Privacy and Security Policy
Effective date: July 29, 2026
The Town of Surfside Beach respects your privacy and values your trust. This Privacy and Security Policy explains how information may be collected, used, stored and shared when you visit VisitSurfsideBeach.com (the “Website”).
This policy applies only to VisitSurfsideBeach.com. It does not apply to websites operated by other organizations, businesses or government agencies, even when those websites are linked from this Website.
Information We Collect
Information You Provide
We may collect Personal Information that you voluntarily provide when you contact us, submit a form, request information or otherwise communicate with us.
Depending on the interaction, this information may include:
- Your name
- Email address
- Mailing address
- Telephone number
- The content of your message or request
- Other information you choose to provide
“Personal Information” means information that identifies, relates to or could reasonably be linked with an identifiable individual.
Please do not submit sensitive Personal Information unless it is specifically requested and necessary for the service you are seeking.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the Website, certain information may be collected automatically through server logs, cookies and similar technologies. This may include:
- Internet Protocol address
- Browser and device type
- Operating system
- Referring website
- Pages viewed
- Links selected
- Date and time of access
- General location derived from an IP address
- Information about how you interact with the Website
This information helps us operate, secure, evaluate and improve the Website.
How We Collect Information
We may collect information:
- Directly from you when you contact us or submit information
- Automatically when you use the Website
- Through service providers that support the Website, analytics, hosting, security or other digital services
- Through embedded content or features provided by third parties
How We Use Information
We may use information collected through the Website:
- To operate, maintain and secure the Website
- To provide visitor information and requested services
- To respond to questions, comments or requests
- To understand how visitors use the Website
- To improve Website content, functionality and accessibility
- To identify and resolve technical problems
- To comply with applicable laws, regulations, court orders and governmental requirements
- To protect the rights, property and safety of the Town, Website visitors and others
We will not use Personal Information for purposes that are materially different from those described in this policy without providing appropriate notice or obtaining consent when required.
Legal Bases for Processing
When applicable law requires a legal basis for processing Personal Information, we may process information based on:
- Your consent
- The need to provide information or services you requested
- Compliance with a legal obligation
- The performance of a task carried out in the public interest
- Our legitimate interests in operating, securing and improving the Website, provided those interests are not outweighed by your rights
You may withdraw your consent at any time when processing is based on consent.
How We Share Information
We may share information with vendors, contractors and service providers that help us operate, host, maintain, secure or analyze the Website. These organizations may receive only the information reasonably necessary to perform their services.
We may also disclose information:
- When required by federal, state or local law
- In response to a subpoena, court order, public-records request or other lawful governmental request
- To investigate or prevent fraud, security incidents or unlawful activity
- When necessary to protect the rights, property or safety of the Town, Website visitors or others
- In connection with a change in the administration, ownership or operation of the Website
The Website may contain embedded services or links to third-party websites. Those third parties may independently collect information under their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review their policies before providing information.
South Carolina Public Records
The Town of Surfside Beach is a public body subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and other public-records laws. Information submitted to the Town may become a public record and may be disclosed when required by law.
Please consider this before submitting Personal Information through the Website or by email.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small files stored on your device when you visit a website. The Website and its service providers may use cookies, pixels, local storage and similar technologies to:
- Enable essential Website functions
- Maintain security
- Remember preferences
- Measure Website traffic and performance
- Understand how visitors interact with Website content
Some cookies remain only during your browsing session, while others may remain on your device for a longer period.
You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking certain cookies may affect how portions of the Website function. Where required by law, we will obtain consent before using nonessential cookies.
The Website may recognize browser-based privacy preference signals, such as Global Privacy Control, where required by applicable law and supported by our technology.
Analytics and Third-Party Services
We may use third-party analytics, mapping, video, weather, social media or other services. These providers may collect information such as your IP address, device information and interactions with their embedded content.
The privacy and cookie practices of these services are controlled by their respective providers. Following a link to another website also subjects you to that website’s privacy policy and terms.
Retention of Information
We retain Personal Information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Fulfill the purpose for which it was collected
- Provide requested information or services
- Maintain appropriate government and administrative records
- Meet legal, regulatory or reporting requirements
- Resolve disputes
- Protect the security and integrity of the Website
Information may be deleted, anonymized or retained according to applicable records-retention requirements.
Your Privacy Rights
Depending on where you reside and which laws apply, you may have the right to:
- Request access to Personal Information we maintain about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of certain information
- Request restrictions on certain processing
- Object to certain uses of your information
- Receive a portable copy of certain information
- Withdraw consent
- Appeal the denial of a privacy request
- Exercise your rights without unlawful discrimination
These rights may be limited by applicable law, including public-records and government records-retention requirements.
To exercise an applicable privacy right, contact us using the information at the end of this policy. We may need to verify your identity before completing a request.
California Residents
California residents may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended, including rights to know, access, correct or delete certain Personal Information and to opt out of the sale or sharing of Personal Information.
The Town does not sell Personal Information in exchange for money. Certain uses of analytics or advertising technologies, if present, may be considered “sharing” under California law. Applicable requests may be submitted using the contact information below.
International Visitors
Information collected through the Website may be stored or processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your country.
Visitors from the European Economic Area, United Kingdom or other jurisdictions may have additional rights concerning access, correction, deletion, restriction, objection, portability, withdrawal of consent and filing a complaint with an applicable supervisory authority.
Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical and organizational measures designed to protect information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss or misuse.
However, no website, transmission method or information-storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Visitors provide information through the Website at their own risk.
Children’s Privacy
The Website provides general travel and visitor information and is not directed specifically to children under 13. We do not knowingly solicit or collect Personal Information from children under 13 without appropriate parental consent or another lawful basis.
If we learn that we have collected Personal Information from a child in violation of applicable law, we will take reasonable steps to delete it. A parent or guardian who believes a child has provided Personal Information may contact us using the information below.
External Links
The Website includes links to lodging providers, restaurants, attractions, government resources, social media platforms and other external websites. A link does not mean the Town controls or endorses the privacy practices of that website.
The Town is not responsible for the content, security or privacy practices of third-party websites.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the Website, our practices or applicable laws change. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
We encourage visitors to review this policy periodically. Material changes may also be communicated through an additional Website notice when appropriate.
Contact Us
Questions about this policy or requests concerning your Personal Information may be directed to:
Town of Surfside Beach
210 Highway 17 South
Surfside Beach, SC 29575
Phone: 843-913-6111
Email: [email protected]
When contacting us, please describe your question or request clearly. Do not include sensitive Personal Information unless it is necessary for us to process your request.