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Kernel Privacy Policy

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Effective date: 04-JAN-2024‍

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This Privacy Policy describes how Kernel Solutions Inc. (“Kernel”) collects, uses and discloses information, and what choices you have with respect to the information.

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Scope of this Privacy Policy

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This Privacy Policy applies to Kernel’s software products and services (collectively, the “Services”), kernelsol.com and other Kernel websites (collectively, the “Websites”) and other interactions (e.g., customer service inquiries, support tickets, user conferences, etc.) you may have with Kernel. If you do not agree with the terms, do not access or use the Services, Websites, or any other aspect of Kernel’s business.

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This Privacy Policy does not apply to any third-party applications or software that integrate with the Services through the Kernel platform (“Third-Party Services”), or any other third-party products, services or businesses. In addition, a separate agreement governs delivery, access, and use of the Services (the “MSA”), including the processing of any data submitted through the Services, such as Customer, Products, Contracts, Price, Transactions and Policies (“Service Data”). The organization (e.g., your employer or another entity or person) that agreed to the MSA (“Customer”) controls its instance of the Services and any associated Service Data (the “Customer Instance”).

 

Information Kernel Collects and Receives

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Kernel may collect, generate, and receive Service Data and other information and data (“Other Information”; Service Data and Other Information collectively “Information”)) in a variety of ways:

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  • Service data. Customers and individuals granted access to a Customer Instance by a Customer (“Authorized Users”) may submit Service Data to Kernel when using the Services.

  • Other information.

  • Account information. To create or update a Kernel account, you or a Customer (e.g., your employer) supply Kernel with an email address, phone number, password, domain and/or similar account details.

  • Usage information.

  • Services metadata. When an Authorized User interacts with the Services, metadata is generated that provides additional context about the way Authorized Users interact with the Services. For example, Kernel logs what Third Party Services are connected with the Services (if any).

  • Log data. As with most technology services delivered over the Internet, our servers automatically collect information when you access or use our Websites or Services and record it in log files. This log data may include the Internet Protocol (IP) address, the address of the web page visited before using the Website or Services, browser type and settings, the date and time the Services were used, information about browser configuration and plugins, language preferences and cookie data.

  • Device information. Kernel collects information about devices accessing the Services, including type of device, what operating system is used, device settings, application IDs, unique device identifiers and crash data. Whether Kernel collects some or all of this information often depends on the type of device used and its settings.

  • Location information. Kernel receives information from you, your Customer and other third parties that may help Kernel approximate your location. Kernel may, for example, use a business address submitted by your employer, or an IP address received from your browser or device to determine approximate location. Kernel may also collect location information from devices in accordance with the consent process provided by your device.

  • Cookie information. Kernel uses cookies and similar technologies in our Websites and Services to help us collect Other Information. The Websites and Services may also include cookies and similar tracking technologies of third parties, which may collect Other Information about you via the Websites and Services and across other websites and online services. For more details about how Kernel uses these technologies, and your opt-out opportunities and other options, please see Cookie Policy.

  • Third-Party Services. A Customer can connect Third-Party Services to its Customer Instance. Typically, Third-Party Services are software services that integrate with Kernel Services, and a Customer can permit its Authorized Users to enable and disable these integrations for its Customer Instance. Kernel may also develop and offer Kernel applications that connect the Services with a Third-Party Service. Once enabled, the provider of a Third-Party Service may share certain information with Kernel. For example, if a transaction validation service is connected with Kernel, Kernel will receive validation results. Authorized Users should check the privacy settings and notices in these Third-Party Services to understand what data may be disclosed to Kernel. When a Third-Party Service is enabled, Kernel is authorized to connect and access Other Information made available to Kernel in accordance with any permission(s) granted by Customer (including, by its Authorized User(s)). Kernel does not, however, receive or store passwords for any of these Third-Party Services when connecting them to the Services.

  • Contact information. An Authorized User is required to provide some contact information (e.g., an email address) when making an account on the Services.

  • Third-party data. Kernel may receive data about organizations, industries, lists of companies that are customers, Website visitors, marketing campaigns and other matters related to our business from affiliates and subsidiaries, our partners, or others that Kernel engages with to make Kernel’s own information better or more useful. This data may be combined with Other Information Kernel collects and might include aggregate-level data, such as which IP addresses correspond to zip codes or countries. Or it might be more specific: for example, how well an online marketing or email campaign performed.

  • Additional information provided to Kernel. Kernel receives Other Information when submitted to our Websites or in other ways, such as if you participate in a focus group, contest, activity or event, apply for a job, enroll in an educational program hosted by Kernel or a vendor, request support, interact with our social media accounts or otherwise communicate with Kernel.‍

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How Kernel Uses Information

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Service Data will be used by Kernel in accordance with the applicable MSA, Customer’s use of Services functionality, and as required by applicable law. Kernel is a processor of Service Data and Customer is the controller.

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In addition, Kernel uses Information in furtherance of our legitimate interests in operating our Services, Websites, and business. More specifically, Kernel uses Information:

 

  • To provide, update, maintain and protect our Services, Websites, and business. This includes use of Service Data and Other Information to support delivery of the Services under an MSA, prevent or address service errors, security or technical issues, analyze and monitor usage, trends and other activities, or at an Authorized User’s request.

  • As required by applicable law, legal process, or regulation.

 

  • To communicate with you by responding to your requests, comments, and questions. If you contact us, Kernel may use Information to respond.

  • To develop and provide additional features. Kernel tries to make the Services as useful as possible for Customers and Authorized Users, and Kernel may use aggregated and anonymized Services Data and Other Information to develop new Services or improve existing Services.

  • To send emails and other communications. Kernel may send you service, technical and other administrative emails, messages, and other types of communications. Kernel may also contact you to inform you about changes in our Services, our Services offerings, and important Services-related notices, such as security and fraud notices. These communications are considered part of the Services and you may not opt out of them. In addition, Kernel sometimes sends emails about new product features, promotional communications, or other news about Kernel. These are marketing messages so you can control whether you receive them. If you have additional questions about a message you have received from Kernel please reach out through the contact mechanisms described below.

  • For billing, account management, and other administrative matters. Kernel may need to contact you for invoicing, account management, and similar reasons and Kernel uses account data to administer accounts and keep track of billing and payments.

 

  • To investigate and help prevent security issues and abuse.

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If Information is aggregated or de-identified so that it is no longer reasonably associated with an identified or identifiable natural person, Kernel may use it for any business purpose. To the extent Information is associated with an identified or identifiable natural person and is protected as personal data under applicable data protection law, it is referred to in this Privacy Policy as “Personal Data.”

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Data Retention

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Kernel will retain Service Data in accordance with the applicable MSA, Customer’s use of Services functionality, and as required by applicable law.

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Kernel may retain Other Information for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy. This may include keeping Other Information for the period of time needed for Kernel to pursue legitimate business interests, conduct audits, comply with (and demonstrate compliance with) legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

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  • We retain customer data and credentials up to 365 days following account termination unless deletion is requested earlier.

  • We retain applicant data for up to three (3) years unless deletion is requested earlier.

  • We retain website visitor information in accordance with retention periods stated in the Cookie Policy.

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How Kernel Shares and Discloses Information

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This section describes how Kernel may share and disclose Information.

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  • Displaying and operating the Services. Because of the nature and functionality of the Services, Information will be displayed as part of the Services to Authorized Users in a Customer Instance. For example, information about Customer Products and Contracts may be displayed as part of the Services.

  • Third-party service providers and partners. Kernel may engage third parties as service providers or business partners to process Information and support our business. These third parties may, for example, provide virtual computing and storage services. To the extent necessary and applicable, these third-party service providers and partners will be bound by appropriate and commercially reasonable confidentiality obligations. Kernel uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support delivery of our Services and Wix (Websites).

  • Third-Party Services. Customer may enable or permit Authorized Users to enable Third- Party Services. Kernel requires each Third-Party Service to disclose all permissions for information access in the Services, but Kernel does not guarantee that they do so. When enabled and as requested by Customer, Kernel may share Information with Third-Party Services. Third-Party Services are not owned or controlled by Kernel and third parties that have been granted access to Information may have their own policies and practices for its collection, use, and sharing. Please check the permissions, privacy settings, and notices for these Third-Party Services or contact the service provider for any questions.

  • During a change to Kernel’s business. If Kernel engages in a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, dissolution, reorganization, sale of some or all of Kernel’s assets or stock, financing, public offering of securities, acquisition of all or a portion of Kernel’s business, a similar transaction or proceeding, or steps in contemplation of such activities, some or all Information may be shared or transferred, subject to appropriate and commercially reasonable confidentiality arrangements.

  • Aggregated or de-identified data. Kernel may disclose or use aggregated or de-identified Information for any purpose. For example, Kernel may share aggregated or de-identified Information with prospects or partners for business or research purposes.

  • To Comply with Laws. If a law enforcement or government agency sends Kernel a demand for Information about a Customer, Kernel shall attempt to redirect the agency to request that data directly from the Customer. As part of this effort, Kernel may provide the Customer’s basic contact information to the law enforcement or government agency. If compelled to disclose Information to a law enforcement or government agency, then Kernel will give the Customer reasonable notice of the demand and cooperation to allow the Customer to seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy unless Kernel is legally prohibited from doing so. Kernel will not voluntarily disclose Information related to a Customer to any law enforcement or government agency.

  • To enforce our rights, prevent fraud, and for safety. To protect and defend the rights, property, or safety of Kernel or third parties, including enforcing contracts or policies, or in connection with investigating and preventing fraud or security issues.

  • With consent. Kernel may share Information with third parties when Kernel has consent to do so.

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Security

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Security is critical to Kernel’s mission, and Kernel takes security of data seriously. Kernel uses industry-standard technical and organizational measures to protect Information from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access or disclosure. These steps take into account the sensitivity of the Information Kernel collects, processes, and stores, and the current state of technology. Given the nature of communications and information processing technology, Kernel cannot guarantee that Information in our care will be absolutely safe from intrusion by others during transmission through the Internet or while stored on our systems or otherwise. When you click a link to a third-party site, you will be leaving our site and Kernel doesn’t control or endorse what is on third-party sites.

 

Age Limitations

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To the extent prohibited by applicable law, Kernel does not allow use of our Services and Websites by anyone younger than 16 years old. If Kernel learns that anyone younger than 16 has unlawfully provided Personal Data, Kernel will take steps to delete such information.

 

Changes to This Privacy Policy

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Kernel may change this Privacy Policy from time to time. Laws, regulations, and industry standards evolve, which may make those changes necessary, or Kernel may make changes to our services or business. Kernel will post the changes to this page and encourage you to review our Privacy Policy to stay informed. If Kernel makes changes that materially alter your privacy rights, Kernel will provide additional notice, such as via email or through the Services. If you disagree with the changes to this Privacy Policy, you should cease interacting with the Services. Contact the applicable Customer if you wish to request the removal of Personal Data under their control.

 

Identifying the Data Controller and Processor

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Data protection law in certain jurisdictions differentiates between the “controller” and “processor” of information. In general, Customer is the controller of Service Data. In general, Kernel is the processor of Service Data and the controller of Other Information.

 

Your Rights

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Individuals located in certain US States such as California, and Virginia, have certain statutory rights in relation to their personal data. Subject to any exemptions provided by law, you may have the right to request access to Information (in a portable form or otherwise), as well as to seek to update, delete or correct this Information. You can exercise your privacy rights by sending a request to via email at: privacy@kernelsol.com or in writing to:

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Kernel Solutions Inc.

‍Attn: Data Privacy Officer

280 Shuman Blvd Suite 120

Naperville, IL 60563

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Your California Privacy Rights

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This section provides additional details about the personal information Kernel collects about California consumers and the rights afforded to them under the California Consumer Privacy  Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act or “CCPA.”

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For more details about the personal information Kernel has collected over the last 12 months, including the categories of sources, please see the Information Kernel Collects and Receives section above. Kernel collects this information for the business and commercial purposes described in the How Kernel Uses Information section above. Kernel shares this information with the categories of third parties described in the How Kernel Shares and Disclose Information section above. Subject to certain limitations, the CCPA also provides California consumers the right to request to know more details about the categories or specific pieces of personal information Kernel collects (including how Kernel uses and disclose this information), to delete their personal information, correct their personal information that may be occurring, and to not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. Please also note that Kernel does not collect sensitive personal information as defined under the CCPA. 

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As described in our Cookie Policy, we have incorporated Cookies from certain third parties into our Website. These Cookies allow those third parties to receive information about your activity on our Services that is associated with your browser or device. Those third parties may use that data to serve you relevant ads on our Website or on other websites you visit. Under the CCPA, sharing your data through third party Cookies for online advertising may be considered a “sale” or “share” of information, to which you have the right to opt out. You can opt out of these activities by following the instructions in this section.

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We may “sell” or share your Personal Data to the following categories of third parties:

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  • Ad Networks

  • Analytics providers

  • Marketing providers

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Over the past 12 months, we may have “sold” the following categories of your Personal Data to categories of third parties listed above:

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  • Usage Information

  • Cookie Information 

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We have “sold” or shared the foregoing categories of Personal Data for the following business or commercial purposes:

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  • Improving the Services, including testing, research, internal analytics and product development.

  • Showing you advertisements, including interest-based or online behavioral advertising. 

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You have the right to opt-out of the “sale” or sharing of your Personal Data. You can opt-out using the following methods:

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  • Accessing your Cookie consent settings here

  • By implementing the Global Privacy Control or similar control that is legally recognized by a government agency or industry standard and that complies with the CCPA. The signal issued by the control must be initiated by your browser and applies to the specific device and browser you use at the time you cast the signal. Please note this does not include Do Not Track signals. 

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Once you have submitted an opt-out request, we will not ask you to reauthorize the sale of your Personal Data for at least 12 months.

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To our knowledge, we do not sell the Personal Data of minors under 16 years of age.

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California consumers may make all other requests to access, correct, or delete pursuant to their rights under the CCPA by contacting us at privacy@kernelsol.com, or by mailing us at:

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Kernel Solutions Inc.

‍Attn: Data Privacy Officer

280 Shuman Blvd Suite 120

Naperville, IL 60563

 

Kernel will verify your request using the information associated with your account, including email address. Government identification may be required. Consumers can also designate an authorized agent to exercise these rights on their behalf.

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Your Virginia Privacy Rights

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Subject to certain limitations, the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (“VCDPA”) provides Virginia consumers the right to request to access personal information we collect about you, correct inaccuracies in you personal data, to request a portable copy of your personal information, and to delete your personal information. You also have the right opt-out from the processing your Personal Data for the purposes of profiling in furtherance of decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects to you, which Kernel does not do. You also have the right to opt out of targeted advertising and selling (as such terms are defined under the VCDPA), however, Kernel does not participate in selling of your personal information. To opt out from targeted advertising, please:

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  • Accessing your Cookie consent settings here

  • By implementing the Global Privacy Control or similar control that is legally recognized by a government agency or industry standard and that complies with the CCPA. The signal issued by the control must be initiated by your browser and applies to the specific device and browser you use at the time you cast the signal. Please note this does not include Do Not Track signals.

 

If we refuse to take action on a request within a reasonable period of time after receiving your request in accordance with this section. In such appeal, you must (1) provide sufficient information to allow us to verify that you are the person about whom the original request pertains and to identify the original request, and (2) provide a description of the basis of your appeal. Please note that your appeal will be subject to your rights and obligations afforded to you under the VCDPA. We will respond to your appeal within 60 days of receiving your request. If we deny your appeal, you have the right to contact the Virginia Attorney General using the methods described at https://www.oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/file-a-complaint.

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Kernel will honor the exercise rights or appeals of decisions of Virginia residents requested via email at privacy@kernelsol.com or in writing to:

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Kernel Solutions Inc.

‍Attn: Data Privacy Officer

280 Shuman Blvd Suite 120

Naperville, IL 60563

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Privacy Shield

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‍While not currently used as the basis of transfer, Kernel complies with the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework as set forth by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the collection, use, and retention of personal information transferred from the European Union and/or Switzerland, to the United States.  Kernel has certified to the Department of Commerce that it adheres to the Privacy Shield Principles.  If there is any conflict between the terms in this privacy policy and the Privacy Shield Principles, the Privacy Shield Principles shall govern.  To learn more about the Privacy Shield program, and to view our certification, please visit https://www.privacyshield.gov/.

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In compliance with the Privacy Shield Principles, Kernel commits to resolve complaints about our collection or use of your personal information. European Union and/or Swiss individuals with inquiries or complaints regarding our Privacy Shield policy should first contact Kernel at privacy@kernelsol.com.

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Kernel has further committed to refer unresolved Privacy Shield complaints to JAMS ADR, an alternative dispute resolution provider located in the United States. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint from us, or if we have not resolved your complaint, please contact or visit https://www.jamsadr.com/file-an-eu-us-privacy-shield-claim for more information or to file a complaint.  The services of JAMS ADR are provided at no cost to you.

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An individual who decides to invoke this arbitration option must take the following steps prior to initiating an arbitration claim: (1) raise the claimed violation directly with Kernel and afford us an opportunity to resolve the issue within the timeframe set forth in Section III.11(d)(i) of the Principles; (2) make use of the independent recourse mechanism under the Principles, which is at no cost to the individual; and (3) raise the issue through their Data Protection Authority to the Department of Commerce and afford the Department of Commerce an opportunity to use best efforts to resolve the issue within the timeframes set forth in the Letter from the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce, at no cost to the individual. This arbitration option may not be invoked if the individual’s same claimed violation of the Principles (1) has previously been subject to binding arbitration; (2) was the subject of a final judgment entered in a court action to which the individual was a party; or (3) was previously settled by the parties.

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In addition, this option may not be invoked if an EU Data Protection Authority or the Commissioner (1) has authority under Sections III.5 or III.9 of the Principles; or (2) has the authority to resolve the claimed violation directly with Kernel. A DPA’s, or the Commissioner's authority to resolve the same claim against an EU or a Swiss data controller does not alone preclude invocation of this arbitration option against a different legal entity not bound by the DPA or Commissioner's authority.

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The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction over Kernel’s compliance with the Privacy Shield.

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In the context of an onward transfer, Kernel has responsibility for the processing of personal information it receives under the Privacy Shield and subsequently transfers to a third party acting as an agent on its behalf. Kernel shall remain liable under the Principles if its agent processes such personal information in a manner inconsistent with the Principles, unless we prove that we are not responsible for the event giving rise to the damage.

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While Kernel is a Privacy Shield participant, Kernel does not rely on Privacy Shield in order to lawfully transfer data from non-US locations into the US.

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‍Contacting Kernel

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Please also feel free to contact Kernel if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or Kernel’s practices, or if you are seeking to exercise any of your statutory rights. Kernel will respond within a timeframe that is compliant with all applicable regulations

You may contact us at privacy@kernelsol.com or at our mailing address below:

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Kernel Solutions Inc.

‍Attn: Data Privacy Officer

280 Shuman Blvd Suite 120

Naperville, IL 60563

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