At the Bay County Property Appraiser information website, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting any personal information you may share with us while using this site. This Privacy Policy explains what type of data may be collected when you visit, how that information is used, and the safeguards in place to protect your security. While this website provides educational resources, property search guidance, and general information about Bay County property assessments, it is an independent, privately operated resource and not an official government website. We do not sell, trade, or misuse visitor information, and any data collected is used solely to improve user experience and website performance. By using this site, you agree to the terms outlined in this policy and are encouraged to review it carefully to understand how your information is handled.
Information We Collect
The Bay County Property Appraiser information website is designed to provide property-related resources in a transparent and user-friendly way. To do this effectively, some information may be collected when you interact with our site. This includes both information that you voluntarily provide and data that is automatically gathered to help improve performance and usability. We do not collect or request sensitive personal information such as Social Security Numbers, financial details, or government ID data.
Data You Provide Voluntarily
Certain features of this website may allow you to provide information directly. Examples include:
- Contact Forms – when you use an online form to reach out with questions or feedback, you may be asked to provide your name, email address, or other details.
- Newsletter Sign-ups or Resource Requests – if you subscribe to updates or request downloadable content, you may voluntarily share your contact details.
- User Feedback or Surveys – from time to time, we may request voluntary input to improve website content or services.
This data is used solely to respond to your inquiries, deliver requested resources, or enhance your user experience. It is never sold, traded, or disclosed to third parties for commercial purposes.
Automatically Collected Information
When you visit this website, certain information is collected automatically through standard web technologies, such as:
- IP Address and Browser Type – helps us understand what devices and browsers visitors are using.
- Pages Viewed and Time Spent – tracks which resources are most useful to visitors.
- Cookies or Tracking Tools – may be used to remember user preferences, improve navigation, and analyze site traffic.
This data is collected in an aggregated and anonymous form and is used only to improve website performance, identify technical issues, and enhance the relevance of content provided to users.
How We Use Your Information
The information collected on this website is used strictly for educational, service, and operational purposes. We do not sell, rent, or trade your information to outside parties. Our goal is to use the data responsibly in ways that enhance your experience, improve the quality of our resources, and maintain compliance with applicable rules. Below is a detailed breakdown of how your information may be used:
For Service Improvements
We continuously review visitor activity to ensure the site remains useful and easy to navigate. Examples include:
- Website optimization: Monitoring which pages are visited most often allows us to refine navigation, improve load speed, and enhance the design.
- Content accuracy: Reviewing feedback and user interaction patterns helps us keep property appraisal and tax-related information up to date.
- Feature enhancement: Usage data assists us in identifying whether tools such as tax estimators, FAQs, or downloadable forms are functioning properly and meeting visitor needs.
- Error resolution: Automatically logged technical data (such as browser type, error reports, or timeouts) helps us resolve glitches quickly.
This ensures the website evolves based on real user needs.
Communication & Notifications
When you choose to share your contact details voluntarily (for example, through a contact form or newsletter sign-up), we may use that information to:
- Respond to requests: Answering specific questions about property appraisals, exemptions, or tax filing.
- Provide updates: Notifying you about new guides, filing deadlines, or changes in property tax rules.
- Send confirmations: If you request certain documents or forms, we may use your email to deliver confirmation messages.
- Reminders and alerts: In cases where deadlines or important updates are announced, we may share reminders with users who opted in.
You remain in control of your communication preferences and may opt out of non-essential notifications at any time.
Legal and Compliance Purposes
In certain situations, we may need to process or disclose your information in order to meet legal obligations or protect the integrity of this platform. Examples include:
- Compliance with laws: Responding to lawful requests from courts, regulators, or law enforcement agencies.
- Protecting rights and safety: Preventing misuse of this site, protecting against fraud, or addressing security incidents.
- Ensuring policy enforcement: Investigating or taking action against violations of our terms of use, fraudulent activities, or attempts to compromise the website.
- Record-keeping obligations: Retaining certain data when required under applicable regulations for audit or compliance purposes.
This ensures that while your privacy is respected, we also maintain the necessary safeguards to operate responsibly within the law.
Data Protection and Security Measures
Safeguarding your information is a top priority. We implement a combination of technical, administrative, and organizational safeguards to minimize the risk of unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure of your data. While no online platform can guarantee absolute security, our measures are designed to provide a strong level of protection for any information collected or processed through this website.
Encryption and Secure Access
To ensure sensitive information remains private:
- SSL/TLS encryption is used on our website so that all data transmitted between your browser and our servers is protected from interception.
- Secure servers store any data provided voluntarily, such as contact form submissions.
- Password protection and firewalls help prevent unauthorized system access.
- Regular updates to our platform, plugins, and security certificates further strengthen resilience against vulnerabilities.
This ensures that your browsing and communication with us remain as safe as possible.
Internal Access Restrictions
Not all members of our team have access to user data. To reduce unnecessary exposure:
- Role-based access controls ensure that only authorized personnel who require data for specific purposes (such as responding to inquiries or improving site functionality) may access it.
- Confidentiality practices are followed, meaning team members are expected to handle any data responsibly and in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
- Monitoring and logging of access attempts are in place to identify and prevent any unauthorized activity.
- Minimal data retention principles apply — we only keep data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose it was collected for.
These restrictions help prevent misuse of information and maintain strict oversight over how data is handled internally.
Opt-Out Preferences
We understand that not every visitor wants their data collected or used in the same way. That’s why we provide clear options for opting out of certain data uses, giving you greater control over your online experience. While some information may still be necessary to operate this website effectively (such as basic functionality or legal compliance), you can make choices to limit marketing, analytics, or communication-related data usage.
How to Limit the Use of Your Data
You have several options to restrict or manage how your information is used:
- Email communications: If you no longer wish to receive updates, newsletters, or notifications, you can unsubscribe by following the link provided at the bottom of each email or by contacting us directly.
- Cookies and tracking technologies: Most browsers allow you to manage or disable cookies. Adjusting your settings can prevent certain tracking activities, though it may also affect website functionality.
- Third-party analytics tools: You can opt out of data collection by tools such as Google Analytics using their official browser add-ons or account settings.
- Direct requests: At any time, you may contact us to request restrictions on how your voluntarily provided information is used or to ask that we delete it from our records (subject to legal or compliance requirements).
By exercising these options, you can maintain more control over your personal data while still accessing the resources and information provided by this site.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Like most modern websites, we use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, improve site functionality, and gather insights into how visitors use our platform. These technologies help us remember your preferences, analyze website performance, and deliver relevant content more efficiently. While cookies are useful tools, we respect your right to control how they are used and provide options to manage your preferences.
Types of Cookies We Use
We may use different categories of cookies, each serving a specific purpose:
- Essential Cookies – Necessary for the website to function correctly, such as enabling secure login or remembering form entries. Without these, certain features may not work.
- Performance & Analytics Cookies – Help us understand how visitors interact with the site by tracking usage patterns, page visits, and error reports. This data allows us to improve functionality and content.
- Functional Cookies – Remember user preferences like language settings or display options, providing a more personalized experience.
- Advertising & Third-Party Cookies – If used, these may track browsing activity to deliver targeted advertisements or integrate with social media platforms.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have control over how cookies are used on your device:
- Browser Settings: Most browsers let you block, restrict, or delete cookies at any time through their settings menu.
- Opt-Out Tools: You can use third-party opt-out tools (such as those offered by Google for analytics or advertising services) to limit tracking.
- Consent Management: In some cases, you may see a cookie banner or settings panel on our site that allows you to accept or reject specific categories of cookies.
Please note that disabling certain cookies—especially essential ones—may impact website performance and limit access to some features. Your use of this site is also governed by the Terms & Conditions page.
Sharing & Third-Party Services
We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. However, in certain circumstances, we may need to share limited data with trusted third parties to provide services, comply with legal obligations, or improve your overall experience on our platform. Below, we explain the situations in which information may be shared and the role of third-party tools and services.
When and Why We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information. However, we may share it under the following circumstances:
- Legal Requirements: If required by law, regulation, or legal process, we may disclose your information to government authorities or law enforcement.
- Service Provision: In cases where third-party vendors assist with website operations—such as hosting, analytics, or payment processing—we may share only the information necessary for them to perform their duties.
- Security & Fraud Prevention: Data may be shared with trusted partners to protect against unauthorized activity, fraud, or other harmful behavior.
- User Consent: In certain cases, we may request your explicit consent before sharing your details with external partners.
Third-Party Tools and Services
Our website may integrate with third-party services to enhance functionality and provide a better user experience. These may include:
- Analytics Providers (e.g., Google Analytics) to track website performance, traffic sources, and user behavior.
- Payment Processors (if applicable) to handle secure transactions while protecting financial data.
- Advertising or Marketing Partners that may use cookies or tracking technologies to deliver relevant content.
- Hosting & Security Providers that ensure reliable site performance and safeguard your information from cyber threats.
Each third party has its own privacy practices, and we encourage you to review their policies for additional details. While we take measures to work only with reputable service providers, we cannot control how they handle data once shared.
Your Rights & Data Control Options
We believe every user should have clear control over their personal information. As part of our privacy commitment, we provide you with specific rights and options that allow you to manage, review, and update the data we collect. These rights not only give you transparency but also ensure that your personal information is handled responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Requesting Data Access or Deletion
You have the right to request details about the personal information we hold about you. Upon request, we will provide a summary of the types of data collected, why it was collected, and how it is being used.
Additionally, if you no longer wish for us to retain your personal information, you may request deletion. We will honor deletion requests except in cases where data must be retained for legal, regulatory, or legitimate business purposes—such as fraud prevention, tax compliance, or dispute resolution.
To submit a request for data access or deletion, you may contact us through our official email or online contact form. We may require verification of your identity before processing such requests to protect your privacy.
Updating Your Personal Information
Keeping your information accurate and up to date is essential for proper service delivery. If your details—such as name, address, email, or contact number—change, you have the right to request corrections.
You can update your personal information by contacting us directly through our support channels. In some cases, updates may also be made via user account settings, if available. Promptly updating your information ensures smooth communication, accurate records, and continued access to any relevant services.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
Our Privacy Policy is designed to evolve as technology, regulations, and our services change. To ensure ongoing compliance and transparency, we may update this policy periodically. Any revisions will reflect how we collect, use, and protect your personal information, and will be made with the goal of keeping you fully informed of your rights and our responsibilities.
Notification of Updates
When we make changes to this Privacy Policy, we will provide clear notice to our users. Updates may be communicated through a banner or pop-up message on our website, a direct email notification, or an announcement in the “Privacy Policy” section itself. We encourage all users to review this page regularly so they remain aware of any modifications that may affect how their data is handled. In some cases, especially where significant changes are made, we may request your renewed consent to continue using your information.
Date of Last Revision
At the bottom of this Privacy Policy, you will always find the “Date of Last Revision” clearly displayed. This allows you to easily determine when the policy was most recently updated. By continuing to use our website after changes take effect, you acknowledge and accept the revised policy.
Contact Us for Privacy Concerns
We take your privacy seriously and are committed to addressing any questions, concerns, or requests you may have regarding the way we handle your personal information. If you believe your data has been misused, if you would like to exercise your rights under this Privacy Policy, or if you simply need clarification about how your information is collected and used, our team is here to help.
You may reach out to us through multiple channels for your convenience:
- Email Support – Please contact us at privacy@baycountypropertyappraiser.org for any privacy-related questions or requests, such as data access, deletion, or updates. This is the quickest and most efficient way to ensure your concern is addressed.
- Online Contact Form – You can also use the contact form available on our website to submit privacy-related inquiries. Be sure to select the “Privacy Concern” option when submitting your request.
- Mailing Address – For formal communications or legal correspondence regarding privacy matters, please write to us at:
- Privacy Officer
- Bay County Property Appraiser (Independent Resource Website)
- 860 W. 11th Street
- Panama City, FL 32401
- United States
When reaching out, please include enough detail about your request so we can assist you promptly. Depending on the nature of your inquiry, we may require verification of your identity before making changes to your personal data or providing sensitive information.
We strive to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.