Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting the OTS website at www.thebus.org (the "Site") and reviewing our privacy policy.  This privacy policy is effective as of November 1, 2008 and applies only to the Site.  It is designed to assist you in understanding how OTS collects and uses the personal information that you provide to OTS on the Site, and to assist you in making informed decisions when using the Site.  OTS respects the privacy of your personal information.

This privacy policy covers the following areas:

  • what information OTS collects through our Site;
  • how OTS uses the information;
  • with whom OTS may share the information;
  • what choices you have about OTS' collection, use and disclosure of the information;
  • what security procedures are in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of information under OTS' control; and
  • how you can correct any inaccuracies in your information.

1.  Information collection

OTS collects information on the Site at two different stages.  First, OTS uses server logs to collect anonymous, aggregate information (such as browser type, ISP, IP address, referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, number of clicks) from all visitors to the Site.  The Site also uses a standard technology called "cookies" to collect information about how the Site is used.  Information gathered through cookies may include the pages viewed and the amount of time spent at the Site.  This type of information is typically not linked to any personally identifiable information and is used primarily in the aggregate to generate statistical reports about the use of the Site.  OTS reserves the right to connect information collected through its server logs with other personally identifiable information.

Second, OTS requires certain information when you use services available on the Site.  For example, when you contact OTS by email, OTS may collect your email address and any other personal information you provide.  If you apply for employment through the Site, OTS will collect personal information such as your name, address and other employment-related information.

2.  Personal information of children under 13

OTS complies with the requirements of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the FTC's Rule interpreting COPPA (16 CFR § 512).  The Site is not directed to children, and OTS does not knowingly collect any personally identifiable information on the Site from children under 13 years of age.

3.  Use of your personal information

OTS does not sell, rent or disclose personally identifiable information to any third party not affiliated with OTS, except for disclosure to service providers who may assist OTS in such areas as data storage, and in accordance with Paragraph 4 below.  However, users should be aware that OTS is an instrumentality of the City and County of Honolulu and personal information provided to OTS may be subject to disclosure in accordance with Hawaii's public records laws.  Information in anonymous, aggregated form may be shared freely.  OTS will not use your personal information to send you unsolicited commercial offers.  However, OTS may need to contact you for certain purposes, as for example in response to your inquiry, or with a message regarding the status of the Site.

4.  Disclosure of personal information as required by law

OTS will disclose personal information when required by law, or if OTS has a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to (a) comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on OTS, (b) protect and defend the rights of OTS, or (c) protect the rights, property, and other interests of OTS' users or others.

5.  Links

The Site contains links to other sites.  OTS is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these other sites.  OTS encourages you to be aware when you leave the Site and to read the privacy statements and terms/conditions of use for each and every site that collects personally identifiable information.  This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by the OTS Site.

6.  Security

OTS takes reasonable precautions to protect your information.  For example, OTS encrypts certain communications through the Site with 128-bit encryption, the industry standard for strong encryption.  However, given the nature of the Internet and the fact that network security measures are not infallible, OTS cannot guarantee the security of your information.

If you have any questions about the security at the Site, you can send a message to the webmaster at webmaster@thebus.org.

7.  Correcting, updating, deleting and deactivating personal information

If your information changes, you may contact OTS to correct, update or delete and deactivate the records of OTS.

8.  Notification of changes

OTS may modify the terms of this privacy policy at any time by updating this posting.  If this privacy policy changes materially so that OTS is going to use your personally identifiable information in a manner different from that stated at the time of collection, or if OTS makes any material changes in its privacy practices that affect customer information already stored in OTS' database, OTS will prominently post a notice on the main page and other pages to alert you about the change.  You should check the Site periodically to remain informed of the latest version of the privacy policy.

9.  Contact information

Webmaster:  webmaster@thebus.org.