About This Privacy Policy

When you use MatePal.com, your activities and personal information may be recorded and used in various ways.  The following information is intended to help you better understand how that information is collected and used.  This privacy policy changes every once in a while, so check back periodically.  It was last revised on July 8, 2005.  If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy, please contact MatePal.

How Information Is Collected

When you perform a search or change your preferences, the settings are stored in a cookie and may also be stored in MatePal's database.  If you create a profile, then any personal information and other information about yourself which you supply will be recorded in the database.  If you respond to a personal profile, then your name, email address and who you contact may be recorded.  In fact, all pages you view on MatePal.com and every activity you engage in while using the service may be recorded.  Your Internet IP address, the site which referred you, and your browser type are supplied every time you visit MatePal.com.  This information might also be recorded.

In addition, third party advertisements placed on MatePal.com may use cookies, collect your IP address, the page you are viewing, your language settings, browser type, and operating system compatibility.

How Information Is Protected

When you create a profile, you must supply a valid email address.  This email address is never displayed on MatePal.com to anyone other than yourself.  The only way potential mates can contact you through this site, is by sending a message with an online form.  Your profile will be linked to this form.  When the form is submitted and their email address is verified, the message will be emailed to you by MatePal.com's server without them ever knowing your email address.

In order for them to send you a message, they must supply their email address.  You will never be shown their email address unless they provide it in the message.  To reply to them, you can click a link at the bottom of the email, which will take you to an online mail system with a form which you can use to reply.  You may continue to communicate with others by sending messages through MatePal without ever disclosing your email addresses.  If you wish to give a stranger your email address or any other piece of personal information, you do it at your own risk!

Your contact information is kept in MatePal's database and is not placed in browser cookies at anytime.  MatePal uses industrial strength SSL to encrypt data during certain parts of the sign up process and also while logging in.

How Information Is Used

Some pages of MatePal.com deliver content based on your interests which are stored in cookies and in the database.  Statistics are generated from on site activities, personal information, demographic information, and other information.  Some of these statistics are provided for you, some for MatePal administration, and some for the public.  Statistics provided for the public will only contain information such as averages and totals compiled from many users and will not contain personally identifiable information such as names or email addresses.

The IP address which is sent to the server may be used to help diagnose problems and administer the site.  It is used to help identify you and for gathering broad demographic information.  It may also be used to identify your geographic location.

You will receive operational emails if needs be.  These include verification emails, emails from potential mates, and other important emails.  If you wish to stop receiving all email from MatePal, you must remove your profile.  Your email address will not be sold to any third party advertising companies.

MatePal.com is a totally free site and survives on volunteer work and advertisement revenue.  Please understand that in order for this site to exist, some of your preferences and demographics (not personal information) might be supplied to third party advertisers and companies for on site advertising purposes.  Hopefully, by displaying targeted ads according to your preferences, you will find your experience using MatePal more satisfying and relevant.

If any of the following special circumstances occur, your information may be shared with others.  (1) If MatePal.com merges with or is acquired by another entity.  (2) If MatePal.com receives subpoenas, court orders, or must deal with legal process.  (3) If MatePal.com wishes to exercise legal rights or defend against legal claims.  (4) If there is suspected fraud.  (5) If a user is encountering physical danger.

How To Remove Your Information

You may remove your profile at any time by accessing your profile, clicking on Edit Account and then clicking on Remove Profile Permanently.  Removing your profile will remove all of your pictures and profile information from MatePal's database aside from your email address and messages to or from other users.