Privacy

POLICY CONCERNING PRIVACY AND THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Loto-Québec strives to respect and safeguard the privacy of users¹ to its Web sites. This policy was developed to inform users about Loto-Québec’s commitment to this effect. Moreover, the terms described in the Conditions of Use also apply to this policy.

The specifics of the policy are as follows:

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION

The Web portal does not include any technology that could be used to collect personal data from users without their consent. Users are free to use the Portal, subject to the terms contained in the Terms of Use, in the knowledge that no personal information will be collected.

The only cases in which Loto-Québec could collect personal information is when such information is provided voluntarily by users, e.g. by writing directly to an e-mail address found on the Portal; by participating in a promotion or contest; by registering for a specific service; or by other similar means. Any information thus collected will be treated and conserved in the same manner as any other direct exchanges between Loto-Québec and its customers (by mail, telephone, etc.), that is to say, in accordance with the provisions of the Act respecting Access to documents held by public bodies and the Protection of personal information, R.S.Q., c. A 2.1.

2. INFORMATION EXCHANGED AUTOMATICALLY

Information exchanged automatically between computers cannot be used to identify users personally. Such data is collected for the sole purpose of meeting the technical requirements of Web browsing and is used for statistical purposes only.

Users should be aware that each time they access one of Loto-Québec’s Web sites, an exchange of information takes place, automatically and without the need for intervention, between their computer and Loto-Québec’s servers and third parties. This information in no way identifies the user personally.

The following information is exchanged:

The domain name (for instance, "xcompany.com", if the user is using a private Internet access account, or "xuniversity.edu" if he or she is accessing the Web through a university), as well as the IP address (in general terms, an IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a computer when it is linked to the Internet, which allows documents addressed to that computer to be sent without error);
The type of Web browser and operating system being used to access the portal;
The pages to which the user is navigating;
The site (referring site) from which the user has browsed, if any, in order to reach one of Loto‑Québec’s Web sites;
If the user has already visited one of Loto‑Québec’s sites in the past few weeks, it is possible to identify the user by means of a "cookie" residing on his or her computer (see point 3).

Loto-Québec uses Google Analytics. This service requires in its privacy policy that we bring to the attention of website users this statement:

“This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.”

This exchange of information is necessary in order for the server to send files that are compatible with the computer hardware the user is using. Loto-Québec also stores information needed to track the number of users to the site, the most frequently accessed pages, the technology used by users to access Loto-Québec’s Web sites, the referring sites, and the country of origin of users to Loto‑Québec’s Web sites.

3. COOKIES

Some of Loto‑Québec’s Web sites place cookies on users’ hard disk drives. The cookies used by Loto-Québec are of two types: persistent (long-lasting) or session (temporary). These cookies are used mainly to simplify users’ browsing experience by ‘remembering’ their language preference. Other persistent cookies may be used, for instance, to track how many times a users returns to one of Loto-Québec’s Web sites within a given period.

No personal information is collected without the express consent of the users.

For some Loto-Québec Web sites to work properly, your browser must be set to accept cookies. However, you can then erase these cookies from your computer without affecting its ability to display Loto-Québec's Web sites.

4. NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS

Some Loto-Québec sites offer users the opportunity to sign up to receive a newsletter. When signing up, users must provide information such as an e-mail address, last name, first name, address and so on. The information collected during registration is used solely for the purpose of sending the newsletter to the users who have subscribed. This information will not be used for any other purpose under any circumstances.

5. FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information, contact Loto-Québec Customer Service at customer_service@loto-quebec.com or by phone.
Montréal
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for holidays)
Telephone: 1 866 611-LOTO (toll-free) or 1 866 611-5686
Québec City
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for holidays)
Telephone: 1 866 611-LOTO (toll-free) or 1 866 611-5686

¹ For the General Conditions of Use and the Privacy Policy, the User is defined as an individual who navigates the Portal and who authorizes the use of the computer or the navigation equipment, depending on the circumstances.