ABBOTT  LABORATORIES PRIVACY  POLICY

ABBOTT LABORATORIES PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: 24 April 2018

Abbott Online Privacy Policy
For persons located in the EU: The General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") will come into force on 25 May 2018. The GDPR requires that we provide you with additional information beyond what is set out in this Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the information we are required to provide you under GDPR.

This Privacy Policy explains how we handle the personal information that you provide to us on web sites controlled by Abbott (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) which link to this Privacy Policy (referred to as "Abbott Web Sites"). This Privacy Policy also describes the collection of certain other types of information on Abbott Web Sites.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to personal information collected from you offline, to Abbott Web Sites that do not link to this Privacy Policy, or to third-party web sites to which Abbott Web Sites may link. Your use of Abbott Web Sites, which link to this Privacy Policy is subject to this Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use.

Please read this Privacy Policy before using Abbott Web Sites or submitting personal information to us.

How does this Privacy Policy define "personal information"?

  • "Personal information" means information that identifies you or could reasonably be used to identify you and which is submitted to and/or collected by Abbott Web Sites and maintained by Abbott in an accessible form. Examples of personal information include your name, your postal address, your e-mail address, and your telephone number.

What types of information does Abbott collect online?

  • Personal Information You Submit:Abbott collects personal information that you enter into data fields on Abbott Web Sites. For example, you may submit your name, postal address, e-mail address, and/or other information in order to receive information about various subjects, register for Abbott programmes, contact Abbott customer service, or respond to Abbott surveys. To protect your privacy, you should not provide Abbott with any information that is not specifically requested.
  • Passive Collection of Certain Other Technical and Web Browsing Information:Abbott Web Sites may collect information about your visits to Abbott Web Sites without you actively submitting such information. This information may include, for example, your browser type and language, your operating system, your Internet Protocol (IP) address, the URLs of sites you visited before and after visiting the Abbott Web Site, the web search that landed you on the Abbott Web Site, and web pages and advertisements you view and links you click on within the Abbott Web Site. This information may be collected using various technologies, such as cookies, Internet tags, and web beacons. Your Internet browser also automatically transmits to Abbott Web Sites some of this information, such as the URL of the Web site you just visited and the browser version your computer is operating.

Does Abbott collect "sensitive" Personal Information?

  • Abbott collects via some Abbott Web Sites personal information, such as health related information, that may be designated as "sensitive" under data privacy laws in some jurisdiction. Abbott shall adopt additional measures as required by local law for the processing of such information. In addition, individual Abbott subsidiaries or affiliates may adopt measures to address local custom or social expectation about such information. By providing us with sensitive personal information, you consent to Abbott collecting, transferring, storing, and processing it.

How does Abbott use personal information that I have provided?

  • Abbott will use the personal information you provide through Abbott Web Sites to respond to your questions and to provide you with efficient customer service.
  • We may also use this personal information for other business purposes, such as to offer you the opportunity to receive notices regarding Abbott's products or services, to invite you to participate in surveys about our products, or to notify you about special promotions.

Will Abbott combine personal information I provide on an Abbott Web Site with other personal information about me?

  • Abbott may combine the personal information that a customer provides on one Abbott Web Site with the personal information provided by that customer on other Abbott Web Sites.
  • Abbott may combine personal information that you provide to us online with our offline records.
  • Abbott may combine personal information that you have provided to us directly with records provided by third parties.
  • We use this consolidated information to help us better design Abbott Web Sites and Abbott products, to communicate information to you, to enhance our marketing and research activities, and to facilitate other business functions.

What choices do I have about how Abbott collects and uses personal information about me?

  • You may always limit the amount and type of personal information that Abbott receives about you by choosing not to enter any personal information into forms or data fields on Abbott Web Sites. Some of our online services can only be provided to you if you provide us with appropriate personal information. Other parts of Abbott Web Sites may ask whether you wish to opt into or opt out of our contact lists for offers, promotions and additional services that may be of interest to you.

Does Abbott share personal information with third parties?

  • Abbott will not sell or license your personal information to third parties except in connection with the sale or transfer of a product line or division, or in connection with a joint marketing programme.
  • Abbott may share your personal information with third parties with whom Abbott is jointly marketing a product or service or jointly conducting a programme or activity. It is Abbott's practice to notify you if you are registering for a programme which is conducted in conjunction with another company that may require access to your personal information.
  • Abbott may also share your personal information with vendors with whom Abbott contracts to carry out business activities for Abbott. If Abbott provides your personal information to vendors to assist us with our business activities, it is Abbott's practice to require those vendors to keep your personal information confidential and to use your personal information only to perform functions for Abbott.
  • Abbott may share your personal information with a third party in connection with the sale or transfer of one of its product lines or divisions so that the buyer can continue to provide you with information and services.
  • Abbott reserves the right to disclose your personal information to respond to authorized information requests from government authorities, to address national security situations, or when otherwise required by law.

Who within Abbott will have access to personal information about me?

  • Personal information can be accessed by a restricted number of Abbott employees. We train our employees about the importance of privacy and how to handle and manage customer data appropriately and securely.

How does Abbott secure personal information?

  • It is Abbott's practice to secure each web page that collects personal information; however, the confidentiality of personal information transmitted over the Internet cannot be guaranteed. We urge you to exercise caution when transmitting personal information over the Internet, especially personal information related to your health. Abbott cannot guarantee that unauthorized third parties will not gain access to your personal information; therefore, when submitting personal information to Abbott Web Sites, you must weigh both the benefits and the risks.
  • In addition, Abbott Web Sites covered by this Privacy Policy will display a warning whenever you link to a Web site that is not controlled by Abbott or subject to an Abbott privacy policy; you should check the privacy policies of such third-party Web sites before submitting personal information.

Does Abbott transfer personal information to different jurisdictions?

  • Abbott stores data on secured servers in several countries around the world. Please be aware that information you provide to us or we obtain as a result of your use of the Abbott Web Sites may be processed and transferred to countries other than the country in which you are resident, including the United States. The privacy and data protection laws in such countries may not be equivalent to the laws in your country of residence. By using and participating in any Abbott Web Sites or providing us with your information, you consent to this collection, transfer, storage, and processing of information to and in such countries.

How does Abbott protect the privacy of children?

  • Abbott does not knowingly collect or use any personal information from children (we define "children" as minors younger than 13) on Abbott Web Sites. We do not knowingly allow children to order our products, communicate with us, or use any of our online services.
  • If you are a parent and become aware that your child has provided us with information, please contact us using one of the methods specified below, and we will work with you to address this issue.

How may I correct personal information or delete it from current customer records?

  • You may request that we remove your personal information from our current customer records or that we amend your personal information. Please notify us of your wishes by contacting us in one of the ways specified below. For our record keeping purposes, we will retain certain personal information you submit in conjunction with commercial transactions.

Why do Abbott Web Sites use "cookies" and other tracking technologies?

  • A "cookie" is a file that our webserver may send to your computer when you access an Abbott website. This file is then stored on your computer. After you have entered personal information into a form or data field on an Abbott Web Site, Abbott may use cookies and certain other technologies to allow that Web site to "remember" your personal preferences, such as sections of that Web site that you visit frequently and, if you choose, your user ID.
  • Passive information collection technologies can make your use of Abbott Web Sites easier by allowing Abbott to provide better service, customize sites based on consumer preferences, compile statistics, analyse trends, and otherwise administer and improve Abbott Web Sites. Certain features of Abbott Web Sites may not work without use of passive information collection technologies.
  • You can also learn more about cookies by visiting www.allaboutcookies.org.

What types of cookies and other tracking technologies do Abbott Web Sites use?

  • Abbott Web Sites use "session" cookies. Session cookies are temporary bits of information that are erased once you exit your web browser window or otherwise turn your computer off. Session cookies are used, for example, to improve navigation on our web sites, block visitors from providing information where inappropriate (the site "remembers" previous entries of age or country of origin that were outside the specified parameters and blocks subsequent changes) and to collect aggregated statistical information.
  • Abbott Web Sites use "persistent" cookies. Persistent cookies are more permanent bits of information that are placed on the hard drive of your computer and stay there unless you delete the cookie. Persistent cookies store information on your computer for a number of purposes, such as retrieving certain information you have previously provided (e.g., passwords), helping to determine what areas of the web site visitors find most valuable, and customizing the web site based on your preferences on an ongoing basis. Persistent cookies placed by this site on your computer may hold personally identifiable information, but only if you have registered or have otherwise consented to the retention of personally identifiable information you have provided at the site. Otherwise our site's server only knows that an unidentified visitor with your cookies has returned to the site.
  • Abbott Web Sites use "web beacons" (also known as internet tags, single-pixel GIFs, clear GIFs, and invisible GIFs) A web beacon is a tiny graphic on a web page or in an e-mail message that is used to track pages viewed or messages opened. Web beacons tell the web site server information such as the IP address and browser type related to the visitor's computer. Web beacons may be placed on online advertisements that bring people to our site and on different pages of our site. Web beacons provide us with information on how many times a page is opened and which information is consulted.

What choices do I have about Abbott's use of cookies and other tracking technologies?

  • The specific choices you are provided with concerning Abbott's use of cookies and other tracking technologies vary by web site.
  • On some Abbott Web Sites, you may be asked to consent to the use cookies and/or other tracking technologies on that web site. Cookies that are necessary to the operation of the site will continue to function regardless of whether you have provided consent. Other types of cookies and tracking technologies will be turned off until you provide consent. As a result, the functionality of the site may be reduced until you choose to provide consent.
  • On some Abbott Web Sites, you may be provided with preference questions or boxes allowing you to indicate that you do not want that web site to use cookies or other tracking technologies that are not necessary to the operation of the site. If you choose to exercise this opt-out option, the functionality of the site may be reduced as a result.
  • Some Internet browsers allow you to limit or disable the use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Please refer to the information provided by your Internet browser for instructions on how to do so (generally found under a "Help" menu).

How can I contact Abbott?

  • If you have questions about the use, amendment, or deletion of personal information that you have provided to us, or if you would like to opt out of future communications from an Abbott business or a particular Abbott programme, please contact us by clicking on the "Contact" link on the Web site you are visiting. Alternatively, you may send a letter to the following address:
  • Att: Data Protection Officer

    Abbott

    Abbott House

    Vanwall Business Park

    Vanwall Road

    Maidenhead

    Berkshire

    SL6 4XE

    In all communications to Abbott, please include the e-mail address used for registration (if applicable), the Web site address or the specific Abbott programme to which you provided personal information (e.g. Abbott.com, etc.), and a detailed explanation of your request.

  • If you would like to delete, amend or correct your personal information and are contacting us by e-mail, please put "Deletion Request" or "Amendment/Correction Request", as applicable, in the subject line of the e-mail. We will do our best to respond to all reasonable requests in a timely manner.

How will I know whether Abbott has updated this policy?

  • Without prejudice to your rights under applicable law, Abbott reserves the right to amend this Privacy Policy without prior notice to reflect technological advancements, legal and regulatory changes and good business practices.
  • If Abbott changes its privacy practices, an updated version of this Privacy Policy will reflect those changes and we will notify you of such changes by updating the effective date at the top of this Privacy Policy.