Privacy Statment

Privacy & Security Guidelines
For the Missouri Division of Tourism Web Site

PRIVACY STATEMENT

Thank you for visiting the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED)/ Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT) Web site and reviewing our privacy policy. This policy lets you know how we handle information we learn about you from your visit to our Web site. The information we receive depends on what you do when you visit our site.

USAGE STATISTICS

In order to generate usage statistics to help us improve our Web site, we automatically collect certain information on every visitor to the site. However, this information does not include "personal identifiers," such as name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, etc. Each time a request is made to view a page within the Web site, a log file captures generic user information.

Examples of this kind of information include:

• the Internet Service Provider (ISP) through which you access the Internet (aol.com, earthlink.net, etc.);

• the Internet protocol (IP) address of the individual computer (or proxy server) making the request;

• the type of Internet browser and computer operating system you are using (Microsoft Explorer 5.0, Apple Mac OS, etc.);

• the date and time you access the site;

• the Internet address (URL) of the site from which you may have linked to this site.

All information collected by way of server log files is used in aggregate form only and may be analyzed for trend data and other statistical purposes.

ONLINE FORMS AND E-MAIL

The Missouri Division of Tourism Web site does not collect personally identifying information such as name, address, telephone number, etc., unless you provide the information voluntarily. We may ask for such information so that we can tailor the interactive features of this Web site to your specific interests and needs and in order to most efficiently and effectively provide you with information. You are free to provide or not to provide the requested information. If you choose not to provide this type of information, you can still visit most of the Web site, but you may be unable to take advantage of some of its features.

To order Missouri Vacation Planners, you must enter the appropriate contact information for mailing purposes. We may ask you if we can use this information to contact you in the future with updated information on vacations in Missouri, but the choice is yours. The information you provide will not be sold to outside companies and organizations.

In some instances, the information requested through this Web site is required in order for you to transact business with the Missouri Division of Tourism. This information is maintained in the same manner as information provided to the Missouri Division of Tourism through other mechanisms such as letters, phone calls and hard copy applications submitted in person. This information may also be provided to other governmental organizations in an attempt to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

If you decide to send us an electronic mail message (e-mail), the message will usually contain your return e-mail address. If you include personally identifying information in your e-mail because you want us to address issues specific to your situation, we may use that information in responding to your request. This may require that we share the information with another state agency if the other state agency's participation is necessary to effectively respond to your request/inquiry. All collected information will be a closed record to the extent allowed by the Missouri Sunshine Law.

Also, e-mail is not necessarily secure against interception. Please send only information necessary to help us process your request.

USE OF COOKIES

On a limited number of its pages, the Missouri Division of Tourism employs "cookies" to provide better service to its customers. The Missouri Division of Tourism does not use cookies to collect any personally identifying information from users or to track user activities beyond our Web site. The Missouri Division of Tourism does not maintain copies of cookies on our Web site after you leave it.

USE OF TRANSPARENT GIF FILES

The Missouri Division of Tourism uses pixels, or transparent GIF files, to help manage online advertising. These GIF files are provided by our ad management partner, DoubleClick. These files enable DoubleClick to recognize a unique cookie on your Web browser, which in turn enables us to learn which advertisements bring users to our website. The cookie was placed by us, or by another advertiser who works with DoubleClick. With both cookies and Spotlight technology, the information that we collect and share is anonymous and not personally identifiable. It does not contain your name, address, telephone number, or email address. For more information about DoubleClick, including information about how to opt out of these technologies, Click here.

PUBLIC RECORDS

Visitors should be aware that, subject to certain statutory exceptions, most documents and records maintained by the State of Missouri, including but not limited to electronic data, are public records under Missouri law. Therefore, information submitted through this Web site may be subject to disclosure pursuant to a public records request.

LINKING GUIDELINES FOR THE OFFICIAL MISSOURI DIVISION OF TOURISM WEB SITE:

We are receiving an increasing number of requests in reference to linking to and/or from our Web site. The following are guidelines for linking to the Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT) Web site:

• Information presented on the MDT Web site is considered public information and may be distributed, copied or linked to or from non- Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) Web sites. However, the contents of our Web site may not be used for commercial purposes or to imply endorsement by MDT of products or services. For further information contact MDT staff.

• MDT logos and graphics may be used on non-MDT Web site as graphic buttons that link back to the official MDT Web site. MDT logos and graphics may not be used to create non-official Web sites that give the appearance and general look and feel of the official Web site.

Links from the Missouri Division of Tourism Web site to external Web sites:

• Links from official MDT Web site to external Web sites are approved on an individual case basis by the MDT Web site editor. Links to external sites may not be used to endorse a particular non-governmental product or service or provide preferential treatment.

• Sites will be considered for linking partnerships only if the site is directly engaged in providing Missouri tourism-related products, services or information.

• The information on the partner site must be user-friendly and directly related to tourism in Missouri. It should be separate from non-tourism related content, advertising or third party links that the partner site may contain.

• No political campaign sites or sites that advocate a political position, either by themselves or through a third party, may be linked to VisitMo.com.

LINKING PROCEDURE

• each entity receives one free URL link to their homepage;

• the entity will contact the Missouri Division of Tourism Web site editor for link approval;

• the Web site editor will send the entity a Missouri Division of Tourism URL link form;

• the entity will return form to the Missouri Division of Tourism Web site editor who will work with the state Web site provider to establish a URL link for posting on the Web site.

• The linking site must include a reciprocal link back to the MDT site. The reciprocal link must be highly visible, relative to other links on that site and say "Missouri Division of Tourism" to identify it.

DISCLAIMER

The Missouri Division of Tourism reserves the right to accept or reject any and all hot links. Our policy discloses the privacy practices for the Missouri Division of Tourism Web site. While we provide links to other Web sites, once you leave the MDT Web site, you will be going to sites that are beyond our control and you are subject to the privacy policy of that site.

MDT is neither responsible for the content or accuracy of any pages linked to or referenced from this site. Although the Missouri Division of Tourism Web site includes addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation for attractions and dates and hours of events, you should call ahead before driving long distance to visit any single attraction or to attend an event. Time, days and hours of operation may vary and occasionally events are rescheduled or cancelled.