California residents: please refer to the California Privacy Notice.

1.0 About this Privacy Policy

Scribd, Inc. and its operating divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, and branches, including Scribd.com and SlideShare.net (collectively, “Scribd,” “We,” “Our,” or “Us”), are sensitive to privacy issues, and We understand that it is important that We protect the personal information (“Personal Information”) of Our visitors and membership (“You,” or “Your”). Accordingly, Scribd provides this policy (“Privacy Policy”) to inform You about Our online information practices, the kinds of information that We collect, and how We intend to use and share that information (“Processing”). This policy also describes how You can correct or change such information. By using the Scribd.com website and SlideShare.net website and any related applications, services, and tools (the “Sites”), the Scribd mobile app or the SlideShare mobile app and any related applications, services, and tools (the “Apps”), You expressly consent to the Processing described in this notice.

This Privacy Policy applies to Personal Information that is Processed by Scribd in the course of Our business, including via Your use of the Sites and Apps. Scribd and its employees are expected to protect Your data and adhere to this Privacy Policy. While this Privacy Policy is designed to comply with current regulations in the United States and Europe, it may not reflect pending or recent legislation.

This Privacy Policy, and its associated notices and disclosures, are incorporated into, and is subject to, Scribd’s General Terms of Use. Your use of Scribd and any Personal Information that You provide through Scribd are subject at all times to this Privacy Policy, the General Terms of Use and any regional disclosures relevant to the place where You access the Sites and Apps.

Customers in the greater European Union should also refer to the related EEA+ Disclosures.

Customers in California should also refer to the California Privacy Notice.

2.0 Personal Information We Collect and How We Use It

Our privacy practices and the Personal Information that We collect, whether directly from You or from third-party service providers (a “Third Party” or “Third Parties”), depend on the nature of the relationship that You have with Scribd and any applicable laws. In this section, We describe some of the ways that Scribd collects and uses Personal Information and the legal bases for doing so. Scribd collects limited amounts of Your Personal Information. We endeavor to collect information that is relevant only for the purposes of Processing as described in this policy and its related policies as noted in Section 1.0. 

2.1 How Scribd Collects Personal Information

The data We collect from or about You may include Personal Information, such as name, address, email address, user name, and Internet Protocol (“IP”) address.

Some of the ways that Scribd may collect Your Personal Information as You use the Sites and Apps include:

  • collecting Personal Information from You when You visit or engage with the Sites, the Apps, surveys, business or marketing events, and any occasion when We deliver programs and services to You.
  • opportunities to sign up to receive specific information or services wherein We may ask for Your contact information (e.g. name and email address) so that We can fulfill Your request.
  • collecting certain information, including IP addresses, cookies, navigational data, the name of the domain and host from which You access the Internet, the browser software You use and Your operating system, and the date and time You access Scribd. This type of information is used in order to provide improved Sites and Apps administration, to improve the quality of Your experience when interacting with Scribd, and to display interest-based ads for products and services that might be of interest to You.
  • credit card and other financial information related to payments for commercial goods and services that We provide to You at Your request.

2.2 Information Collected from Third-Party Sources

Scribd may collect information about You from Third Parties to supplement the information that You provide. This supplemental information allows Us to verify the information that You have provided to Us and to enhance Our ability to provide You with customer support and information about Scribd’s business, products and services. 

We may also offer You the ability to use Third Parties to enable certain additional features on the Sites and Apps. If You choose to do this, Scribd may receive information about You from these Third Parties.

2.3 Surveys

Scribd may occasionally engage Third Parties to conduct surveys on Our behalf. The voluntary survey responses may be utilized to determine the effectiveness of the Sites and the Apps, Scribd’s communications, advertising campaigns and/or promotional activities. If You participate in a survey, the information given will be used along with that of other study participants. The information collected will be used to help Us to learn more about Your needs and the quality of the products and services We provide to You. We may occasionally share pseudonymized and anonymized data for research and analysis purposes.

2.4 How Scribd Uses the Personal Information of Site and App Users

Depending on how You use Scribd, We and Our Third Party service providers may also use Your Personal Information in certain limited ways, including:

  • Providing Information and Services that You Requested. Scribd may use the Personal Information about You to provide You information that You may request (such as information about a product or service We are offering). Scribd may also use Your Personal Information to deliver a specific program or service to You, when You enroll to receive the program or service. Such use may include: (a) generally managing Your information and accounts; (b) responding to questions, comments and requests (e.g. customer support requests and legal requests); (c) providing access to certain areas and features; and (d) permitting You to register for, and participate in, online and in-person events.
  • Administrative Purposes. Scribd may use the Personal Information about You for its administrative purposes, including, without limitation, to: (a) measure interest in Scribd’s Sites, Apps, programs or services; (b) perform internal quality control; (c) verify identity; (d) send communications regarding the Sites, Apps, programs, services, Your account, or any changes to any Scribd policy or terms of service; (e) process payments; (f) prevent potentially prohibited or illegal activities; and (g) enforce Our General Terms of Use. [Link]
  • Marketing Products and Services. Scribd may use the Personal Information about You to provide You with materials about offers, products, and services that We offer, including new contents, products, Sites, Apps, or services. Scribd may provide You with these materials by notification via the Sites or Apps, postal mail, email, or other electronic notification as permitted by applicable laws. If You do not wish Us to use Your Personal Information for marketing purposes, You may contact Us at any time to opt out of the use of Your Personal Information for such purposes, as further described below. Scribd may work with Third Parties, such as advertisers, ad serving companies, and advertising companies, to provide You with interest-based ads through the automatic collection of Personal Information (including third party cookies). For information on how to accept or reject cookies (including third party cookies) please click the “Cookie Preferences” link in the footer of the Sites.
  • Research and Development. Scribd may use Your Personal Information to create non-identifiable anonymous information that We may use, alone or in the aggregate, along with information obtained from other sources, in order to help Us to optimally deliver Our existing products and services or develop new products, processes and services.
  • Information Submitted Via Scribd. You agree that Scribd is free to use the content of any communications or other information submitted by You via Scribd, including any narratives, images, ideas, inventions, concepts, techniques, or know-how disclosed therein, for any purpose including developing, manufacturing, and/or marketing goods or services. You understand that Scribd will not release Your name or otherwise publicize the fact that You submitted materials or other information to Us unless: (a) You grant Us permission to do so; (b) We first send notice to You that the materials or other information You submit to a particular part of a site will be published or otherwise used with Your name on it; or (c) We are required to do so by law.
  • Sharing Content with Friends or Colleagues. Scribd may offer various tools and functionality that will allow You to forward or share certain content with a friend or colleague. Email addresses that You may provide for a friend or colleague will be used to send Your friend or colleague the content or link You request, but will not be collected or otherwise used by Scribd or any other Third Parties for any other purpose.
  • Pseudonymous and Anonymous Data. Including as described in Section 2.10, Scribd may use and share Your pseudonymized, anonymized, or aggregated information within the Scribd group of companies or with Third Parties for research, analytics and any other legally permissible purposes.
  • Fraud protection. Scribd may use the Personal Information about You in order to prevent fraud and to protect the accuracy and integrity of financial transactions made throughout the Sites and Apps. Scribd may share the Personal Information with a third party service provider for such a purpose.
  • Other Uses. Scribd may use Personal Information for other purposes for which We have a legitimate interest, such as direct marketing, individual or market research, or any other purpose disclosed to You at the time You provide Personal Information or else with Your consent.

2.5 How Scribd Uses the Personal (Human Resource) Information of Employees 

Scribd collects Personal Information from current, prospective and former employees, their contacts (in case of a medical emergency), and their beneficiaries as necessary (“Human Resources Data”). We may also collect Sensitive Human Resources Data such as details of health and disability, including mental health, medical leave, and maternity leave. We acquire, hold, use and Process Human Resources-related Personal Information for a variety of business purposes including:

  • absence management;
  • acquisitions, divestitures and integrations;
  • benefits and personnel administration;
  • compensation, including bonuses and long-term incentive administration, stock plan administration, compensation analysis, including monitoring overtime and compliance with labor laws, and company recognition programs;
  • compliance with statutory requirements;
  • diversity and inclusion initiatives;
  • emergency contacts and services;
  • employee safety;
  • helpdesk and IT support services;
  • human resources administration and communication;
  • internal or external audits;
  • job grading activities;
  • litigation evaluation, prosecution and defense;
  • organizational development and succession planning;
  • payroll and the provision of benefits;
  • performance and employee development management;
  • processing of employee expenses and travel charges; 
  • regulatory compliance;
  • restructuring and relocation; and
  • workflow management, assigning, managing and administering projects.

2.6 Third Party Services

Companies unrelated to Scribd occasionally provide interactive resources that enable You to collaborate and share information with others. These resources include, but are not limited to, websites, social media, discussion boards, bulletin boards, blogs, wikis, and referral functions that will share Site and App content with Third Party. 

Scribd may collect Personal Information to enable You to use online social media resources offered either by Scribd or a Third Party Service. We may also enable You to use these Third Party services to post or share Personal Information with others. Please carefully consider what Personal Information You share with others when using Third Party services. 

If You use on online social media resource offered by a Third Party Service through the Sites or Apps, You acknowledge that Scribd may be able to access any information You make public through a Third Party Service (such as Your username, comments, posts and contacts) and any other information that Your privacy settings on such Third Party services permit Scribd to access. Scribd will comply with the terms of this Privacy Policy and the privacy policies applicable to Third Party services it uses.

2.7 Direct Mail, Email and Outbound Telemarketing

You may receive periodic emails, newsletters, mailings or phone calls from Us with information on Scribd or Our business partners’ products and services or any upcoming special offers/events that We believe may be of interest whenever You provide Us with Personal Information, or whenever we obtain your Personal Information from Third Parties. You may decline these communications by following the instructions in Section 3.

2.8 Cookies, Analytics Information, and Interest-Based Advertising

Scribd, as well as Third Parties that provide content, advertising, or other functionality on Our Sites and Apps, may use cookies, pixel tags, local storage, and other technologies (“Technologies”) to automatically collect information about You when you access Sites and Apps by the means of a computer, tablet, mobile phone, or other devices ("Device") that allow Us to record certain pieces of information.

2.8.1 Cookies

Cookies are small text files placed in Your Device’s browser to store Your preferences. Most browsers allow You to block and delete cookies. However, if You do that, the Sites may not work properly. 

2.8.2 Pixel Tags/Web Beacons

A pixel tag (also known as a web beacon) is a piece of code embedded on Sites that collects information about Your engagement on that web page (such as whether You clicked a particular web page or advertisement).

2.8.3 Analytics Information

We use Google Analytics to collect information regarding visitor behavior and visitor demographics on some of Our Services, and to develop website content. These data are not tied to any Personal Information. For more information about Google Analytics, please visit https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/. You can opt out of Google’s collection and Processing of data generated by Your use of the Services by going to http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Our uses of such Technologies fall into the following general categories:

  • Operationally Necessary. We may use certain Technologies that are necessary to operate Our Sites and Apps; that are required to identify irregular Site and App behavior, prevent fraudulent activity and improve security; or that allow You to access and make use of Our Sites and Apps.
  • Performance Related. We may use certain Technologies to assess the performance of Our Sites and Apps, including as part of Our analysis of the way You use the Sites and Apps, to determine if You have interacted with Our messaging, to determine whether You have viewed an item or link, or to improve Our Sites and Apps.
  • Functionality Related. We may use certain Technologies to offer You enhanced functionality when accessing or using Our Sites and Apps. This may include identifying You when You sign into Our sites or keeping track of Your specific preferences, interests, or past items viewed so that We may enhance the presentation of content to You on Our sites.
  • Advertising or Targeting Related. We may use first-party or third-party cookies and web beacons to deliver content, including ads relevant to Your interests, on Our sites or on Third Party sites. This includes using technologies to understand the usefulness to You of the advertisements and content that has been delivered to You, such as whether You have clicked on an advertisement.

If You would like to opt-out of the Technologies We employ on Our sites, services, applications, or tools, You may do so by blocking, deleting, or disabling them as Your browser or device permits.

2.9 Mobile Devices

Scribd may provide Sites and Apps that are compatible with mobile devices. Scribd will collect certain Personal Information that Your mobile device sends when You use such Sites and Apps, such as device identifiers, user settings, and the operating system of Your device. Scribd may use such information to enhance these tools, to develop new tools, for quality improvement and as otherwise described in this Privacy Policy or in other notices Scribd provides.

2.10 Anonymous and Aggregated Information

Scribd may use Your Personal Information and other information about You to create and analyze anonymized and aggregated information. Anonymized and aggregated information is used to measure visitors’ interest in and use the Sites and Apps, interest in certain contents and features, and other applications. Anonymized or aggregated information is generally not considered to be Personal Information, and Scribd may use such information in a number of ways, including research, internal analysis, analytics and any other legally permissible purposes. We may share this information within Scribd and with Third Parties for Our or their purposes in an anonymized or aggregated form that is designed to prevent anyone from identifying You.

3.0 How to Opt Out of Certain Uses of Your Personal Information

You have the right to opt out of certain uses and disclosures of Your Personal Information, as set out in your local laws and this Privacy Policy. Please refer to the Privacy Rights Request form or email us at [email protected].

3.1 General

You may withdraw your prior consent of Scribd’s Processing of Your Personal Information at any time and opt out by contacting Scribd through the Privacy Rights Request form or via email at [email protected] and by providing adequate information necessary for Scribd to identify You and Your account. Additionally, before We use Personal Information for any new purpose not originally authorized by You, We will provide information regarding the new purpose and give You the opportunity to opt out. 

Scribd will endeavor to obtain Your explicit consent (also known as opt-in) in areas where such consent is required by law or contract prior to disclosing Personal Information to a Third Party, or Processing Personal Information for a purpose other than its original purpose or the purpose subsequently authorized by You. Scribd will affirmatively Process Your request to opt-out of Scribd’s use of Your Personal Information upon request.

3.2 Email and Telephone Communications

An “Unsubscribe” button will be provided within the body of any unsolicited marketing or informational email sent by Scribd so that You can opt-out of future communications. However, We may continue to send transaction-related emails regarding products or services You have requested, or support-related emails related to pending or previous support tickets that You have filed with us. We may need to send You certain communications regarding the Scribd programs and services and You will not be able to opt out of those communications – e.g., communications regarding updates to Our Terms of Use or this Privacy Policy, unless You completely sever Your relationship with Scribd.

3.3 Human Resources Data

With regard to Personal Information that Scribd receives in connection with the employment relationship, Scribd will use such Personal Information only for employment-related purposes as more fully described in section 2.5 above. If Scribd intends to use this Personal Information for any other purpose, Scribd will provide the Data Subject with an opportunity to opt-out of such uses.  

3.4 The “Do Not Track” Setting in Your Browser

The Do Not Track (“DNT”) setting is an unofficial privacy preference that users can set in certain web browsers that instructs websites to not track or share certain information collected as You browse. The DNT standard was not widely adopted and therefore Scribd does not recognize or respond to browser-initiated DNT signals. For information about “do-not-track”, visit http://www.allaboutdnt.org. New users to the Sites and Apps will be prompted to provide information about cookie and privacy preferences.

4.0 Information We Share

Scribd does not sell, share, or otherwise disclose Personal Information about You, except when You allow Us to do so, or as otherwise described in this Privacy Policy. Scribd endeavors to require Third Parties to which it discloses Personal Information to protect Personal Information using substantially similar standards to those required by Scribd (and at least the same level of privacy protection as is required applicable laws), and to notify Scribd if they make a determination they can no longer meet this obligation.   

4.1 Service Providers

Scribd may share Personal Information with Third Parties that We have retained to perform services on Our behalf including (i) provision of IT and related services; (ii) provision of information and services You have requested; (iii) payment processing; and (iv) customer service activities. Payment information will be used and shared only to effectuate Your order and may be stored by a service provider for purposes of future orders. 

Scribd has executed appropriate contracts with the service providers that prohibit them from using or sharing Your personal information except as necessary to perform the contracted services on Our behalf or to comply with applicable legal requirements.

4.2 Information Shared via Third Party Features

Scribd may offer additional features that allow You to share Your information with a Third Party. If You tell Us to do so, Scribd will share limited amounts of information with the Third Party in order to enable the feature You choose. We will tell You what information the Third Party may receive when You initially instruct Us to share it. Please be aware that any information You provide to a Third Party will be subject to that Third Party’s privacy policy.

Scribd will share Your information with a Third Party for as long as You use the Third Party feature. You can disable this at any time in Your Scribd settings under Settings.

4.3 Business Partners

Scribd may share Personal Information with Our business partners, and affiliates for Our and Our affiliates’ internal business purposes, or to provide You with a product or service that You have requested. Scribd may also provide Personal Information to business partners with whom We may jointly offer products or services, or whose products or services We believe may be of interest to You. In such cases, Our business partner’s name will appear, along with Scribd’s. Scribd requires Our affiliates and business partners to agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality and security of Personal Information they maintain on Our behalf and not to use it for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was provided.  

4.4 Information Disclosed for Our Protection and the Protection of Others

We may disclose information about You: (i) if We are required to do so by law, court order, or another sufficient legal process; (ii) in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements; (iii) under the discovery process in litigation; (iv) to enforce Scribd policies or contracts; (v) to collect amounts owed to Scribd; (vi) when We believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to prevent physical harm or financial loss or in connection with an investigation or prosecution of suspected or actual illegal activity; or (vii) if We, in good faith, believe that disclosure is otherwise necessary or advisable. 

In addition, from time to time, server logs may be reviewed for security purposes – e.g., to detect unauthorized activity. In such cases, server log data containing IP addresses may be shared with law enforcement bodies in order that they may identify users in connection with their investigation of the unauthorized activities.

Scribd reserves the right to refuse to share Personal Information with any Third Party if Scribd determines that sharing such information could be unlawfully harmful to You.

4.5 Information Disclosed in Connection with Business Transactions

We reserve the right to disclose or transfer any information We have about You in the event of a proposed or actual purchase, any reorganization, sale, lease, merger, joint venture, assignment, amalgamation or any other type of acquisition, disposal or financing of all or any portion of Our business or of any of the business assets or shares (including in connection with any bankruptcy or similar proceeding). Should such an event occur, Scribd will endeavor to direct the transferee to use Personal Information in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy.

4.6 Data Transfers

All Personal Information sent or collected via or by Scribd may be stored anywhere in the world, including but not limited to the United States, Our servers, the servers of Our affiliates, and the servers of Our service providers. Your Personal Information may be accessible to law enforcement or other authorities pursuant to a lawful request. By providing information to Scribd, You consent to the storage of Your Personal Information in these locations. 

5.0 How to Enforce Your Rights of Access, Rectification, Erasure and Restriction

You may seek confirmation regarding whether Scribd is processing Personal Information about You, request access to Your Personal Information, and ask that We correct, amend, or delete Your Personal Information. Where otherwise permitted by applicable laws, You may use any of the methods set out in this Privacy Policy to request access to, receive (port), restrict processing, seek rectification or request erasure of Your Personal Information held by Scribd. Such requests will be processed in line with Your local laws to the extent possible by this Privacy Policy. 

Although Scribd makes good faith efforts to provide You with access to Your Personal Information, there may be circumstances in which Scribd is unable to provide access, including but not limited to: (i) where the information contains legal privilege; (ii) would compromise others’ privacy or other legitimate rights; (iii) where the burden or expense of providing access would be disproportionate to the risks to Your privacy. If Scribd determines that access should be restricted in any particular instance, We will provide You with an explanation of why that determination has been made and a contact point for any further inquiries. To protect Your privacy, Scribd will take commercially reasonable steps to verify Your identity before granting access to or making any changes to Your Personal Information.

6.0 Retention

Scribd retains the Personal Information that We receive as described in this Privacy Policy for as long as You use Our Services or as necessary to fulfill the purpose(s) for which it was collected, provide Our products and services, resolve disputes, establish legal defenses, conduct audits, pursue legitimate business purposes, enforce Our agreements and comply with applicable laws.

7.0 Security

The security of all Personal Information provided to Scribd is important to us, and Scribd takes reasonable steps designed to protect Your Personal Information. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet or storage of information is guaranteed to be secure. As a result, while Scribd strives to protect Your Personal Information, We cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information You transmit to Scribd, and You do so at Your own risk.  You are responsible for maintaining the secrecy of Your own passwords. If You have reason to believe that Your passwords or Personal Information is no longer secure, please promptly notify Us at [email protected].

8.0 How to request an Answer to Questions or Issues Regarding Your Privacy

If after reviewing this Privacy Policy, You would like to submit a request or You have any questions or privacy concerns, please contact Us at [email protected].

Scribd will address Your concerns and attempt to resolve any privacy issues in a timely manner.  

If You are a citizen of the EU, UK, or Switzerland, and feel that Scribd is not abiding by the terms of this Privacy Policy, please contact Scribd at the contact information provided above. If any request remains unresolved, You may contact the national data protection authority for Your EU Member State.

9.0 Other Rights and Important Information.

9.1 Information Regarding Children

Due to the nature of Scribd’s business, services and benefits are not marketed to persons less than 13 years of age, and in certain jurisdictions under the age of 18 (collectively “Minor” or “Minors”). If You are a Minor, then You may not use or access Scribd at any time or in any manner without authorization.

Protecting a Minor’s privacy is especially important. For that reason, Scribd does not knowingly collect or maintain personally identifiable information from Minors under 13. If Scribd learns that personally-identifiable information of minors has been collected on or through Scribd, then Scribd will take the appropriate steps to delete this information. If You are the parent or legal guardian of a minor who has become Scribd member, then please contact Scribd at [email protected] to have that minor’s account terminated and information deleted.

The following are some resources that may help parents and legal guardians in monitoring and limiting Your childrens' access to certain types of material on the internet. Scribd is not affiliated with, nor do We endorse, any particular service.

9.2 United States Privacy Rights

Scribd complies with all privacy laws within the United States to the extent possible for businesses operating in the State of California. California law entitles California residents to ask Us for a notice describing what categories of Personal Information We collect, from what sources, for what purpose and with whom Scribd shares such information. California law also provides California residents with rights to request access to and deletion of certain personal information, to know whether personal information is shared, and to opt out of the “sale” of personal information. To understand how We honor these California rights, to make requests regarding these rights, and to learn more about how California law defines “personal information,” please review the California Privacy Notice.

9.3 EEA+ Disclosures

Scribd complies with all applicable laws in the European Union and the greater European Economic Area (“EEA+”). Click here for a complete list of EEA+ disclosures.

9.4 Links to Third-Party Websites

Scribd may contain links to other websites for Your convenience and information. Scribd does not control Third-Party websites or their privacy practices, which may differ from those set out in this Privacy Policy. Scribd does not endorse or make any representations about Third-Party websites. Any Personal Information You choose to give to unrelated Third Parties is not covered by this Privacy Policy. Scribd encourages You to review relevant privacy policies before submitting Your Personal Information. Some Third Parties may choose to share their users’ Personal Information with Scribd; that sharing is governed by that company’s privacy policy, not this Privacy Policy.

9.5 Changes to the Privacy Policy

Scribd may occasionally update this Privacy Policy. If there are any material changes to this Privacy Policy, Scribd will notify You by email or as otherwise required by applicable laws. Scribd encourages You to review this Privacy Policy periodically to remain informed as to how Scribd is using and protecting Your information and to keep yourself aware of any policy changes. Your continued relationship with Scribd after the posting or notice of any amended Privacy Policy may constitute Your agreement to be bound by any such changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy will take effect immediately after being posted or otherwise provided by Scribd.

9.6 Contact Information

Please contact Scribd with any questions or comments about any of Our policies and notices, Your personal information, and Our third-party disclosure practices or Your consent choices via post at: Scribd, Inc., 460 Bryant Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94107-2594, or by email at [email protected]. We will respond to Your inquiry within 30 days of its receipt.

This notice is effective as of 29 September 2022.

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