At the Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office, we value the privacy and security of our website visitors and property owners. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information obtained through our website and related digital services. Our goal is to ensure transparency and maintain trust by clearly outlining what types of data are gathered, how that data is utilized, and the measures we take to safeguard your personal information.
We are committed to providing a safe and secure online experience, whether you are accessing property records, using our online tools, or seeking educational resources about property appraisals, exemptions, or local taxation. By using our website, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy, which is designed to comply with applicable privacy laws and best practices in data protection.
Information We Collect
To provide a seamless and secure experience, the Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office collects certain types of information from users of our website. This data helps us improve our services, maintain security, and deliver accurate property information and tools to the public. We are committed to collecting information responsibly, transparently, and only as needed.
Data You Provide Voluntarily
Some information is collected directly from users when they interact with our website, such as:
- Filling out contact forms or submitting inquiries.
- Signing up for newsletters or email updates.
- Requesting guides, property tools, or other educational resources.
This information may include your name, email address, phone number, or other contact details. We use this data solely to respond to requests, provide requested services, or communicate important updates. At no point do we sell or share personal information with unauthorized third parties.
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, certain data is collected automatically to help us analyze site usage, enhance performance, and improve user experience. This may include:
- IP address and general location information.
- Browser type and version.
- Device information (such as desktop, tablet, or mobile).
- Pages visited, time spent on the site, and click patterns.
This automatically collected information is aggregated and anonymized whenever possible. It allows us to understand website traffic trends, improve site functionality, and ensure that the information and tools we provide are both effective and secure.
How We Use Your Information
The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to using any information we collect in a responsible and transparent manner. The data gathered from website visitors helps us provide a better user experience, deliver accurate information, and comply with legal obligations. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with unauthorized third parties.
For Service Improvements
We use collected information to enhance and optimize our website and online tools. This includes understanding user behavior, analyzing website traffic, identifying trends, and improving the functionality of property search tools, calculators, guides, and other educational resources. By leveraging this data, we can ensure that our services are effective, user-friendly, and relevant to Monroe County residents and property owners.
Communication & Notifications
Information you provide voluntarily, such as your email or contact details, may be used to respond to inquiries, provide requested resources, or send important updates about property appraisal procedures, exemptions, or changes to county property tax policies. We only send communications relevant to your requests or subscriptions, and users have the option to unsubscribe from non-essential communications at any time.
Legal and Compliance Purposes
We may use information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal obligations. This includes situations where disclosure is required for law enforcement, government requests, or to protect the rights and safety of our office, users, or the public. Any use of data for compliance purposes is handled carefully and in accordance with privacy best practices and applicable Florida or federal regulations. See our Disclaimer for details on limitations of liability and use of information.”
Data Protection and Security Measures
The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office prioritizes the privacy and security of all user information collected through our website. We recognize that visitors entrust us with sensitive data — including contact information and usage data — and we are committed to implementing robust security practices to protect this information from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure.
Our approach combines technical safeguards, administrative procedures, and organizational policies to ensure that all personal and automatically collected data is handled responsibly, stored securely, and maintained with the highest standards of privacy protection. We continually review and enhance our security protocols to respond to evolving risks and maintain user trust.
Encryption and Secure Access
All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is protected using industry-standard encryption protocols, including SSL/TLS (Secure Socket Layer / Transport Layer Security). This ensures that any information you provide — such as names, email addresses, or inquiries — is encrypted during transfer, preventing unauthorized interception or tampering.
We also employ additional measures such as:
- Secure authentication and password protection for restricted administrative access.
- Regular system updates and security patches to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor and protect network activity.
These measures work together to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of user data, ensuring that your information remains protected while interacting with our website or digital tools.
Internal Access Restrictions
Access to collected information is strictly limited to employees, contractors, or third-party service providers who require it for legitimate business, operational, or compliance purposes. All personnel with access to sensitive data are:
- Trained in privacy and security best practices, including handling, storage, and transmission of data.
- Bound by confidentiality agreements and internal policies that govern the use of personal information.
- Monitored through regular audits to ensure compliance with security procedures.
We implement role-based access controls, meaning that employees only have access to the minimum necessary data required to perform their duties. These restrictions reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure or misuse of information.
Additional Security Practices
Beyond encryption and access restrictions, we also maintain:
- Regular data backups to prevent data loss and ensure continuity of services.
- Monitoring and logging of system activity to detect and respond to suspicious behavior promptly.
- Incident response protocols to quickly address potential security breaches or vulnerabilities.
- Secure storage of sensitive files with restricted physical and digital access.
By implementing these comprehensive security measures, we aim to provide a safe and trustworthy online environment for all visitors accessing property information, tools, or educational resources on Monroe County property appraisals.
Opt-Out Preferences
The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office respects your right to control how your information is used. While we collect data to improve our services, communicate important updates, and enhance the user experience, we provide visitors with clear options to limit or opt-out of certain types of data collection and communications.
Our goal is to empower users to manage their privacy preferences while continuing to access the educational resources, property tools, and informational content available on our website.
How to Limit the Use of Your Data
You have several ways to control the collection and use of your personal information:
- Email Communication:
- If you receive newsletters, updates, or notifications from our website, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link provided at the bottom of each email.
- Once unsubscribed, your email will be removed from our mailing list for non-essential communications.
- Browser Settings and Cookies:
- You can manage or disable cookies through your web browser settings.
- Adjusting these settings may limit certain website features, but it allows you to reduce tracking of automatically collected information such as device type, browser type, or site usage patterns.
- Contacting Us Directly:
- For questions or specific requests regarding your personal information, you may contact our office via the official contact form, email, or phone.
- We will work with you to honor your preferences regarding how your information is stored, used, or shared.
- Third-Party Services:
- Some tools or content on our website may involve third-party services. You can manage your preferences directly with these services as well, using the controls they provide.
We encourage users to exercise their privacy rights and make informed choices about their data. While opting out may limit certain website features, it does not prevent you from accessing publicly available property information or educational resources provided by our platform.
Sharing & Third-Party Services
The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office prioritizes your privacy and transparency when it comes to sharing information. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. However, there are situations in which certain information may be shared with trusted third-party service providers or as required by law. This section explains when, why, and how your information may be shared, as well as the role of third-party tools and services integrated into our website.
When and Why We Share Information
We may share information in limited circumstances, including:
- Service Providers: To support website functionality, analytics, or email communications, we may share limited data with trusted third-party vendors. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the services they provide and to maintain strict confidentiality and security standards.
- Legal Compliance: We may disclose information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes, including responding to lawful government requests, enforcing our terms of use, or protecting the rights, property, or safety of our office, users, or the public.
- Business Operations: In rare cases, if the website is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of the business transaction.
We do not share personally identifiable information for marketing purposes without your explicit consent. Our priority is to maintain your trust and confidentiality at all times.
Third-Party Tools and Services
To enhance functionality and user experience, our website may utilize third-party tools or services, such as analytics platforms, mapping services, or content delivery networks. These tools may collect non-identifiable or anonymized data to help us understand site usage, improve features, and maintain security.
Examples include:
- Analytics services for monitoring website traffic and performance.
- Mapping or GIS tools for property visualization and parcel lookup.
- Email service providers for newsletters or updates.
We carefully select third-party partners who adhere to strict privacy and security standards, and we encourage users to review the privacy policies of these services as well. Using our website constitutes agreement to their respective terms for the limited purposes outlined above.
Your Rights & Data Control Options
The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to giving users control over their personal information. We recognize that privacy is important, and we provide clear options for accessing, updating, or deleting your data. This section explains your rights as a user and how you can exercise control over the information collected through our website.
By understanding and utilizing these options, you can ensure that your personal information is handled according to your preferences while continuing to benefit from our educational resources, property tools, and informational content.
Requesting Data Access or Deletion
Users have the right to request access to any personal information we have collected. If you would like to see what data we maintain about you, you can submit a formal request via our contact form, email, or phone.
Additionally, you have the right to request that we delete your personal information from our records. Once a deletion request is received and verified, we will remove your data from our systems unless retention is required for legal, regulatory, or administrative purposes.
Requests for access or deletion will be handled promptly and in accordance with applicable privacy regulations, ensuring that your rights are respected and protected.
Updating Your Personal Information
If your personal information changes or becomes outdated, you can request updates through the same contact channels. This ensures that communications, resources, and services we provide are accurate and relevant.
We encourage users to keep their information current for a better experience, especially if you have signed up for newsletters, submitted inquiries, or requested tools from our website. Regular updates also help maintain the accuracy of our internal records while respecting your privacy preferences.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to keeping our Privacy Policy accurate, transparent, and up to date. As laws, technology, and website functionality evolve, we may need to update or modify this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or regulatory requirements.
We encourage all users to review this section periodically to stay informed about how we collect, use, and protect information. Your continued use of our website constitutes acceptance of any updates or changes to this Privacy Policy.
Notification of Updates
Whenever significant changes are made to this Privacy Policy, we will make reasonable efforts to notify users. This may include:
- Posting a prominent notice on the homepage or relevant pages of the website.
- Updating the “Last Revised” date at the top or bottom of this Privacy Policy page.
- Sending notifications to users who have provided contact information or subscribed to communications, when appropriate.
These measures ensure that users are aware of changes and can make informed decisions about continuing to use our website and services.
Date of Last Revision
We recommend checking this section regularly to stay up to date with our privacy practices. Any updates or modifications will be reflected here, allowing users to verify that they are reviewing the most current version of our Privacy Policy.
Contact Us for Privacy Concerns
The Monroe County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to ensuring that your privacy concerns are addressed promptly and professionally. If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, we encourage you to contact us directly.
We take all inquiries seriously and aim to provide clear guidance and support regarding data collection, usage, sharing, and protection practices. By reaching out, you can exercise your rights, clarify our policies, or request updates or deletions of your personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
How to Reach the Monroe County Property Appraiser
You can contact our office regarding privacy concerns using the following methods:
- Email: privacy@monroecountyappraiser.com
- Phone: (305) 555-1234
- Mailing Address:
Monroe County Property Appraiser
123 Key Largo Road, Key West, FL 33040
Please provide specific details about your inquiry or request to help us respond efficiently. Our team strives to acknowledge and address all privacy-related inquiries promptly, ensuring that your rights and concerns are fully respected.