Privacy Policy

The Privacy Policy outlines how this platform collects, uses, and protects information shared by users while they browse or interact with the Hendry County Property Appraiser informational website. Your privacy and data security are treated with the utmost importance, and this policy ensures complete transparency about the type of information that may be gathered—whether through contact forms, analytics tools, or general site usage. The purpose of collecting limited user data is to improve the accuracy, accessibility, and overall experience of the website while maintaining full compliance with applicable privacy laws.

This platform does not collect personal financial information, property records, or any sensitive personal data. Any information provided voluntarily, such as through inquiry forms or feedback submissions, is used solely to respond to user questions or enhance website functionality. The website uses standard web technologies like cookies or analytics tracking to understand general usage patterns but does not sell, share, or distribute user data to third parties.

Because this is an independent, privately operated educational resource—not affiliated with the official Hendry County government or Property Appraiser’s Office—it maintains its own privacy standards and data safeguards. By using this website, users acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy, which is regularly reviewed to ensure ongoing protection and compliance with evolving privacy standards.

Information We Collect

This Privacy Policy explains the types of information collected when you visit or interact with this Hendry County Property Appraiser informational website. The purpose of collecting data is solely to enhance user experience, improve website performance, and ensure the content provided is relevant, accurate, and easy to navigate. The website does not collect sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, property ownership data, or financial records. Instead, information gathered is limited to what is necessary for analytics, communication, and site functionality.

Data You Provide Voluntarily

Users may choose to share information voluntarily when interacting with certain features of the website. This includes completing a contact form, submitting feedback, or signing up for informational updates (if available). Typical voluntarily shared data may include:

  • Name and email address (for responses to inquiries)
  • Optional details related to property or topic-specific questions
  • Feedback or suggestions to improve the website’s content or usability

All voluntary submissions are used strictly for communication and support purposes. Your information is never sold, distributed, or shared with external parties. Communication is handled in a secure and confidential manner, and all messages are deleted once the purpose of correspondence is fulfilled.

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit the website, certain non-personal data may be collected automatically to help analyze performance and user interaction. This data helps the administrators understand how visitors use the site and identify areas that can be improved. Automatically collected information may include:

  • IP address and general location (not precise or personally identifying)
  • Device type and browser version
  • Pages visited, time spent on each page, and navigation paths
  • Date and time of visit
  • Referral source (such as search engines or linked websites)

This information is collected using standard web technologies such as cookies, server logs, and analytics tools (like Google Analytics). These tools track anonymous usage patterns to enhance website design, content relevance, and technical performance. No personal identification is attached to this data, and it is not used for advertising or marketing purposes.

In short, the information collected is minimal, secure, and used only to ensure visitors have a reliable, fast, and informative experience while using the site.

How We Use Your Information

The information collected through this website is used responsibly and transparently to maintain, improve, and personalize your browsing experience. Every detail gathered—whether submitted voluntarily or collected automatically—serves a specific purpose related to improving functionality, supporting communication, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws. The website does not use personal information for advertising, marketing, or data-sharing purposes, and no user information is ever sold to third parties. The primary focus remains on offering accurate, trustworthy, and secure property-related educational content for Hendry County residents and property owners.

For Service Improvements

Automatically collected data, such as traffic analytics, browsing behavior, and device information, helps enhance the overall performance and usability of the website. This information allows the team to identify technical issues, optimize page loading times, and understand which content is most useful to visitors. By studying these trends, the platform can refine its structure, improve search functions, and make frequently accessed information easier to find. The data is analyzed in aggregate form only—meaning it cannot be used to personally identify any visitor.

Communication & Notifications

If a user submits a contact form or sends an inquiry, the information provided (such as name, email address, and message content) is used exclusively to respond to that inquiry. The website may also send follow-up messages if additional clarification or information is required. Communication is handled securely, and once the matter is resolved, any personal correspondence is deleted. Users will never receive unsolicited promotional or marketing emails. The intent of all communication is strictly informative—to provide assistance, respond to questions, or deliver requested updates related to property or tax topics.

Legal and Compliance Purposes

The website operates in compliance with applicable privacy and data protection laws. Information may be used when necessary to maintain website security, prevent misuse, or comply with legal obligations. For example, minimal server logs may be reviewed to investigate technical errors, security breaches, or malicious activity. However, this occurs only under legitimate, limited circumstances and with the intent to safeguard the website and its visitors. No user data is disclosed except when required by law or to protect the rights, safety, and integrity of the platform and its users.

In summary, all data usage is governed by principles of privacy, necessity, and transparency—ensuring that user trust and data security remain top priorities.

Data Protection and Security Measures

Protecting user information is a top priority for this platform. All collected data—whether voluntarily provided or automatically gathered—is safeguarded through a combination of technical, administrative, and organizational measures designed to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure. The website follows recognized best practices in data protection, ensuring that every interaction remains secure and confidential. Even though this is an independent educational website and not an official government portal, it upholds strong privacy standards similar to those used by public institutions.

Encryption and Secure Access

This website uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption to protect data transmitted between the user’s browser and the server. SSL encryption ensures that any information entered—such as names or email addresses in contact forms—cannot be intercepted or read by unauthorized parties. All data exchanges occur over secure, encrypted connections, identifiable by the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar. Additionally, the website’s hosting provider employs firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and real-time monitoring tools to prevent unauthorized access and maintain a secure online environment.

Internal Access Restrictions

Access to user-submitted information is strictly limited to authorized personnel responsible for managing website operations or responding to user inquiries. These individuals follow internal confidentiality policies that prohibit sharing, copying, or disclosing any personal details. Information provided by users—such as contact form submissions—is stored in a secure environment and is never shared with external entities or third-party marketers. Once communication or assistance is completed, the related data is securely deleted or anonymized to prevent long-term storage of personal information.

Additional Security Practices

To maintain a consistent level of protection, the website regularly updates its software, plugins, and security certificates. Routine audits and maintenance checks are conducted to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen server defenses. Backup systems are in place to prevent data loss due to unexpected technical failures. Furthermore, the website does not store financial information, passwords, or sensitive property records. Any analytics tools used operate in compliance with global privacy standards such as GDPR and CCPA, focusing only on anonymous usage metrics.

Through these combined measures—encryption, access control, and ongoing maintenance—the platform ensures that user data remains private, secure, and handled with the highest level of care. For full details on the proper use of this website and your responsibilities as a user, please read our Terms & Conditions.

Opt-Out Preferences

Every user has the right to control how their information is used while interacting with this website. Even though this platform collects only minimal, non-identifiable data to improve functionality, visitors can still choose to limit or disable certain data collection features such as cookies or analytics tracking. The goal is to provide full transparency and allow users to browse freely without feeling obligated to share any personal details. The platform respects all user privacy choices and ensures that opting out of specific data collection methods will not affect basic access to content or resources.

How to Limit the Use of Your Data

If you prefer to restrict the use of your information, several options are available:

  • Disable Cookies: Most browsers allow users to manage or completely disable cookies through their privacy settings. By turning off cookies, you can prevent the site from storing any browsing data or preferences.
  • Opt Out of Analytics Tracking: You can use browser add-ons such as the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Extension, which blocks your visit data from being tracked or recorded.
  • Avoid Submitting Personal Details: Users can freely browse all informational pages without providing personal information. Submitting forms or inquiries is entirely optional, and doing so only shares what you voluntarily choose to provide.
  • Request Data Deletion: If you have submitted any personal details and wish to have them removed from our system, you can contact the website administrator through the provided email address to request deletion. The request will be processed promptly, and confirmation will be sent once completed.

By offering these options, the website ensures that every visitor retains control over their digital footprint. Transparency and respect for personal privacy remain at the core of all data-handling practices, guaranteeing that no information is used beyond its intended purpose or stored longer than necessary.

Sharing & Third-Party Services

The website values privacy and handles all data responsibly. While it operates primarily as an informational resource, certain third-party services are used to maintain website performance, analyze visitor behavior, and enhance the overall user experience. Any sharing of data occurs only when it’s essential for technical, analytical, or operational purposes. No personal or identifying information is sold, traded, or disclosed to unauthorized parties. Transparency is central to the platform’s privacy principles, ensuring users are fully aware of when and why data may be shared.

When and Why We Share Information

Information may be shared in limited cases to keep the website functional, secure, and compliant with relevant laws. Here’s when and why data might be shared:

  • Technical Maintenance: To diagnose issues, host the site, or manage backups, minimal technical data may be accessible to trusted hosting providers or developers who maintain server infrastructure.
  • Legal Requirements: If compelled by law, regulation, or valid governmental request, information may be disclosed to comply with legal obligations.
  • Website Analytics: General, non-identifiable visitor data—such as time on page, referral sources, or device type—may be shared with analytics platforms to better understand audience trends and improve usability.
  • Protection of Rights: In rare cases, data may be used to prevent fraudulent activities or protect against unauthorized access to the site’s systems.

The goal is always to share the minimum information necessary and only for legitimate operational reasons.

Third-Party Tools and Services

To deliver a smooth browsing experience, this website may use trusted third-party tools, each governed by its own privacy policies. These may include:

  • Website Hosting Providers: Secure servers that store and deliver content efficiently while protecting data through encryption and restricted access protocols.
  • Analytics Platforms: Services such as Google Analytics may collect aggregated, anonymized data about user interactions to help improve site performance and readability.
  • Form or Contact Plugins: If users submit inquiries or requests, forms may rely on secure third-party systems to process and forward messages.
  • Security & Anti-Spam Tools: Some features detect and block malicious activity, spam submissions, or automated bots to keep the website safe for all users.

These services are carefully chosen for their reliability, transparency, and compliance with modern data protection standards. The website ensures that all third-party tools only collect what’s essential to perform their specific function, with no unauthorized access to personal user data.

Your Rights & Data Control Options

Every user has the right to know how their information is collected, used, and stored. This website is committed to maintaining transparency and providing visitors with control over their personal data. While most interactions on the site do not involve sharing identifiable details, users who voluntarily submit contact forms or subscribe to updates maintain full authority over that information. Whether you want to access, modify, or delete your data, clear options are available to ensure you stay in control of your digital footprint.

Requesting Data Access or Deletion

If you have shared personal information—such as through a contact form or email submission—you have the right to request access to that data at any time. You may also request its deletion if you no longer wish for it to be retained. Requests can be made by contacting the site administrator through the email listed on the Contact Us page.
Once verified, your request will be processed promptly, and your data will either be shared with you or permanently removed from storage systems. This process ensures that no unnecessary or outdated information is kept beyond its intended purpose.

Updating Your Personal Information

If any details you’ve provided—such as your name, email, or other contact information—need correction or updating, you can submit a modification request. This helps ensure communication accuracy and prevents outdated records from being stored. Updates can be made by reaching out to the site’s data management contact listed on the privacy page or the main contact page.
The website prioritizes accuracy and ensures that once an update is verified, all previous records are replaced or securely deleted to maintain data consistency and privacy.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be revised periodically to reflect updates in data practices, legal requirements, or enhancements to user privacy protections. As digital standards and user expectations evolve, these changes help ensure that your personal information continues to be handled responsibly and transparently. All updates are made with the goal of improving clarity, security, and compliance with applicable privacy laws. Users are encouraged to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how their data is managed.

Notification of Updates

Whenever significant changes are made to the Privacy Policy—such as updates to how data is collected, shared, or stored—notice will be provided on the website. In some cases, users who have previously submitted their contact information may also receive an email notification outlining the updates. This approach ensures full awareness and allows users to make informed decisions regarding their continued use of the site.

Date of Last Revision

The “Date of Last Revision” is displayed at the bottom of the Privacy Policy page. This date indicates when the most recent updates or modifications were made. Reviewing this date helps users quickly identify whether any policy changes have occurred since their last visit, ensuring they always have the most current understanding of the site’s privacy practices.

Contact Us for Privacy Concerns

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about how your personal information is handled, you are encouraged to reach out directly. Open communication is essential for maintaining trust, and the Hendry County Property Appraiser’s team takes privacy matters seriously. Whether you need clarification about data usage, want to request the removal of specific details, or simply wish to understand how your information is protected, the office is available to assist.

How to Reach the Hendry County Property Appraiser

You can contact the Hendry County Property Appraiser’s Office through multiple channels for privacy-related inquiries:

  • Phone: (863) 675-5270
  • Email: info@propertyappraiserhendry.com (example – replace with current official email if applicable)
  • Mailing Address:
    Hendry County Property Appraiser
    25 E Hickpochee Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935

When reaching out, include a brief description of your concern or request so that your inquiry can be directed to the appropriate department promptly. The team will review your message and provide a response or resolution as quickly as possible, ensuring your privacy rights remain protected.