Purpose of Policy

Sutter County's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is written to protect our website visitors from inappropriate use of the Internet. By accessing and using the Sutter County website, a visitor accepts the AUP. The County reserves the right to revise and update this AUP at any time.

Policy Contents

 This policy explains the following:

1. Use Violations
2. Email
3. Content Submission
4. Public Information
5. Reporting Inappropriate Use
6. Consequences of Inappropriate Use

A.  Use Violations

Impersonation

Modifying, removing or adding identifying network header information in an effort to deceive or mislead is prohibited. Attempting to impersonate any person by using forged headers or other identifying information is prohibited. However, the use of anonymous remailers and nicknames does not constitute impersonation.

Privacy Violations

You shall not attempt to gain access to any electronic systems, networks or data, without appropriate consent from the County.

Threats

Any form of verbal or written threats indicating bodily harm or destruction of property that is received through e-mail, online forms, referenced hyperlinks or uploaded files are strictly prohibited. These forms of threats are taken seriously and the appropriate legal authorities will be notified.

Harassment

 Any harassing activity toward any individual or group for any reason, including but not limited to race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Illegal Use

The use of the County website for illegal purposes is prohibited.

Network Disruptions

All activities that adversely affect the ability of other people or systems to use the County’s website are prohibited, including but not limited to: "denial of service" (DoS) attacks, knowingly propagating or downloading viruses, worms, trojans, spyware or malware, and all forms of hacking or cracking.

Interference with or disruption of other network users, network services or network equipment is prohibited.

B.  Email

Directly or indirectly sending viruses, malware, hoaxes, chain letters, advertisements, unsolicited commercial e-mail, or large volumes of unsolicited e-mail (SPAM), whether or not that e-mail is commercial in nature, is strictly prohibited. Also note section A above in reference to impersonation.

All content submissions to the County become the property of Sutter County, which the County may use at its discretion to the extent permissible by law.

D.  Public Information

Information presented on the Sutter County website, unless otherwise indicated, is considered to be available for noncommercial use by the general public.

With some exceptions, material and information on this website may be distributed or copied as permitted by law. The County, however, does include some copyrighted data or images (e.g., photographs), which may require additional permissions prior to your use.

In order to use any information on this website not owned or created by the County, you must seek permission directly from the owning sources. It would also be appropriate to give credit to or to reference Sutter County as the source of any information gathered from this website.

E.  Reporting Inappropriate Use

If you believe that there is a violation of this AUP, please contact the webmaster with any relevant information by using our contact form or by emailing to the following address: webmaster@co.sutter.ca.us.

F.  Consequences of Inappropriate Use

In response to inappropriate website or email use, Sutter County may take any or all of the following actions:

• Issue a written or verbal warning
• Report the offender(s) to the appropriate legal authorities