March 12, 2009

Thank you for visiting the Supreme Court of Georgia web site. This site is designed to make it easier and more efficient for Georgia citizens and businesses to interact with state government. We strive to provide online resources in a safe, secure manner that respects your privacy when you visit our sites.

This privacy statement addresses the collection, use, disclosure and security of information that may be obtained by the Supreme Court of Georgia when you visit this site.

Information Collected

If you visit this web site, the department may collect some or all of the following information:

  • The name of your domain; for example, “xyzcompany.com” if you use a private Internet access account;
  • An IP address, which is a number automatically assigned to your computer when you are using the Internet;
  • The type of browser and operating system used to access our site;
  • The Internet address of the website from which you linked directly to our site;
  • The pages you visit within the site; and
  • The links made to other websites.

If, during your visit to the Supreme Court of Georgia web site, you voluntarily provide personally identifiable information, we will collect such information. Examples of personally identifiable information may include:

  • Your name, address, or phone number;
  • An e-mail address if you are communicating to us through e-mail;
  • Information you voluntarily submit to the State of Georgia to complete or submit an application or form online;
  • Other information volunteered, such as vendor profile/contact information, survey information or content of e-mail.

The information collected, whether or not personally identifiable, is not limited to text characters. It may include audio, video and other graphic formats that you send us. Information is retained and used in accordance with existing laws, rules, regulations, and other policies.

Use
Depending on the specific service or transaction, the Supreme Court of Georgia may share personally identifiable information among its employees or with other State agencies in order to provide the service or complete the transaction.

We will not disclose any personally identifiable information collected online to entities outside of State of Georgia departments and agencies unless you have given us permission, or in cases where the information is public information under the Georgia Open Records Act O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 et seq., or other applicable laws.

Information collected through the Supreme Court of Georgia may be subject to examination and inspection, if such information is a public record or not otherwise protected from disclosure.

Cookies
The Supreme Court of Georgia web site may occasionally use “cookies” to customize your browsing experience. Cookies are simple text files stored by your web browser that provide a method of distinguishing among visitors to the websites. It can also be used for customized features such as a “shopping cart” for online purchasing.

Cookies created on your computer by using our website do not contain personally identifiable information and do not compromise your privacy or security. You can refuse the cookie or delete the cookie file from your computer at any time by using any one of a number of widely available methods.

Security
The Supreme Court of Georgia web site uses several tools, policies and protocols to safeguard the submission of information through the site. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day operations of the entire operating environment as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.

For services requiring online financial transactions, the (name of department) web site uses the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption protocol to safeguard your sensitive personal information, including your credit card number. Information is encrypted from your computer to the computer processing your request.

In order to further secure your privacy, do not divulge any passwords or sensitive information (e.g., credit card number) to anyone in a phone call or e-mail. When you are finished with those applications that are password protected or required the input of your credit card information, you should always close or otherwise exit the browser page.

Email
E-mail is not a secure form of transmission. The Supreme Court of Georgia does not recommend that you submit sensitive or personally identifiable information via e-mail. If you choose to provide us with personal information in an e-mail, we may use the e-mail and the information contained within it to improve our service to you or to respond to your request. Sometimes we forward your e-mail to other State employees who may be better able to help you, and this staff may be employed by a different agency within the State. Except for authorized law enforcement investigations or as required by law, we do not share our e-mail with any other organizations outside of the public sector.