Your privacy and security are our highest priority. Ensuring electronic access to state government information and services while maintaining privacy is a guiding principle of the state's Direction of Enterprise Information Technology. The Commonwealth of Kentucky collects only the personal information necessary to provide enhanced services to our citizens and customers. Please note that all non-exempt information collected by Kentucky.gov services may be subject to public disclosure under KRS 61.870, the Kentucky Open Records Act [PDF].
However, public records containing information of a personal nature are protected from disclosure by the personal privacy exemption of state law. Personal data in our possession is maintained and used in ways that respect individual privacy. The Commonwealth educates our employees about the importance of protecting personal information and consumer privacy, and only authorized employees have access to personal information.
Depending on the situation, we may collect the following information about visitors to our Web site:
- the domain name, but not the e-mail address
- the e-mail addresses of those who communicate with us via e-mail
- aggregate information about which pages consumers access or visit
- information volunteered by the consumer, such as survey information
This information is used only to improve the scope and content of the state's services online.
Information Sharing
Kentucky.gov will not release personal information to third parties except where it is already provided by law for purposes of notification. We will not provide, rent or sell personal information to third parties for marketing programs or any other purpose. State law restricts the use of personally identifiable information for commercial purposes. Depending on the specific nature of the service, information may be shared with other state agencies as stated in KRS 61.878 (5) [PDF]. This statute allows for the exchange of public records or sharing of information between public agencies when the exchange is serving a legitimate governmental need or is necessary in the performance of a legitimate government function.
Internet Cookies
Cookies are short and simple text files stored on your computer by Internet web sites to help identify users and enhance customer service. Kentucky.gov sites may use cookies to customize and personalize your service transactions with state agencies. For example, our web shopping sites may use cookies to keep track of customers and the contents of their shopping cart. In the event the Internet connection is broken or you wish to suspend shopping and resume at a later time, the cookie on your computer will maintain your computer's identity shopping cart information. Cookies do not compromise your privacy or security. Using web browser settings, you can refuse the cookies or delete the cookie file from your computer by using any of the widely available methods.
Security
Kentucky.gov uses the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol to safeguard your sensitive personal information, including your credit card number, during online transactions. Using this widely accepted form of encryption, your transaction is secured from your personal computer to the Kentucky.gov computer processing your request. The Kentucky.gov processing computers are located behind a secure firewall.
For your protection, never put your credit card number or other sensitive information in unencrypted e-mail. For added security, your credit card information is not stored on a state government database and only authorized employees have access to your credit card number for card processing purposes.
SSL is highly regarded to be a very safe encryption method, but we fully understand if you are not comfortable entering your credit card information online. In that event, please telephone the agency and speak directly to an agency representative.
If you have trouble purchasing securely at our web site, then you may be behind a firewall or using a proxy server that doesn't allow for secure transactions. If that is the case, then you may phone or fax your order.
Email Correspondence
If you send an E-mail message or complete an unsecured web form, which contains personal information, we collect and store the following information:
- Any personally identifying information, which you choose to provide (for example your mailing address), in an email message or web form requesting information or if you send any information in a Live Help session, which contains personal information, we collect and store the following information: commenting on policies, issues, or events. Information collected in this manner is used solely for information and, in some cases, to respond to you.
- If unsecured and / or unencrypted email is used, please do not put confidential and personal information such as social security number, date of birth, bank account and credit card information, mother's maiden name or medical information in your e-mail communications to the Commonwealth. Your privacy cannot be protected or insured by the Commonwealth during email or unsecured web form transmission.
Live Help
The Live Help service is the Kentucky.gov portal's live customer service application that allows visitors to talk with customer service representatives in real-time.
Certain information is collected and maintained in regards to the Live Help service. In addition to IP address, browser type, date and time of the visit, and the referring webpage, transcripts of the chats are saved for statistical, demographic, and/or customer service purposes. Some information is also collected through chat surveys on a volunteer basis.
During a Live Help session, please do not put confidential and personal information such as social security number, date of birth, bank account and credit card information, mother's maiden name or medical information in your Live Help communications to the Commonwealth. Your privacy cannot be protected or insured by the Commonwealth during a Live Help Chat Session, Live Help email or Live Help web form transmission.
When you open a Live Help session a cookie is placed on your system and the Live Help operators are notified that a visitor has entered the Live Help site. At this time operators can see the following information about your session:
- Browser type and version
- Host address
- Host IP number
The purpose of the cookie is to enable the Live Help system to associate each Live Help session with the previous session so that each operator will be able to assist you without requiring that you repeat any information previously provided. You are not required to enable cookies to use Live Help. The cookie will not track any of your browsing activity beyond this page.
Transcripts of the Live Help sessions contain the following information:
- Session date
- Session start and end time
- Operator name
- Visitor name as entered
- Browser type and version
- Host IP number
- The text of the discussion
- Exit interview responses
- Topic
- Email address if a transcript was requested