Privacy Policy
Table of Contents
- Our promise to Canadians
- Your data and your privacy
- Your data and security
- Personalization and filter bubbles
- What is a navigation indicator?
- Managing your browsing cookies
- Resource person
Our promise to Canadians
As a company doing business in Canada, Ascia connects with citizens and reflects the diversity of communities from coast to coast.
This relationship is reflected digitally in the exchange of data between you (the user) and us (the company). The data is handled carefully to provide Canadians with a secure and engaging experience when they share information with us.
To preserve the relationship of trust that exists between you and us, Ascia is committed to:
- To be transparent with you about the data collected and how it is used;
- Protecting your data;
- To enable secure browsing on its digital products.
We have implemented measures to protect the personal information we collect in accordance with the Privacy Act and our Privacy Policy, such as password encryption and the use of secure communications (HTTPS) for any communication containing personal information.
What is the purpose of your data?
The data collected is analyzed to develop products and content that match your preferences and interests. This data is used to optimize and improve digital products and enhance your user experience. It may also be used to recommend content based on your interests.
“In other words: we want to know what interests you, not who you are.”
Ascia’s presence on third-party platforms
Our company is present on various third-party platforms, such as social media. When you interact with us on these platforms or use your social media credentials to log in to our services, their policies and terms of use apply, and we encourage you to read them.
We may use information you provide to us on third-party platforms, as well as limited information from your social media accounts (if you choose to share this information using your social media credentials to log in to our services), to interact with you and answer your questions, and for audience insights and reporting purposes.
Your data and your privacy
On the internet, every interaction with a digital product generates data. So, when you visit a page on https://ascia.ca , you generate data. Through your choices and actions, Ascia can provide you with the information necessary for your device to display the requested content.
This exchange of data is the basis of how the Internet works. Without this exchange, there is no network, and therefore no Internet.
For example, certain data, such as your IP address, is essential for us to know where to send you the requested information. This is very similar to the physical world. When you request that a letter or package be delivered to your home, you must provide your postal address; otherwise, the sender won’t know where to send it. It’s the same on the internet; without a destination address, no data can be sent to you.
What data do we collect?
We group the data we collect into three main categories:
Your actions on our products (analytical data)
For example :
- The pages of our website that you visit;
- Your interactions with our web pages (elements you click on, etc.);
- The written content you are viewing;
- The video content you are watching;
Your context when you browse our products (analytical data)
For example :
- Your geographical location — derived from your IP address or provided by the GPS of your mobile device — when you view our content;
- The type of device and web browser you are using;
- Your IP address and the data contained in the browsing cookies of Ascia and its partners;
- The time of day when you interact with us.
How do we use this data?
Canadians have diverse preferences and needs. The data we collect is analyzed to help us develop products and services that match your preferences.
Analytical data (your actions, your context)
Analytical data is obtained when you use our website. The data we analyze regarding content viewed and viewing methods may be used, among other things, to:
- Determine the performance of our different products;
- Analyze your behavior in order to reduce friction points on our products;
- Present relevant content using our content recommendation engines;
- To offer you targeted advertising.
Actions taken on our products cannot be linked to an individual. Analytical data is anonymized to prevent the identification of any specific person.
Advertising targeting
The data collected is also used to show you advertisements that match your interests. It allows us to group user profiles of our products into audience segments that share common interests.
For example, if we notice that a group of people has a strong interest in automobiles, we can present this audience segment with content or advertising about automobiles. Subsequently, we will be able to assess the number of people in this segment who saw the advertisement or content, without personally identifying them.
Advertising targeting data is anonymized to prevent the identification of any specific individual. Actions taken on our products cannot be linked to a particular person.
If you do not want us to use ad targeting to show you ads based on your interests, you can opt out of this feature by disabling ad targeting cookies in your browser.
Visit this section to learn more about how we manage your personal data.
How do we ensure the protection of your privacy?
Your data is always protected. We implement strict measures to protect the personal data you give us access to. These measures comply with data protection legislation and Ascia’s standards in this area.
Data anonymization
Analytical data is anonymized to prevent the identification of any individual. Actions taken on our products cannot be linked to a specific person. Data anonymization involves modifying the content or structure of the data to make it very difficult or impossible to re-identify individuals.
Secure connections
Ascia encrypts all communications containing personal information. This means that transmitted data is encrypted to ensure its confidentiality during data exchange between your devices and Ascia’s various products and services.
Security audits
Furthermore, your data is stored on secure and monitored infrastructure to detect and prevent leaks or intrusion attempts. We conduct regular audits to ensure the robustness of these measures.
Is this data transmitted to third parties?
The data you grant access to to Ascia may be transmitted to third parties in certain specific contexts. Ascia ensures that data transfers are carried out securely.
The data collected is not used for any purpose other than those authorized by Ascia.
Analytical data (your actions, your context)
Ascia may use partner services to facilitate data analysis. In such cases, we ensure that the partners adhere to strict data protection rules equivalent to those of Ascia.
Your data and security
Data protection
The data you choose to disclose, who you disclose it to, and your reasons for doing so form the basis of protecting your privacy and your rights. If you do not want us to know your IP address, you should refrain from visiting the Ascia website.
If you do not want us to collect personal data about you, you should not register or log in to the Ascia website.
If you wish to access our site which allows us to display local, personalized or more relevant content for you, we need information to identify you.
How does Ascia protect the information you provide?
The personal information we collect is protected in accordance with Canada’s Privacy Act and Ascia’s Privacy Policy.
We will only use them for the purposes agreed upon when you provided them to us. If we wish to use your information for another purpose, we will first seek your consent.
Personalization and filter bubbles
Polarization-free customization
As a company operating in Canada, we aim to foster a sense of national belonging and greater social cohesion by creating a platform:
- With content tailored to Canadians;
- To make our values visible and audible.
Use of algorithms by Ascia
We sometimes use algorithms to personalize your online experience. Our algorithms do not replace the skilled people who design the range of content you see on our website. However, algorithms underpin certain tools, such as the most popular content based on your region or widgets related to the time or weather.
What is a browsing cookie? How do we use them?
What is a navigation indicator?
A cookie is a small text file placed on your browser that saves data about your internet browsing habits. For example, a cookie may contain a unique number assigned to you. This number allows your browser to be recognized, but it cannot be used to identify you personally.
How navigation cookies work
When you visit a webpage that uses cookies, a cookie is stored by your browser on your device. When you return to that site, the cookie recognizes you using your unique identifier. Cookies are the building blocks of your browser’s memory.
Over the years, the internet has evolved, and so have cookies. Cookies now remember the items you’ve placed in your shopping cart on websites, or your preferences. Cookies also allow for automatic login to websites you visit or for resuming a video where you left off.
Use of cookies by Ascia
Every time you interact with Ascia online, you generate data and we send it back to you. These fundamental data exchanges are the very basis of how the internet works. Without the exchange of information, there is no internet.
Witnesses can tell us:
- Which Ascia digital properties do you visit (websites or applications) and how often?
- What text, video and audio content do you read, watch or listen to;
- Your browsing habits on our site (the links you click on and the content you share);
- The place where you are;
- The type of device or browser you are using;
- Your IP address.
The data you choose to share with us helps us design better digital products and focus on what interests you.
The vast majority of the data you create this way cannot be used to identify you. And when you do need to log in to our website or application, we believe it’s important that you understand how we use this data.
Managing your browsing cookies
Managing your online experience through cookie management
Your data is valuable, and we believe it’s up to you to decide what data you want to share with us. You can use the links below to enable or disable some of our cookies. However, cookies essential for the proper functioning of our digital products cannot be disabled.
Before downloading cookie-blocking software, you should be aware that these tools will prevent some Ascia products from functioning as intended, or even from functioning at all. Blocking cookies may prevent audio or video content from displaying and may disable certain features, such as location services, searches, registration, login, and the ability to post comments.
If you still decide to use a browser cookie blocking software, we ask that you please include Chartbeat, Google, Viafoura and comScore (ScoreCard Research Beacon) in the list of allowed cookies so that we can continue to receive a minimum of information on how you use our website.
We invite you to learn more about how your data helps us improve our content and products.
Disable cookies
Most browsers allow you to manage the cookies stored on your computer. Please consult the instructions for disabling cookies on your device through your browser.
Visit the page corresponding to the browser you are using to learn more:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Opera
- Apple Safari
If your browser is not in the list, we invite you to visit its website.
Updates
The list of cookies displayed on this page is subject to change. As our products are constantly evolving, new cookies may be added to this list or some may be removed. We ask that you visit this section periodically to stay informed.
Strictly necessary witnesses
These cookies are essential for the operation of our personalized services. For example, if you have an account on our website and wish to write comments on our pages, our system needs to use a cookie to recognize you.
| Witness name | File name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Notification of browsing cookies | fcc_notification_vie_privee | Allows you to disable the display of the cookie notification on all pages visited. |
| Session witness | phpsessid | Enables our platforms. |
| Security witness | AEC | Used by Google to ensure that requests made in a session come from the user and not from another website. |
| Google Recaptcha | _GRECAPTCHA | Enables reCAPTCHA functionality on forms to protect them from spam. |
Performance indicators
Performance cookies collect information about how users navigate our websites. This data is used to study and improve the functionality of our products.
| Witness name | File name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | t_ga* _gid _gac_* __utm* _gat_UA | This allows us to understand the performance of our various content and the behavior of our users. Visit this page to opt out of the use of Google Analytics cookies. |
| Google Tag Manager / Conversion Linker | _gcl_dc _gcl_aw _gcl_au | This allows us to track the performance of our various content and understand user behavior. Visit this page to opt out of the use of Google Tag Manager/Conversion Linker cookies. |
| Microsoft Clarity | MUID MR ANONCHK CLID SM _clck _clsk | It allows us to know the performance of our different content and to understand the behavior of our users. |
Targeting indicators
Targeting cookies collect information about your content consumption habits so that we can offer you personalized ads tailored to your interests. You need these cookies to see personalized pages or ads that are more likely to interest you, or to avoid seeing the same content repeatedly.
| Witness name | File name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Google Ad Manager | __gads ged_playlist_activity googleadservingtest __gpi 1P_JAR | Enables targeted advertising. Google Ad Manager complies with the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada’s online behavioural self-regulatory principles. Click the following links to:
|
| Google Analytics & Google Tag Manager | ssm_au_c NID OTZ | It allows us to analyze the behavior of our users and to offer them targeted advertising. |
| Bing Ads | SRM_B SRM_I | It allows us to analyze the behavior of our users and to offer them targeted advertising. |
Resource person
If you have any questions or requests regarding this policy, you can contact our resource person:
Ilias Allaly
514-891-6213
ilias.a@ascia.ca
111 Alexis-Nihon Blvd, H4M 0B2
Montreal
, QC