Mattel Online Privacy Statement and Children’s Privacy Statement 

Updated December 13, 2017 

 

INTRODUCTION

This Privacy Statement applies to the web Sites, Mobile Apps or Apps, and other online services, including connected products (collectively the “Services”) provided by Mattel, Inc. and or one or more of its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, Fisher-Price, Inc., American Girl Brands, LLC, HIT Entertainment Limited, and Mega Brands Inc. (collectively, "Mattel", "we", "our", or "us"). This Privacy Statement governs your use of our Services, regardless of how you access or use them. By “Sites”, we mean any website or URL of ours that we have linked to this Privacy Statement and all features, applications, content, and downloads that are operated by us and that are available through the Sites. By “Mobile Apps” and “Apps”, we mean our products and services that we make available via mobile telecommunications platforms and/or through social networking platforms or app stores. Each time you access and/or use the Services, you agree to be bound by and comply with all of the terms of this Privacy Statement. Do not use the Services if you do not agree to all of the terms of this Privacy Statement. If you are visiting the Sites, please also review the Sites’ Terms and Conditions as you will be bound by them. Use of Apps and other Services, like connected products, may be subject to an End-User License Agreement (EULA). Specific Services may provide more detailed explanations of how data is collected, used, stored, or disposed of, and may provide additional specific options for you to choose how and what type of information to provide. We want you and your family to have fun using our Services, and urge you and your family to follow common sense whenever disclosing personal information – in our Services or anywhere else. 

 

OVERVIEW

We encourage you to review our complete Privacy Statement in detail, as it includes important information, but provide a short summary for convenience. 

 

CHILDREN

We take many special precautions to protect the privacy of children. In general, we define “children” as users under 13, but adhere to local definitions of “children” where a different age applies.

 

WHAT WE COLLECT – ADULTS AND TEENS

We collect information from adults and teens to serve your needs, manage our content and advertising, operate efficiently, and improve our products and services.

USER-GENERATED CONTENT

COOKIES AND TECHNOLOGY

USE OF INFORMATION

We use all information we collect to provide and improve our products and services, understand our consumers, and manage content and advertising.

 

CHOICES

We respect your choices about receiving promotional offers and updates from us.

 

APP CONTROLS

Your device may allow you to block or manage push notifications, location information, in-app purchases, or ability to access the web.

 

SHARING

We may share information, including personal contact details and other information

 

LINKS

Mattel Services may link to or use other content from the Internet, including content offered by third parties that we do not control and whose privacy and data collection practices may differ from ours. Your computer or mobile device settings may allow you to block or partially block web access, but those settings may not be effective in all cases. 

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

QUESTIONS

We strive always to be transparent and clear about our policies. Please contact us if you have questions.

 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS:

Wherever we refer to “children” or a “child” in this Privacy Statement, we generally mean children under 13, consistent with the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (“COPPA”), but honor local definitions of a “child” where different age thresholds apply to Services offered in those jurisdictions. Please help us protect your children's privacy by instructing them never to provide personal contact information (like their full name, e-mail address, home address, telephone number, etc.) without your permission.

 

A SPECIAL NOTE TO CHILDREN:

Children should get a parent's or legal guardian's permission before giving out personal contact information, like e-mail address or phone number, or any other personal information, to Mattel or to anyone else.

 

1. What Are Mattel’s Children’s Privacy Practices?

We do not collect personal contact information (like full name, e-mail address, phone number or home address) from children through Services directed to children without consent of a parent or legal guardian except in special, limited circumstances described below. We do not ask for more information than is necessary for a child to participate in the activity. We take steps to prevent children from posting or publicly disclosing personal contact information, like full name, phone number or e-mail address, online, without parental consent, such as monitoring or screening and use of filtering technology. Some Sites or areas of Sites with content for children can be identified by “kids” or “play” in the domain or subdomain. Content intended for adults may be available at such Sites, accessible through a “parents” link. If you have a question about whether a particular Site or area is directed to children, please use the form here.

 

Some of our brands may work with business partners who offer web sites, online services and/or apps that are governed by the partners’ privacy practices, and not this Privacy Statement. We recommend that you check the applicable privacy statement and terms of use each time you use any web site, online service, or app so you understand how your personal data will be collected and used, and by whom.

 

a. What Information Does Mattel Collect from Children and How Is It Used?

To participate in special activities, like scavenger hunts, personalized pages, games or clubs, we might ask your child to "register." They can often do so anonymously by just providing a first name or user name, and password. When we ask for your child's first name, we encourage them to use a "screen name" (not their real name) that only they know. Sometimes we will ask your child to make up a special password so that only they can see their customized areas of our Services. We use technology, like cookies, to recognize visitors by their user name when they use or revisit our Services, and to provide us important information that helps us understand features and areas of most interest. We may also use these technologies to screen for age. We may also use technology for similar purposes in our Apps.

 

We may sometimes need a child’s e-mail address and/or your e-mail address. We may ask a child for your e-mail address so we can notify you of your child’s interest in our Services. If we need more than just your child's first name (or screen name) and e-mail address for your child to participate in a particular online Service, we will ask your child for your e-mail or mailing address so that we can notify you of your child's request and get your permission. When we ask for your permission, we will tell you what we will do with the information you or your child provides us, and how you can review your child's information and ask us to delete the information. With your consent, we may collect other personal information from your child such as a last name or home address when the information is necessary for a particular activity.

 

We don't keep your (or your child's) e-mail address unless you tell us it is okay. If social networking opportunities are available through our Services they are structured so that no personal information is shared between visitors unless parental consent is obtained. 

 

Mattel might collect an e-mail address and first name (or screen name) from your child without your consent, but only in the following special cases:

 

We may offer enhanced Services, including subscription-based services, which require a parent to register and establish the appropriate permission level for the child. Content and activities available may vary depending on the Service. Parents will be provided with information on the type of content and activities their child may access at the time they register and are always in charge of their child's account. Subscription fees may apply for some Services.

 

We may ask for certain information that is not personally identifiable, like city and state, birth month and day, gender, hobbies, etc. to help us understand our visitors and improve our products and services.

 

We also use technology to facilitate the ability to play games, to recognize returning visitors, for research, and for other purposes, including to screen under-age visitors from certain features or areas intended for older visitors, and to collect certain information automatically. Read more. We ask our advertising agency service partners under contract with us to comply with self-regulatory guidelines on targeted advertising. Read more

 

b. Can My Child Access the Web Through Your Services?

Your child can navigate to the general Internet through most of our Services. Apps must typically be downloaded from an app store. Your computer or mobile device may enable you to restrict your child’s ability to visit other areas on the Internet and to make purchases online or through Apps. We provide information on features available through our child-directed connected products to inform parents about how the product connects to the Internet, whether the child can access non-Mattel content on the Internet, and if so how to control a child’s ability to access other non-Mattel content or services online.

 

App stores generally require an adult mobile device owner to register to download or make purchases. Some Apps may offer options to visit an online store to make a product purchase.

 

We encourage you to spend time with your children when they are online or using any mobile device or connected product so you understand the features of the Service and the activities they allow, and to adopt available device and browser controls that reflect your preferences about your children’s ability to access the Internet or make purchases online.

 

c. Can I Access, Update and Review Information You Have About My Child?

If you no longer wish your child to participate in an e-mail newsletter, simply click on the link that is provided for removal or contact us at [email protected] for Mattel, Fisher-Price, HIT Entertainment, and MEGA Brands, or [email protected] for American Girl. Upon proper identification, a parent or legal guardian may access and review the personal information we have collected about their child, update their child’s contact details, request deletion, or refuse to allow further collection or use of the information. Click here to print a copy of our Children’s Personal Information Access Request, fill it out completely and mail it to the address indicated on the form.

 

Please note, however, if you ask us to delete your child's information, your child may not be able to participate in some of our Services.

 

2. What Are Mattel’s Privacy Practices for Adults and Teens?

You do not have to share any personal contact information (like full name, e-mail address, home address, telephone number, etc.) to use most of our Services, but most of our Services for adults and teens (people who are not considered “children” under applicable local law), like our collector and e-commerce Sites (e.g., barbiecollector.com), contain special sections and privileges for members who register. (App stores are run by third parties and may require that you register to download or purchase an App.) We may also collect information from you offline, such as when you order a catalogue, participate in a sweepstakes or contest, or make a purchase at one of our stores. We may obtain customer lists, demographic and other information about you from commercial sources. This information may be combined with other data we have collected.

 

We also use technology to collect certain information automatically, like your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address (which is the automatic number assigned to your computer by your Internet service provider when you surf the Web), or unique device identifier (“UDID”), international mobile equipment identity (“IMEI”), mobile equipment identifier (“MEID”) or media access control “MAC”) address; computer operating system (e.g., Microsoft Windows, Mac OS); your browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or Opera); websites visited before or after you visit our Service; pages viewed and activities at our Services; and advertisements shown or clicked on. 

 

Services for adults and teens, we may combine all information we have collected to better understand your needs, improve our Services, products and operations, manage content and advertising, send you offers and information, and better serve you. We offer parents the opportunity to manage their children’s registration and activities. We may also offer parents the opportunity to receive reports, messages and product recommendations related to their children’s interactions with our Services.

 

a. What Personal Contact Information Does Mattel Collect from Adults and Teens?

Adults and teens may voluntarily provide personal contact details when registering for contests, sweepstakes, community areas, downloads, or free demos, completing our online customer surveys, registering for updates and offers or purchasing products. This may include first and last name, mailing address, phone number and an e-mail address. We may offer you the ability to receive information via SMS or MMS; by providing your mobile phone or similar number, You must agree to receive information on your mobile device to receive text messages. Please note that your service provider may impose fees to send or receive messages via SMS or MMS. We may also ask you to help us understand your interests by providing demographic information, like age, gender, or ZIP code, or information on hobbies and interests. You may be able to submit a résumé and apply for a job at some of our corporate Sites.

 

b. What Information Does Mattel Collect When I Shop Online, Download Apps, Use a Connected Product or Use a Wireless Service?

Mattel Online Stores. We may offer opportunities to purchase products in our e-stores, Apps, or through other media or business partners. Customers must be over the age of 18 with a valid credit card to purchase. In addition, only a parent or guardian can register children to participate in enhanced subscription services or certain community features at our websites.

 

When a customer puts an item in a shopping cart, places an order or requests a catalogue online, we collect information associated with the transaction, including the customer's name, mailing address, products ordered, shipping address, and credit card information, as well as ship-to information if products are intended for someone other than the purchasing customer. Customers have the option of registering certain information for future orders with our Site while completing their online order. For customers who choose to register, we will capture login name, password, name and mailing address, billing address, alternate ship-to addresses, and credit card information. Enhanced subscription services may be available to you on behalf of your child for a monthly or other fee with some Services. To register your child, we will ask you to provide your child's screen or user name and password in addition to your contact details and credit card information so we can assist you in managing your child's account. We may also offer you the option to be billed automatically for subscription service fees. If you elect to automatically renew a subscription, we or our trusted service providers will retain your registration information, including your credit card information, so we can process your request.

 

When registered customers return to the Site to place subsequent orders, they can identify themselves with their login name and password. If a customer provides a child's birth date and e-mail address, this information will be used to help us provide products and services that meet customer needs.

 

When a customer places an order online, we will send a confirming e-mail message. We may also send an occasional e-mail featuring a special promotion or product that may be of interest to customers. Any customer who prefers not to receive an online order confirmation or promotional e-mail may indicate this preference on the online store order form. If you do receive marketing or promotional e-mails from us that you would rather not receive, simply follow the "unsubscribe" instructions included in each message. Please note that a request to unsubscribe from marketing or promotional emails will not affect transactional emails (such as those related to a purchase, paid subscription, or product registration).

 

Third-party Vendors. When a visitor places an order or registers on a site where transactions are handled by a third-party vendor (e.g., PayPal), those transactions are conducted through the vendor's website. You should be sure to review the third party's website terms and conditions and privacy policy before submitting any personal information or engaging in any transactions through the third-party site, as we are not responsible for any transactions made with third parties, or for any content, terms and conditions, or privacy policies of such third parties.

 

Apps and App Stores. We offer a variety of fun and engaging apps featuring our brands, but when you download or purchase an App, or make an in-app purchase, you do so through a third party mobile application online store. You may be required to register with the mobile app store and be logged on before you can download or purchase an app or make in-app purchase of another product using the app. When downloading an app, or using an app with on-line features through your mobile platform, the app provider will typically also collect certain device and app-related information. Mattel does not control the requirements or policies of app stores; you should review the privacy policy and terms of use of the mobile app stores before downloading or using any app, and check your device settings for control options.

 

With Apps, you may be able to:

 

Please note: Use of Apps may be subject to an End-User License Agreement (EULA) in addition to our standard Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement.

 

Connected Products.

Mattel offers parents and children a variety of products that may connect to the Internet. Our information collection practices in relation to child-directed connected products adhere to our data privacy practices for children. Some connected products, like connected baby monitors, are purely for parents’ use. Use of connected products typically require downloading an associated App. We provide FAQs and other information to help parents and children understand the features of the specific product (e.g., whether they collect voice or visual data), and information we collect through each connected product.

 

Wireless Services.

We may offer visitors the opportunity to register to receive offers, information and updates, participate in a contest or sweepstakes, or engage in other activities via text messaging or other wireless service. To register, visitors may be required to provide a wireless phone number, the name of their carrier, type of device, wireless e-mail address, or other information. Visitors must meet age and eligibility criteria to participate and must opt in to receive messages by sending a code, word, symbol or other information via a text message as directed in an offer, or by submitting a wireless phone number online at a registration area.

 

To receive wireless services, visitors must confirm their understanding that they will be charged by their carrier to send and receive messages according to their applicable service plan. They may be asked to reconfirm such agreement. Standard messaging rates will apply unless otherwise indicated; if premium rates apply, visitors will be notified before registration. Under no circumstances will we be responsible for any charges incurred by any visitor or anyone with access to such visitor’s device or account related to use of any wireless messaging services offered by Mattel.

 

3. Can I Post or Upload Content in Mattel Services?

Some of our Services offer the opportunity for users to post or upload reviews, comments, videos or pictures, or engage in interactive features. We do not access your device, camera, microphone, contact list, photos, videos, or audio files unless you consent. Some of our connected products will not be fully functional if you do not enable the camera or microphone. Registration of the user, or of a parent on behalf of a child for child-directed Services, may be required to activate the Service or access all features. If social networking or other opportunities to share personal information are available through our children’s Services, they are structured so that no personal contact details are shared between visitors unless parental consent is obtained. Special rules may apply to social networking activities, so be sure to carefully review any additional posted rules, as well as our Terms and Conditions.

 

4. What Information is Collected through Technology, Like Cookies and Pixel Tags, and What Choices Do I Have?

Mattel and its agents or service providers or business partners may receive and store certain information automatically when you use our Services. This may include information on your browser type and operating system, the pages that you view, referring sites (sites you visited before you came to our site and sites you go to after you visit our site), IP addresses, or unique device identifiers associated with mobile devices, smart phones, etc. This information allows us to count the total number of "hits" on our Sites or installation and frequency of use of our Apps, for example.

 

We collect certain information using technology, like cookies and pixel tags. We may also use local stored objects (“LSOs”) in connection with Flash or HTML5 games or other content to store game and activity progress or to store bandwidth information for the performance of the content.

 

Third-party analytics and advertising networks also use cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, clear GIFs, and other technology to collect certain information regarding use of our Services automatically. Advertising networks may use this information to serve you targeted ads for products and services that, based on your activities, are likely to be of interest to you (“interest-based advertising”). We or our third-party ad delivery networks may use this information to provide personalized content or to deliver ads.

 

Other business partners, like social media sites, may also use cookies and similar technology to collect certain information about your use of our Services through social media plug-ins. You may have the option to log in to some Services using your social media user name and password; if so, the social media operator (e.g., Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) may be able to link your activities in our Services to your social media registration information.

 

For more details on the technologies we may use, information that is collected, and how it is used, please continue reading the section below. For a list of our major technology partners, and the choices they offer about collection and use of information, click here. Please note that because technologies and business relationships evolve, the list may not be a complete summary of technologies that might be used with our Services.

 

Cookies

A "cookie" is a small file that is saved on your computer or mobile device. Cookies help improve your user experience, and allow us to analyze our Services, manage our advertising, and help serve interest-based advertising related to Services for adults and teens.

 

Our cookies help to give you faster access to pages you have already visited; they allow you to personalize your pages and us to customize our offerings; and they help you to participate in some activities or events through our Services. For instance, we may offer scavenger or treasure hunts, and we need to use cookies to keep track of your progress. In that case, if you leave our Service and then return, cookies will tell us what things you have already collected so that you do not have to start all over again. Cookies can also keep track of items in your shopping cart and wish list in our online stores, and may be used to help you engage in other activities, like comparison shopping.

 

We also use cookies to help us figure out how many people visit our Services, which of our Web pages they go to and how long they stay there. This information helps us figure out which of our Web features are successes and what Services might need improvement.

 

For administrative purposes, we collect IP addresses. The IP address allows us to count the total number of "hits" on our Sites. Your IP address and cookies are not connected to any personal contact details, like a name or email address, unless you register or order at our online stores; however, if you register, all information we collect will be associated with your customer file.

 

Some Services may use technologies, such as our own cookies, to provide you with personalized online display advertising tailored to your interests in our products when you visit other websites or areas of the internet. To opt out of our cookies used for this online advertising, click here.

 

You can set your computer to warn you each time a cookie is being sent or turn off all cookies (except LSOs – see below) through your Internet browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or Opera). Check your browser's Help menu or your built-in mobile device settings to find out how. Some mobile devices store cookies not only in areas connected to the browser, but also in areas that are app-specific so these cookies cannot be controlled by the browser settings. Check your app settings options on your mobile device to find out how to manage or delete cookies that may be stored in these other areas.

 

Please note that if you do not accept cookies, some features or activities of our Services may not be available to you.

 

Local Shared Objects, HTML 5 and Flash cookies Local shared objects (“LSOs”) are built for use with HTML5, Adobe® Flash® Player, and other content. LSOs act like cookies in that they store information to provide you with a more customized experience, but LSOs can store complex data that cookies cannot, and LSOs are not deleted or rejected if you set your browser to delete or reject cookies. The information stored in any LSO deployed by our Sites is not used to profile or track you online. Although browser settings will not allow you to manage LSOs, you may be able to manage them in other ways. To find out more about how to manage or delete LSOs, visit https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/disable-local-shared-objects-flash.html

 

Web Beacons, Pixel tags or clear GIFs

We or third-party advertising and analytics companies may also use other technology, called web beacons, pixel tags or clear GIFs, to provide us with other important information, such as when an e-mail has been opened, or to develop statistics on the effectiveness of advertising at our Sites. In some cases, working with third party partners, information is used to send advertisements for our products based on your interests.

 

Apps

When downloading an App (or using an App that relies on online features made available through your mobile platform), the app store will collect certain device and app-related information. Mattel does not control the data collection or privacy practices of the app stores. You should review the privacy policy and terms of use of any App store before downloading or using any App and review and use available controls and settings on your device to reflect your preferences.

 

Location information

For some Services, we or our third party service and content providers and analytics companies may collect location information, including location information provided either by a mobile device interacting with one of our Apps or associated with your IP address or Wi-Fi network. These features might enable you to engage in activities like find a nearby store or play certain games, or connecting an internet-enabled product to a Wi-Fi network, for example. You can generally limit or prohibit the collection of location information by using the built-in settings on your mobile device. Check your device instructions or online manual/FAQs for information on how to do so. You will typically be notified if the App or service collects location information and given a chance to agree. We do not permit collection of precise location information (actual address) in mobile Apps without your consent. Child-directed Apps do not collect precise (street-level) location information.

 

Analytics

We or our agents and service partners may use cookies, web beacons and other technology to analyze the effectiveness of our Services. This typically involves collecting your IP address or UDID and information on your activities, like the Sites you visit or frequency of use of an App. We strive to work with providers that adhere to applicable self-regulatory standards. You may be able to opt out of data collection or use by some third-party analytics companies who work with us. Click Here.

 

Targeted Advertising

Mattel may work with third party online or mobile network advertisers that use cookies, pixels, transparent GIF files, or other non-cookie technology to help us manage advertising at our Sites or Apps, and measure its effectiveness. This includes our collector Sites and online stores, or Services directed to adults and teens. These technologies enable third party ad networks to recognize a unique cookie on your computer, tablet or mobile device and may be placed by us, our network advertising firm(s), or by another advertiser that works with our third-party network advertiser(s). The information that is collected and shared in this fashion does not contain your name, address, telephone number, or email address. However, it is linked to the device identifier of the device you are using to keep track of all the sites you have visited that are associated with the ad network. This information may be used for the purpose of targeting advertisements on our Services and third party sites or services based on those interests, and to learn which ads bring users to our Services. Please keep in mind that your web browser may not permit you to block the use of non-cookie technologies, and browser settings that block cookies may have no effect on non-cookie technologies. 

 

We support the cross-industry Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioral Advertising as managed by the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) as well as the self-regulatory program of the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI). As part of this service, our online advertisements and Sites are sometimes delivered with icons that help consumers understand how their data is being used and provide choice options to consumers that want more control. For more information about our network advertisers, including information on choices they may offer you to opt out of technologies that they control, please follow the directions on the AdChoices icon within any interest or behavior based advertisement. Services directed to adults and teens that engage in interest-based advertising may also include the AdChoices icon on the home page. Websites operated by the Network Advertising Initiative and Digital Advertising Alliance offer opt-out tools for those participating in those programs. Participating network advertisers will be listed at those sites. Some third parties may offer opt-out tools on their own sites. Consult their privacy statements for more details. Opting out means that you will still see ads, but they may not be tailored to your specific interests.

 

Please note: Your opt-out choices are browser-specific and device-specific. If you clear your cookies from your browser on any of your devices (computer, tablet, smart phone, etc.), your opt-out choices will need to be re-set. You should check how to do this on your device(s) and operating systems.

 

Social Media Platforms and Plugins

If you are a member of a social media network, like Facebook, a cookie may be sent to that network when you access a page of our Services that links to their website through a plugin (such as Facebook’s “Like” or Google “+1” buttons), register or log into your account at their platform, or use your social media user name and password to log into our Services where you have the option to do so. That may enable them and us to link your activities with your personal registration information at their site, and may include notifying your friends or connections about your activities in our Services, and using tracking technologies to monitor your online activities to serve targeted ads. The social media networks' privacy policy and terms apply to your use of their platforms. Your browser or device may allow you to block these technologies but you should visit the third party website and review their privacy policy and your registration profile or account to find out your options.

 

5. What Does Mattel Do With The Information It Collects?

We use the information we collect for the purposes indicated at the time it is provided. For instance, we use contest registration information to notify contest winners; if you purchase a product, we use the information to fulfill your order. If you shop online at one of our stores, you will automatically receive a catalogue unless you opt out. We share your catalogue mailing address (but not your e-mail address) with carefully selected companies whose products or services may interest you. Occasionally, we might also send e-mail or postal mail about upcoming Mattel products, updates to our Services, or promotions. We may also share information with other Mattel brands and Mattel family companies so that they can let you and your family know about products that might be of interest. Information that we or our agents or service providers collect, including information collected using technology, is used to help us understand our visitors, improve our products and services, manage our content and advertising, fulfill requests, measure the effectiveness of our advertising, maintain security of our Sites, Services, Apps, and connected products, and protect intellectual property. We also work with third parties to offer interest-based advertising and help us analyze our Services using information they or we collect, including IP address and device identifiers and information about your use of our Services. You can see a list of key technology companies that Mattel and Mattel family companies work with to provide our Services and they choices they may offer here.