Jigsaw Privacy FAQs
- What do the Jigsaw legal docs say, in a nutshell?
- What information is on Jigsaw?
- Who puts Directory information on Jigsaw?
- What right does Jigsaw have to sell my information?
- What are "Preferences and Instructions"?
- Why does Jigsaw protect Member identity?
- Am I in Jigsaw?
- How do I remove myself from the Jigsaw Directory?
What do the Jigsaw legal docs say, in a nutshell?
Though you should definitely read the documents (if you haven't already), here is a high-level summary of what they say:
Terms of Use (TOU)
The TOU is an agreement between you and Jigsaw, laying out the rules of using Jigsaw's Website and accessing the Directory. Among other things, the TOU specifies what's fair and what's off limits when Members input and extract information from the Directory. The Jigsaw Privacy Policy (see below) is incorporated into the TOU, which is just a fancy way of saying that it's officially part of that agreement.
To read the TOU in its entirety, click here.
Privacy Policy
Jigsaw's Privacy Policy discusses how we collect and handle information about Visitors to our Website (remember: Visitors can also be Jigsaw Members or listed in the Jigsaw Directory — but that's not always the case). Among other things, the Jigsaw Privacy Policy explains:
- Like most website operators, Jigsaw automatically gathers visitor "traffic" information, such as IP addresses and types of web browsers accessing the Jigsaw Website. This data is anonymous and does not personally identify you.
- If you choose to become a Jigsaw Member, we will collect certain identifying information about you during registration. However, we do not automatically include any of that registration information into the Jigsaw Directory.
- We do not use or share your personal information, other than as described in our Privacy Policy. For example, we may have to disclose such information to our service providers, who help keep Jigsaw great with technical, administrative, and data processing tasks. We may also disclose such information as required by law.
- We secure the information we collect by using generally accepted industry standards.
To read the Privacy Policy in its entirety, click here.
Fair Information Statement (FIS)
The Jigsaw Directory contains business data from a variety of sources. To explain how we collect and manage Directory information about business professionals, we have created the Jigsaw FIS. As further detailed in the FIS:
- Jigsaw makes the following business information available to our Members through the Jigsaw Directory: (1) Name, (2) Company, (3) Title, (4) Business Mailing Address, (5) Business Telephone Number, and (6) Business Email Address. We do not allow personal email addresses or any mobile telephone numbers on our Directory.
- Most Directory information comes from our Members. However, Individuals may add themselves to our Directory, and Jigsaw may, from time to time, supplement the Directory, e.g., with publicly available information or with information from trusted data providers who are legally authorized to provide such data.
- It's Jigsaw's policy to advise people they're in our Directory via our "Notice and Opt Out Program." If you receive that e-mail Notice from us, and decide you don't want to receive further communications, including communications from Jigsaw partners and paying third parties, follow the link to remove yourself from our Directory.
- Likewise, individuals can check to see if they are listed in our Directory (without becoming a Member or receiving a Jigsaw Notice), by simply using the "Am I In Jigsaw" link. Once there, individuals can correct their contact information or remove themselves entirely from the Jigsaw Directory.
To read the FIS in its entirety click here.
What information is on Jigsaw?
There is a lot of different information on Jigsaw. From a privacy perspective there are only two major categories — Company records and Contact records.
Company records include:
- Company name
- Address
- Website (URL)
- Phone number
- Industry classification
- Employee range
- Revenue range
- Stock Exchange and Ticker Symbol (for publicly traded companies)
Note 1: All Jigsaw Company records are free for download (i.e.,Open Source).
Note 2: Jigsaw also has an open source wiki for many companies that has been written by one or more Jigsaw Members.
Contact records include:
- Name
- Title
- Work Phone number
- Work Email
- Work Address
Jigsaw is strictly a business-to-business directory. Non-business information of any kind is not allowed on our database. For example, the following are NOT allowed on Jigsaw:
- Non-business email addresses (i.e., Gmail, Hotmail, AOL, etc.)
- Mobile phone numbers (we consider these private)
Who puts Directory information on Jigsaw?
Jigsaw's Directory of Company and Contact information is built and maintained by a very large community of business professionals. Members get this information in many different ways — from the web, from business cards they collect, from event registration lists, from tradeshows, etc.
The primary uses of the Directory by members include:
- Sales prospecting and research
- Marketing outreach and research
- Recruiting
- Job Seeking (finding the hiring manager instead of sending your resume to jobs@xyz.com)
- Resolution of Support Issues (Get out of phone hell and contact someone who can solve your problem )
What right does Jigsaw have to sell my information?
Most peoples' privacy concerns with Jigsaw go away when they understand:
- Jigsaw is a business only database. Non-business information is NOT allowed.
- Just your business card (minus mobile number) is on Jigsaw.
An example:
- Jigsaw enables you to set Preferences and/or provide Instructions which must be viewed before a member can view
your business card on Jigsaw.
An example:
- You can be removed upon request. More info.
From a legal perspective, Company and Contact records are not copyrightable. They are facts in the public domain, and this information is sold by dozens of data companies. In fact, a variety of information about individuals is for sale (but not by Jigsaw), including:
- When you buy or sell a house
- When you get married or have children
- What charities you give to
- Your political affiliation
- Your police record
- Your credit history
Also, unlike other data companies, Jigsaw gives you access and choice — find out if you are in our Directory, and set Preferences on how you prefer to be contacted.
What are "Preferences and Instructions"?
Unique among data companies, Jigsaw allows anyone to quickly find out if they are listed in our Directory, and to set Preferences and provide Instructions.
Preferences allow the person listed to indicate how they want to be communicated with (phone, email, direct mail). Instructions provide a free-form text box for the person listed to provide specific instructions to sales people, recruiters and marketers who might try to contact them. These Instruction must be read before the contact information can be accessed.
Here is an example:
Jigsaw's basic philosophy is that every Company must sell, market and recruit to survive. By making Company and Contact records more accessible, and by giving those on the receiving end of these communications a "voice", the process becomes far more efficient for everyone involved.
And, if you're not listed in Jigsaw, you might be missing out on valuable business and professional opportunities. If you're looking to purchase a specific product or service, post that in your Preferences and let relevant companies come to you. Or, open up your business to potential partnerships. Finally, don't forget that thousands of recruiters use Jigsaw each month looking for passive job candidates!
Why does Jigsaw protect Member identity?
Simple- Jigsaw believes in freedom of speech and privacy for individuals. We recognize there are competing interests of course — but in the online world, unless someone is harming another, we believe user anonymity promotes creativity and progress. As a result, we do not ever (unless required by law) reveal Member identity to third parties. However, Members have some responsibility here as well; they should be careful that what they say online and offline does not inadvertently identify them.
Am I in Jigsaw?
To find out if you are on the Jigsaw Directory, click here
How Do I Remove Myself from the Directory?
Our goal is to allow any individual who wants to be removed from the Jigsaw Directory a quick and easy way to perform this action. A couple of quick points:
- Many people find it far more efficient to set Preferences and provide Instructions instead of removing themselves. It is the job of sales, marketing and recruiting professionals to contact people. Providing Instructions saves you the time of having to tell the same story over and over. Click here for more information on setting Preferences and providing Instructions.
- We don't remove publicly available Company information from Jigsaw.
To remove your information from the Jigsaw Directory please click here.

