General Disclaimer

General Disclaimer | Copyright | Privacy Policy | FAQ

Through its Web sites and other Internet applications, the Museum provides access to a broad range of content, information, and discussion utilizing a variety of technologies and delivery mechanisms. These include, but are not limited to, links to external Web sites, audio and video presentations, podcasts, blogs, comment and message forums, RSS feeds, e-mail updates, widgets, and mashups. These materials may include content from external contributors, individuals or organizations. The assertions, opinions, and conclusions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Copyright

Access to and use of the text, images, and other content on this Web site are subject to the following terms and conditions:

The text, images, audio and video clips, and other content on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (Museum) Web site are protected by copyright and may also be subject to other restrictions. The Museum retains all rights, including copyright, in and to the text, images, audio and video clips, and other content on this Web site. Copyright and other proprietary rights may be held by individuals and entities other than or in addition to the Museum.

The text, images, and audio and video clips on this Web site are available for limited non-commercial, educational, and personal use only, or for fair use as defined in the United States copyright laws. Users may download these files for their own use, subject to any additional terms or restrictions that may be applicable to a particular file or program. The user must cite the author and source of the content that is used just as for a printed work, and the citation must include the Museum’s URL “www.ushmm.org.”

The Museum does not warrant that use of the text, images, and video and audio clips on this Web site will not infringe the rights of third parties. Some text, images, and audio and video clips may not be used in any form or manner without prior permission from a third party copyright owner. Whenever possible, the Museum has provided information on this Web site about third party copyright owners and related restrictions.

Copying or redistributing the text, images, and other content on this Web site for commercial use, including commercial publication, or for personal gain is strictly prohibited.

Many of the trademarks, service marks, and logos (collectively “Marks”) displayed on this Web site, including “United States Holocaust Memorial Museum” and the Museum’s logo, are registered or unregistered Marks of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Marks of third parties may also be displayed on this site. Nothing contained in this Web site should be construed as granting, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise, any license or right to use any Marks displayed on this Web site without the prior, written permission of the Museum or any third party that may own the Marks. Any unauthorized use of the Marks or any other content of this Web site, except as authorized by these terms and conditions, is strictly prohibited.

The text, images, audio and video clips, and other content on this Web site is provided “as is” without a warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular use, and/or non-infringement. The Museum assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for any damages to or viruses that may infect computer equipment or other property on account of your use of this Web site or your downloading of any text, images, audio or video clips, or other content on this Web site.

This Web site contains links to the Web sites of other government agencies, affiliated museums, and private organizations. This linking does not constitute the Museum’s sponsorship or endorsement of the content of these Web sites, or the policies and products of the owners of these Web sites.

Privacy Policy

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is committed to protecting the personal information that you provide to us when using our Web site.

This Privacy Policy describes how we handle all user data collected during your visit.

Occasionally, changes in the technology, functionality, or content we provide on our Web site may require us to revise policies and practices set forth on this page. We encourage our visitors to return to this page to learn about any changes we have made. Any information that you submit after a change will be subject to the new provisions.

• Information Collected and Use of Data
• Use of Cookies
• Third-Party Disclosures
• Access to Account Information
• Opt-Out Options
• Security
• Questions

Information Collected and Use of Data

We collect two types of user data: 1) anonymous data that is automatically collected from all visitors to our site and 2) personally identifiable data that you voluntarily submit to us (Personal Data).

We will occasionally provide an online program for children. When children participate in such a program they may be required to provide their personal information, which will be stored in our database. We will use this information to contact them for the purposes of the program and to notify them of any other programs for children that we may offer at another time. It is our policy not to request or accept donations from anyone under 18.

Anonymous Data

If you do nothing during your visit but browse through the Web site, read pages, or download information, we will gather and store certain information about your visit automatically. We use this information to help us make our site more useful to visitors — to learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology our visitors use. This information does not identify you personally. We collect the following information:

1. The Internet domain (for example, “xcompany.com” if you use a private Internet access account, or “yourschool.edu” if you connect from a university’s domain) and the Internet Protocol (IP) address (the unique numerical expression of the domain from which your computer operates and the computer that you are using; you cannot be personally identified by this number) from which you access our Web site
2. The types of browser and operating systems used to access our site
3. The dates and times our site is accessed
4. The pages visited
5. The number of accesses to each page
6. If users linked to the USHMM Web site from another Web site, the address of that Web site

Personal Data

The type of information we may collect includes: name, postal address, e-mail address; preferences for types of information of interest; name, address or e-mail address of friend to whom you wish us to send information, tribute gift, or gift membership; and similar information. A specific type of Personal Data that may be collected is Financial Information, as further described below.

Personal Data may be collected when you:

• Join or renew your membership with USHMM
• Make a tribute or gift membership
• Make a contribution to the Museum
• Sign up for our e-mail network or one of our e-newsletters
• Send correspondence to our webmaster or other USHMM staff member
• Order items available from USHMM
• Participate in one of our online surveys
• Make a donation to the USHMM collection
• Post a comment to our Web site

If you choose to provide us with personal information, we may use that information to:

• Respond to your message
• Help us get you the information you have requested
• Provide you the requested service
• Allow you to select or change user preferences
• Confirm your contribution
• Send you tax-deductible receipts
• Personalize the content you see based on the activities and choices you have made

If you decide to give us personal information on our Web site, by phone, or by mail, you may be contacted by USHMM with the option to receive mail or e-mail. For example, if you do one of the activities on our Web site such as post a comment, you may be given the option to subscribe to our e-newsletters. You will always be given the option to decline.

Donors who have contacted the USHMM via email and/or provided the USHMM with an email address will receive the USHMM general news e-newsletter. If you wish to decline this benefit, please follow the opt-out options noted below.

Our site has public forums such as message boards. Please remember that any information (comments, photos, sounds) posted on these areas becomes public information. Please exercise caution when deciding to disclose personal information.

Financial Information

Financial Information is personally identifiable data you submit that may include the amount of a gift or payment, preferred payment method, a credit card number, debit tracking number, or other information required to complete a financial transaction. The USHMM will not disclose financial information except as necessary to fulfill the donation or order request. The USHMM collects such financial information in a secure manner and discards such information after processing is complete. The USHMM employs error-checking procedures to make certain transactions are processed in an accurate, complete, and timely manner. Independent internal and external audits are conducted to ensure the privacy, security, and appropriateness of these transactions.

If you prefer to mail or phone in a donation, please see the contact information on the donation form, call (202) 488-2642, or mail payment to: Membership, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024-2126.

Use of Cookies

We may collect some data through the use of cookies. Cookies are alphanumeric identifiers that are transferred either to your computer’s hard drive (“long-term cookies”) or temporarily to your computer’s Random Access Memory (“session cookies”). A cookie cannot read data off your computer hard disk nor can it read cookies files created by other Web sites. We use cookies to make visiting and using our site easier.

We only use long-term cookies to enable us to measure return visits to the Web site. These cookies contain no personal information and will only be used in aggregate form. You may refuse to accept long-term cookies by adjusting your browser preferences.

When you visit the USHMM site, session cookies may be stored that last only as long as your session on the USHMM site. They expire when your session ends and are not written onto your computer's hard drive. For example, we may use session cookies in retaining a choice you have made while using the Museum's calendar.

As with long-term cookies, no personal information is stored in session cookies. Credit card information cannot be accessed using cookies.

You may set your browser to refuse long-term and session cookies from any Web site that you visit. If you so choose, you may still gain access to most of the USHMM Web site, but you may not be able to conduct certain types of transactions (such as shopping) or take advantage of some of the interactive elements offered.

Third-Party Disclosure

We will not disclose your name or personal information to other organizations without informing you and giving you the opportunity to opt out.

We may disclose Personal Data to third-party service providers who are contracted by the USHMM to facilitate services such as completion of contribution transactions, response to your service requests, sending of e-newsletters, response to your surveys, or other similar functions. All of our third-party service providers have access to your Personal Data solely for the purpose of providing services to you on our behalf, and they are contractually prohibited from sharing your Personal Data with other third parties.

We may disclose Personal Data to third-party entities at your request when authorized by law. We may also disclose Personal Data to third parties for law enforcement purposes or other purposes as may be specifically required by law.

This Web site contains links to the Web sites of other government agencies, affiliated museums, and private organizations. While we make efforts to choose our links carefully, we cannot take responsibility for the content or privacy policy of linked Web sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies on those Web sites.

We occasionally exchange or rent contributor postal mailing lists with carefully selected organizations, specifically to help us expand our Membership program in a cost-effective way. Please note: we do not exchange or rent e-mail address. If you prefer that we do not exchange or rent your name and postal address, please follow the instructions in the Opt-Out Options section below.

Access to Account Information

If you have made a gift to the USHMM, you may request a review of or correction to your account information in one of two ways.

1. Send an e-mail to Membership@ushmm.org
2. Call our Member Services line at (202) 488-2642

If you wish to review or change your contact your information for the purposes of your Web activity and e-mail correspondence, you can select the Modify Your Profile option in an e-mail message from the USHMM or send an e-mail message to web_administrator@ushmm.org

Opt-Out Options

If you are a member or donor, you can choose to limit the postal mail exchange or rent of addresses with other charitable organizations in one of three ways.

1. Indicate “do not exchange” or “do not rent” on any of your membership mail packages and return in the pre-addressed envelope.
2. Send an e-mail to Membership@ushmm.org
3. Call our Member Services line at (202) 488-2642.

You can opt out of receiving e-mail correspondence or e-newsletters in one of three ways.

1. E-mail correspondence and e-newsletters have easy-to-follow unsubscribe instructions at the botton of each email. Select the “remove yourself from this mailing” option and follow the instructions to opt out of that e-mail correspondence.
2. Use the Modify Your Profile option in an e-mail message or on our Web site to change your e-newsletter selections.
3. Send an e-mail to web_administrator@ushmm.org

Security

The Personal Data we collect is stored on a secured server. We use industry-standard encryption technologies with respect to the receipt and transfer of Personal Data that you submit. We routinely evaluate our security and the security of our third-party partners to monitor and upgrade security measures. Only authorized personnel have access to your information.

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns about these polices, or our data collection practices, please send them to our Webmaster at web_administrator@ushmm.org or by mail to Webmaster, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024-2126.

If you have questions or concerns relating to USHMM programs, research, activities, membership, or other inquiries, please consult http://www.ushmm.org/museum/contact/ to determine where best to send your inquiry.

We hope you join with us in our growing online community. Our success is made possible through your continuing online participation.

FAQ

1. Can I put materials found on this Web site into a restricted database or Web site at my school?
   
   Yes, if there is no charge for users of your materials and if distribution is of limited duration to your school only. Images must remain unaltered. All of the accompanying caption information must be included without alteration and the citation should include the URL “www.ushmm.org.”
   
   
2. Can I use materials found on this Web site in a personal Web site?
   
   Yes, so long as the site displays no advertisements and has no sponsors, does not charge a fee for services, and does not offer any product or service for sale. The images must remain unaltered. All of the accompanying caption information must be included without alteration and the citation should include the URL “www.ushmm.org.”
   
   
3. May I put images or text from this Web site on a CD-ROM or general access Web site?
   
   No, unless permission has been obtained in advance from the Museum. The permission of a third party may also be required.
   
   
4. Can I print materials found on this Web site for a class project, lesson, and/or presentation at a professional conference?
   
   Yes, if it is a personal or academic work and not for publication in any medium. The images must remain unaltered and all of the accompanying caption information must be included without alteration. This type of use is encouraged; all other forms of publication are expressly prohibited.
   
   
5. May I use the designs or logos on this Web site in my Web site or publication?
   
   No, unless permission has been obtained in advance from the Museum.
   
   
6. May I link to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Web site?
   
   The Museum is pleased to have you link from your Web site to this Web site, provided that your link to this site is presented in a manner that does not give the impression that the Museum is making an express or implied endorsement of the content or service provided on your Web site, and that the link is presented in a manner that indicates that the user is leaving one site and accessing another.
   
   A link to this Web site must identify the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in one of the following ways:
   
   • by name: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
   • by URL: www.ushmm.org
   
   You may not frame the pages of this Web site or transport viewers to any other location outside this Web site using the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s name, or any variation thereof, without the prior written permission of the Museum. Linking to this Web site does not grant you any ownership rights or interest in or to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum name or any variation thereof. The Museum has no obligation to link from its Web site to your Web site or to provide any reciprocal service of any kind.
   
   
7. How do I obtain permission for other forms of publication?
   
   Anyone wishing to use the text, images or content on this Web site for purposes other than as authorized herein must obtain prior written approval. Permission for such use is granted on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the Museum. The permission of a third party may also be required. Permission requests may be sent to permissionrequest@ushmm.org.
   
   
8. How do I refer to the Museum’s Web site when I am writing a research or professional paper?
   
   Because this Web site is updated frequently, it is important to include when you visited the Web page that displays the material you are using. The following is an example of how to reference the Museum Web site in a text or footnote citation of a research or professional paper.
   
   

   United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, “Women’s History Month,” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Web site, http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/women_02; accessed 28 January 2006.