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PRIVACY and SECURITY POLICY

The City of Providence recognizes the fact that privacy is important to Internet users and visitors to this web site. It is our objective to protect the privacy of the users of the ProvidenceRI.com web site. This policy has been prepared to address the various issues that arise when visitors use ProvidenceRI.com. The City of Providence encourages user participation as it our goal to provide meaningful electronic content and to make government services more accessible.

The City of Providence employees who have access to personal information are required to protect this information consistent with this Privacy and Security Policy.

The City of Providence does not collect personal information for any purpose except to communicate with you or to process your request for information or process your online transaction.

Incoming emails / Feedback Form / First Source Registration Form - Incoming emails or submissions by our "feedback form" to the City of Providence are handled in the same manner as other written correspondence. The information contained in the email is disseminated to the correct Department or agency to provide you with the fastest and most accurate response. All personal information and email addresses are used only to communicate with you regarding services requested by you. "First Source" names will only be communicated to employment agencies listed on the respective web page(s) for the purpose of helping match a job seeker with a job. No names will transmitted to an agency that does not have a privacy policy prohibiting the sale of names to third parties or private organizations.We will not sell or give this information to third parties or private organizations.

The City of Providence may retain any communication you submit for our records along with our response.

On-line Transactions (Parking Tickets and Minor Moving Violations) - Every effort is made to protect any sensitive personal information you give online. The ticket payment processing site uses a secure server for conducting online financial transactions. All credit cards and other payment information that you transmit will be protected by encryption technology, provided that your browser is properly configured and your computer is operating properly. The encrypted information is shared only with our bank and a credit card clearinghouse, both of which also operate secured servers. Access to these records is limited to a very small number of employees who need it in order to perform a specific job.

Web based Statistics - For web site management, we monitor our usage logs and collect statistical information to help us improve our online services. The logs are specifically used to monitor website performance, technical performance and to see what areas are of most and least interest, so that we can strengthen our service to meet the overall needs of our users. No attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits unless there is a court order or if there are unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage.

Cookies - The City of Providence website does not use cookies at the present time for our own pages on ProvidenceRI.com. Cookies are used in the following ways:

• "The Weather Channel" Alert Window - TheWeather Channel Interactive, Inc. ("The Weather Channel") uses cookies. Their statement may be viewed by visiting the Weather Channel's Privacy Statement .
  
  
• The ProvidenceRI.com Clothing Store (Corporate Casuals) - uses cookies to process online transactions. Their statement may be read below or online at their website at: Privacy Security and Returns .
  
  
• Online Code of Ordinaces - This sevice requires cookies and it is hosted by Municode Online Codes (Municipal Code Corporation). Cookies are used solely to process requests for information .

Database queries - We do not use cookies or track users of our online database searches. Information on the "type of search" may be reviewed to improve our online services. The Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter database to not collect any information on the user and the data is hosted at a remote site at Municipal Code Corporation.

Links to Other Sites - We link to other sites and servers that provide access to information and business that we view to be of interest to the local community, our regional users and our international visitors, at our discretion. External links due not constitute an endorsement, but as stated above the link is provided as it is viewed to be part of the online Providence community.

The sites that we link to will most likely have a different Privacy and Security than the City of Providence. When you leave our site, please check the Privacy and Security policy of the site you are visiting. Further, we cannot be responsible for content on external sites that we link to. We make every effort to review the site and make sure that it is suitable for users of all ages, but sites can change and post obscene content or have inaccurate information. If you encounter an obscene site or dead link, please email the Webmaster so that we may take appropriate action.

Credit Cards - Credit cards are not accepted at the present time, as we do not have any online transactional services except through the ProvidenceRI clothing store. The ProvidenceRI clothing store has it's own privacy and security policy applicable to online purchases made through the Corporate Casuals storefront, which is accessed through the ProvidenceRI.com website. Their Privacy and Security Policy is reproduced below for your convenience.


Unauthorized attempts to access our system - Unauthorized attempts to upload or change information at ProvidenceRI.com are strictly prohibited and may be prosecuted by applicable Computer Crime Laws and Statues.

The ProvidenceRI Clothing Store Privacy and Security Policy

Privacy, Security and Returns

Privacy

Your personal information is confidential. We do not rent, sell or trade e-mail addresses or any other personal information to any third party.

When you place an order with the ProvdenceRI.com store we collect your name, address, telephone number, credit card information and your e-mail address. This information is used to fulfill your order and to communicate with you about your order only.

If our privacy policy should change, we will post the changes to our web site.

Our current technology utilizes cookies.

Cookies are information that is sent by a website to be stored in your web browser, such that the cookie can later be read back from your browser upon subsequent visits to the website. The cookie is saved as a text file in the browser's directory and is stored in RAM while the browser is running. Cookies may be stored on the computer's hard drive once you leave the website.

ProvidenceRI.com store endeavors to continually improve our visitor's online shopping experience. An anonymous visitor to our site remains anonymous at all times. We do not attempt to identify anonymous visitors. Furthermore, cookies cannot be used to retrieve personal data from your hard drive, transmit a virus, obtain your e-mail address, or to gather any information about who you are.

Cookies are used by most major websites. ProvidenceRI.com store uses cookies recognize you as a returning visitor and to store and retrieve items in your Shopping Cart.

Security

At ProvidenceRI.com store, protecting your information is our highest priority

We use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt your credit card number and ensure your protection.

Uncertain if your connection is secure? Look at the bottom status bar of your browser window upon credit card entry. If you see an unbroken key or a closed lock, the SSL is active and your information is secure.

We use latest encryption technologies when exchanging data at ProvidenceRI.com store. Additionally, the facilities that contain our servers are protected against data loss or misuse.

Returns and Exchanges

We offer a no hassle, no questions asked return policy. Simply return the unworn and unwashed garment or item to the address supplied with your order within 30 days. All returns must be accompanied by an original receipt. The card used for the purchase will be promptly credited. Original shipping charges will not be credited.

Unworn and unwashed exchanges may be made within 60 days, accompanied by a receipt. We will gladly exchange for color or size as indicated.

Copyright © 1996 - 2006 City of Providence