Conditions of Use

Thank you for visiting the State of California's web site and reviewing our Use Policy. You should also be aware that the State has a Privacy Policy, also available on this web site. The State wants you to know about the collection, use, security, and access to information that may be obtained through use of the State's web portal. By visiting this web site, you are accepting the policies and practices described in this Notice.


Personal Information and Choice

"Personal information" is information about a natural person that identifies or describes an individual, including, but not limited to, his or her name, social security number, physical description, home address, home telephone number, education, financial matters, and medical or employment history, readily identifiable to that specific individual. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information, however, it is considered "electronically collected personal information."


A Special Note about Children

Children are not eligible to use services that require submission of personal information, and we require that minors (under the age of 18) do not submit any personal information to us. This includes submitting personal information to the State as part of a user profile or personalization profile. If you are a minor, you can use these services only if used together with your parents or guardians. If you are a minor, you should seek guidance from your parents.


Information Collected and How it is Used

We do collect personal information directly from individuals who volunteer to use some of our services. Collection of this information is required to deliver the specific services, but use of these services is voluntary.


What Happens to Information You Submit to Us

If you choose to submit information to us, the information will be transmitted through secure lines to our departmental database. Any private information will only be used for the purposes for which it was provided and will not be shared with another entity except as prescribed by law. Please see our Privacy Policy for additional information.


Use of Internet Request for Assistance Form Information

Any information you provide to us will only be shared with entities involved in your case as necessary. Information you provide may be included with other consumers' information to be used for statistical reporting, trending data, and/or investigative actions. For example, we may need to retain information that becomes part of an enforcement action or consumer complaint case for a period of time after the closing date of the case.


Surveys

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


If You Send Us E-mail

You may choose to provide us with personal information, as in e-mail with a comment or question. We use the information 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.


Order Forms

If you place an order with us, we request information from the user on our order form. A user must provide contact information (like name and shipping address) and financial information (like credit card number and expiration date). This information is used for billing purposes and to fill your order/request. If we have trouble processing an order, this contact information is used to get in touch with you.


Public Disclosure

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


Personal Information

Under Government Code § 11015.5., if you choose, you may have any personal information collected about you discarded without reuse or distribution, provided we are contacted in a timely fashion.


Security

THE STATE, AS DEVELOPER AND MANAGER OF THIS WEB SITE, 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 STATE 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 THE STATE'S SUPPORTED WEB SITE. THE TECHNICAL STANDARDS GOVERNING SECURITY ARE ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.


Links to Other Sites

Our web site has links to sites we feel might be useful to you and which may provide services. When you link to another site, you are no longer on our site and are subject to the privacy policy of the new site.


Limitation of Liability

The State attempts to maintain the highest accuracy of content on its web site. Any errors or omissions should be reported for investigation.


Ownership

In general, information presented on this web site, unless otherwise indicated, is considered in the public domain. It may be distributed or copied as permitted by law. However, the State does make use of copyrighted data (e.g., photographs) which may require additional permissions prior to your use. In order to use any information on this web site not owned or created by the State, you must seek permission directly from the owning (or holding) sources. The State shall have the unlimited right to use for any purpose, free of any charge, all information submitted via this site except those submissions made under separate legal contract. The State shall be free to use, for any purpose, any ideas, concepts, or techniques contained in information provided through this site.


Site Contacts

Please contact piar@dss.ca.gov with questions and approval process issues relating to this site.