Privacy Policy

The following statement explains the Internet Privacy Policy adopted by the City of Norfolk for its website. The following is intended to explain our current Internet privacy protection practices. The information presented here is not meant to be a contract of any type, either express or implied and should not be treated as such by site visitors. We reserve the right to amend our Internet Privacy Policy and Internet Privacy Policy Statement at any time, without prior notice to any visitor.

Governing Law

Virginia statutes, including, but not limited to, the Virginia Privacy Protection Act of 1976 and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, govern our maintenance of public records and access to personally identifiable information in public records. Other sections of the Virginia Code, as well as certain federal statutes address confidentiality issues.

Collection of Information

When a visitor accesses our website, the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the visitor's computer is collected. This computer address does not contain any personally identifiable information about the visitor. Moreover, no personally identifiable information is collected about visitors who simply browse this site or who download information from it. No other information is collected through our website unless the visitor deliberately chooses to provide it. 

Example

For example, if a visitor participates in a survey or clicks on a link to send an email, the visitor's email address, the contents of the email and information volunteered in response to the survey will be collected. A visitor might choose to supply additional information, including his / her name or any data necessary to complete and submit an online form or request for services. Visitors who request services available through this site may be asked to furnish additional information which may be required by law or which is necessary to provide the service requested. The additional information collected will be no more specific than if the visitor were requesting the service by any other means, including by telephone or an in-person visit to a city facility. In all cases, the city strives to collect the minimum information necessary to comply with applicable law and/or provide the service requested.

Use of "Cookies"

A "cookie" is a small piece of data stored on the visitor's hard drive containing information about the visitor and/or the session. The city's website does not place any "cookies" on a visitor's computer.

Use of Collected Information

The Internet Protocol (IP) address of a visitor's computer is used to route the requested web page to his / her computer for viewing. The requested web page and the routing information is sent to our Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other entities involved in transmitting the requested page to the visitor. The routing information may be retained indefinitely. Ordinarily, however, the routing information is deleted periodically from the city's computer after the web page is transmitted to the visitor. The city does not try to obtain any information to link it to the visitors who browse our website. 

Statistical Summary

Routing information is used primarily in a statistical summary type format to assess site content and server performance. However, logs of routing information are also retained to permit a security investigation on rare occasions when a "hacker" attempts to breach computer security. In such cases, the logs of routing information may be forwarded together with any other relevant information in our possession to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Optional information provided by visitors enables the city to: 

  • Provide services or information tailored more specifically to visitor needs.
  • Forward visitor messages or inquiries to another entity to provide the service or information.
  • Plan website improvements. 

Optional information is retained in accordance with the records retention schedules established under the Virginia Public Records Act.

Protection of Information

The City of Norfolk does not sell, rent or otherwise distribute visitor information, including email addresses, to any outside company or organization. We do not reveal specific information about subscribers or other personally identifiable data to unaffiliated third parties for their independent use, except if required to do so by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act or other law. This policy applies to information that may be collected on the city's website and on that of any third party with whom the city contracts to provide Internet related-services. The City of Norfolk maintains security standards and procedures regarding unauthorized access to customer information to prevent unauthorized removal or alteration of data.

Choice to Provide Information

A visitor is not required legally to provide any information at the city's website. However, the city's website will not work without the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the visitor's computer. Failure of the visitor's browser to provide nonessential technical information will not prevent his / her use of the city's website, but may prevent certain features from working. The visitor's failure to provide optional information may mean that the particular feature or service associated with that part of the web page will not be available for his / her use.

Minor's Privacy Policy

The general privacy policy of the City of Norfolk will apply to the collection of any information obtained children age 13 and under. Additionally, the following guidelines will be followed with respect to any information collected from children under the age of 13.

The information that city may seek from children includes, but is not necessarily limited to: 

  • Email Address
  • Hobbies
  • Home Address
  • Name
  • School
  • Telephone Number or Any Question or Comment Submitted

Parental consent must be obtained before collecting, using or disclosing personal information about a child. New parental consent must be obtained if the city makes a material change in how it collects, uses or discloses any information from children.

Parental Consent

A parent may review the personal information collected from his / her child after the city has verified the identity of the requesting parent. A parent may revoke his/her consent and may request that deletion of information collected from his / her child. When parental consent is revoked, the city website will stop collecting, using or disclosing information from that child. Revocation of parental consent may terminate a child's participation in an activity where the collected information was required to participate in the website activity.

For additional information go to FTC's Consumer Response Center.

Visitor Comments or Review of Personal Information

Visitors who have questions about this Internet Privacy Policy Statement or would like to review or correct any of their personal information may email the Norfolk Office of Communications at 757-664-4266.