General

QNX Software Systems International Corporation and members of the QNX Software Systems Group (as defined below, collectively "QSS" or "we") respect each individual's ("you" or "your") right to privacy. This statement outlines how we collect, use, transfer and safeguard your personal information. To protect your personal information QSS does not sell, rent or trade your personal information except as outlined in this Privacy Statement.

 

The Context for the QSS Privacy Statement

To understand how we are going to use your personal information, you need to understand QSS.

We are a global organization with subsidiaries, offices, agents, distributors, resellers and business partners throughout the world. Two entities are "Affiliated" if one entity, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the other entity (with "control" meaning ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of the entity, or in the case of a non-corporate entity, an equivalent interest).  An entity is a member of the “QNX Software Systems Group” if it is Affiliated with QNX Software Systems International Corporation and contains “QNX” in its name. 

Our primary products and services relate to the QNX RTOS and associated development tools (and while we do not anticipate it, this may change). Our primary customers are businesses and, as a result, we do not collect a great deal of "personal information" (specifically, information about an identifiable individual) and almost no sensitive personal information. Of course, to the extent that we do collect personal information we want to respect your privacy.

Sales & Marketing

QSS must sell goods and services to be viable. To sell goods and services we have to market them. Whether you are an existing or prospective customer we use your personal information to market and sell QSS products and services, and complimentary third party products and services to you, or more likely the organization to which you belong.

R&D

We continually develop and improve our products and supporting services. Information you provide us will be used to build and provide better products and services, including technical support.

General Administration

There are thousands of things that QSS must do to run its business day to day and year to year; for example, ship you product, send and collect invoices, create reports, etc. Your personal information may be used in any of these contexts. We will also use your personal information to negotiate, administer and enforce our contracts and meet our legal and contractual obligations throughout the world.

Human Resources

Our HR department manages the most personal side of our business - the people. If you have dealings with HR as a prospective employee we will use this information throughout QSS and its related entities for the purpose of employment consideration or your inquiry.

Partners

A real-time operating system generally sits at the center of a very complicated computer system. We have technology suppliers, licensors, partners, alliances, sub-contactors and the like whose products and services we are selling or supporting. We may need to use and share your information to support these partners in the context of the above.

Further, if you are a partner we may have to share your personal information with other partners or customers.

Distribution Channel

In certain areas of the world we do not sell our products and services directly, but do so through a channel of distributors, resellers and the like. We receive personal information from, and supply personal information to, our distribution channel in support of all the functions noted above.

 

Collection of Personal Information

To summarize the above, we gather personal information from a variety of sources including:

·         directly from you, through (a) registration processes (on-line, off-line and otherwise) and (b) all forms of interaction with QSS and its employees. If you provide us with personal information regarding another person, such as a work colleague, we will assume that you have their permission to do so;

·         indirectly from: (a) our distribution channel; (b) our partners; (c) credit agencies; and (d) governments.

Any personal information QSS obtains from any of these sources at any time is subject to this Privacy Statement.

 

Purposes of Collection

QSS collects personal information to run its business as summarized above. The purposes for the information collected that transcend the business functions include:

·         develop, enhance, market and provide products and services;

·         understand your needs and eligibility for products and services;

·         recommend particular products and services to meet your needs;

·         sell to you and provide you with ongoing products and services from QSS and its partners;

·         provide you with information on QSS products & services and complimentary third party products & services;

·         receive and respond to your inquiries and requests in any medium;

·         tailor web site content and marketing messages;

·         compile statistics, reports and conduct market research;

·         issue, pay and generally administer invoices, purchase orders and other documents and processes associated with the provision of goods and services;

·         report to government bodies;

·         do credit checks;

·         negotiate, complete, administer and enforce contracts;

·         consider you for employment, when your personal information is provided in that context;

·         administer contests, to the extent that you enter QSS contests;

·         comply with laws.

Information Transfers & Sharing

QSS is a is a global organization that deals with corporate affiliates, its distribution channel, licensors, partners, financial institutions, advisors, collection agencies, postal authorities, shipping companies and governments (including customs authorities) throughout the world. You understand that your personal information may be transferred and shared for the purposes identified above with such third parties in any country where they are located

QSS may also disclose your personal information to others where QSS has a good faith belief that such action is necessary to: (1) conform to legal requirements or comply with legal process served on QSS; (2) protect and defend the rights or property of QSS; or (3) enforce its agreements with you.

Circumstances may arise where, whether for strategic or other business reasons, QSS decides to sell, buy, merge or otherwise reorganize businesses in some countries. Such a transaction may involve the disclosure of personal information to prospective or actual purchasers, or receiving it from sellers. It is QSS' practice to seek appropriate protection for information in these types of transactions.

In some cases QSS uses suppliers to collect, use, analyze and otherwise process information on its behalf. It is our practice to require such suppliers to handle information in a manner consistent with QSS' policies.

 

Use of Cookies & IP Addresses

Cookies are small pieces of information that are stored by your browser on your computer's hard drive. They allow us to better analyze our site traffic patterns and to provide improved content, advertisements, products and services. They also allow us to refine and enhance the visitor registration process and to add personalization. Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually change your browser to prevent that if you would rather not store the information for future use. If you disable the operation of cookies, you will be unable to access certain functionality on this web site and will not be able to purchase products directly through the web site.

When you visit a QSS web site our servers will log your computer's IP address. QSS may link your IP address to your personal information for internal tracking and system administration.

 

Children's Information

QSS does not publish content that is targeted to children, and we do not knowingly collect, use or disclose personally identifiable data on children under the age of 13.

 

Public Newsgroups

QSS does not control personal information and data posted to public newsgroups. If you participate in a QSS public newsgroup be aware that the information you provide there will be made broadly available to third parties. We suggest that you do not post any personal information that you consider sensitive.

 

Security of Your Personal Information

QSS has implemented industry standard security mechanisms and procedures to protect data from loss, misuse and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and destruction.

 

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions or concerns regarding this statement or its application, please address them to:

Personal Information Protection Officer
QNX Software Systems 
175 Terrence Matthews Crescent
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2M-1W8
privacy@qnx.com

Further, you can withdraw your agreement to this Privacy Statement in writing through the Personal Information Protection Officer.

 

Changes to the Privacy Statement

We may change, modify, add or remove portions of the QSS Privacy Statement at any time. We will notify you of any changes by posting notice of such changes on this page, or sending notice via email or postal mail.   The Privacy Statement was changed in October 2005 (from version QSSPS1_02 to QSSPS2_00) to reflect a change in the corporate operating structure of QNX Software Systems.  There were no substantive changes to the Privacy Statement.

 

The Bottom Line

By agreeing to this Privacy Statement, you are agreeing that QSS can collect, use, transfer and disclose your personal information for the purposes identified consistent with the terms of this Privacy Statement.

QSS Privacy Statement version: QSSPS2_00