Policies and Education

Empowered members, empowered community. Learn about our policies and educational resources that promote responsible energy use and informed decision-making.

CULLMAN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PRIVACY POLICY

Cullman Electric Cooperative collects nonpublic personal information from its members in the following ways:

  1. Information that Cullman Electric receives from member applications for electric service or broadband service or from credit applications or other information received from members.

  2. Information that is compiled in the ordinary course of business such as usage and payment histories for member accounts.

  3. Information Cullman Electric receives from third parties such as consumer reporting agencies.

Nonpublic personal information may include credit scores, social security numbers, usage or payment histories, bank account or credit card information or other private financial information. Cullman Electric does not disclose nonpublic personal information to non-affiliated third parties, except as required by law or in providing electric and other services to its members. Non-affiliated third parties who have access to nonpublic personal information typically provide services to Cullman Electric and its members and are restricted in the use of any information they may receive by confidentiality agreements. Cullman Electric may disclose nonpublic personal information to third parties such as credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies in the ordinary course of business such as in the collection of past due Cullman Electric or Sprout accounts.

Cullman Electric does not sell nonpublic personal information or share such information with third parties for profit. Information is only shared with trusted vendors and other service providers to provide efficient services to the members of Cullman Electric Cooperative and their families. Cullman Electric maintains safeguards to prevent the disclosure of nonpublic personal information to unauthorized third parties and monitors the information collected to make sure that no security breaches have occurred. Cullman Electric reserves the right to change privacy policies and disclosures. Any material changes in this policy will be communicated to the members in the form of a revised privacy notice.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Cullman Electric Cooperative has created a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan, to address the responsibilities as they relate to the needs of individuals with LEP. The plan has been prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, U.S.C. 2000d, et seq., and Executive Order 13166 and its implementing regulations, which state that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.  Questions or comments should be submitted to: Cullman Electric Cooperative, Attn: Risk Management, PO Box 1168, Cullman, AL, 35056, or by contacting Cullman Electric Cooperative at 256-737-3200.

Cullman Electric Cooperative App - Privacy Policy

This privacy policy governs your use of the software application Cullman Electric Cooperative ("Application") for mobile devices that was created by Cullman Electric Cooperative.

What information does the Application obtain and how is it used?

User Provided Information

The Application obtains the information you provide when you download and register the Application. Registration with us is optional. However, please keep in mind that you may not be able to use some of the features offered by the Application unless you register with us.

When you register with us and use the Application, you generally provide (a) your name, email address, age, user name, password and other registration information; (b) transaction-related information, such as when you make payments or download or use applications from us; (c) information you provide us when you contact us for help; (d) credit card, e-check information for payments and use of the Application, and; (e) information you enter into our system when using the Application, such as contact information.

Automatically Collected Information

In addition, the Application may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device you use, your mobile devices unique device ID, the IP address of your mobile device, your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browsers you use, and information about the way you use the Application.

Does the Application collect precise real time location information of the device?

When you visit the mobile application, we may use GPS technology (or other similar technology) to determine your current location in order to determine the city you are located within and display a location map with relevant advertisements. We will not share your current location with other users or partners.

If you do not want us to use your location for the purposes set forth above, you should turn off the location services for the mobile application located in your account settings or in your mobile phone settings and/or within the mobile application.

What are my opt-out rights?

You can stop all collection of information by the Application easily by uninstalling the Application. You may use the standard uninstall processes as may be available as part of your mobile device or via the mobile application marketplace or network.

Data Retention Policy, Managing Your Information

We will retain User Provided data for as long as you use the Application and for a reasonable time thereafter. We will retain Automatically Collected information for up to 24 months and thereafter may store it in aggregate. If you'd like us to delete User Provided Data that you have provided via the Application, please contact us at cecmarketing@cullmanec.com and we will respond in a reasonable time. Please note that some or all of the User Provided Data may be required in order for the Application to function properly.

Children

We do not use the Application to knowingly solicit data from or market to children under the age of 13. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that his or her child has provided us with information without their consent, he or she should contact us at cecmarketing@cullmanec.com. We will delete such information from our files within a reasonable time.

Security

We are concerned about safeguarding the confidentiality of your information. We provide physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect information we process and maintain. For example, we limit access to this information to authorized employees and contractors who need to know that information in order to operate, develop or improve our Application. Please be aware that, although we endeavor provide reasonable security for information we process and maintain, no security system can prevent all potential security breaches.

Changes

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time for any reason. We will notify you of any changes to our Privacy Policy by posting the new Privacy Policy here or informing you via email or text message. You are advised to consult this Privacy Policy regularly for any changes, as continued use is deemed approval of all changes.

Your Consent

By using the Application, you are consenting to our processing of your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy now and as amended by us. "Processing," means using cookies on a computer/hand held device or using or touching information in any way, including, but not limited to, collecting, storing, deleting, using, combining and disclosing information, all of which activities will take place in the United States. If you reside outside the United States your information will be transferred, processed and stored there under United States privacy standards.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding privacy while using the Application, or have questions about our practices, please contact us via email at cecmarketing@cullmanec.com.

Cullman Electric Cooperative, DBA Sprout Fiber Internet, reserves the right to modify these policies at any time. We will notify you of any material changes via written, electronic, or other means permitted by law, including by posting it on our website. If you find the changes unacceptable, you have the right to cancel the Services. If you continue to use the Services after receiving notice of such changes, we will consider that as your acceptance of the changes. 

You can read more about Sprout Fiber Internet Policies and Education here.

INTRODUCTION

At Cullman Electric Cooperative (Sprout Fiber Internet), we value your membership and your privacy. Cullman Electric Cooperative (Sprout Fiber Internet) is committed to protecting your privacy and providing technology that gives you a safe online experience. This Marketing Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use information for our marketing, advertising, and website optimization efforts. This policy complements our Privacy Policy, (Add if applicable *Terms of Service*, and *Acceptable Use Policy*) ( Cullman Electric Cooperative or Sprout Fiber Internets) which covers your account and billing data. By accessing this site website, you agree, without limitation or qualification, to be bound by this Marketing Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we may collect certain information automatically to improve your experience and measure our marketing effectiveness. We may collect the following anonymous information from you every time you access the website. This includes:

Usage Data: Your IP address, internet domain, browser type, operating system, the pages you visit, and the date and time of access.

Referral Data: The website you visited immediately before coming to ours.

Device Information: Whether you are accessing our site via a mobile device or desktop.

Weblogs may also be automatically created and used to identify visitors who seek to damage the website, use the website in unauthorized ways, or interfere with operations.  Information about users who try to engage in any unapproved activities may be shared with law enforcement agencies. We do not collect any personal information about a routine visitor unless the visitor provides information to us.

2. Personal Information Collection and Use

You do not have to provide any personally identifiable information to visit this website; however, if you use the website to send us an e-mail, subscribe to a newsletter or e-mail alert, ask for information, 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. In the situations described above, your personally identifiable information may be shared among our staff, members, and support services (including third-party vendors) as we deem necessary. In no event will we sell, rent, or lease your personally identifiable information to any third parties.

Personally Identifiable Information: your name, address, e-mail, electric service characteristics, or dispute.

3. Linking to Other Sites

Cullman Electric Cooperative may provide links to other websites, not owned or controlled by us, that we think might be useful or of interest to you. We cannot, however, be responsible for the marketing privacy practices used by other website owners. 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.                       

3. Cookies, Pixels, and Tracking Technologies

We use "cookies" and similar technologies (*like pixels and tags*) to understand how you interact with our site and to deliver relevant advertisements to you elsewhere on the internet.

Functionality Cookies: These help our website remember your preferences.

Analytical/Performance Cookies: We use tools like *Google Analytics* to see which pages are most popular.

Advertising & Retargeting: We use technologies (*such as the Meta Pixel*) that allow us to show you ads for our services (like new broadband offerings or energy efficiency programs) on social media or other third-party websites after you have visited our site.

4. How We Use Your Marketing Information

We use the information we collect to:

Personalize your experience on our website.

Deliver advertisements that are relevant to your interests.

Measure the success of our marketing campaigns (e.g., "Did this Facebook ad lead to a service sign-up?").

Send you newsletters or promotional emails (only if you have opted in).

5. Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We only share marketing data with:

Service Providers: Trusted vendors who help us manage our website, email platforms, or advertising campaigns. These vendors are contractually prohibited from using your data for any purpose other than providing services to us.

Legal Requirements: If required by law, warrant, subpoena, court order, or to protect the safety and rights of our cooperative.

Recruiting Services: If you complete a job application online, we may use your information in the same manner as if you applied by regular mail or in person. The information will only be used for recruiting and employment purposes.

6. Your Choices and Opt-Outs

You have control over how your data is used for marketing:

Cookies: You can set your browser to refuse all or some cookies. However, some parts of our site may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

Email Marketing: Every promotional email we send includes an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom.

Behavioral Advertising: You can opt-out of many third-party ad networks by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) or the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA).

Do Not Track: Our website does not currently respond to browser ‘Do Not Track’ signals.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our website and marketing efforts are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will delete it immediately.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Effective Date." This statement is not intended to and does not create any contractual or other legal rights in or on behalf of any party.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Marketing Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Cullman Electric Cooperative (Sprout)

Mailing Address: PO Box 1168, Cullman, AL 35056-1168

Physical Locations:     1749 Eva Road NE, Cullman, AL 35055

                                    31132 US Hwy 278 West, Addison, AL 35540

Email Address: info@cullmanec.com

Phone: 256-737-3200