Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2025

1. Introduction

Market Knowledge Online, doing business as ePinionCenter ("we," "us," or "our"), operates the ePinionCenter.com survey panel. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you participate in our online survey panel.

By registering for and using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

When you register for our panel, we collect the following types of personal information:

Full name and email address
Mailing address (street address, city, state, ZIP code)
Phone number
Date of birth or age range
Gender identity
Demographic information (education level, employment status, household income, ethnicity)
Household composition (number of children)
Payment information (PayPal email or mailing address for check payments)

2.2 Survey Response Data

We collect your responses to surveys and research studies, which may include opinions, preferences, behaviors, and other information relevant to market research purposes.

2.3 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain technical information when you access our platform:

IP address and geolocation data
Browser type and version
Device information and operating system
Login timestamps and activity logs
Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To match you with relevant survey opportunities based on your demographic profile
To administer your panel membership and manage your account
To process reward redemptions and payments
To communicate with you about surveys, rewards, and account-related matters
To conduct market research and aggregate statistical analysis
To detect and prevent fraud, abuse, or security incidents
To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Service
To improve our platform, services, and user experience

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Research Clients

We share survey responses and aggregated demographic data with our research clients (brands, market research companies, and organizations conducting research). However, we do not share your personally identifiable information (name, email, address, phone number) with research clients unless you explicitly consent to be contacted directly.

4.2 Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform, conducting research, processing payments, or providing customer support. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections outlined in this policy.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

Encryption of data in transit and at rest using SSL/TLS protocols
Secure authentication and access controls
Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Employee training on data protection and confidentiality
Restricted access to personal information on a need-to-know basis

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. GDPR Compliance and Your Rights

If you are a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), you have certain data protection rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

6.1 Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal data based on your consent when you register for our panel and agree to participate in surveys. You may withdraw your consent at any time by closing your account.

6.2 Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data ("right to be forgotten")
Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format
Object: Object to processing of your data for certain purposes
Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at panel@epinioncenter.com. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. We will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. If you close your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 90 days, except where we are required by law to retain it longer.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our platform. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences, authenticate your login, and analyze site traffic. You can control cookie settings through your browser, but disabling cookies may limit certain features of our service.

9. Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites or surveys. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit through our platform.

10. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately, and we will take steps to delete such information.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence, including the United States. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Market Knowledge Online (dba ePinionCenter)

45 Park Place South

Morristown, New Jersey 07960

Email: panel@epinioncenter.com

Phone: (973) 964-6802

14. California Privacy Rights (CCPA & CPRA)

This section applies solely to residents of the State of California and supplements the information in this Privacy Policy. It describes the rights afforded to California consumers under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and how those rights may be exercised.

14.1 Notice at Collection

At or before the point of collection, we provide this Privacy Policy to inform California residents about the categories of personal information we collect (see Section 2 above), the business or commercial purposes for which we use it (see Section 3 above), the categories of third parties to whom we disclose it (see Section 4 above), and the retention periods for that information. We collect personal information directly from you when you register for our panel and participate in surveys.

14.2 Categories of Personal Information Collected

Under CCPA, "personal information" is information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked directly or indirectly to you or your household. During the preceding twelve (12) months, we have collected the following categories of personal information:

Identifiers: Name, email address, postal address, phone number, and account credentials.
Commercial Information: Transaction records, reward redemption history, and payment information (PayPal email, mailing address for checks).
Demographic Information: Age or date of birth, gender, ethnicity, education level, employment status, household income, and number of children in the household.
Internet or Network Activity: IP address, browser type, device information, and activity logs.
Survey Response Data: Opinions, preferences, and behavioral data you provide when completing surveys.
Inferences: Inferences drawn from any of the above to create a profile reflecting your preferences and characteristics for survey matching purposes.

14.3 Your California Privacy Rights

California residents have the following rights under CCPA/CPRA:

Right to Know/Access: You have the right to request that we disclose the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you, the categories of sources, the business or commercial purpose for collecting and selling/sharing the information, and the categories of third parties to whom we disclose or sell/share the information.
Right to Delete: You have the right to request the deletion of any personal information about you that we collected from you and retained, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., information needed to complete a transaction, detect security incidents, or comply with legal obligations).
Right to Correct: You have the right to request that we correct inaccurate personal information that we maintain about you.
Right to Opt-Out of Sale or Sharing: You have the right to direct us not to "sell" or "share" your personal information. As explained in Section 14.5 below, we do not sell your personal information.
Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information: You have the right to direct us to limit our use of your sensitive personal information to what is necessary to perform the services or provide the goods reasonably expected by an average consumer.
Right to Non-Discrimination: You have the right not to receive discriminatory treatment by us for the exercise of any of your CCPA/CPRA privacy rights.

14.4 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of the rights described above, California residents may submit a request by:

Emailing us at panel@epinioncenter.com with the subject line "California Privacy Request"; or
Calling our privacy line at (973) 964-6802.

To protect your privacy, we will verify your identity before responding to your request. For requests to access, delete, or correct specific pieces of personal information, we may ask you to provide additional information to verify your identity, such as the email address associated with your panel account. If we are unable to verify your identity, we may deny the request. Authorized agents may submit requests on behalf of a California resident with proof of written authorization.

We will respond to your verifiable consumer request within forty-five (45) days of receipt. If more time is needed, we will inform you of the reason and extension period (up to an additional 45 days) in writing. Any disclosures we provide will cover the twelve (12) months preceding your request.

14.5 Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

CCPA defines "sale" broadly to include the exchange of personal information for monetary or other valuable consideration, and "sharing" to include the disclosure of personal information to a third party for cross-context behavioral advertising purposes. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We only share your personal information with our service providers and research partners under written agreements that restrict their use of the information to the purposes we specify (i.e., conducting market research and operating our platform). Because we do not sell or share your personal information, no opt-out is necessary. If our practices change in the future, we will update this policy and provide a clear "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link on our website.

14.6 Financial Incentive / Bonus Programs

We offer bonus points and sign-up incentives (e.g., welcome points, referral bonuses) as part of our rewards program. These incentives are not a financial incentive penalty under CCPA. Your participation is voluntary, and you will not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights. You may opt out of the rewards program at any time without penalty by contacting us at the email above.

14.7 Shining the Light (Shine the Light Law)

California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits California residents to request certain information about our disclosures of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We do not disclose your personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. If you wish to submit a request under this law, please contact us using the information in Section 13.

Your Consent

By using our platform and participating in our survey panel, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. You also consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described herein.