Privacy Policy

The Klingon Language Institute ("KLI," "we," "us," or "our") respects the privacy of its members, website users, and visitors.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we may collect through kli.org, how we use that information, and how we protect it.

1. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with the KLI and its website.

We may collect information such as:

• your name;
• email address;
• username and website account information;
• mailing address;
• membership status and membership history;
• information you voluntarily provide in your profile;
• communications you send to the KLI;
• posts, comments, messages, or other content you submit through the website;
• transaction and membership payment information;
• Internet Protocol ("IP") address, browser type, device information, and similar technical information associated with use of the website.

We collect only information reasonably necessary to operate the organization, administer memberships, maintain the website, communicate with members and users, and provide KLI services.

2. Membership Information

Membership in the Klingon Language Institute exists independently of an account on the KLI website.

The KLI may maintain membership records for individuals who joined or renewed through the website, by mail, or through other authorized methods.

These records may include information such as:

• name;
• contact information;
• membership type;
• membership start and expiration dates;
• lifetime membership status;
• payment or renewal history; and
• information necessary to associate a website account with an existing membership.

Membership information is used to administer KLI membership and communicate with members.

3. How We Use Your Information

The KLI uses personal information primarily to operate the organization and facilitate communication with its members and users.

This may include:

• creating and maintaining website accounts;
• verifying membership status;
• providing access to member-only resources;
• processing memberships, renewals, donations, or other transactions;
• responding to questions and requests;
• sending organizational announcements, membership information, publications, or other KLI communications;
• administering courses, testing programs, publications, community features, and other KLI activities;
• maintaining the security and proper operation of the website;
• preventing spam, fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access; and
• maintaining administrative and historical membership records.

The KLI does not use members' private information for unrelated commercial marketing.

4. Sale or Sharing of Personal Information

The KLI does not sell or rent personal information.

The KLI does not disclose members' private information to outside organizations for their own advertising, marketing, or commercial purposes.

Information may, however, be processed or disclosed when reasonably necessary to operate the KLI and its services.

For example, information may be processed by service providers that assist with:

• website hosting;
• email delivery;
• payment processing;
• website security;
• spam prevention;
• backups and data storage; or
• other technical services necessary to operate the website.

These service providers receive information only as necessary to perform the services they provide.

The KLI may also disclose information when required by law, court order, subpoena, or other valid legal process, or when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, safety, security, or property of the KLI, its members, or others.

5. Payment Information

When you purchase or renew a membership or make another payment online, payment information may be processed by a third-party payment processor.

The KLI generally does not need to store complete credit or debit card numbers on its own website.

Payment processors may collect and process information according to their own privacy policies and legal obligations.

The KLI may retain transaction records such as the amount paid, transaction date, membership purchased, and transaction identifier for administrative, accounting, and membership purposes.

6. Website Profiles and Community Content

The KLI website may include community features such as member profiles, activity feeds, groups, forums, comments, private messages, or similar features.

Information you choose to make visible in a public or member-visible profile may be seen by other users according to the privacy settings of the website.

Content that you intentionally post publicly or share with other users should not be considered private.

Users should avoid posting sensitive personal information in public areas of the website.

Private messages are intended to be visible only to their participants, although authorized website administrators may technically have access when necessary for security, abuse investigation, system administration, or legal compliance.

7. Email and Communications

If you provide an email address, the KLI may use it to communicate with you concerning:

• your membership;
• your website account;
• KLI activities and programs;
• publications;
• organizational news;
• administrative notices; or
• other information related to the KLI.

Where available, users may opt out of nonessential email communications.

Certain administrative messages, such as account security notices, transaction confirmations, or important membership communications, may still be sent when necessary.

The KLI does not sell or provide its membership mailing list to third parties for commercial marketing.

8. Cookies

The KLI website uses cookies and similar technologies necessary for the operation of the website.

Cookies may be used to:

• keep users logged in;
• remember account or display preferences;
• maintain website sessions;
• provide security features; and
• understand basic website usage.

Some cookies are necessary for website features to function properly.

Users may configure their browsers to reject or delete cookies, but doing so may prevent some portions of the website from working correctly.

9. Technical and Usage Information

Like most websites, the KLI website may automatically record certain technical information when it is accessed.

This may include:

• IP address;
• browser type;
• operating system or device type;
• referring page;
• pages visited;
• date and time of requests; and
• technical error or security information.

This information may be used to maintain the website, troubleshoot problems, prevent abuse, improve services, and understand general patterns of website usage.

The KLI may use aggregated or anonymized statistics that do not identify individual users.

10. Comments and Spam Prevention

When users submit comments or other content, the website may collect information associated with the submission, including the user's IP address and browser information.

Comments and other submissions may be processed through automated spam-detection or security services.

This information is used to protect the website from spam, abuse, and malicious activity.

11. Gravatar and Profile Images

The website may use the Gravatar service to display profile images associated with an email address.

When Gravatar is used, an anonymized representation of your email address may be provided to that service to determine whether a profile image exists.

Use of Gravatar is governed by the privacy policies of its provider.

Users may also have the option to upload their own profile images directly to the KLI website.

12. Uploaded Media

Users who upload photographs or other images should be aware that image files may contain embedded metadata, including location information.

Where possible, users should remove sensitive metadata before uploading files intended to be publicly accessible.

13. Embedded Content and External Websites

Pages on the KLI website may contain embedded content or links from third-party websites, such as videos, images, documents, or social-media content.

Interacting with embedded third-party content may allow that third party to collect information about your interaction with its service.

Third-party websites and services operate under their own privacy policies.

The KLI is not responsible for the privacy practices of unaffiliated third-party websites.

14. How Long We Keep Information

The KLI retains information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.

Some information may be retained for extended periods or indefinitely when appropriate, including:

• historical membership records;
• lifetime membership records;
• financial and transaction records;
• organizational archives;
• comments or community content;
• records needed to resolve disputes or enforce policies; and
• information that must be retained for legal, accounting, or security purposes.

Because membership in the KLI may exist independently of a website account, deleting a website account does not necessarily require deletion of organizational membership records.

15. Accessing, Correcting, or Deleting Your Information

Users with website accounts may be able to view or edit certain personal information through their account settings.

You may also contact the KLI to request that we:

• provide information about personal data associated with your account;
• correct inaccurate information;
• delete your website account; or
• delete personal information that is no longer reasonably necessary.

Some information may need to be retained for legitimate administrative, historical, legal, accounting, security, or membership purposes.

For example, deleting a website account does not necessarily erase records showing that an individual was or remains a member of the Klingon Language Institute.

Requests may be sent to:

[PRIVACY OR CONTACT EMAIL]

16. Data Security

The KLI takes reasonable measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or misuse.

No website, computer system, or method of electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

The KLI therefore cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted or stored electronically.

17. Data Breaches

If the KLI becomes aware of a security breach involving personal information, it will investigate the incident and take appropriate action.

Where notification is required by applicable law, affected individuals will be notified as required.

Kentucky law contains breach-notification requirements applicable to holders of certain personal information when a qualifying security breach occurs.

18. Children

The KLI website and organization are not directed specifically toward children under the age of 13.

The KLI does not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without any consent or other procedures required by applicable law.

If the KLI learns that such information has been collected improperly, it will take reasonable steps to remove it.

Federal COPPA rules impose special requirements on websites directed to children under 13, or websites that knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

19. Organizational Records and Website Accounts

A website account and membership in the Klingon Language Institute are separate.

Deleting a website account:

• does not automatically resign a person from the KLI;
• does not automatically terminate a paid or lifetime membership; and
• does not necessarily require the KLI to erase historical membership or payment records.

Similarly, a person may remain a member of the KLI without maintaining a website account.

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

The KLI may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in its website, services, technology, or practices.

Material changes may also be communicated to registered users or members when appropriate.

21. Contact

Questions or requests concerning this Privacy Policy or personal information held by the KLI may asked via out contact us page.