FAQs

Privacy Notice

Purpose

The purpose of the City of Hawthorne website is to provide accurate, non-editorial content that will inform and educate visitors about the functions, services, activities, issues, operations and projects of the City government. All departments in the City of Hawthorne may post information regarding their mission or the services offered. Comments about this site are welcome from any source and are appreciated.

The City of Hawthorne recognizes that technology has changed the way the public may access government services and information. The City of Hawthorne also recognizes the importance of protecting the privacy of the users of this website. This statement sets forth how the City of Hawthorne gathers and uses information obtained through the City’s website, how the City protects your privacy, and when information gathered from the website may be disclosed.

Collection of Information

Information collected by the City of Hawthorne website is not disclosed to third persons other than as required by law. Information that is gathered is used solely for analysis and statistical purposes to aid us in managing and providing a user-friendly website. Information that is collected for statistical purposes is gathered automatically. This information consists of the date of your visit, the type of browser used, and technical internet protocol data.

The City of Hawthorne also collects information that is provided when using our interactive forms and applications. This information may include names, addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and other personal and business data that is related to and necessary to provide the services requested.

Use of Information

Any personally identifying information that is provided by you on our website, such as filling out a form or submitting a question or comment, will only be used to respond to your request, and for analytical purposes. Your message may be directed to a specific department or to another governmental agency that is in a better position to respond to your request. In this regard, your email address will be retained. However, if you have subscribed to a list to receive periodic notifications, you will only receive emails for the lists for which you have subscribed. By agreeing to use notification list services, you are granting the City of Hawthorne permission to send you periodic e-mails about the topics for which you have subscribed.

Disclosure to Third Parties

Public agencies such as the City of Hawthorne are governed by the Public Records Act. See California Government Code Section 6254, et seq. Information that is received through the use of our website is subject to the same statutory provisions as information submitted to the City on paper. Certain disclosures may be made in order for the City to comply with its statutory obligations under the Public Records Act. The City only discloses to third parties information in summary form, any statistical analysis or user demographics, or as legally required in connection with law enforcement investigations or other legal proceedings. Otherwise, the City of Hawthorne does not share personally identifying information, including e-mail addresses, with any third party without your permission.

The City of Hawthorne does not sell data for direct mail or advertising purposes.

Security

The City of Hawthorne uses state-of-the-art technology to scramble personal data and credit card information used to make payments and register for programs on the City of Hawthorne website. This technology makes it impossible to be accessed as it is being transferred across the internet, and prevents it from being intercepted and used by unauthorized individuals. While Hawthorne uses the most up-to-date technology to protect the users of the website, no security program is fail-proof. Therefore, visitors using the website and filling out forms do so at their own risk.

Employee access to personally identifiable information is limited to only those employees with a need access personal information in order to perform specific job duties. City of Hawthorne employees are kept apprised of security and privacy practices in place within the City of Hawthorne.

Use of Digital Cookies

A cookie is a digital footprint that shows which internet websites sites you have visited. The internet website leaves information on your computer, and gathers some information from your computer, such as shopping preferences, for marketing purposes. The City of Hawthorne reserves the right to use and implement cookies to facilitate the use of its website.

Protection of Children

The City of Hawthorne is committed to the protection of children’s online privacy. The collection of information pertaining to children, such as online registration forms for Parks and Recreation programs, is used solely for registration purposes. Registration forms are intended to be completed by adults only.

The City of Hawthorne website does not solicit information directly from children. However, if information is volunteered by children through the website services, this information will be treated in similar manner to information provided by an adult, and may become a public record that is subject to public access. Parents are advised to discuss privacy concerns with their children, and to supervise their children when they are providing personally identifiable information online.

Links to Other Websites

The Hawthorne website contains links to other sites. The City of Hawthorne has no control over these external websites, and is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of the external websites. The City of Hawthorne Website Privacy Policy does not apply to any websites other than the City of Hawthorne Website.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience, and users are encouraged to examine the privacy policies of these websites. Should you use a link to another website, you will be subject to the privacy policy of that website.