Online Account Privacy Practices

Last updated May 13, 2024

Value Line Funds (“Value Line Funds” or "we", "us" or "our") is pleased to offer existing shareholders the option to access their account online, subject to the terms of use and online privacy practices set forth in this Online Account Privacy and Terms of Use Notice (“Notice”).  The Notice supplements the Value Line Funds Privacy Policy and the Value Line Funds Terms of Use, available at vlfunds.com.  

The Notice describes how Value Line Funds manages personal information it collects when you log in to access your account via website and mobile applications on your computer, smartphone, tablet or other mobile devices ("computer or mobile devices").  Each time you access your account via the website or mobile applications, you agree to the terms and conditions of this Notice.  

Third Parties.  
To access your account online, you must use a third-party website and mobile applications.  Third parties have their own privacy and security policies and terms of use.  You should evaluate these, as they will differ from ours.  See Transfer Agent and Third Parties below.

Making the Right Choice.  
Please note that registering and accessing your Value Line Funds account online is your choice.  You do not need to log in to an online account to view publicly available information at vlfunds.com, to sign up for electronic delivery of documents (including account statements), or to interact with us offline (e.g., by phone).   Any option to manage your account that is available online is also available to you by phone and/or mail.  

You should only choose to register for, and maintain, online access to your account if you agree to take all reasonable steps to ensure that: (1) no unauthorized person shall have access to the website or mobile applications, and (2) no unauthorized usage of the website or mobile applications shall occur.  See Cybersecurity and Prohibited Usage below.

Withdrawing Consent.  
By registering for online access to your Value Line Funds account, you agree to the terms of use and online privacy practices set forth in this Notice.  You remain subject to the terms and conditions of this Notice until you terminate your online account access.  To withdraw your consent to the terms of use and online privacy practices set forth in this Notice, you must terminate your online account access.  Please call 800.243.2729, and press option 2, to speak with a representative who can de-register your online account access.

Consenting to Changes.  
We reserve discretion to change the ways in which we collect, use and share personal information, subject always to applicable law.  We also reserve discretion to change the terms of use, to discontinue online account access, or to add to or modify the online tools, functionalities or supported devices and services, at any time.  We will not seek affirmative consent, or otherwise alert you of changes, unless required by applicable law.  By maintaining your online account access, you agree to these changes.  

Revisions to this Notice.
If a change requires revisions to this Notice, we will communicate the existence of the update by revising the Last updated date on this page where the Notice is posted (on the website, mobile application, or both).  The update is effective upon posting.  By maintaining your online account access, you agree to review the Notice periodically for any changes.  

Eligibility.  
We reserve the right to restrict who is eligible for online account access and to revoke such access at any time without liability.  For example, online access is not intended for children under age 13.  We do not knowingly allow, or collect personally identifiable information from, users in this age group.  You agree not to set up or grant access to an online account for a child under the age of 13.  We may grant exceptions, in our sole discretion, if you request it in writing.  We will consider an exception if, for example, you are the parent or guardian consenting to such access and you maintain control of, and responsibility for, the account and compliance with the laws of all applicable jurisdictions.  
 

Transfer Agent and Third Parties

WHEN YOU LOG IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE, YOU ARE ACCESSING A THIRD-PARTY WEBSITE OR MOBILE APPLICATION WHICH IS THE PROPERTY OF THE TRANSFER AGENT (“Transfer Agent”).  

Transfer Agent.  
Each Value Line Fund engages Transfer Agent to furnish this interface between: (a) the Internet and public data network service providers, and (b) the transfer agency and recordkeeping systems of the Funds maintained by Transfer Agent.  Transfer Agent is independent of and not owned, affiliated with or supervised by Value Line Funds.  

Other Third Parties.  
Transfer Agent contracts with other vendors to perform services required to deliver the website and mobile applications.  The vendors may be onshore or offshore, independent of or affiliated with Transfer Agent.  Examples include software developers and providers of cloud hosting, threat detection and multi-factor authentication services.  

Transfer Agent is contractually obligated to implement controls and oversight to mitigate foreseeable risk associated with the use of such third parties.  However, Transfer Agent does not have responsibility for the acts and omissions of certain third-party vendors, such as ThreatMetrix (described below).  Also, third-party vendors are not subject to this Notice, which governs information we (Value Line Funds), not they, receive as a result of your use of the online services.  

ThreatMetrix.
ThreatMetrix is a vendor that Transfer Agent engages to provide services related to identity verification; detection, investigation, assessment, and prevention of fraud and other crime; mitigation of financial and business risk; and/or compliance with AML, anti-bribery and corruption and similar laws.  Transfer Agent disclaims all liability for the performance of ThreatMetrix’s services and for harm resulting from ThreatMetrix’s delivery of such services in connection with your online account access.   
 

Data Management

This section describes our terms of use and online privacy practices for data management.  Because the website and mobile applications are not our own, we have fewer tools to prevent unauthorized access to, and use of, your sensitive information.  Our primary lever is to reduce the amount of information you make available.  We do this by limiting the options to manage your account online that we direct Transfer Agent to offer you.

You make available “device data” when you access your account online using a computer or mobile device.  Examples are your Internet Protocol (IP) address, your login data (such as a username and password), the domain and host from which you access the Internet, the Internet address of the  site from which you came to the website, the date and time you access the website or application, browser and operating system information, general location estimated from your IP address or through your Wi-Fi connection, and other information about how you use your device.

You also make available any data you enter or submit over the website (e.g., to create a username and password, request an exchange, or change your address) or receive over the website (e.g., to view statements or recent transactions, or check your balance).  The transfer of data is necessary for the Transfer Agent to perform the task, follow the instructions or provide the requested information.  

Data Transfer.  
ThreatMetrix requires, as a condition of using its services, that you and we agree to comply with all laws related to data privacy, international communications, and the transmission of technical or personal data.  This includes the laws and regulations in all applicable jurisdictions concerning the data of you and others accessing an account online.  

Data laws, especially localization laws which prohibit the transfer or processing of data outside of a jurisdiction, are very difficult to satisfy.  You cause your data to be transferred across borders when you log in from a different jurisdiction than where Transfer Agent, ThreatMetrix or its other vendors are hosting the website, processing or storing data, etc.

To limit the applicable jurisdictions, you agree not to access your account (via website or mobile application) while outside of the United States.  You represent, each time you log in to your account, that you and your computer or mobile device are physically present inside the United States using U.S. telecommunications carriers.  

To limit other jurisdictions from becoming applicable, you and we necessarily rely on Transfer Agent and ThreatMetrix.  Each has substantial discretion to cause the personal and technical data of you and other users of the website and mobile applications to be transferred or processed in any jurisdiction where it has facilities or in which it engages service providers.  

You and we depend on Transfer Agent and ThreatMetrix to not exercise that discretion without first informing us of the applicable law and providing the opportunity to ensure that any disclosure or transfer of data to affiliates or third-party vendors in other jurisdictions, whether by Transfer Agent or ThreatMetrix or through a third party or affiliate at its direction, complies with applicable laws.

Cookie Technologies.  
A cookie is a piece of data or a file that a website can send to your internet browser which may then store it on your computer or mobile device.  Cookies store information such as the pages you visited, the website features you used, and the amount of time you visited a particular webpage.  They are also a means of keeping track of a user's preferences during a visit to a website.  Most browsers allow you to block, disable and delete cookies.  However, if you do that, the website or certain of its features may not work properly on your computer and/or your mobile device.  

ThreatMetrix requires us, as a condition of using its services, to be responsible for ensuring any required notifications are provided to, and approvals are secured from, you and others relating to computer code deposited on your device, and information secured or collected from such device, arising out of any use of the ThreatMetrix services.  

Transfer Agent and its subcontractors (including ThreatMetrix) are not contractually limited in their uses of cookies (or their retention practices, discussed below).  Therefore, you should only choose to register and maintain online account access if you agree to allow them to engage in any use and retention permitted by applicable law.  You consent, to the greatest extent permitted by law, to us relying on Transfer Agent and ThreatMetrix to inform us before they use or retain cookies in a manner that triggers rights of notification, consent or opt out for you or other users accessing an account from one of the United States.   You understand and agree that we cannot direct Transfer Agent to let you opt out, or withhold your consent, unless and until we learn that Transfer Agent and its subcontractors are engaging in practices that trigger those rights.   

Retention of Cookies.  
Cookies have a duration period.  Some cookies are temporary (session cookies), while others may stay on your browser until you delete them manually or until your browser deletes them based on the duration set within the cookie (persistent cookie).  We ask Transfer Agent to restrict itself and its subcontractors (including ThreatMetrix) to limit retention of any personal information or device data collected through cookies for only as long as needed or permitted considering the purpose(s) for which it was obtained.  

Value Line Funds believes the criteria used to determine the retention periods should include the purpose for which the data was collected, whether there is a legal obligation to which Transfer Agent is subject, and whether retention is advisable for other reasons (such as regarding applicable statutes of limitations, litigation, or regulatory investigations).
 

Cybersecurity and Prohibited Usage

This section describes our terms of use and online privacy practices related to cybersecurity.  You play a critical role in maintaining a secure environment and protecting your own and others’ sensitive information, assets and reputation.  Your permission to register and access your account online is conditioned on you taking the measures described in this Notice to prevent unauthorized access to your account and prohibited usage of the website and mobile application.  

You understand and agree there is no assurance: (1) that the website and mobile applications will be free of errors, viruses or other harmful components, or (2) that online access to your account will be available at all times or without interruption.   Transfer Agent cautions that the Internet is not a secure organized or reliable environment, and the ability to deliver online account access is dependent upon the Internet and equipment, software, systems, data and services provided by various telecommunications carriers, equipment manufacturers, firewall providers and encryption system developers and other vendors and third parties which are outside its control.  

As a condition of offering online access, Transfer Agent requires us to acknowledge the foregoing and to agree not to hold it liable for delays or failures of the website or any mobile application to the extent attributable to circumstances beyond its control.  Transfer Agent cites as examples power failures, functions or malfunctions of the Internet, telecommunications services (including wireless), firewalls, encryption systems and security devices.  We necessarily condition your eligibility for online access upon your agreement to that as well.  

Unauthorized Access.
To register for online access to your Value Line Funds account, you must enter your Value Line Funds Account Number.  You also must create a username and password.  By doing this, you agree it is your sole responsibility to: (1) authorize, monitor and control access to and use of your account, username and password; and (2) inform us of any need to deactivate your password or terminate your access, as soon as possible.  

By way of example (and without limitation), you understand and agree to:

• create a strong and unique password;
• change your password frequently (at least annually);
• alert us immediately if you’re a victim of identity theft;
• not use the same password or username for more than one website or application;
• not use your username for your password;
• not share your password with anyone, including family members; and
• not enable “remember passwords” in your browser.

In addition, you agree to take affirmative steps to reduce cybersecurity risk, including to:

• type the web address in the browser yourself, rather than using a link from an email or a search engine, when logging in with your personal credentials;
• be cautious about opening attachments or downloading files, regardless of who sent them;
• download operating system and software updates only from trusted sources;
• understand the risks of using free Wi-Fi hotspots and, whenever possible, use a secure network; and
• stay away from suspicious websites, so your computer or device doesn’t become infected.

Prohibited Usage.  
You represent that your use of and conduct on the website and any mobile application is lawful and will not:

• be in violation of this Notice, any applicable local, state, federal or international law, rule or regulation or the rules of conduct posted with respect to any individual feature or service;
• copy or adapt the software or other code underlying the website or any mobile application;
• reverse engineer, decompile, reverse assemble, modify, or attempt to discover any software (source code or object code) that Transfer Agent, ThreatMetrix or other subcontractors create to generate web pages or any software or other products or processes accessible through the website or any mobile application;
• trick, defraud or mislead us or other users, especially in any attempt to learn sensitive account information such as passwords;
• disseminate or transmit viruses, worms, Trojan horses, RATs, keyboard loggers, time bombs, spyware, adware, cancelbots, passive collection mechanisms ("PCMs"), or any other malicious or invasive code or program or upload or transmit (or attempt to upload or to transmit) any material that acts as a passive or active information collection or transmission mechanism, including, without limitation, clear graphics interchange formats ("gifs"), 1x1 pixels, web bugs, cookies or other similar devices;
• except as may be the result of standard search engine or Internet browser usage, use or launch, develop or distribute any automated system, including, without limitation, any spider, robot (or "bot"), cheat utility, scraper, or offline reader that accesses the online services, or use or launch any unauthorized script or other software;
• cover or obscure any notice, banner, communication or other branding on the website or mobile application or materials obtained therefrom;
• interfere with or circumvent any security feature or authentication service, or any feature that restricts or enforces limitations on use of or access to the services;
• make improper use of support services or submit false error reports or concerns; and
• disparage, tarnish, or otherwise harm Value Line Funds, Transfer Agent or ThreatMetrix.

Prohibited Content.  
You agree that you are responsible for the content that you choose to submit, transmit or make available to or through the website and any mobile application.  You represent and warrant to us that such content is not the confidential information of another person or entity and that you have all necessary permissions to submit or otherwise make available such content.

You further agree that the following actions shall constitute a material breach of the terms of use set forth in this Notice, and that you will not upload or transmit any communications or content of any type that:

• infringes upon or violates any rights of any party;
• impersonates another person or entity, or creates a false impression or misleads others as to the origins of your communications;
• infringes on the intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights of others;
• is unlawful, obscene, derogatory, defamatory, threatening, harassing, abusive, slanderous, hateful, or embarrassing to any other person or entity as reasonably determined by Value Line Funds;
• harvests or otherwise collects information about others, including email addresses, without their consent;
• discloses the personal information of others, including names, email addresses, telephone numbers, or any other confidential or personally identifiable information;
• distributes viruses or other harmful computer code;
• restricts or inhibits any other person from using or enjoying the website or mobile application, or which, in the reasonable judgment of Value Line Funds, exposes us, Transfer Agent, ThreatMetrix or other users to any liability or detriment of any type; or
• constitutes unsolicited offers, advertisements, proposals, junk mail, or spam that other users of the website or mobile application will see or receive.  This includes, but is not limited to, unsolicited advertising, promotional materials or other solicitation material, bulk mailing of commercial advertising, chain mail, pyramid schemes, informational announcements, charity requests, and petitions for signatures.

Equipment.
In accessing electronic documents, you should use a computer operating system that has a firewall (software that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to your computer by blocking suspicious people or websites) and that it is turned on and up-to-date. You should also make sure that your computer has anti-virus and malware protection software, that it is turned on, that your subscription is current, and that automatic updates enabled.

You should investigate the data storage policies and retention capabilities of any equipment you use to access the website or mobile applications.  If you are not the exclusive owner or user of a device, then you may want to avoid using such a computer or mobile device to access your online account information.  Be aware that many computers provided by employers are subject to policies that may allow remote access and monitoring, and any information you communicate or view on the website may be subject to access and monitoring by your employer.

Verifying Requests.
The telecommunication carrier which provides a connection between the website or mobile application and the transfer agency system of Transfer Agent cannot verify or ensure the receipt of any information transmitted to or from Transfer Agent, or the acceptance by, or completion of any request or direction to, Transfer Agent.

You agree that online acknowledgments or other messages which appear on your screen for requests or directions entered do not mean that the transactions have been received, accepted or rejected by Transfer Agent or us.  You recognize that these acknowledgments are only an indication of whether the information entered by you has or has not been transmitted to Transfer Agent.

NO REQUEST TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS OR EXCHANGE SHARES SHALL BE DEEMED ACCEPTED UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION.  REQUESTS, EXCHANGES AND OTHER OPTIONS TO MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE ARE SUBJECT TO ALL REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS AND FEES AS SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS OF THE SELECTED FUND.

You agree to review all mutual fund account statements and transaction details as soon as you receive them in order to verify the accuracy of all information provided therein.  You are also responsible for promptly notifying us of any errors or inaccuracies relating to information contained in, or omitted from your mutual fund account statements, including errors or inaccuracies arising from your online access to your account through the website or any mobile application.