This Privacy Policy describes how your personal information is collected, used, and shared when you visit, register, or use the SMS messaging features across our Website.Privacy Policy
Glennville, Georgia
Effective Date: October 29, 2026
Introduction
The City of Glennville, GA (“City,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of individuals who visit our website, register for services, submit information through online forms, or subscribe to our text messaging (SMS) notification services.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect, and disclose information obtained through our official website and associated communication services.
The City’s SMS notification system provides residents and subscribers with important municipal information, including emergency notifications, severe weather alerts, road closures, utility interruptions, public safety notices, community announcements, and other official City communications.
By using our website or voluntarily subscribing to our notification services, you acknowledge the information practices described in this Privacy Policy. Enrollment in SMS notifications requires your separate consent.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information that you voluntarily provide and certain technical information generated when you use our website or communication services.
Personal and Contact Information
When you register for services, complete an online form, subscribe to notifications, or opt in to receive SMS messages, we may collect:
- Mobile telephone number
- Other information you voluntarily submit through City website forms
SMS Messaging Information
When you subscribe to or interact with our text notification system, we may collect and maintain:
- Mobile telephone numbers
- Dates, times, and methods of subscription
- Text message content and transmission records
- Message delivery status and timestamps
- Information necessary to administer and document the notification program
Technical and Website Usage Information
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Date and time of website access
- General website usage and performance information
Cookies
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to maintain login sessions, remember preferences, improve website performance, and support website functionality.
Users may manage or disable cookies through their browser settings. Some website functions may not operate as intended if cookies are disabled.
2. How We Use Your Information
The City uses personal information for legitimate municipal operations and to provide requested government services and communications.
These purposes may include:
- Sending official City SMS alerts and notifications
- Communicating road closures, weather emergencies, utility interruptions, and public safety information
- Distributing municipal announcements, service updates, and other requested notifications
- Managing subscription preferences and maintaining subscriber records
- Administering website accounts and online communication tools
- Providing technical support and responding to inquiries
- Troubleshooting message delivery failures and communication issues
- Monitoring system performance and maintaining service reliability
- Preventing unauthorized access, spam, fraudulent activity, or misuse of City communication systems
- Maintaining records and complying with applicable laws, regulations, and government recordkeeping obligations
Information collected through the SMS notification program will be used for the City’s authorized communication purposes and will not be used for third-party advertising or promotional campaigns.
3. Information Sharing and SMS Opt-In Privacy
The City respects the privacy of its residents and subscribers and does not sell personal information collected through its website or SMS notification services.
Mobile Opt-In Information and Consent
Mobile opt-in data and consent will not be shared with or sold to third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
The City does not sell, rent, or otherwise disclose mobile telephone numbers, SMS subscription records, or messaging consent information to third parties or affiliates for their independent advertising, marketing, or promotional activities.
SMS opt-in information will not be used to enroll subscribers in unrelated third-party messaging programs.
Authorized Service Providers
The City may utilize authorized technology providers, including SMS gateway services, telecommunications carriers, website hosting providers, and technical support contractors, to operate its website and text notification system.
These providers may process information necessary to deliver messages, manage subscriptions, maintain system security, and perform contracted services on behalf of the City.
Such service providers are authorized to use the information only as necessary to provide the requested services and not for their independent marketing or promotional purposes.
Legal and Governmental Disclosures
The City may disclose information when required by applicable law, court order, authorized legal process, or other lawful government obligation.
Public records requests are addressed in Section 8 of this Policy.
4. SMS Messaging Terms, Fees, and Consent
The City offers an optional, one-way SMS text notification service to provide residents and interested subscribers with important municipal information.
Voluntary Opt-In Consent
Residents may voluntarily subscribe to City text notifications through an authorized website registration form.
By providing your mobile telephone number and affirmatively opting in, you consent to receive recurring automated informational text messages from the City at the number provided.
Consent to receive SMS notifications is not required to access general information on the City’s public website or to receive municipal services for which SMS enrollment is not necessary.
Types of Messages
SMS notifications may include:
- Severe weather alerts and emergency notifications
- Road closures, detours, and traffic advisories
- Water, sewer, or utility service interruptions
- Public safety announcements
- Municipal office closures and schedule changes
- Public meetings and community announcements
- Other official City service notices and informational alerts
These notifications are intended to provide information from the City and are not commercial advertising messages.
Message Frequency
Message frequency varies.
The number of messages received will depend on municipal activities, weather conditions, emergencies, service interruptions, and other events requiring public notification.
The City does not guarantee a specific number of messages or a fixed notification schedule.
Message and Data Rates
Message and data rates may apply.
Charges depend on your wireless carrier and individual mobile service plan. The City is not responsible for charges imposed by your mobile service provider.
No Guarantee of Delivery
SMS message delivery depends on mobile carrier networks, device availability, cellular coverage, and other technical conditions beyond the City’s control.
The City cannot guarantee that every message will be delivered immediately or successfully.
Carriers are not liable for any delayed or undelivered messages.
SMS notifications are provided as an additional source of public information and should not be relied upon as the sole source of emergency communication.
5. Data Retention
The City retains personal information only as necessary for legitimate municipal purposes, administration of its communication systems, and compliance with applicable records retention requirements.
Subscriber Information
Telephone numbers may be retained while a subscription is active and afterward as necessary to document consent, administer opt-out requests, or satisfy legal and governmental recordkeeping obligations.
SMS Messaging Records
SMS transmission records, delivery logs, and message histories may be retained for operational troubleshooting, system monitoring, auditing, and applicable records retention requirements.
Operational messaging logs may be maintained for approximately 30 to 90 days, depending on the system and service provider. Records subject to longer legal retention requirements, pending public records requests, litigation holds, or other obligations may be retained for longer periods.
Website and System Logs
Website access logs and technical records may be periodically deleted, anonymized, or archived according to established City procedures and applicable recordkeeping requirements.
Deletion and Record Preservation
The City will not delete information when retention is required by applicable law, government records schedules, pending legal proceedings, or other lawful preservation obligations.
6. Opt-Out, Subscription Management, and Individual Privacy Requests
The City provides subscribers with convenient methods to manage their SMS notifications and personal contact information.
Opting Out of SMS Notifications
You may cancel your subscription to City SMS notifications at any time.
Reply STOP to any City text message to unsubscribe.
After processing your STOP request, the system will send a confirmation message indicating that your subscription has been canceled.
You will no longer receive messages from the applicable City SMS notification program unless you choose to subscribe again.
Requesting Assistance – Contact the City.
You may contact the City directly using the support information listed in Section 11 of this Policy.
Managing Your Information
Depending on the functions available through the City’s website, users may be able to:
- Update contact information
- Change notification preferences
- Request corrections to inaccurate information
- Unsubscribe from SMS notifications
- Request information about their subscription or personal data maintained by the City
Requests to access, correct, or delete personal information may be submitted to the City using the contact information provided below.
The City will review these requests and respond in accordance with applicable law.
Privacy Rights and Legal Limitations
Certain personal information may be subject to applicable federal or state privacy protections.
However, requests for deletion, export, or removal of government records may be limited by Georgia’s public records laws, record retention requirements, and other legal obligations.
The City cannot guarantee deletion of information that it is legally required to preserve.
7. Data Security
The City implements reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, or misuse.
These measures may include:
- Secure HTTPS/SSL/TLS connections for website communications
- Restricted access to subscriber and contact databases
- Administrative access controls
- Security updates and regular software maintenance
- Monitoring for unauthorized access or suspicious activity
- Appropriate security practices for contracted technology providers
Access to personal information is limited to authorized City personnel and service providers who require the information to perform their duties.
Although the City takes reasonable precautions to safeguard information, no website, electronic database, internet transmission, or cellular communication system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Accordingly, the City cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted or stored electronically.
8. Georgia Open Records Act and Protection of Personal Information
As a municipal government in the State of Georgia, the City is subject to the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq.
Certain records created, collected, maintained, or received by the City may be considered public records and may be subject to lawful disclosure requests.
However, Georgia law provides exemptions that protect specified personal information from public disclosure.
Protection of Public Safety Notification Information
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(19), records revealing names, home addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, security codes, and other information collected or maintained by counties or municipalities in connection with neighborhood watch or public safety notification programs are exempt from required public disclosure, subject to applicable statutory provisions.
Protection of Personal Contact Information
Additionally, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72(a)(20) provides protections for certain personal information, including personal email addresses, cellular telephone numbers, and other specified sensitive personal data.
Such information must be redacted from records disclosed under the Open Records Act when required by the applicable statutory provisions.
SMS Subscriber Privacy
The City will protect subscriber information collected through its public notification systems in accordance with applicable Georgia law.
This includes information such as personal cellular telephone numbers, personal email addresses, and other contact information when protected by statutory exemptions.
Disclosure Required by Law
The City will review public records requests individually and apply applicable disclosure requirements, exemptions, and redaction rules.
Information not protected by an applicable statutory exemption may be disclosed when required by law.
Nothing in this Privacy Policy is intended to limit the City’s legal responsibilities under the Georgia Open Records Act or to promise confidentiality beyond that permitted by law.
9. Children’s Privacy
The City’s website and SMS notification services are intended for a general audience and are not specifically directed toward children under the age of 13.
The City does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent, except as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
The City seeks to follow applicable requirements of the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and relevant Georgia laws protecting personal information.
If the City becomes aware that personal information has been collected from a child under 13 without the consent required by law, the City will take appropriate steps to discontinue collection, restrict further use, and delete or otherwise handle the information consistent with applicable legal requirements and governmental records retention obligations.
Parents or legal guardians who believe a child has provided personal information through the City’s website or SMS services may contact the City to request review of that information.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
The City may periodically update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in website functionality, communication services, technology practices, or applicable legal requirements.
Any revisions will be posted on the City’s official website with an updated effective date.
Continued use of the website following the publication of changes constitutes acknowledgment of the revised Policy. Changes requiring renewed SMS consent will be handled in accordance with applicable requirements.
Residents and subscribers are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
11. Contact Information
For questions concerning this Privacy Policy, the City’s SMS notification services, subscription management, or personal information requests, please contact:
City of Glennville, GA
Department: City Administration
Email: info@glennvillega.gov
Telephone: 912.654.2461
Mailing Address: 134 S. Veterans Boulevard
Glennville, GA 30427
Website: www.glennvillega.gov
For SMS notification assistance, contact City Hall
To unsubscribe from City text notifications, contact City Hall
Forward Digtail Marketing / Web Electronics, Inc. manages and hosts this website. Contact: 912.530.8346 or info@forwarddigitalmarketing.com