Online Privacy Policy
This Online Privacy Policy describes how personal information is collected, maintained, used, and disclosed through TVEC’s online platforms, including tvec.net (the “Website”) and mobile applications such as SmartHub. All use of TVEC’s online platforms, and associated services, are subject to this Online Privacy Policy. By accessing this Website, you agree, without limitation or qualification, to be bound by this Online Privacy Policy.
Information Collected and Stored Automatically
Personal Information: TVEC obtains personal information concerning you based on how you interact with TVEC through its online platforms. You do not have to provide any personally identifiable information to visit this Website; however, if you use the Website to contact TVEC with inquiries, register for services or an online account, use TVEC’s online bill payment services, enter a contest, participate in surveys, or complete forms or applications through TVEC’s Website, or if you provide personally identifiable information through the Website in any other way, we may collect and may maintain the information that you provide. This personally identifiable information may include your full name, account number, email address, postal address, telephone number, and fax number. By accessing TVEC’s online platforms or associated services, you are consenting to TVEC’s use of your personal information in accordance with this Online Privacy Policy and TVEC’s Terms of Use. You may review and correct any personally identifiable information contained on the TVEC platform user database.
Personal information also includes any username or password selected or assigned to you when you interact with TVEC’s online platforms. You should keep any such username and password confidential. If you believe that an unauthorized person may have learned your password or accessed your account, please contact TVEC by using any of the contact methods below.
Non-Identifiable Information: When you interact with TVEC through its online platforms, TVEC may receive or generate non-identifiable information, such as the date and time you accessed the online platform, the pages you viewed on the online platform, how you used the online platform, the type of browser and operating system used to access the online platform, and/or whether you linked from another website and, if so, the URL of the referring website. Typically, such information is collected passively. For example, TVEC may collect this information using log files, cookies, pixel tracking, ad tracking, or similar technologies. TVEC may store non-identifiable information, or it may be provided to, or maintained by, its affiliates, agents, or service providers. TVEC uses this information to improve the functionality of the online platform and any associated services. This information is not reviewable or correctable by you because we do not maintain it in a way that is personally identifiable.
Location Information
Certain applications on mobile devices, such as SmartHub, may transmit information to TVEC about your location. An example is the inclusion of your physical location when you report an outage using your mobile device. TVEC may use that information to improve the services provided or for the development of new services.
Analytics
TVEC may use Google Analytics, which uses non-identifiable information from cookies and other similar technologies to report trends to TVEC about the Website and mobile application use. To learn more, including how to opt-out, visit https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
TVEC uses analytics tools from various social media platforms that use non-identifiable information to show TVEC how users engage with those platforms. To learn more, review your individual privacy settings located within your social media account(s).
Cookie Policy
A “cookie” is an element of data that a website can send to your browser and store your preferences when you link to that website. It is not a computer program and has no ability to read data residing on your device or instruct your device to perform any step or function. By assigning a unique data element to each visitor, the website can recognize repeat users, track usage patterns, and better serve you when you return to our site. The cookie does not extract personally identifiable information about you. To better understand how we use cookies, the following descriptions below account for the different types of cookies which may be utilized on our Website. First party cookies are cookies set by the website you are visiting. Persistent cookies are cookies that remain on your device for the period of time specified in the cookie. Persistent cookies are activated each time that you visit the website that created that cookie. To help serve you better, we use persistent, first-party cookies to receive and store certain types of information whenever you interact with our website through your computer or mobile device. This information helps us identify return visitors to enhance your user experience, to tailor the website to your preferences, and track usage to understand what content is most useful to Website visitors. You may update your “cookie” settings on your device at any time. The help function of your browser should contain instructions to allow you to set your device to accept all cookies, to notify you when a cookie is issued, or to not receive cookies at all.
Security
TVEC strives to maintain personal information with commercially reasonable and appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards that strive to protect against loss, unauthorized access, destruction, misuse, modification, and improper disclosure.
How Personal Information is Used
TVEC uses personal information as necessary to conduct TVEC business and for the information’s originally intended purpose, or other purposes as explicitly authorized by law. This includes, but is not limited to, billing, collecting payments, conducting authorized credit assessments, reporting bad debt, contacting customers, resolving concerns, providing or improving TVEC’s online platforms and associated services, marketing, and meeting legal concerns or obligations. In addition, if personal information is provided for a specific reason, TVEC may use the personal information in connection with the reason for which it was provided. For instance, if you contact TVEC with an inquiry, the personal information you provide will be used to answer your question or resolve your concern.
TVEC may share your personal information with authorized business partners necessary to assist in carrying out TVEC business without further notice to you. TVEC may also use other companies to perform certain business-related functions in connection with the Website, mobile applications, and associated services. Examples include electronic mailing services, maintaining databases, and processing payments. When TVEC engages another company to perform a function of this nature, your personal information may be provided for them to perform that function; however, as a general matter, TVEC does not provide email addresses or other personal information to any third parties for the marketing of the third parties’ goods or services without your consent. In addition, TVEC does not sell, rent, loan, or exchange your personal information except as allowed according to TVEC’s Bylaws.
TVEC may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or to (1) comply with a legal obligation, (2) protect and defend TVEC’s rights or property, (3) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of the Website or the public, or (4) protect against TVEC’s legal liability.
Opt-Out Option and Information Review
You may, upon a verified request, review and correct personally identifiable information collected or retained by TVEC by contacting TVEC using any of the contact methods below. Additionally, TVEC may use your personal information to send email, telephone, or text message communications related to your service or TVEC business, unless you opt-out. To opt-out of this communication, you must either follow the opt-out instructions within SmartHub or contact TVEC by contacting us at: memberrelations@tvec.coop.
or write us at: TVEC, P.O. Box 888, Kaufman, TX 75142.
Links to Other Websites
TVEC’s Website and mobile applications may contain links to other websites that are not owned or controlled by TVEC. Links to various websites do not constitute or imply endorsement of these websites, any products or services described on these sites, or of any other material contained in them. Also, you may have linked to TVEC’s Website from another website that is not owned or controlled by TVEC. TVEC is not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites or the content or accuracy of those other websites, and this Online Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through TVEC’s Website, mobile applications, or in connection with any associated services. You should carefully review the privacy practices of any third-party website before providing such website with any personal information.
Social Media Platforms
TVEC may interact with registered users of various social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Any content you post to such social media platforms (e.g., pictures, information, or opinions), as well as any personal information that you otherwise make available to users (including without limitation, your profile), is subject to the applicable social media platform’s terms of use and privacy policies. TVEC recommends that you review this information carefully to better understand your rights and obligations regarding such content. In addition, TVEC reserves the right to block, delete, or edit posts on its social media platforms where such posts are determined by TVEC to be inappropriate, unprofessional, offensive, or otherwise in violation of TVEC’s policies.
Do Not Track
Some web browsers incorporate a “do not track” feature that, when enabled, signals to websites and online services that you do not wish to be tracked. Because there is not yet an accepted standard for how to respond to such a do-not-track signal, we do not recognize or respond to these signals.
Children’s Privacy
This Website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. While TVEC’s Website contains energy-related information and information that may be of educational value to children, no personal information is required for you to use those features. TVEC does not knowingly permit persons under the age of 13 to register or provide personal information through the Website, and the provision of personal information by children through the Website is strictly prohibited. TVEC encourages parents to supervise and participate in their children’s internet activities, and children are urged to exercise caution and consult their parents before providing any personal information to any website on the internet. If you believe TVEC might have received any information from a child under 13 years of age, please contact us at: memberrelations@tvec.coop.
or write us at: TVEC, P.O. Box 888 Kaufman, TX 75142.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
It may be necessary for TVEC to make changes to this Online Privacy Policy from time to time, to reflect changes to the Website or associated services, technology, or legal requirements and guidelines. TVEC reserves the right to update or modify this Online Privacy Policy (on a prospective basis) without prior notice to you. This statement is not intended to and does not create any contractual or other legal rights in or on behalf of any party. You are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy before you provide any personal information.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your personal information or privacy-related issues, you can contact TVEC via any of the methods listed directly below:
Mail: Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative
Attn: Member Services
P.O. Box 888
Kaufman, TX 75142
Email: memberrelations@tvec.coop.
Phone: (800) 766-9576
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Revised: February 2025