At the Marion County Property Appraiser information website, we take your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect any personal information you provide while using our site. Our goal is to ensure that visitors understand what data may be gathered, how it is handled, and the steps we take to safeguard it. Please note that this is an independent, non-governmental resource created for educational purposes and is not the official Marion County Property Appraiser’s Office. By using our website, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this policy.
Information We Collect
To provide a smooth browsing experience and helpful resources, our website may collect certain types of information from visitors. This information generally falls into two categories: data you provide voluntarily and information collected automatically.
Data You Provide Voluntarily
When you interact with our website, you may choose to share information with us. Examples include:
- Submitting questions or feedback through our contact form.
- Signing up for updates, newsletters, or resources (if available).
- Providing details when requesting assistance related to property searches or exemptions.
This information may include your name, email address, phone number, or other details necessary to respond to your request. We only collect this data when you choose to provide it, and it is used solely for communication and support purposes.
Automatically Collected Information
Like most websites, we may collect certain technical details automatically to improve performance and user experience. This may include:
- Your IP address and approximate location.
- Browser type, operating system, and device information.
- Pages you visit and the time spent on our site.
- Referring website or search terms used to find us.
This data is collected through standard web technologies such as cookies, server logs, and analytics tools. It helps us better understand how users interact with our content, allowing us to make improvements and keep the site secure.
How We Use Your Information
The information we collect is used responsibly and only for purposes that improve your experience, support transparency, and ensure compliance with applicable laws. We do not sell or misuse your personal data.
For Service Improvements
We analyze both voluntarily provided and automatically collected information to understand how visitors use our website. This helps us:
- Enhance the accuracy and clarity of property tax resources.
- Improve navigation, search tools, and educational materials.
- Identify and fix any technical issues or usability concerns.
By reviewing site performance and usage trends, we ensure our resources remain user-friendly, up-to-date, and relevant for Marion County homeowners, businesses, and researchers.
Communication & Notifications
If you provide your contact information, we may use it to:
- Respond to your inquiries or requests submitted through the website.
- Share updates, reminders, or notifications related to property search tools or tax deadlines (if applicable).
- Provide helpful guides or resources you requested.
We respect your privacy and will only contact you for purposes related to your request, not for unrelated marketing.
Legal and Compliance Purposes
In certain situations, we may use collected information to meet legal, regulatory, or compliance obligations. For example:
- Protecting the website against fraudulent or malicious activity.
- Ensuring compliance with privacy laws and website security standards.
- Cooperating with lawful requests from regulatory or legal authorities.
This ensures our website remains a safe, transparent, and reliable resource for all users.
Data Protection and Security Measures
Safeguarding your information is one of our top priorities. We implement a combination of technical, administrative, and organizational measures to ensure that any data you provide is kept secure and protected from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure.
Encryption and Secure Access
All data transmitted through our website is protected with industry-standard encryption technologies, such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer). This ensures that information exchanged between your browser and our servers remains private and secure. In addition, access to sensitive tools or forms is restricted to secure channels only, minimizing risks of data interception or breaches.
Internal Access Restrictions
Access to any personal or usage data is limited strictly to authorized team members who require it to perform their duties. These individuals follow strict confidentiality standards and undergo regular reviews to ensure compliance with security practices. By minimizing internal access, we reduce the risk of misuse and maintain strong protections around your information.
Opt-Out Preferences
We respect your right to control how your information is used. Our website provides options for you to manage or limit the ways your data is collected, stored, or applied. Whether you want to restrict email communication, reduce tracking, or request removal of certain information, we make the process straightforward and transparent.
How to Limit the Use of Your Data
If you prefer not to receive notifications, updates, or certain communications from us, you can opt out at any time by following the unsubscribe link provided in emails or by contacting us directly through our support page. Additionally, you may adjust your browser or device settings to limit cookies and tracking technologies. For data you have voluntarily shared, you can request updates, corrections, or deletion by reaching out to our team. We review all opt-out requests promptly and ensure your preferences are respected.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
To enhance your browsing experience and ensure our website functions properly, we use cookies and other tracking technologies. These small data files help us understand how visitors interact with our site, improve performance, and deliver more relevant information. While cookies are useful for analytics and personalization, we remain committed to transparency and give you control over how they are used.
Types of Cookies We Use
We may use several categories of cookies:
- Essential Cookies – Required for core website functionality, such as navigation and secure access.
- Performance & Analytics Cookies – Help us analyze traffic patterns, identify popular pages, and improve user experience.
- Functional Cookies – Enable features such as remembering your preferences or settings.
- Advertising or Third-Party Cookies – May be used in limited cases to provide relevant content or measure the effectiveness of informational campaigns.
Managing Your Cookie Preferences
You have the option to control or disable cookies at any time. Most web browsers allow you to adjust settings to block or delete cookies, receive alerts before a cookie is stored, or restrict tracking technologies altogether. Please note that disabling certain cookies may impact website performance or limit functionality. For more control, you may also use third-party tools or browser add-ons that enhance cookie and privacy management.
Sharing & Third-Party Services
We respect your privacy and do not sell your personal information. However, there are limited cases where sharing data with trusted third parties becomes necessary to provide services, ensure compliance, or improve website performance. We are transparent about when and why such sharing occurs, and we carefully select third-party partners who adhere to strict security and privacy standards.
When and Why We Share Information
Your information may be shared under the following circumstances:
- Service Providers – To operate certain website features such as hosting, analytics, or communication tools.
- Legal Obligations – If required by law, court order, or government authority to comply with legal or regulatory obligations.
- Website Security & Fraud Prevention – To detect, investigate, and address potential security risks, fraudulent activities, or misuse of the site.
- User-Requested Services – When you voluntarily request a service that requires third-party support, such as accessing linked resources.
Third-Party Tools and Services
Our website may use trusted third-party services to enhance functionality and provide better user experience. Examples include:
- Analytics Tools (e.g., Google Analytics) – To monitor website traffic and user behavior for performance improvements.
- Hosting & Cloud Providers – To ensure secure, reliable, and scalable website access.
- Communication Tools – For email notifications, contact forms, or customer support requests.
We ensure that all third-party providers handling data comply with applicable privacy and security regulations. However, their independent privacy policies may also apply, and we encourage you to review those when engaging with third-party features through our website.
Your Rights & Data Control Options
We believe in giving users control over their personal information. Depending on applicable privacy regulations, you may have rights regarding how your data is collected, used, and stored. Our goal is to make it simple for you to access, update, or request the removal of your information whenever possible.
Requesting Data Access or Deletion
You have the right to know what information we hold about you. Upon request, we can provide a summary of the personal data collected through this website. If you no longer wish for us to keep your data, you may request deletion, subject to any legal or regulatory obligations that require us to retain certain records. Requests for access or deletion can be made through our Contact Us page, and we will respond within a reasonable timeframe.
Updating Your Personal Information
If any information you have voluntarily provided is incorrect, outdated, or incomplete, you may request an update or correction. Keeping your details accurate helps us provide better communication and services. You can initiate updates by contacting our support team directly, and we’ll ensure changes are reflected securely and promptly.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, or legal requirements. Any modifications will be made with the goal of keeping our policies transparent and aligned with user rights. We encourage you to review this page regularly so you are always aware of how we collect, use, and safeguard your information.
Notification of Updates
If significant changes are made to our Privacy Policy, we will provide a clear notice on this website, and in some cases, we may notify you directly (such as via email or banner notifications). This ensures you are informed about any updates before they take effect.
Date of Last Revision
To help you track changes, the “Last Updated” date will always be displayed at the top or bottom of this Privacy Policy. This makes it easy for you to identify when the most recent revision occurred and compare it to your last review.
Contact Us for Privacy Concerns
We take your privacy seriously and are committed to addressing any questions or concerns you may have about how your information is collected, used, or protected. If you have inquiries about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data rights, or need clarification on our practices, we encourage you to reach out. Clear communication helps ensure your experience with our website remains transparent and trustworthy.
How to Reach the Marion County Property Appraiser
For privacy-related inquiries, you can contact us through multiple channels:
- Email Support: Send your questions or requests to our designated privacy support email for faster response.
- Phone Support: Call our office during business hours if you prefer to speak directly with a representative.
- Mailing Address: You may also submit formal privacy-related requests in writing to our main office mailing address in Ocala, FL.
- Online Contact Form: For convenience, you can use the official online form available on our website to submit your concerns securely.
We will review and respond to privacy-related inquiries promptly, in compliance with applicable data protection laws.