The H line (NYS HIV/STI/HCV Hotline) 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.
We may also automatically collect certain technical information when you visit the Website, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and information about how you use the Website, depending on the Website’s technical configuration.
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 purposes.
4. Text Messaging and SMS Communications
If you voluntarily provide a mobile telephone number and separately opt in to receive text messages from The H line, we may use that number to send text messages related to your 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 to an H line text message.
For assistance with text messaging, reply HELP.
Your consent to receive text messages is voluntary and is not a condition of receiving services or assistance from The H line.
Mobile Information and SMS Consent
The H line does not sell or rent mobile telephone numbers. Mobile telephone numbers and SMS/text messaging consent information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.
Mobile information and SMS consent information will not be used for unrelated marketing or promotional purposes.
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.
When third-party service providers are used to support Website or communication functions, information may be provided to those providers as necessary to perform the services for which they have been engaged.
The H line does not sell personal information.
The H line does not share mobile telephone numbers or SMS consent information with third parties or affiliates for 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.
[WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR: Confirm the actual cookies, analytics services, and tracking technologies currently used on the Website before publication. Add the applicable services here.]
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 Navigator contact page explains that individuals may use the form to submit questions during off-hours and that a member of the H line team may follow up.
Please do not submit unnecessary sensitive personal information through an online form.
If you need assistance with HIV, STI, hepatitis C, sexual health, prevention, testing, or treatment questions, you may also contact The H line by telephone or through the available communication options listed on the Website.
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 takes 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 is intended for individuals seeking information, referrals, and support related to HIV, STI, hepatitis C, sexual health, prevention, testing, treatment, and related services.
We do 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 information is handled by The H line, 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
The Website also provides online chat and other communication options.