Privacy Policy and Disclaimers

Privacy Policy
Internet Security Statement
Copyright Issues
Disclaimers
The Department of Public Safety Linking Policy: External Links
Linking To The Department of Public Safety Web Site

Privacy Policy

The Alabama Department of Public Safety website, http://www.dps.state.al.us, may use cookies to carry user information from one page to another. An example is a search criterion. This information is not stored on our server but on your workstation. We do not track this information on our server. The cookies we use are set to expire at the end of your browser session. This means that when you close your browser they are deleted. Our server does track statistical information (through the use of server logs) to help agencies hosted on this server analyze the use of their site. This is how we will handle information we learn about you from your visit to our website. We collect and store only the following information about your visit:

• the name of the domain from which you access the Internet;
• the date and time you access our site;
• and the Internet address of the website from which you linked directly to our site.

Internet Security Statement

Security is the most critical segment of the Department of Public Safety network. The Department of Public Safety considers the security of our partners' and citizens' information critical. We handle online information with commitment to ensure a secure environment that can be trusted to fulfill all confidentiality requirements. Documented steps are taken to safeguard information according to established security standards and procedures and we continually assess the newest technology for protecting information. Sensitive information used in financial transactions, such as social security numbers, banking information and personal data is confidential. The Department of Public Safety is committed to ensuring our partners' and citizens' confidentiality through the use of state-of-the-art information security and the adoption of appropriate privacy policies and procedures:

• The entire record request transaction occurs in a password protected, secured environment.
• All of the information is exchanged via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption.
• All information requests must pass through multiple hardware and software security firewalls.
• Communication with the State database is encrypted over the network via Virtual Private Network (VPN).
• The Department of Public Safety maintains an online privacy log that tracks every record request when accessing billable or subscriber services.
• The Department of Public Safety audits users' access to records when accessing billable or subscriber services.

Copyright Issues

When using The Department of Public Safety or other Alabama State Government web sites, you may encounter documents or other information resources contributed or licensed by private individuals, companies, or organizations that may be protected by U.S. and foreign copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use (PDF link) as defined in the copyright laws requires the written permission of the copyright owners.

Disclaimers

Information presented on this Web Site is collected, maintained, and provided for the convenience of the site visitor\reader. While every effort is made to keep such information accurate and up-to-date, the State of Alabama Department of Public Safety can not certify the accuracy and\or authenticity of any information that originates from third parties. Under no circumstances shall the State of Alabama Department of Public Safety be liable for any decisions, actions taken or omissions made from reliance on any information contained herein from whatever source, nor shall the Department of Public Safety be liable for any other consequences from any such reliance.

The Department of Public Safety Linking Policy: External Links

This Web portal may contain hypertext links to external Web sites and pages containing information created and maintained by public and private organizations other than The Department of Public Safety. These hypertext links may be created by The Department of Public Safety if it determines that establishing the external link will be consistent with assisting or furthering the purpose of this Web portal, which is to provide important and relevant information to the site visitor\reader.

In addition, hypertext links may be created by The Department of Public Safety for informational purposes where the linked external Web site will provide useful and valuable information to visitors of this Web portal, or where the linked external Web site is required or authorized by law. The Department of Public Safety, in its sole discretion, will determine whether the external Web site meets the purpose of this Web portal or for the specified informational purposes. The inclusion of a hypertext link to an external Web site is not intended as an endorsement of any product or service offered or referenced on the linked Web site, the organizations sponsoring said Web site, or any views that might be expressed or referenced in the Web site.

Hypertext links to external Web sites and pages may be removed or replaced at the sole discretion of The Department of Public Safety, at any time without notice.

In the event you discover problems with or have concerns regarding the format, accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of a linked external Web site, please contact the organization responsible for the linked external Web site. The Department of Public Safety does not control and is not responsible for any linked external Web sites, pages, or content.

Linking To The Department of Public Safety Web Site

We encourage you to link to The Department of Public Safety! Unfortunately, we cannot always create reciprocal links back to your site, which may not meet our criteria for posting links (Alabama state government agency/organization, federal, or other site which is deemed as an important resource for related state government services or information). If you wish to link to The Department of Public Safety from your web site, please insert the following HTML code in the desired location:

The code above will produce the following result as seen in a browser:

Note: We may change the graphic periodically, so please link to the icon as shown above to prevent from displaying an out-of-date icon. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about The Department of Public Safety please contact us.

Thank you for visiting,
The Department of Public Safety Web Team
State of Alabama