The Gwinnett County Cookies Policy explains how cookies and similar technologies may be used on https://gwinnettcounty-ga.org. This website provides general informational content about Gwinnett County, Georgia, and does not provide government services, legal services, professional services, community services, official records, applications, or other direct services. This policy explains cookie types, possible uses, visitor choices, third-party technologies, and ways to manage cookies. Questions about this policy can be sent to info@gwinnettcountyga.org.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites may store on a visitor’s computer, tablet, smartphone, or other device. They can help websites remember settings, support basic functions, measure website activity, and recognize a returning browser. Some cookies remain only during a browsing session, while others stay on a device for a set period. Cookie behavior can vary based on the website, browser, device, and service provider involved.
How Gwinnett County Uses Cookies
Gwinnett County may use cookies to support website operation, remember selected preferences, review general traffic information, identify technical issues, and understand how visitors interact with pages. Cookie use can help provide information about page views, browser types, device categories, referral sources, and general website activity. The cookies used on the website may change as technical features and third-party services change. This policy describes possible cookie practices rather than promising that every listed category will always be active.
Types of Cookies
Cookies can serve different purposes based on how a website operates. Gwinnett County may use necessary cookies, preference cookies, analytics cookies, security cookies, or advertising-related cookies when applicable. Each category can collect different types of technical or usage information. Some cookies may support basic website functions, while others may help measure traffic or remember visitor choices. The actual cookies present on the website can change as website technologies and external services change.
Necessary Cookies
Necessary cookies may support basic website functions that allow pages to load and operate correctly. These cookies can help maintain technical settings, support security features, and allow certain website functions to work as expected. Some necessary cookies may operate automatically when a visitor opens the website. Blocking these cookies can affect certain website features or page functions. These cookies usually focus on technical operation rather than advertising or visitor profiling.
Preference Cookies
Preference cookies may remember choices made by visitors during website use. These cookies can help a website remember settings such as language preferences, display choices, or other selected options. Their use can reduce the need to enter the same preferences during later visits. Preference cookies may remain for a specific period based on their settings. The website may not use this cookie category on every page or during every visit.
Analytics Cookies
Analytics cookies may collect information about general website activity and visitor interactions. This information can include page views, approximate visit activity, browser details, device categories, referral sources, and time spent on pages. Analytics information can help identify popular pages and technical issues. Third-party analytics providers may place these cookies if their services are active on the website. Their data practices are controlled by their own privacy and cookie policies.
Advertising Cookies
Advertising cookies may be used if advertising or marketing technologies appear on the website. These cookies can help measure advertising activity, recognize general browsing patterns, or support advertising-related functions. Third-party advertising providers may collect information through their own technologies when their services operate on a website. Their practices can differ from those described by Gwinnett County. Advertising cookies may change or may not be active at all times.
Security Cookies
Security cookies may help protect website functions from unusual activity, automated requests, or other technical threats. These technologies can work with browser information, technical identifiers, or other signals to support website security. Security-related cookies can vary based on hosting arrangements and security systems. Their use may change when technical providers update their systems. Visitors should keep their browsers and devices updated for better general online security.
First-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are created by the website that a visitor is viewing. Cookies associated directly with https://gwinnettcounty-ga.org may support website functions, visitor preferences, security, or website measurement. The exact use of first-party cookies depends on the current website configuration. These cookies may have different expiration periods based on their purpose. Visitors can manage or remove first-party cookies through browser settings.
Third-Party Cookies
Third-party cookies are placed by external providers whose technologies may operate on a website. Such providers can include analytics companies, advertising networks, embedded content providers, security services, or other technical providers. Third-party cookies may collect information based on their own systems and policies. Gwinnett County does not control every activity performed by independent third-party providers. Visitors should review the relevant provider’s privacy and cookie information for more details.
Session Cookies
Session cookies usually remain active during a single browser session. They may help maintain temporary website settings or support functions while a visitor moves between pages. These cookies are commonly removed after the browser session ends. Their exact behavior depends on how the website or service provider has configured the cookie. Visitors can often see session cookies through browser privacy or developer settings.
Persistent Cookies
Persistent cookies can remain on a device after a browser session ends. They may help remember website preferences or recognize a returning browser during a later visit. These cookies usually have a specific expiration period established by the website or third-party provider. Visitors can delete persistent cookies through browser settings before their normal expiration. Removing these cookies may also remove saved website preferences.
Information Cookies May Collect
Cookies may collect technical and usage information connected with a website visit. Depending on the cookie type, information can include browser type, device type, operating system, pages visited, visit times, referral sources, approximate location, and general interaction data. A cookie does not automatically contain a person’s name or email address. The actual information collected depends on the technology, website configuration, and third-party provider involved.
Cookies and Personal Information
Cookies can sometimes be connected with information that relates to a visitor. A cookie itself may contain a technical identifier rather than a person’s name, email address, or phone number. Some third-party services may combine cookie information with other information collected through their systems. Visitors should review third-party privacy policies for more information. Gwinnett County does not claim that every cookie can identify a specific visitor.
How Long Cookies Stay on a Device
Cookies can remain on a device for different periods depending on their purpose. Session cookies may disappear after a browser closes, while persistent cookies can remain for a stated period. Some cookies may expire after several days, months, or another period established by the provider. Visitors can remove stored cookies through their browser at any time. Cookie retention periods may change when website settings or third-party technologies change.
Managing Cookie Preferences
Visitors can manage cookies through browser settings and any available website cookie controls. Most modern browsers allow users to accept cookies, block cookies, remove existing cookies, or restrict third-party cookies. Visitors can select settings based on their own privacy preferences. Blocking cookies can affect certain website functions or saved preferences. Browser controls may differ based on the browser, operating system, and device being used.
How to Delete Cookies
Visitors can delete cookies through their browser’s privacy or security settings. Browsers commonly provide options for clearing browsing data, removing cookies, or managing cookies for individual websites. Deleting cookies may remove saved preferences and may require visitors to select those preferences again during a future visit. Removing existing cookies does not always prevent new cookies from being created later. Visitors may need to adjust browser settings if they want to restrict future cookies.
Browser Cookie Controls
Common browsers provide tools for managing cookie settings and stored website data. These tools can allow visitors to block all cookies, restrict third-party cookies, delete existing cookies, or permit cookies from selected websites. Browser developers can change menu names and setting locations over time. Visitors should check the current privacy settings for their browser and device. Gwinnett County does not control browser settings or browser software.
Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers provide a Do Not Track option that communicates a visitor’s preference about certain tracking activities. Websites and third-party services do not always respond to these signals in the same way. For this reason, enabling a Do Not Track setting may not stop every tracking technology from operating. Visitors who want to limit cookies can use browser privacy controls and any cookie preference options available on the website. Third-party providers may have separate tracking controls.
External Websites
The website may contain links to external websites that operate independently from Gwinnett County. External websites may use their own cookies, tracking technologies, analytics systems, and advertising services. Their privacy practices can differ from this Cookies Policy. Gwinnett County does not control how independent websites collect or use information. Visitors should review the privacy and cookie policies of external websites before providing personal information.
Embedded Content
Pages may contain embedded content from third-party providers, such as videos, maps, media players, social features, or other external materials. When embedded content loads, the third-party provider may use cookies or collect technical information about the browser or device. These providers control their own technologies and data practices. Visitors should review the provider’s policies for current information. Gwinnett County does not control the privacy practices of independent embedded content providers.
Cookies and Website Performance
Cookie-related information may help website owners review general website performance. Usage information can show which pages receive visits, which pages may experience technical issues, and how visitors interact with website content. This information can support website maintenance and technical decisions. The type of information collected depends on the analytics or technical systems active on the website. Gwinnett County does not claim that every visitor is individually identified through performance data.
Cookies and Website Security
Some cookies and related technologies may support website security functions. These technologies can help identify unusual requests, automated activity, or technical patterns that may affect website operation. Security systems can use cookies alongside browser information and other technical signals. No website can promise complete protection against every online threat. Visitors should use current software and maintain reasonable security practices on their own devices.
Children’s Privacy
The website provides general informational content and is intended for a general audience. Gwinnett County does not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children through cookies. Parents and guardians can review browser privacy settings and website activity based on their family’s needs. If a visitor believes that information connected with a child has been collected improperly, they can contact info@gwinnettcountyga.org. The website does not provide services specifically directed at children.
Cookie Consent
Some websites use cookie notices or preference tools to provide visitors with choices about certain cookies. If a cookie preference feature appears on https://gwinnettcounty-ga.org, visitors can use the available options based on their preferences. Certain technical cookies may operate as part of basic website functions. The choices available can depend on the website configuration and applicable third-party technologies. Cookie preferences may need to be selected again if browser data is deleted.
Changes to Cookie Practices
Cookie practices can change when the website adds, removes, or changes technical features. Third-party providers can update their cookie names, purposes, retention periods, or collection methods. Gwinnett County may update this policy to reflect those changes. The date shown at the top of this page indicates the latest policy update. Visitors should review this page periodically for current information about cookies used in connection with the website.
Relationship With the Privacy Policy
This Cookies Policy focuses on cookies and similar technologies used through the website. The Privacy Policy provides broader information about privacy practices and information handling. Visitors can review both policies for a clearer explanation of website data practices. Cookie information may form part of broader website usage information. The treatment of such information can depend on the cookie type, website technology, and third-party provider involved.
No Government Affiliation
Gwinnett County is an informational website about Gwinnett County, Georgia. It is not presented as an official Gwinnett County government website or government agency. The website does not provide official government applications, government records, legal representation, professional advice, public assistance, emergency services, or direct government support. Information on the website is provided for general informational purposes. Visitors should verify official information through the appropriate government source.
No Services or Direct Assistance
Gwinnett County does not provide services through this website. The website does not act as a government department, records office, legal office, professional service provider, community organization, or public service department. Visitors should not expect applications, approvals, records, appointments, official responses, or other direct outcomes through the website. Information published on the website does not create a service relationship. Visitors should contact the appropriate official organization for matters requiring official action.
Accuracy of Cookie Information
Cookie technologies can change without advance notice as website systems and third-party services are updated. Cookie names, functions, expiration periods, and providers may change over time. For this reason, the categories in this policy describe possible cookie practices rather than a permanent list of every cookie that may appear. Technical changes can occur as hosting, analytics, security, advertising, or embedded content systems change. Gwinnett County may update this policy when those practices change.
Visitor Privacy Choices
Visitors have several ways to limit cookie-related activity. They can adjust browser settings, remove stored cookies, restrict third-party cookies, or use cookie preference controls available on the website. These options allow visitors to make choices based on their own privacy preferences. Blocking certain cookies can affect website functions or saved settings. Third-party providers may provide separate privacy choices that operate independently from website settings.
Contact Information
Visitors with questions about this Cookies Policy can contact Gwinnett County by email. The contact email is info@gwinnettcountyga.org, and the website address is https://gwinnettcounty-ga.org. Questions can relate to cookie practices, this policy, or general website information. Visitors should provide enough detail to explain their question clearly. They should avoid sending sensitive personal information through email unless it is necessary for the communication.
Policy Updates
Gwinnett County may revise this Cookies Policy when website practices, technical systems, privacy requirements, or cookie technologies change. Updated information may include changes to cookie categories, purposes, third-party providers, retention periods, or visitor choices. The latest update date appears at the beginning of this policy. Visitors can review the policy periodically to remain informed about current cookie practices. Continued website use after an update may indicate that the visitor has reviewed the revised policy.
Cookies Policy Acceptance
By using https://gwinnettcounty-ga.org, visitors acknowledge that they have had an opportunity to review this Cookies Policy. Visitors can use browser controls to manage or restrict cookies based on their preferences. Some website functions may change after cookies are blocked or removed. Cookie activity can also depend on third-party technologies operating on the website. This policy does not create a service relationship, government relationship, professional relationship, or contractual commitment between Gwinnett County and a website visitor.