WES Privacy Policy
1. What Information Does WES Collect?
a. Application Information
The WES Application requires personal information such as mailing address, institutions attended, etc. Such information is used for the purpose of evaluation, and may be shared with the designated recipient(s) of the evaluation and the institution(s) listed on the application.
b. Evaluation Information
In order to evaluate your credentials, WES collects personal information directly from educational institutions and other parties.
c. E-mail Information
If you choose to provide an e-mail address, WES will correspond with you via e-mail and will retain the content of your e-mail messages together with your e-mail address and WES's responses.
d. Cookies
For the improvement of our Web materials and client services, the WES Website makes use of cookies, which automatically collect anonymous user data (user traffic patterns, server activity, etc.). A cookie is a small text file containing a unique identification number that is transferred from a Website to the hard drive of your computer, allowing the site administrator to identify your computer and passively track its activities on the Website.
We may use cookies to temporarily store some personal information, such as
to save your password, so you don't have to re-enter it each time you visit
our site. Cookies, by themselves, cannot be used to disclose your
individual identity. This personal information identifies your browser, but
not you, to our servers when you visit our site. Most browsers are
initially set up to accept cookies, but you can set your browsers to refuse
cookies. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may be limited in some
areas of the WES Web sites.
2. How does WES store information we collect?
Once you have submitted an application to WES, by whatever means, the information in the application form, and images of the documents you have submitted for evaluation are stored in our electronic database.
If you contact WES following your application, copies of your correspondence will also be stored in your file.
Only members of WES staff that are authorized users, using a password, can access the data stored in the WES server.
Backup copies of the data are stored off site in secure locations. We may use the services of third parties for such storage, but we ensure that your personal information is protected at least as well as it is protected by WES, as described in this Policy.
All paper files in the WES office are kept in locked filing cabinets.
3. How Does WES Use the Provided Information?
WES uses personal information solely for the purpose of evaluation. WES reserves the right to contact both the recipients of the evaluation and the academic institutions that the applicant has attended to request further information on programs of study, verification of documents, etc.
4. How Does WES Secure Information Transmissions?
The WES on-line application form uses a secure server, which protects your data from being observed in transmission by a third party.
5. Does WES Disclose Information to Outside Parties?
WES does not sell or distribute its client lists to any outside party. WES may provide aggregate information about our applicants, services selected, and Website information to affiliate organizations, but such aggregate information will not include personally identifying data, except as otherwise provided in this Privacy Policy.
In order to evaluate your credentials, WES may disclose personal information we collect about you to educational institutions and other parties we deem necessary. WES discloses the results of your report to the recipients that you request on your application. In the event that any document submitted with an application is found to have been altered, forged or tampered in any manner, the documents will be retained by WES and WES will notify all recipients indicated on your application, as well as the appropriate authorities. We may also disclose your personal information if required or permitted by law. WES will not otherwise release copies of your report to any parties without your written instructions.
6. Does WES ever destroy the information that it collects from applicants?
Yes, WES will destroy the paper copies of its files, subject to any limitations that may be required by law. Original documents received by WES directly from applicants will be returned to them via registered mail. Originals received directly from academic institutions are the property of WES.
The electronic files, which include images of documents, are kept indefinitely, in order to facilitate future requests for additional copies of evaluation reports.
7. Your Consent
By using the WES Website, or by submitting an application in fax or in person, you consent to the terms stated in this Privacy Policy. You also consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as disclosed in this Policy.
8. Access to Information
You have the right to request information that WES has collected and stored about you. If there are errors in the information in your files, you may request that it be changed.
In order to access this information, you must put your request in writing to the individual referred to below. Please allow four weeks for a response.
Information relating to the verification of documents may be excluded from this access. We may also be prohibited by law from disclosing certain information to you.
9. Questions
Although numerous individuals within WES are responsible for the day-to-day collection and processing of personal information, WES has a designated Privacy Officer who is ultimately accountable for the handling of all personal information under the control of WES. The Privacy Officer is also responsible for ensuring that the principles set out in this Privacy Policy are being complied with. If you wish to challenge our compliance with this policy, if you wish to request access to your personal information, or if you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact our Privacy Officer as follows:
e-mail: CanadaPrivacy@wes.org
Privacy Officer
World Education Services
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3
Canada
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