Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) websites. Your privacy and security are very important to us. 

FEWS NET does not collect personal information when you visit our websites, unless you choose to provide that information. However, we do collect some technical information about your visit to http://fews.net and its subdomains, and some of our platforms require users to log in to access information. When you create an account, you are required to provide certain personal information. 

We would like to make you aware of a law that provides you with certain rights concerning your personal information. This is described in the Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended by 5 U.S.C. 552a - the Act) governing Federal Records. This law concerns any information held in a Privacy Act System of Records (SOR) that can be retrieved by a personal identifier such as name, social security number, or other identifying number or symbol. An individual is entitled to access to their records and to request correction of these records if applicable. The Privacy Act prohibits disclosure of these records without the written consent of the individual(s) to whom the records pertain unless one of the twelve disclosure exceptions enumerated in the Act applies. The actual Act can be found here.

In addition to the Privacy Act, FEWS NET must also comply with a number of of additional privacy regulations, guidance, and requirements to ensure and maintain protection and security of data in our information technology systems, including but not limited to:

• Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)

• E-Government Act of 2002, Section 208

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) and the 800-Series Special Publications (SP)

• Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandums

This is how we handle information about your visit to our websites:

Information collected and stored automatically

When you visit our websites, we may store some or all of the following:

• the IP address from which you accessed our site

• the date and time

• the URL of the website from which you linked to our site

• the name of the file or words you searched for

• the pages you visited on our site

• the items clicked on a page

• the browser and operating system used

We do not collect or track any personal information through these processes. We use this information, in the aggregate, to make our website more useful to visitors - to learn about the number of visitors to our site and the types of technology used, to detect operational problems, and to improve the website's overall security.

The information gathered is used for two purposes: site management and, in the case of suspected unauthorized activity, for law enforcement and possible criminal prosecution.

Information you provide to FEWS NET

You do not have to provide any personal information to view our websites. We will not obtain personally-identifying information about you when you visit our site, unless you choose to provide such information to us. FEWS NET does not collect personally identifiable information (PII) such as social security numbers, date or place of birth.

Logging in

Most information on the Data Explorer and our learning platform is only available to logged-in users. In order to create an account, we collect and store verified email addresses, usernames and hash values of passwords. The State Department may choose to share this information with other government agencies in relation to law enforcement operations, or in case the system is to be transferred to another agency. The information will not be sold for commercial purposes such as marketing.

Other cases

You may choose to provide your contact information to FEWS NET in order to receive information such as email alerts on our reports and analysis, to contact us, or to participate in an on-line collaboration forum. FEWS NET will only use your personal information for the purpose for which it was provided, such as to respond to your message or to provide subscriptions you have chosen. In certain instances, your comment or suggestion may be forwarded to other U.S. government agencies or departments if they are in the best position to respond to your message.

When you voluntarily submit information, it constitutes your consent to the use of the information for the purpose stated. When you click the “Submit” button on any of the web forms found on our sites, you are indicating your voluntary consent to the use of the information you submit, for the stated purpose.

Some of our email distributions are sent using third-party email distribution systems. In these cases, the email privacy policy will be available to you at the time you sign up for the newsletter. A link will be provided at the bottom of each newsletter with instructions on how to unsubscribe.

In certain instances, such as blog comments or discussion groups, the information you provide may be visible to the public. Please do not share any personal information that you do not want made available to the public. FEWS NET is not responsible for how other participants may use your information.

Cookies

When you visit some websites, their web servers generate pieces of information known as cookies. Cookies are commonly used to recognize your computer in the future.

FEWS NET uses Cookies-Tier 1 (single session) and Tier 2 (multi-session without PII) in compliance with OMB Memorandum 10-22, Guidance for Online Use of Web Measurement and Customization Technologies (PDF). fews.net does not use Tier 3 (multi-session with PII) cookies.

FEWS NET uses single-session cookies to serve technical purposes, like providing seamless navigation through our site. These cookies do not permanently record data, and they are not stored for a long period on your computer's hard drive.

FEWS NET also uses multi-session cookies to help us understand how people use the site, and how we can make it better. Traffic statistics are collected anonymously and aggregated, and no information is traceable to any specific individual. 

Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information. You can remove or block cookies by changing the settings of your browser or by clicking Cookie Settings in the footer. 

Third party services

FEWS NET may at times choose to contract the services of third parties to provide for the operation of the site’s services. Third-party service providers are bound by the same restrictions as FEWS NET in terms of sharing personal information. 

Cookies may also be set by the following third-party providers. This list of service providers is non-exhaustive and may be amended at any time:

FEWS NET’s website makes use of third-party embeddable content and applications (widgets). When content is embedded from a third-party provider, we will clearly label the source of the content. Embedded videos may set a cookie when they are played. 

Data retention and account management

If you would like to access, review, update, correct, and/or delete any personal information we hold about you, or exercise any other privacy rights available to you, you can submit a ticket to our helpdesk. Our team will review verified privacy rights requests and respond to you within 60 days. If we are unable to comply with your request due to an exception or limitation, we will explain this in writing. If we need more time, we will inform you of the reason and extension period in writing. 

You can also correct, update or delete your account information, change your cookie preferences, as well as exercise other choices, by following the instructions outlined below:

Account information

If you want to correct, update or, where applicable, delete your account information, please log on to your account and update your profile.

Email preferences

You may opt out of receiving emails from us by following the instructions in those emails. If you opt out, you may continue to receive service-related emails.

Cookie preferences

You can choose your preferences for cookies and other trackers by accessing the Cookie Settings section of our Websites, which you may access via the Cookie Settings or Cookie Preferences links in the footer of our Websites. 

International data transfer

All FEWS NET systems are hosted in U.S.-based data centers. Users accessing the platform from outside the United States should be aware that any personal information that has been provided to FEWS NET as discussed in the previous sections will be stored and processed in the United States.

Security notice

For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage.

Unauthorized attempts to upload or change information on this site are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act (Title 18 U.S.C., Sections 1001 and 1030).

If monitoring reveals evidence of possible criminal activity, such evidence may be provided to law enforcement personnel.

Disclaimer of endorsement

The information posted on fews.net and its subdomains includes links to information created and maintained by other public and/or private organizations. This site provides these links solely for our users' information and convenience. When users select a link to an outside website, they are leaving fews.net and are subject to the privacy and security policies of the owners/sponsors of the outside website. The managers of this site:

• Do not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of information contained on a linked website;

• Do not endorse the organizations sponsoring linked websites, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer;

• Cannot authorize the use of copyrighted materials contained in linked websites. Users must request such authorization from the sponsor of the linked website;

• Are not responsible for transmissions users receive from linked websites;

• Do not guarantee that outside websites comply with Section 508 (Accessibility Requirements) of the Rehabilitation Act.

We strongly recommend that you review the policies of any outside websites you visit from this site, since you will be subject to the privacy and security policies of those other sites, once you leave fews.net.

Social media

FEWS NET maintains a blog and profiles on several third-party social media sites. We are present on these sites in order to tell the story of FEWS NET to public audiences.

While we encourage commenting and conversation on our social media profiles, please remember that they are a public forum and any information provided will be visible to the public. Please do not include personal details such as your telephone number, email address, or any other personal information that you do not want available to the general public.

While some Personally Identifying Information (PII) may become available to FEWS NET through your use of social media (i.e. we can see your name and picture if you post a comment), we will not be collecting, sharing, or storing that information. Our presence on social media sites is not intended to endorse, recommend, or favor any third-party company or service provider.

Accessibility

FEWS NET is committed to providing access to all individuals seeking information on fews.net. To provide this information, this site has been built to comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (as amended). Section 508 requires that all individuals with disabilities (whether federal employees or members of the general public) have access to and use of information and data, comparable to that provided to individuals without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on us. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader, Braille reader, etc.) and have trouble accessing information on this site, please contact us with the nature of the problem, the URL (web address) of the information you tried to access, and your contact information. We will contact you as soon as possible, and do what we can to provide you with the information you need.

Accessing Documents in Different File Formats

Some documents on fews.net are in Portable Document Format (PDF), so you can view publications in their original format regardless of the type of computer, browser, or operating system you use to access the Internet. In order to view, navigate through, and print PDF documents, you must first download the free Acrobat Reader software. For best results, you should install version 10.x or later. Visit the Adobe Reader Help and Support page for troubleshooting tips. If you use a screen reader, you may want to visit Adobe's Reader accessibility page, which has a user's guide for accessing PDF documents with assistive technology.

Disclaimer of Liability

Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information. However, with the thousands of documents available, often uploaded within short deadlines, we cannot guarantee that there will be no errors. We make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this Web site and expressly disclaim liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this Web site.

With respect to the content of this site, neither FEWS NET, nor the U.S. Government, their employees and contractors make any warranty, expressed or implied or statutorily, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, and the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to content available from this fews.net website or other internet resources linked to or from it.

Additionally, neither FEWS NET nor the U.S. Government assume any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or process disclosed herein, nor freedom from computer virus; and do not represent that use of such information, product, or process would not infringe on privately owned rights.

Site management

FEWS NET manages the overall content, design, and organization of this website and coordinates the release of FEWS NET information on the Internet.

Verification of content

If you would like verification of information released on the fews.net website, please use our contact form and select Web Feedback.

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about the information presented here, please use our contact form and select Web Feedback.