Introduction
Thank you for visiting a State of Vermont (“the State”) Website. You are likely viewing this page because you are visiting a State Website, phone application, or other online resource owned or controlled by the State (collectively “State Sites”). State Sites include resources that are managed or controlled by a vendor or State partner acting solely on behalf of or at the direction of the State. State Sites are designed to make it easier and more efficient for individuals and businesses to interact with the State online. The State of Vermont recognizes that individuals and businesses must be confident that their privacy is protected when they interact online.
Consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws, this policy describes the State's privacy practices regarding information collected from users of a State Site. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used. This privacy policy provides the default policy of State Sites that adopt this policy by reference on that State Site or otherwise. You should examine the specific privacy policy of each State Site you are visiting to determine the operative policy for that site. The specific policy of a State Site may replace, add to, or modify the policy provided here. When you have questions or concerns about a specific State Site’s policy, you should inquire directly to the particular State entity to confirm their current relevant policies.
For purposes of this policy, "personal information" means any information concerning a person, which, because of name, number, symbol, mark, or other identifier, can be used to identify that person. The State only collects personal information about you when you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail or by initiating an online transaction, such as a survey, application for state services, permit application, public comment, or a registration form.
Information Collected Automatically When You Visit this Website
When visiting a State Website, it frequently automatically collects and stores the following information about your visit including:
- The Internet Protocol (IP) Address and domain name used;
- Your user ID, if you log in;
- The type of browser and operating system you used;
- The date and time you visited this site;
- The web pages or services you accessed at this site;
- The website you visited before coming to this website;
- The web site you visit as you leave this web site; and
- If you downloaded content, the content that was downloaded.
None of the previous information is deemed to constitute personal information.
The information that is collected automatically is used to improve this website's content and to help the State understand how users are interacting with the website. This information is collected for statistical analysis to determine what information is of most and least interest to our users and to improve the utility of the material available on the website. The information is not collected for commercial marketing purposes and the State is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose the information collected from the website to third parties for commercial marketing purposes.
Cookies
Cookies are simple text files stored on your web browser to provide a means of distinguishing among users of this website. The use of cookies is a standard practice among Internet websites. We use "session cookies" to enhance or customize your visit to this website to better serve you. Session cookies can be created automatically on the device you use to access State Sites. These session cookies do not contain personal information and do not compromise your privacy or security. We may use the cookie feature to store a randomly generated identifying tag on the device you use to access the State Site. A session cookie is erased during the operation of your browser or when your browser is closed.
Some State Sites may allow you to complete a registration to personalize the State Site and permit a "persistent cookie" to be stored on your computer's hard drive. This persistent cookie allows the website to recognize you when you visit again and tailor the information presented to you based on your needs and interests.
The software and hardware you use to access the website allows you to refuse new cookies or delete existing cookies. Refusing or deleting these cookies may limit your ability to take advantage of some features of certain State Sites.
Information Collected When You E-mail this Website or Initiate an Online Transaction
During your visit to a State Site, you may send an e-mail to a State agency or subdivision. Your e-mail address and the contents of your message, including any personal information you include in the body of the email, will be collected. Any email will also include information in the email header that includes non-specific location information for the device used to send the email. The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats included in the message. Your e-mail address and the information included in your message will be used to respond to you, address issues you identify, improve this website, or forward your message to another State agency for appropriate action. Your e-mail address is not collected for commercial purposes, and the State is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose your e-mail address to third parties for commercial purposes.
During your visit to a State Site, you may initiate a transaction such as a survey, application for state services, permit application, or a registration form. The information, including personal information, volunteered by you in initiating the transaction is used by the State to operate State programs, including the provision of goods, services, and information. The State may disclose the information collected by the State for those purposes that may be reasonably ascertained from the nature and terms of the transaction in connection with which the information was submitted. Information may also be used to enable you to participate in additional online transactions; make our products, services and sites better; and investigate and prevent activities that may violate the law or our policies.
Except in limited circumstances, State Sites do not knowingly collect personal information from minors or create profiles of minors through State Sites. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information submitted in an e-mail or through an online transaction will typically be treated as though it was submitted by an adult and may, unless exempted from access by federal or State law, be subject to public access. The State strongly encourages parents and teachers to be involved in children's Internet activities and to provide guidance whenever children are asked to provide personal information online.
Disclosure of Information Collected Through This Website
The State will only collect personal information through this website or disclose personal information collected through this website if the user has consented to the collection or disclosure of such personal information. Participation in an online transaction resulting in the disclosure of personal information to the State by the user, whether solicited or unsolicited, constitutes consent to the collection and disclosure of the information by the State for the purposes reasonably ascertainable from the nature and terms of the transaction.
The State may disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce the State's rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to the State's information technology assets or against other inappropriate use of this website.
Retention of Information Collected Through this Website
The State retains the information collected through State Sites in accordance with the records retention and disposition requirements of the Vermont Public Records Act
Confidentiality and Integrity of Personal Information Collected Through this Website
The State is strongly committed to protecting personal information collected through this website against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Consequently, the State limits employee access to personal information to only those employees who need access to the information in the performance of their official duties. Employees who have access to this information are required to follow appropriate procedures in connection with any disclosures of personal information.
In addition, the State has implemented procedures to safeguard the integrity of its information technology assets, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. These security procedures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of this website as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.
For website security purposes and to maintain the availability of the website for all users, the State employs software to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise damage this website.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided through this website.
Links
To provide users with certain information, State Sites provide links to the websites of local, State, and federal government agencies, and to the websites of other organizations. A link does not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of that website. Once you link to another location from a State Site, including one maintained by the State, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that location, including, but not limited to, its privacy policy.
Date Updated: 03/21/2022