the company's Twitter account, including but not limited to: (i) adding, removing, or modifying any content posted on this account, (ii) blocking disruptive Twitter users; and (iii) discontinuing this account at any time. Medical and health topics may be discussed but should not be construed as medical advice. You are advised to contact a healthcare professional in your area if you need medical advice.
Abbott may in its sole discretion delete irresponsible content or content that is otherwise inconsistent with Abbott News Twitter feed and its stated purposes. Abbott reserves the right to block any Twitter user that fails to follow this User Protocol. Examples of inappropriate or off-topic messages include but are not limited to the following:
General Statement for Abbott News Twitter Feed: The deletion of Twitter content or blocking of any third-party Twitter profiles will be at the sole discretion of Abbott and its agents.
Please be aware that the website you have requested is intended for the residents of a particular country or region, as noted on that site. As a result, the site may contain information on pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other products or uses of those products that are not approved in other countries or regions. The website you have requested also may not be optimized for your specific screen size.
Links which take you out of Abbott worldwide websites are not under the control of Abbott, and Abbott is not responsible for the contents of any such site or any further links from such site. Abbott is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the linked site by Abbott. The website that you have requested also may not be optimized for your screen size.
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