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For information about RealNetworks' Web site privacy policy, please visit: http://www.realnetworks.com/company/privacy/index.html
RealNetworks Consumer Software and Your Privacy
There are times when we may request that you give us permission to collect and store your personal information so that we can improve our products to better meet your needs, and customize your experiences according to your individual preferences. Whenever you consent to give us personal information, you can be confident that we treat your personal information confidentially and we will never sell, rent, or disclose that information to outside parties without your consent.
RealNetworks is constantly innovating and implementing new features in its software products to provide the best possible user experience. Because our software is constantly changing and improving, this site will continue to evolve as our software evolves. Please visit this site when we issue new versions and releases of our products to ensure that you have the most up to date information. Regardless of how this Privacy Statement evolves with our software, RealNetworks will never gather/track your personally identifiable information without your consent.
RealNetworks will be adding additional consumer products to this privacy statement as we move forward with our consumer products privacy initiative. This statement currently applies to the products described below.
What Information We Gather and Track
To provide a great consumer experience and to operate effectively, RealNetworks' software products occasionally send information to servers at RealNetworks. With the exception of product download, purchase and registration, and RealPlayer Plus/RealJukebox Plus software updates, each of these information exchanges occurs anonymously. This anonymous information is not associated with personally identifiable user information such as name and e-mail unless you have provided consent.
RealPlayer 7 Customer Communications
RealPlayer 7 allows you to play real-time (streaming) audio, video and multimedia. Because RealPlayer 7 is currently in beta release, RealNetworks may need to modify the information regarding RealPlayer 7 customer communications as the product develops.
- Download. If you decide to download the free RealPlayer 7 Basic from the Real.com Web site, RealNetworks requests your name, e-mail, and relevant system information. RealNetworks uses the information for aggregate statistical analysis, to keep track of the number of unique downloads, and to inform you of new products and upgrades with your consent.
- Purchase. If you decide to purchase RealPlayer Plus
from the Real.com Web site, RealNetworks collects standard payment and
billing information for use in processing the payment transaction. Your
credit card number is submitted to the credit institution for normal,
routine processing. RealNetworks does not share credit history or credit
card information with other companies or third parties, unless compelled
by law or court order to do so.
- Electronic Registration. During electronic registration, you can optionally send information about your location, name, e-mail address and connection speed. This information is sent with relevant system and player version information. The name and e-mail are used in the event that you elect to receive updates and special offers via e-mail from RealNetworks. All other information is used for aggregate statistical analysis only. No unique product ID is sent during this communication (the Globally Unique Identifier – GUID has been disabled for electronic registration so it cannot be used to identify you). You are not required to fill out an electronic registration. A registration reminder will appear each time you launch RealPlayer (simply select Cancel if you do not wish to register them).
- Channel and Live Station Checks. RealPlayer periodically checks to see if there are new Live Stations or Channel headlines available for your player. At this time, RealPlayer sends anonymous information such as your player version, connection speed (for example, so we can offer broadband users high-bandwidth content), Zip code so that we can offer local content, and your language preference. For Channel headline updates or when you add or remove channels, we need to send temporary data on the Channels you have installed. Your lists of Channels and Live Stations are not stored at RealNetworks, and your Channels can not be associated with you individually. The Channels and Live Stations updating features can be disabled by selecting the "View" menu in RealPlayer 7, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Content" tab where you can change the "Channels and Live Stations Settings".
- RealPlayer Messages. If you have signed up for RealPlayer Messages (News and Entertainment Flashes and Real.com Product Flashes), RealPlayer periodically checks to see if there are any new messages. During this check, RealPlayer anonymously sends information such as the message categories that you have signed up to receive along with information about messages you have already viewed to ensure that only new messages are sent. We may also send your preferred language and relevant system information. The messages you have received cannot be associated with you individually. The RealPlayer Messages feature can be disabled in Preferences. You can access your Preferences by selecting the View menu item in RealPlayer 7, and then choosing "Preferences."
- Search. When you perform a search for audio or video content using RealPlayer, RealPlayer anonymously sends the search term, and relevant system information. No unique identifier (GUID) is sent during this request. Your search terms cannot be associated with you individually.
- Technical Support. If an error occurs when you are using
RealPlayer 7, a dialog box will appear describing the error. When you
select the "More Info" button on the dialog box to obtain more information
about the problem, RealPlayer 7 anonymously sends relevant system configuration
information to help RealNetworks technical support diagnose and resolve
the problem. This feature can be disabled by selecting the "View" menu
in RealPlayer 7, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Support"
tab where you can uncheck the selection for "Send support info."
- Software Update. RealPlayer is designed to check for the availability of software updates to ensure that you have the latest product improvements. When RealPlayer checks for the availability of a software update, basic information about the product version and installed components are sent anonymously to RealNetworks to determine whether new free software is available for download. For RealPlayer 7 Plus, the software's serial number is also sent during software update. The serial number is used to determine whether the user has an active subscription for updates, and whether the software is an authorized copy. We will not use the serial number to personally identify our customers. This feature can be disabled for 30-day intervals by selecting the "View" menu in RealPlayer 7, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Upgrade" tab where you can click on the button that reads, "Turn off notification for 30 days."
RealPlayer 7 Communications with Streaming Media Servers
RealPlayer 7 must communicate with streaming media servers in order to receive the content sent from the servers. Those servers are typically owned and operated by third-party content providers, but these servers might also reside at RealNetworks if we are providing hosting services for a content provider, or are providing content ourselves. This section describes the information transmitted in those communications.
Playing content. Whenever you play a streaming media clip, RealPlayer must send certain anonymous information to content broadcasters so that they can send the clip data stream to your computer. This data includes your connection speed, player version, language preference and zip code. This communication cannot be disabled; however, you may opt to not identify your zip code during electronic registration or if you have already submitted your zip code, you can re-register the product from the Help menu and omit this field to delete it from your product and RealNetworks' records.
GUIDs. A Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) is an alphanumeric identifier in RealPlayer 7 that is disabled by default and is only enabled if you turn on the feature in Preferences. A GUID is randomly generated by RealPlayer 7 during installation. RealNetworks uses publicly documented standards to create a GUID. A GUID is used to indicate a unique installation of a product, and is found in many popular software applications.
RealPlayer 7 has GUIDs disabled by default (set to all zeroes so that it is not unique). In order for your RealPlayer 7 to transmit a unique GUID at all, you must turn on this feature in Preferences (select "View", then click on "Preferences", and then select the "Support" tab, where you can enable or disable the sending of the RealPlayer GUID). Some content providers require that you enable your GUID in order to play their content (you will receive an error from the RealServer if a GUID is required to access the content; this error will have a "More Info" button that explains how to enable GUIDs). This is typically because their content is limited-access (such as pay-per-view or for registered members only). If you enable the GUID, it will be sent to all streaming media servers when you play a clip or broadcast. You can turn your GUID back off at any time in Preferences.
The GUID can be used by the content provider for authentication, statistical purposes, or to personalize your experience.
Because the RealPlayer 7 GUID is not sent to RealNetworks as part of the download or electronic registration process, RealNetworks cannot, and will not, associate the GUID with any of your personally identifiable information.
For more information about enabling or disabling GUIDs with streaming media servers, please click here.
Connection Quality Information. By default, RealPlayer sends anonymous connection quality data to broadcast servers to indicate the quality and bandwidth of the stream that you received while playing a clip. This helps the content provider understand the quality of the streaming media service that they are providing to you. This feature can be disabled by selecting the "View" menu in RealPlayer 7, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Support" tab where you can uncheck the selection for "Supply connection quality-data to RealServers."
Cookies. RealPlayer cookies act very much like Web browser cookies. A "cookie" is a small text file that stores information. If enabled, content providers can copy cookies to your hard disk when you play their streaming media content. A cookie can help identify you or your preferences the next time you play content from a streaming media broadcaster. Cookies can only store information that you provide to a content broadcaster, or the actions that you take while playing their media content (for example, the links that you click on or the ads that you see). Allowing a broadcaster to create a cookie does not give them access to the rest of your computer. Cookie information can only be returned to the server that originally placed the cookie.
You may disable RealPlayer cookies by selecting the "View" menu in RealPlayer 7, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Support" tab where you can uncheck the selection for "Enable Cookies." RealNetworks does not require that you accept cookies. More Info.
RealJukebox Version 1.0 Customer Communications
(Applicable after November 5, 1999, or with privacy enhancement patch)
RealJukebox is an application that allows users to download, play, record and manage music either online or using CDs.
- Download. If you decide to download the free RealJukebox Basic from the Real.com Web site, RealNetworks requests your name, e-mail and relevant system information. RealNetworks uses the information for aggregate statistical analysis, to keep track of the number of unique downloads, and to inform you of new products and upgrades with your consent.
- Purchase. If you decide to purchase RealJukebox Plus
from the Real.com Web site, RealNetworks collects standard payment and
billing information for use in processing the payment transaction. Your
credit card number is submitted to the credit institution for normal,
routine processing. RealNetworks does not share credit history or credit
card information with other companies or third parties, unless compelled
by law or court order to do so.
- Electronic Registration. During electronic registration, you can optionally send information about your location, name email address, and connection speed. This information is sent with relevant system and player version information. The name and email are used in the event that you elect to receive updates and special offers via e-mail from RealNetworks. The other information is used for aggregate statistical analysis only. No unique product ID (Globally Unique Identifier - GUID) is sent during this communication. You are not required to fill out an electronic registration. A registration reminder will appear each time you launch RealJukebox (simply select Cancel if you do not wish to register).
- CD Lookup. The CD Lookup information allows you to automatically obtain detailed information (Artist, song titles, genre) for the CDs you use with RealJukebox. During a request for CD information RealJukebox anonymously sends the Table of Contents Code from the CD to a database service in order to look up the CD information. RealNetworks does not send any unique RealJukebox ID during this exchange. RealNetworks does not store any personally identifiable information about the songs or albums you record or download with RealJukebox. This feature can be disabled by selecting the "Options" menu in RealJukebox, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Internet Settings" tab where you can uncheck the selection for "Get CD Info from the Internet." However, you will not be able to automatically obtain the detailed CD information if the feature is disabled.
- Get Music Feature. RealJukebox periodically checks to see if there is new, interesting music available for you to download, using the "Get Music" service. During this Get Music check, RealJukebox anonymously sends information about the RealJukebox version you are running. RealNetworks does not gather any personally identifiable information about any music you download using this feature. Automatic Updating of Get Music can be disabled by selecting the "Options" menu in RealJukebox, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Internet Settings" tab where you can uncheck the selection for "Automatically update the Get Music page when accessing the Internet."
- Technical Support. If an error occurs when you are using RealJukebox, a dialog box will appear describing the error. When you select the "More Info" button on the dialog box to obtain more information about the problem, RealJukebox anonymously sends relevant system configuration information to help RealNetworks technical support diagnose and resolve the problem. This feature can be disabled by selecting the "Options" menu in RealJukebox, then selecting "Preferences", and clicking on the "Internet Settings" tab where you can uncheck the selection for "Send configuration info when connecting to Technical Support."
- Software Updates. RealJukebox is designed to check for the availability of software updates to ensure that you have the latest product improvements. When RealJukebox checks for the availability of a software update, basic information about the product version and installed components are anonymously sent to RealNetworks to determine whether new free software is available for download. For RealJukebox Plus, the software's serial number is also sent during software update. The serial number is used to determine whether the user has an active subscription for updates, and whether the software is an authorized copy. We will not use the serial number to personally identify our customers. This feature can be disabled for 30-day intervals by selecting the "Options" menu in RealJukebox, then selecting "Preferences" and clicking on the "Update" tab where you can click on the button that reads, "Turn off notification for 30 days."
What We Do With the Information We Gather and Track
Much of the data that is sent by RealPlayer or RealJukebox is temporary data that is required only to enable a feature or service to be performed over the Internet, and is discarded after its intended use is served. The information that we do store and track, we use in three ways:
- To gather anonymous statistical data to help us better understand the quality of our products and services and how our products are used.
- To provide you with information about products, services, news, and interesting content.
- To provide you with a customized experience based on your preferences.
Contacting Us about Privacy
If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of our software or Web sites, you may contact:
Privacy Policy Group
RealNetworks, Inc.
2601 Elliott Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
privacy@real.com
Published November 8, 1999
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