Ethnopia respects the privacy of both visitors and registered users of our sites. In accordance, Ethnopia has adopted a stringent privacy policy which reflects our commitment to privacy. The following policy applies to all websites owned and operated by Ethnopia (including, but not limited to, Ethnopia.com and Cosmofest.com).

Ethnopia reserves the right to amend or modify this policy at any time and for any reason. You are encouraged to review this policy each time you access our sites. However, if we make a significant change to this policy, we will not use or disclose the information you submit under this current policy in a new way without first informing you of the changes and providing you with an opportunity to opt-out or otherwise prevent that use or disclosure.

Please feel free to contact us at info@ethnopia.com if you have any questions regarding this policy.

Collection and Use of Information

You are not required to register with us, or disclose any personal information, in order to browse our sites. However, there may be certain sections which may require a password (and registration) for access. Upon accessing our sites, certain information which is not personally identifying (such as your time/date of visit, IP address, ISP, OS, and forwarding site) is automatically collected by our web server. This information is used internally to make improvements to our sites, which in turn make our sites more responsive to your needs. This information is discarded after use.

Our sites may also make use of cookies when a visitor's Internet browser is set up to accept them. Cookies are small data files that our web site sends to your browser for storage on your computer's hard drive. We use cookies to identify members, track activity at our site, and better serve your personalized needs and interests.

If at any time we collect any personally identifying information (such as your name, address, phone number, email address, demographic information), that you voluntarily submit, we will categorically inform you why that information is being requested, and how we intend on using that information. For instance, Ethnopia may use such information to inform you directly about services or products that we believe may be of interest to, to process your requests, and to understand your needs better in an effort to perfect our quality of service.

Additionally, please be advised that any information you voluntarily disclose on these sites through message postings, bulletin boards, discussion groups or chat rooms, may be collected and used by others without your permission.

Ethnopia does not advertently collect any personal information from children. Children under the age of 13 should always seek permission from their parents before sending in any personal information.

Disclosure of Information

Any personal information that you may have voluntarily provided us may be shared with third parties, and may be combined with other personally identifiable information available from either our records or from any other sources. This sharing helps us improve our marketing efforts to serve your needs better. We will share your information with only those companies that we believe impose adequate safeguards on the privacy of your information. We will share information only for lawful purposes such as in describing our services to prospective partners or advertisers. Information about your credit cards will never be shared.

Notwithstanding, it is possible that we may have to disclose information to fulfill certain legal and regulatory requirements or if we believe, in good faith, that such a disclosure is legally required or necessary to protect others' rights or to prevent harm.

You Choose

Registered members may review and revise personal information at any time by simply accessing their accounts. In addition, you may choose to restrict our use of your information to maintaining your account on our sites, or prohibit our disclosure of your information to others. If you do not wish us to provide your information to third parties, or otherwise wish us to restrict the use or disclosure of your information, or if you do not wish to have your personal information used as a basis for further contact with you, simply inform us

1. by editing your mailing preferences in your account
2. Or by following the procedure to unsubscribe yourself as mentioned in the     correspondence from us to you
3. Or by sending us an email to info@ethnopia.com directing us to impose desired limits to the use of your personal information.

Security

Ethnopia restricts access to any transactional portions of these sites to computers with web browsers that support a SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol, and uses industry-standard encryption methods to transmit your personal information from your computer to Ethnopia servers. However, to avail this protection, you must have an SSL-capable browser (Navigator 4.5 or higher, Internet Explorer 4.5 or higher). For better protection, you should change your password frequently, but must not share your password with anyone. Upon completion of your session, you must log off and exit your browser to prevent any unauthorized use under your name. Nevertheless, since the Internet cannot provide foolproof security yet, we cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to us, and you transmit such information at your own risk.

Third Party Links

If you provide any information to sites that are linked to or from our site, different policies (governed by those sites) may apply to the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information. Ethnopia will not be liable for any possible misuse of your personal information by those parties.

Posted on June 24, 2004