This Privacy Policy describes Dutchess County’s practices regarding the collection and use of information relating to users of its website and website applications (hereinafter “Web Apps”) and mobile applications (hereinafter “Mobile apps”).
The Privacy Policy applies to the website, DutchessNY.gov (hereinafter, the “Website”), and also to mobile apps made available by Dutchess County, including those provided by third-party app developers and service providers under contract with the County.
This policy does not apply to social media pages, websites hosted by state or federal agencies, or third-party applications or content linked to but not administered by the County.
Any User information we collect is not collected for commercial purposes and we will not sell information for commercial purposes.
For every User of our Website, there are several common pieces of information that we collect that are stored in logs. Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type, the date and time of the visit, and the web addresses which a user accessed during a visit to our Website are all recorded. We use this information for troubleshooting and statistical analysis in improving our site to better serve our online visitors.
Our Website allows users to access County services through multiple different web applications. Our Website also includes links to mobile applications for Users to access County content and services. When users create an account to access these Web Apps and Mobile Apps, the County may collect users account information, including usernames, names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. The County uses this information to direct the services requested to the User, and for troubleshooting purposes.
If Users access these Web Apps or Mobile Apps to make payments, the County will also collect certain payment information, such as credit card information or other financial account information, and your billing address. The County will use this information to process the payment, which includes submitting this information to third-party payment processors. Unless Users opt-in where available, neither the County nor our third-party payment processors store sensitive account information after the transaction is processed.
Some County Web Applications and online services are hosted or operated by third party service providers under contract with Dutchess County. When Users access these services, information submitted may be stored or processed by vendors solely for the purpose of providing services on behalf of the County.
Certain County Web and Mobile Applications may collect temporary location‑based information (such as GPS data) to help Users identify nearby resources or services. For these Web and Mobile Applications developed by the County, this information is used only during the Users’ session to enhance usability and is not stored, retained, or associated with the Users’ identity. For Mobile Applications developed by third-parties and offered by the County, the location-based information collected is subject to that third-party’s data collection and usage policies and practices.
If a User sends an email to us or submits information using an online form, the Users’ email address and the contents of the message or submission (including text, audio, video, and graphics) will be collected. The email address and the information included in your message or submission will be used to respond, to address issues identified, to improve this Website, or to forward messages to another governmental entity for appropriate action.
Users’ accessing the website may want to join one or more email lists. The User email address will be used to send the user information (such as receiving news alerts), and Users may unsubscribe at any time.
Cookies are used by some Dutchess County Web Applications to pass needed information from one page to the next. Rejecting a cookie in these applications will render the application useless. The County’s Web Applications use cookies to track the session through randomly generated ID numbers.
Dutchess County uses third‑party analytics services, including Google Analytics and Site Improve, to help us understand how visitors use the County’s website and applications. These services may collect information such as IP addresses, device identifiers, pages visited, browser characteristics, and usage patterns. Analytics data is used solely to improve website performance, accessibility, and content. Dutchess County does not use analytics data for commercial purposes or targeted advertising. Analytics providers process this information subject to their own privacy policies.
The County may disclose User information to comply with a court order, law enforcement investigation, or other legal obligation (such as a subpoena). The County may also disclose User information to law enforcement authorities, governmental cybersecurity response teams, and cybersecurity contractors hired by Dutchess County to enforce Dutchess County’s rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to Dutchess County’s information technology assets.
The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requires Dutchess County to share certain information that it has collected with those requesting this information. There are provisions under FOIL (read full FOIL text) that allow the County to withhold certain records from a requestor. For instance, the County is entitled to withhold any records that constitute, by law, an unwarranted invasion of privacy, including for example, the “sale or release of lists of names and addresses if such lists would be used for commercial or fundraising purposes” or “disclosure of employment, medical or credit histories or personal references of applicants for employment.”
The information collected through the Dutchess County Website and Web and Mobile Applications is retained by Dutchess County in accordance with the applicable records retention and disposition requirements of New York law. Information concerning these records’ retention and disposition schedules may be obtained at the New York State Archives (https://www.archives.nysed.gov/records/retention-schedules) and by contacting Dutchess County as listed below.
We have implemented security measures to protect the website visitor information we collect. Our procedures include authentication, encryption, and monitoring for abnormal activity.
Dutchess County’s Web and Mobile applications may generate audit logs that record system events such as login attempts, account activity, form submissions, changes to user information, and other interactions necessary to maintain the security and integrity of County information systems. These logs may include information such as IP addresses, timestamps, device information, and user account identifiers. Audit log data is collected and used solely for cybersecurity purposes, troubleshooting, detecting and preventing unauthorized access, and maintaining appropriate audit trails. Audit logs are shared only with authorized County personnel, contracted cybersecurity providers, or law enforcement when required by law.
This Website contains links to other sites. Dutchess County is not responsible for the privacy practices of such websites. A link does not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, or accuracy of such websites. Once a link is followed from the Website and Mobile Applications to another website or application, the User is subject to the terms and conditions of that website or application, including, but not limited to, its internet privacy policy, if any.
