Washington County Privacy Information

What type of information does Washington County collect, and what’s done with that information?

Like most websites, the Washington County website collects two types of information: anonymous information, and personally identifiable information.

By “anonymous information,” we mean data that can’t be linked to specific individuals. We may log user hits, visits, and sessions, but only capture information about the visiting user’s service provider. This information helps us create a better overall experience for website users. The statistics are complied into website traffic reports, which help us understand, anticipate, and respond to user behavior.

“Cookies” are another type of anonymous information. A website cookie is a small text file that a web server (such as Washington County’s) places on a user’s computer. When accessing a cookie, a web server reads a number associated with a browser, but is unable to determine any data about a user (nor, for that matter, can the server do anything else with a cookie, malicious or otherwise). With that number, a web server can tailor its information to the needs of the specific browser. We use cookies rarely.

By “personally identifiable information,” we’re referring to data on specific individuals who have volunteered the information on certain Washington County web pages. Data could include name, e-mail address, credit-card number, and so forth. Providing that information to us is purely voluntary and is used to serve you better. Personally identifiable information will be used by the county only on a need-to-know basis, and will not be made accessible to unauthorized employees at any time.

Does Washington County share the information with anyone?

Unless a user consents to such distribution, Washington County will not sell, lease, or give away personally identifiable information to other governments, organizations, or private businesses within the limits of the law.

It’s important to know the law, as state and federal laws place a special burden on public entities such as Washington County to assure the public’s right to access public records and information. Public information (as opposed to private information) involves information about activity that is regulated. For example, in purchasing a building permit online, a person’s name is public information (because building permits are regulated by the County), but the fact that you bought it with a certain credit-card number is not (because means of purchasing is not regulated). Furthermore, public information would include correspondence with the County, including e-mails and website comments about county processes, policies, activities and other types of general correspondence.

Washington County retains the right to release private information in rare cases we believe to be emergencies.

Outside of legal requirements and extreme emergencies, information on the Washington County website will not be released to anyone without the consent of the user.

Liability Disclaimer

General

This Web site is offered to you, the user (“User”), conditioned on acceptance of the terms, conditions, and notices contained herein, without modification. User access and use of this site constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.

This is a Washington County computer system, provided as a public service. Government personnel and the general public may use this system to review and retrieve publicly available government information. User agrees to use this Web site as permitted by applicable local, state, and federal laws. User agrees, therefore, not to: 1) knowingly and without authorization, alter, damage, or destroy Washington County’s or another user’s computer system, network, software, program, documentation or data contained therein; 2) use this service to conduct or attempt to conduct any business or activity or solicit the performance of any activity that is prohibited by law. In addition, taking action which results in blocking access to this Website by other users will be deemed an unauthorized use.

Anyone using this system expressly consents to administrative monitoring at all times. You (User) are further advised that system administrators may provide evidence of possible criminal activity identified during such monitoring to appropriate law enforcement officials. If you (User) do not wish to consent to monitoring, exit this system now.

Disclaimer Of Liability And Reliability

In preparation of these sites, every effort has been made to offer the most current, correct, and clearly expressed information possible. Nevertheless, inadvertent errors in information may occur. In particular but without limiting anything here, Washington County disclaims any responsibility for typographical errors and accuracy of the information that may be contained on Washington County Web pages. The information and data included on Washington County servers have been compiled by Washington County staff from a variety of sources, and are subject to change without notice to the User. Washington County makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding the quality, content, completeness, suitability, adequacy, sequence, accuracy, or timeliness of such information and data.

In any situation where the official printed publications of Washington County differ from the text contained in this system, the official printed documents take precedence. The services, information, and data made available at the Washington County website are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. Washington County makes no representations or warranties regarding the condition or functionality of this Web site, its suitability for use, or that this Web Service will be uninterrupted or error-free.

If misleading, inaccurate or otherwise inappropriate information is brought to our attention, a reasonable effort will be made to fix or remove it. Such concerns should be addressed to the page sponsor listed on each Web page.

Links To Third Parties’ Web Sites

There are links and pointers to third party Internet websites contained in Washington County’s website. These sites linked from the Washington County website are not under the County’s control. Washington County does not assume any responsibility or liability for any information, communications or materials available at such linked sites, or at any link contained in a linked site. Washington County does not intend these third party links to be referrals or endorsements of the linked entities by the County, and are provided for convenience only. Each individual site has its own set of policies about what information is appropriate for public access. User assumes sole responsibility for use of third party links and pointers.

Disclaimer Of Damages

By using Washington County Web pages, the User assumes all risks associated with the use of this site, including any risk to User’s computer, software or data being damaged by any virus, software, or any other file which might be transmitted or activated via a Washington County Web page or User’s access to it. Washington County shall not in any event be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental, or consequential damages, including, without limitation, lost revenues, or lost profits, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or misuse of the information or lack of information on the Washington County Web site or with the delay or inability to use this web site, or from any information, documents, services, software, or other material obtained through this web site, or otherwise arising out of the use of this web site, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, even if Washington County and/or any of its employees/affiliates has been advised of the possibility of damages. Washington County shall not be liable for any loss or injury caused in whole, or in part, by its actions, omissions, or contingencies beyond its control, including in procuring, compiling, or delivering the information, or arising out of any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information regardless of how caused, or arising out of any user’s decision, or action taken or not taken in reliance upon information furnished.

Disclaimer Of Association With User

User acknowledges that no joint venture, partnership, employment or agency relationship exists between the User and Washington County as a result of this Agreement or use of this Web site. User agrees not to hold himself or herself out as a representative, agent, or employee of Washington County and Washington County shall not be liable for any representation, act or omission of the User.

Disclaimer Of Endorsement

Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Washington County. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Washington County, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

Disclosure Of Information About User

Information provided exclusively to Washington County by a user through this Website may be subject to Oregon’s public records law and other state and federal laws governing records disclosure/confidentiality for public entities. By way of example, and not as a limitation, Washington County will, whenever possible, seek to keep personal information about a user confidential if public disclosure would lead to an unreasonable invasion of privacy, unless a third party sufficiently demonstrates that the public interest requires disclosure under particular circumstances.

Use Of Bulletin Board, Or Any Other Communication Or Interactive Forums

To the extent that this Web site contains or may in the future contain bulletin boards, discussion webs, chat rooms, or other message, interactive or communication facilities involving Washington County and other users (“Forums”), the User agrees to use such forums only to send and receive messages and material that are proper and related to the particular forum. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the User agrees that when using a Forum, the User shall not violate the law by:

Defaming, abusing, harassing, stalking, threatening or otherwise violating the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.

Publishing, posting, distributing, or disseminating any defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent or unlawful material or information.

Uploading or downloading files that contain software or other material protected by intellectual property laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless the User owns or controls the rights thereto or has received all necessary consents.

Deleting any author attributions, legal notices or proprietary designations or labels in any file that is uploaded.

Falsifying the origin or source of any material contained in a file that is uploaded.

Knowingly introducing viruses, corrupted files or any other similar software or programs that may damage, alter or destroy this Website or the operation of another’s computer system, network, software, program, documentation or data contained therein.

Knowingly accessing or attempting to access or use Washington County’s computer system, computer network, or any part thereof, including this Website, for the purpose of devising or executing any scheme or artifice to defraud; obtaining money property or services by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations or promises; or committing theft, including but not limited to theft of proprietary information.

User agrees to (as available) send and receive electronic mail, engage in conferences and chats, download and upload files, and otherwise use this Web site only as permitted by these terms and conditions, any additional policies or procedures published in this Web site from time to time by Washington County, and applicable law.

Washington County reserves the right to remove any contents of this Website received from users for violations of Washington County forum use policies and other applicable regulations and law, including violations of others’ constitutional rights. Washington County reserves the right to edit any notices or postings for length if and when such length interferes with other users’ access to and use of this forum.

The User acknowledges that chats, conferences, bulletin boards, discussion webs and any other such interactive or communications’ forums hosted by this Web site are public and not private communications. Further, the User acknowledges that chats, posting conferences, discussion webs and other communications by other Users are not endorsed by Washington County, and such communications shall not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by Washington County.

Indemnity

As a condition of use of Washington County’s Web site, the User agrees to indemnify Washington County, its Commissioners, officers, employees and agents against any and all liability, expenses (including attorney’s fees) and damages arising out of claims resulting from User’s use of this Web site, including without limitation any claims alleging facts that if true would constitute a breach by User of these terms and conditions.

Jurisdiction

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, USA. User consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of courts in Washington County, Oregon, USA in all disputes arising out of or relating to the use of this Web site. Use of this Web site is unauthorized in any jurisdiction that does not give effect to all provisions of these terms and conditions, including without limitation this paragraph.

Washington County’s performance of this Agreement is subject to existing laws and legal process and nothing contained in this Agreement is in derogation of Washington County’s right to comply with law enforcement requests or requirements relating to the User’s use of this Web site or information provided to or gathered by Washington County with respect to such use.

Severability

If any part of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to applicable law including, but not limited to, the warranty disclaimers and liability limitation set forth above, then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed superseded by a valid, enforceable provision that most closely matches the intent of the original provision and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in effect.

Closing Of Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the User and Washington County with respect to this Web site and it supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether electronic, oral or written, between the User and Washington County with respect to this Web site. This Agreement shall be deemed to include all other notices, policies, disclaimers and other terms contained in this Web site; provided, however, that in the event of a conflict between such other terms and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control. A printed version of this Agreement and of any notice given in electronic form will be admissible in judicial or administrative proceedings based upon or relating to this Agreement to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as other business documents and records originally generated and maintained in printed form.

Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.