Navigating the digital landscape requires a clear understanding of how your personal information is handled. This guide delves into Publix’s Privacy Policy, offering insights into the data collection, usage, and protection practices employed by Publix Super Markets, Inc. Whether you’re a loyal Club Publix member or a new user engaging with their online services, understanding this policy is crucial for maintaining your privacy.
1. How Publix Collects Your Information
Publix gathers information through several avenues to enhance your experience and operate its services effectively. This includes direct collection from you, both online and offline, engagement through third-party sources like social media platforms, and the aggregation of data from various sources to create a more comprehensive understanding of your interactions.
2. Categories of Information Collected
Publix collects a wide array of personal information categorized for clarity and transparency.
a. General Categories
This broad category encompasses essential identifiers such as your name, address, email, phone number, IP address, and device identifiers. It also includes financial information like payment card details, health and insurance information (particularly for pharmacy customers), demographic data (age, gender), and transactional details related to your purchases and interactions with their services. Furthermore, they collect internet or other electronic network activity, location information, records of communications with customer care, and even video recordings from public areas for security and operational purposes.
b. Information Collected Directly From You
While some services can be used without providing personal details, certain features may require you to register an account or provide information like your name, address, email, phone number, credit card information, household details, demographic data, and interests. You always have the option to withhold information, though this may limit access to certain features or transactions. When you shop in-store or online, Publix may collect information about your purchases, especially when using a payment card, the Publix App, or providing a phone number at the register. If you provide a mobile telephone number, you agree to receive calls and text messages for various purposes, including advertising, and to promptly notify Publix of any changes to that number.
c. Information Collected From Other Sources
Publix may also receive information about you from third parties. These sources can help update records, identify new customers, collect information on Publix’s behalf, and prevent fraud. This includes data from social media platforms, websites, and third-party applications, especially when you interact with Publix on these platforms or use social media login credentials for their services. The scope of information obtained from these sources depends on the privacy settings and policies of the respective platforms.
d. Information Collected Automatically
When you use Publix’s services, cookies and similar technologies may be employed by Publix or third parties to collect information about your interaction with the services, emails, and online advertising. This data helps ensure services function correctly, improve user experience, support marketing campaigns, and offer personalized content. The collected information can include technical details like your IP address, device and browser type, operating system, referral websites, session times, and how you interact with the services.
e. Information Collected from Mobile Devices
If you access Publix’s services via a mobile device, information such as device type, identifier, IP address, operating system, browser, service usage, and location may be collected. Mobile applications might request access to your camera and photo files for features like scanning barcodes or taking product images, which you can deny, though some features may become unavailable.
f. Location Information
Publix’s mobile applications and websites may collect precise location data with your permission, using technologies like GPS and Wi-Fi. This allows them to provide location-based services, content, and offers, such as store locations and nearby deals. You can manage location permissions through your mobile device settings or by uninstalling the applications.
g. Protected Health Information
For pharmacy customers, Publix adheres to its Publix Pharmacy Notice of Privacy Practices to protect health information in accordance with HIPAA.
h. Information You Give Us About Others
If you provide information about others, such as a gift recipient or someone picking up an order, Publix will use this information solely for the specific purpose you provided it.
3. Why Publix Collects Your Information
The information collected serves multiple purposes, all within the bounds of applicable laws:
- Fulfilling requests for products, programs, or services.
- Managing purchases, orders, refunds, and exchanges.
- Responding to inquiries and offering potentially relevant products or services.
- Achieving the purposes for which the information was provided.
- Conducting surveys, research, analysis, or market studies.
- Operating, evaluating, and enhancing business operations.
- Preventing or detecting fraud.
- Delivering targeted promotional and marketing communications, including advertisements based on your online activity.
- Creating and delivering personalized content, offers, and advertising.
- Maintaining accounts like Club Publix or GreenWise Markets.
- Conducting promotional activities and contests.
- Communicating about accounts, purchases, or other issues.
- Protecting the rights and safety of individuals.
- Complying with legal requirements, contractual obligations, and company policies.
Publix may also combine information from various sources and may use and disclose non-personal, aggregate statistics without restriction.
4. How Publix May Disclose Your Information
Publix may share the collected personal information in the following circumstances:
- With business partners and advertisers for marketing and advertising purposes, without selling or renting your personal information for monetary compensation.
- To service providers who perform functions on their behalf, such as hosting services, order fulfillment, and payment processing.
- Anonymized information may be shared with third parties after it has been processed to prevent individual identification.
- Disclosure may occur when required by law, regulation, court order, or subpoena.
- If believed necessary or appropriate to comply with law, operate services, protect rights, or investigate unlawful activity.
- With related subsidiaries and affiliates, subject to this Policy.
- In association with potential or actual sales or transfers of business assets.
- With your consent or as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which the information was collected.
Where appropriate, Publix will limit information sharing according to your choices and applicable law.
5. Public Information
Content posted on public forums within Publix’s services may be publicly available and searchable by search engines. Publix has no control over how third parties may use this information, so users are advised to exercise caution before posting.
6. Your Options Regarding Information Collection
Publix offers choices regarding the information collected, its use, disclosure, and communication preferences:
- Opt-out of marketing communications: You can stop receiving marketing emails, direct mail, or phone/mobile communications by following the instructions provided in those communications.
- Update and correct information: You can log in to your Publix Account or contact them to update your details.
- Cancel account or request data removal: You can request to cancel your account or that your information no longer be used to provide services. Note that Publix may retain information for business purposes like backups, legal requirements, and record-keeping.
Pharmacy customers have specific rights regarding their Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA. Virginia residents also have additional privacy rights under applicable law, detailed in the Virginia Privacy Notice.
7. Cookies, Tracking Technologies, and Interest-Based Advertising
By using Publix’s services, you consent to the use of cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies. These technologies help customize your experience, improve services, understand customer interests, and troubleshoot issues. While most browsers accept cookies by default, you can disable them, though this may affect the functionality and personalization of some services. You can also opt out of interest-based advertising from participating companies at www.aboutads.info/choices/. Publix’s digital properties do not currently respond to “do not track” requests. Google Analytics is used to understand service usage, and information about how Google uses this data can be found at https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/.
8. Third-Party Content and Activities
The services may link to or integrate content from third parties. Publix is not responsible for the information practices of these third parties, and users should consult their respective privacy policies. Content obtained directly from third-party servers may allow those third parties to collect information as if you visited their sites directly.
9. Security
Publix employs administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect collected information. However, no system is entirely secure, and Publix cannot guarantee absolute security. Users are responsible for protecting the confidentiality of their usernames and passwords. Publix reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts or require password changes if security is compromised. Legally required disclosures will be made in the event of a personal information compromise.
10. Protecting Children’s Privacy
Publix does not knowingly solicit or collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information without consent, please contact Publix.
11. International Data Transfers and Use
Services are operated from the United States. Information provided may be stored and processed in countries that may not offer the same level of data protection as your residence country. However, Publix will handle your personal information in accordance with this Policy regardless of its storage location.
12. Contacting Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy, Publix’s privacy practices, or to update your information, please contact Publix.
