Privacy Policy

Effective Date: [July 14, 2025]

This Privacy Policy outlines how Macon County, Missouri, (referred to as "the County," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, maintains, and discloses information collected from users (referred to as "you" or "your") of the Macon County website, its online services, and any other digital platforms operated by the County (collectively, "the Services"). This policy applies to the Services and all products and services offered by the County.

1. Information We Collect

The County may collect various types of information from you when you interact with our Services, depending on the nature of your interaction. This information may include:

Personally Identifiable Information (PII): This includes information that can be used to identify you directly, such as your name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, driver's license number, social security number (only when legally required and with explicit consent), and financial information (for payment processing). We collect PII only when voluntarily submitted by you, for example, when you:
Apply for permits, licenses, or services.
Register for programs or events.
Submit public records requests.
Pay fees or taxes online.
Sign up for newsletters or alerts.
Contact us through forms or email.
Non-Personally Identifiable Information: This includes information that cannot directly identify you, such as your browser type, operating system, IP address, referring website, pages viewed, time spent on the Services, and other anonymous statistical data. This information is collected automatically as you navigate our Services.
Location Data: If you use location-enabled services or features, we may collect general location information (e.g., city, state) or, with your explicit permission, more precise location data from your device.

2. How We Use Collected Information

The County collects and uses your information for the following purposes:

To provide and improve services: To process your requests, applications, and transactions, and to deliver the services you have requested. We also use information to understand how our users interact with the Services, allowing us to enhance functionality and user experience.
To personalize user experience: We may use information in the aggregate to understand how our users as a group use the services and resources provided on our site. This helps us tailor content and offerings.
To send periodic emails and communications: If you opt-in to our mailing list, you will receive emails that may include county news, updates, related service information, etc. You can unsubscribe at any time.
To administer contests, promotions, surveys, or other site features: To manage and fulfill the purposes of such activities.
For legal and regulatory compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or governmental requests, including public records laws in Missouri.
To protect the County and others: To investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, violations of our terms of service, or as otherwise required by law.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We adopt appropriate data collection, storage, and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information, and data stored on our Services.

Sensitive and private data exchange between the Services and its users happens over an SSL secured communication channel and is encrypted and protected with digital signatures. While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

4. Sharing Your Personal Information

The County does not sell, trade, or rent your Personally Identifiable Information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any PII regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates, and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.

We may use third-party service providers to help us operate our business and the Services or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. We may share your information with these third parties for those limited purposes, provided that you have given us your permission.

Please be aware that as a governmental entity in Missouri, the County is subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). This law provides for public access to most government records. Information you submit to the County may be subject to disclosure under this law.

We may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

Comply with a legal obligation.
Protect and defend the rights or property of the County.
Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Services.
Protect the personal safety of users of the Services or the public.
Protect against legal liability.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Services may use "cookies" to enhance your experience. Your web browser places cookies on your hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about you. You may choose to set your web browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If you do so, note that some parts of the Services may not function properly.

We may also use other tracking technologies, such as web beacons, to collect non-personally identifiable information for analytical purposes.

6. Third-Party Websites

Users may find advertising or other content on our Services that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors, and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Services. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites that have a link to our Services, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

7. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect Personally Identifiable Information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with PII, please contact us, and we will take steps to remove that information from our systems.

8. Changes to This Privacy Policy

The County has the discretion to update this Privacy Policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the "Effective Date" at the top of this page. We encourage users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this Privacy Policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

9. Your Acceptance of These Terms

By using the Services, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Services. Your continued use of the Services following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

10. Contacting Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of our Services, or your dealings with us, please contact us at:

101 E Washington Street

Macon, Missouri 46706

Phone: 660-385-2111