Privacy Policy & User Agreement

Thank you for visiting Porter County's Web site and reviewing our Privacy Policy. This policy addresses collection, use and security of and access to information that may be obtained online. This policy covers the following topics:

  • Information Collected And How It Is Used
  • Personal Information And Choice
  • Public Disclosure
  • Access And Correction Of Personal Information
  • Cookies
  • Security
  • Disclaimer
  • Porter County Contact Information
  • Applicable Legislation

Information Collected And How It Is Used

If you do nothing during your visit to the County of Porter web site but browse or download information, we automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

  1. The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used but not the e-mail address. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol Address to direct Internet traffic;
  2. The type of browser and operating system you used;
  3. The date and time you visited this site;
  4. The web pages or services you accessed at this site; and
  5. The web site you visited prior to coming to this web site.

The information we automatically collect or store is used to improve the content of our web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. The Information Technologies Department analyzes our web site logs to continually improve the value of the materials available on our site and your browsing experience. Our web site logs are not personally identifiable, and we make no attempt to link them with the individuals that browse Porter County's web site.

If during your visit to the web site you participate in a survey or send an e-mail, the following additional information will be collected:

  1. The e-mail address and contents of the e-mail; and
  2. Information volunteered in response to a survey.

The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us.

We use your e-mail to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, to address issues you identify, to further improve our web site, or to forward the e-mail to another agency for appropriate action. Survey information is used for the purpose designated.

Personal Information And Choice

"Personal information" is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual's name, address, and telephone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.

We collect no personal information about you unless you voluntarily participate in an activity that asks for information (i.e. registering for an online User account, sending an e-mail or participating in a survey). If you choose not to participate in User registration, some features of this site may not be available to you.

If personal information is requested on the web site or volunteered by the user, state laws and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not exempted from disclosure by federal or state law.

Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children on-line or by e-mail will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to register a User account on this site.

Public Disclosure

Within Porter County, laws exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public's right to access public records that serve various needs including the privacy of individuals. Both state and federal laws provide exemptions.

All information collected at this site may become public records that are be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption in law exists.

In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Policy and the Public Records Act or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.

Access And Correction Of Personal Information

Registered Users of this site may view and change most of their personal information. User name and birth date can not be changed for security purposes.

Cookies

To better serve our users we may use "cookies" to customize your browsing experience with Porter County Government. Cookies are simple text files stored on your computer by your web browser and provide a method of distinguishing among visitors to Porter County's web site. Cookies created on your computer by using this web site do not contain personally identifying information and do not compromise your privacy or security. We use the cookie feature only to store temporary data on your computer. You can refuse the cookie or delete the cookie file from your computer by using any of the widely available methods. Some functionality may be dependent on the presence of a cookie, therefore disabling, refusing, or deleting cookies could alter your ability to access or use a function.

Security

The Information Technologies Department has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its telecommunications and computing infrastructure, including but not limited to authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day practices of the entire IT operating environment as part of its continuing commitment to risk management.

This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided via Porter County Government supported web sites.

Disclaimer

Porter County's web site has links to other web sites. These include links to web sites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on Porter County's web site and this Privacy Policy will not apply. When you link to another web site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site. Neither Porter County, nor any agency, officer, or employee of Porter County Government warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from web sites operated outside of the County does so at his or her own risk.

Porter County Government reserves the right to include or exclude hyperlinks at any time and without notice.

Porter County Government reserves the right to make changes and improvements at any time and without notice. Further, Porter County Government assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions, or discrepancies.

Porter County Government Contact Information

Questions regarding this User Agreement and Privacy Policy may be directed to:
Website Administrator
Information Technologies and Service
Porter County Government
155 Indiana Avenue, Suite 107
Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
Email the Website Administrator