Privacy Policy

Please read this policy carefully.

Updated: November 3, 2026

Aiken Electric Cooperative ("AEC," "we," "our," or "us") values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. As part of that commitment, this website/newsletter and chat privacy policy statement informs authorized users: 1. What information is collected and under what circumstances;2. Whether it is voluntary or involuntary; 3. How that information is used; 4. With whom that information will be shared and under what circumstances; and 5. The authorized user's ability to choose how that information is used, how it can be reviewed, and how it can be corrected.

This policy applies only to information collected, maintained, and used by AEC and does not apply to the collection and use practices of third-party websites that users connect to through aikenco-op.org links, nor does it apply to information posted on aikenco-op.org that is provided by third parties. These providers may have their own privacy policies and cookie practices.

We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of third-party websites before providing personal information.

INFORMATION WE COLLECT

When you visit our website or use our online services, we may collect certain information, including:

Personal Information: Name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, account number, and other information you voluntarily provide.
Website Usage Information: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and website activity.
Payment Information: Information necessary to process payments through our authorized payment service providers.
Cookies and Similar Technologies: Small data files used to support website functionality, remember preferences, enhance security, and analyze website performance.

HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

Information collected through our website may be used to:

Provide and manage electric utility services.
Process payments and account transactions.
Respond to inquiries and customer service requests.
Communicate service updates, outage information, and important account notifications.
Improve website functionality, accessibility, and customer experience.
Protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and other security threats.
Comply with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

2. Initial log-on/authentication – To become an authorized user of the “Manage Account” section of aikenco-op.org, the prospective user will be required to provide for authentication purposes some basic information about themselves and their electric account. This information is voluntary provided and is used to identify the user as an authorized account holder with AEC. The only information that is retained is the member's account number or user ID, and password for the purposes of allowing future access to this section. 2. Web server log information – This is basic information collected on all user visits such as the domain from which AEC was accessed, IP address, type of browser or operating system, date, time, duration of access, pages visited, links visited and more. This information is automatically (involuntarily) collected and used to help AEC improve and maintain the availability and usefulness of the website for authorized users. This information is used in the aggregate for this purpose and no attempt is made to identify any specific individual. Authorized users cannot opt-out of the collection of this information and it is not reviewable or correctable by the authorized user because it is not personally identifiable information. 4. Requests for products/services/information – When authorized users request products, services, or information from, or respond to surveys conducted by AEC, personally identifying information such as name, home address, social security number, email address, title, birth date, gender, and internet address may be requested in order to complete the process. Failure to provide the requested information, however, may preclude delivery of the product, service or information requested. This information is voluntary and the user can opt-out of providing this information by simply not providing it as requested.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION – AEC does not sell your personal information. Any information collected and retained by AEC will not be released to third parties except as indicated below

1. Any information needed by a contractor to perform services for AEC will be disclosed to the contractor. Those contractors will be required by contract to observe the same privacy protections that apply to AEC. 2. Any information required by AEC employees to respond to an authorized user's request for products, services, or information will be shared with the appropriate employees. Unless an election is made to opt-out, any information provided when authorized users request services, products, or information or respond to surveys conducted by AEC, will be made available to appropriate personnel within AEC in order to offer those authorized users other products, services, or information they might find useful. 3. Any necessary information will be disclosed to appropriate personnel within AEC for purposes of implementing new services and making users aware of website features, improvements, modifications, etc. 4. Any necessary information will be disclosed to any appropriate internal or external authorities in order to identify and pursue remedies against users who attempt to damage, misuse, or otherwise interfere with AEC operations or to otherwise protect AEC’s legal interests. 5. Any necessary information required to respond to properly issued legal processes such as search warrants, court orders, or subpoenas will be disclosed to the appropriate requesting authorities. AEC will make every reasonable effort to limit such disclosure.

INFORMATION SECURITY

AEC use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or misuse. While no information is absolutely safe in an electronic environment, by implementing best business practice security methodology, AEC has taken reasonable steps to secure information collected, retained, and used. AEC is not responsible for information security breaches caused by the illegal or unauthorized acts of any individual.

By accessing this Site, you signify your assent to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to this Privacy Policy, please do not access the Site. You should visit this page periodically, as we may, from time to time, update this Privacy Policy and such changes shall be effective immediately upon posting on the Site and without further notice to you. Your continued access to the Site following the posting of changes to this Privacy Policy shall be deemed an acceptance of such changes by you.

SMS Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information when you participate in our Interactive Text Messaging Program.

Information We Collect

When you enroll in our Interactive Text Messaging Program, we may collect your name, mobile phone number, e-mail address (if provided), member number, service address, communication preferences, message history related to your interactions with us.

We may also automatically collect limited technical information when you visit our website, including IP address, browser type, device information, website usage information through Google Analytics.

We will only use information you provide to transmit your text message for communication such as but not limited to billing reminders, payment confirmations, outage notifications, service requests, improve our customer service, maintain the security and reliability of our systems. WE DO NOT SELL, RENT, LOAN, TRADE, LEASE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER ANY PHONE NUMBERS OR CUSTOMER INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH OUR SERVICE TO ANY THIRD PARTY FOR MARKETING OR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES. We may share information with trusted service providers that assist us with SMS message delivery, payment processing, website hosting, customer support, data security, and website analytics. These providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide on our behalf. Nonetheless, we reserve the right at all times to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any law, regulation or governmental request, to avoid liability, or to protect our rights or property. When you complete forms online or otherwise provide us information in connection with the Service, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and true information. You agree not to use a false or misleading name or a name that you are not authorized to use. If we, in our sole discretion, believe that any such information is untrue, inaccurate, or incomplete, we may refuse you access to the Service and pursue any appropriate legal remedies.

You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by texting STOP to 352667. For assistance, text HELP to 352667 or contact us at 803-649-6245 or memberservices@aikenco-op.org.

Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Beginning on January 1, 2005, California Civil Code Section 1798.83 permits our visitors who are California residents to request certain information regarding our disclosure of personally identifiable information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. To make such a request, please send us an email or call us at 803-649-6245 for assistance. Aiken Electric Cooperative, however, does not track any visitors to our Site, and therefore do-not-track requests will have no effect. The Site is also not directed at individuals less than thirteen (13) years of age, and Aiken Electric Cooperative does not intend to collect any personally identifiable information from such individuals.

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