Privacy Policy – The H line

The H line (NYS HIV/STI/HCV Hotline) is a program operated by Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. (LICC). In this Privacy Policy, “The H line,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to The H line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc., as applicable.

The H Line respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the information you provide when you use the H Line website at https://nyaidsline.org/ .

The H line is a New York State HIV/STI/HCV information and referral service funded by the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute. The H line provides confidential information, education, referrals, risk-reduction information, and support related to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis C, sexual health, prevention, testing, treatment, and related services.

This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected through the Website, how that information may be used, and how information may be handled when you communicate with The H line through the Website.

1. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use the Website, we may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us.

This may include:

Your first and last name;
Telephone or mobile telephone number;
Email address;
County or general location;
Information included in a message or request for assistance;
Information provided when requesting resources, referrals, or services; and
Information you voluntarily provide when communicating with The H line.

The H line website currently provides several ways to contact the program, including telephone, online chat, Facebook Messenger, and an online contact form.

The Website may also automatically collect certain technical information when you visit the Website, depending on the Website’s configuration. This may include your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and general information about how you interact with the Website.

2. Information Related to HIV, STI, and Hepatitis C Services

Because The H line provides information and referrals related to HIV, STIs, hepatitis C, sexual health, prevention, testing, and treatment, information voluntarily provided by a Website user may concern sensitive health or sexual-health topics.

Please provide only the information necessary for us to respond to your request.

The H line is committed to providing confidential information and support. However, no Internet transmission or electronic communication can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

3. How We Use Information

Information provided through the Website may be used to:

Respond to questions and requests for assistance;
Provide HIV, STI, hepatitis C, and sexual-health information;
Provide prevention and risk-reduction information;
Provide referrals to testing, treatment, prevention, and support services;
Follow up on a request submitted through the Website;
Communicate with individuals who request assistance;
Respond to requests for resources or referrals;
Operate, maintain, and improve the Website;
Protect the security and integrity of the Website; and
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and program requirements.

The H line does not use information submitted through the Website for unrelated commercial marketing or advertising.

4. Text Messaging and SMS Communications

The H line may offer SMS/text messaging to individuals who voluntarily provide a mobile telephone number and separately provide affirmative consent to receive text messages.

SMS messages are used to communicate with individuals regarding their request for information or assistance.

Message frequency may vary depending on your request and communication needs. Message and data rates may apply.

You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP.

For assistance with text messaging, reply HELP.

Consent to receive text messages is voluntary and is not a condition of receiving services or assistance from The H line or Long Island Crisis Center, Inc.

Mobile Telephone Numbers and SMS Consent Information

The H line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. do not sell or rent mobile telephone numbers.

The H line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. do not share mobile telephone numbers, mobile information, SMS/text messaging opt-in information, or SMS/text messaging consent information with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

Mobile telephone numbers and SMS/text messaging opt-in or consent information will not be used for unrelated marketing or promotional purposes.

SMS consent information is collected specifically for communications from The H line and is not transferred to another organization for that organization’s marketing or promotional use.

SMS Consent Is Separate and Optional

When SMS messaging is offered through a Website form, SMS consent is presented as a separate and optional choice.

The SMS consent checkbox is not selected by default. An individual must affirmatively select the checkbox to consent to receive SMS messages.

An individual may submit a request for information or assistance without consenting to receive SMS messages.

SMS consent is separate from acceptance of this Privacy Policy and the SMS Terms & Conditions.

5. Information Sharing

The H line may share information when necessary and appropriate to:

Respond to a user’s request;
Provide requested information, referrals, resources, or assistance;
Operate and maintain the Website;
Use service providers that assist with Website, communications, technology, hosting, or other program-related functions;
Comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or governmental requirements;
Protect the rights, safety, security, or property of The H line, its users, or others; or
Meet applicable program or public-health requirements.

The H line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. do not sell personal information.

Information may be provided to technology or service providers when necessary for them to perform services on behalf of The H Line or Long Island Crisis Center, Inc., such as Website hosting, technical support, security, or communications services. Such information is not provided to those providers for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

6. Third-Party Services and Links

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, resources, referral services, social-media platforms, online chat services, or other external services.

The H line is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, or content of third-party websites or services.

Users should review the privacy policies of third-party websites before providing personal information to those websites.

The Website currently provides access to online chat and Facebook Messenger as additional ways to communicate with The H line.

7. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Website may use cookies, analytics tools, or similar technologies to support Website functionality, security, performance, and usage analysis.

The specific technologies used by the Website may change over time.

You may be able to control or disable cookies through your Internet browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect Website functionality.

8. Online Contact Forms

When you submit information through an H line contact form, the information you provide may be used to respond to your request.

The H line may use information submitted through the Navigator contact form to respond to questions and requests for information or assistance.

Please do not submit unnecessary sensitive personal information through an online form.

9. Text Message Opt-Out

If you have voluntarily opted in to receive SMS messages from The H line, you can withdraw your consent at any time.

To stop receiving text messages, reply:

STOP

To request help with text messaging, reply:

HELP

Opting out of SMS messages does not prevent you from contacting The H line through other available communication methods.

10. Data Security

The H line and Long Island Crisis Center, Inc. take reasonable steps to protect information collected through the Website and related communications.

However, no website, electronic communication, or Internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Users should exercise caution when submitting sensitive information online and should provide only information necessary for their request.

11. Children’s Privacy

The Website provides health information, referrals, education, and support to individuals seeking assistance.

The H line does not knowingly collect personal information from children in violation of applicable law.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes to the Website, services, communication practices, legal requirements, or program policies.

When changes are made, the updated Privacy Policy will be posted on this page, and the effective date will be updated.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how The H line handles information, please contact us.

The H line
NYS HIV/STI/HCV Hotline

English Hotline: 1-800-541-2437

Spanish Hotline: 1-800-233-7432

Website: https://nyaidsline.org/

The H line is available:

Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM–4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Program Operator:
Long Island Crisis Center, Inc.

15. SMS Terms & Conditions

Information about The H Line SMS program, including consent, message frequency, opt-out instructions, and applicable SMS terms, is available at:

SMS Terms & Conditions:
https://nyaidsline.org/sms-terms-conditions/