Search Assistant Terms and Conditions
Last updated: September 2026
By clicking ‘Start Chat’, you as the “user” acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms and Conditions, please do not use the Washoe County Search Assistant. Washoe County’s Search Assistant is available through the Microsoft Azure AI platform; thus, the use of Washoe County’s Search Assistant is governed by both the following Terms and Conditions and/or applicable Privacy Policy.
Supplemental Terms of Use for Microsoft Azure Previews
Limitations of Search Assistant:
Washoe County’s artificial intelligence (AI) Search Assistant provides automated responses generated by a generative pre-trained transformers (GPT). Washoe County provides this Search Assistant as a public service to provide general information about County services and requirements. The AI Search Assistant interprets and answers user’s questions to the best of its ability, based on the wording of the questions asked, its current programming, and available data sources. Please be aware that the AI Search Assistant’s responses may not reflect the most current information and is not tailored to individual circumstances. The answers and content provided by the AI Search Assistant are not intended to offer professional or legal advice and should not be considered a substitute for such advice. Washoe County cannot guarantee the correctness, completeness or suitability of AI generated content. Washoe County recommends that users exercise caution, judgement and due diligence when utilizing the information provided by the AI Search Assistant. For personalized, professional or critical matters, it is always best to confirm information by contacting the relevant Washoe County office directly. Further, if you have any concerns about the accuracy of or appropriateness of the AI Search Assistant’s responses, please consult relevant Washoe County staff.
Confidentiality Disclaimer:
Washoe County considers any information received through Washoe County’s Search Assistant as if it were supplied in writing or through in-person visit to our offices. Please note that queries or other information submitted through the Search Assistant as well as the user’s IP address may be subject to disclosure to third parties in accordance with Nevada’s Public Records Act, found in Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) Chapter 239. Washoe County protects information declared by law to be confidential from disclosure. However, users should refrain from asking the Search Assistant any questions that include personal or sensitive information as this information may be subject to disclosure.
Acceptable Use:
By using the Washoe County’s Search Assistant, you represent, acknowledge and agree that:
- You have the legal capacity to agree to these Terms and Conditions, or if you lack such capacity because you are a minor child, that you have obtained parental or guardian consent to agree to these Terms and Conditions and to utilize Washoe County’s Search Assistant;
- You will not utilize the Search Assistant for illicit or illegal purposes, and will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; these Terms and Conditions; Microsoft Azure OpenAI’s Terms and Conditions; and any other applicable third-party terms and conditions;
- You will refrain from asking the Search Assistant questions that include personal or sensitive information, such as your or another person’s age, gender or sexual orientation, ethnicity or country of origin, race, disability, marital or family status, medical history, religion, financial information or passwords;
- You will not harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses, without their consent;
- You will not submit any questions or material through the Search Assistant that may be considered indecent, threatening, obscene or pornographic;
- You will not upload or transmit viruses or any other type of malicious code that will or may be used in any way that will affect the functionality or operation of the Search Assistant;
- You will not attempt to modify any information provided by the Search Assistant, or attempt to defeat or circumvent the security features of the Search Assistant;
- You will not violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Liability Disclaimer:
In using Washoe County’s Search Assistant, the user acknowledges and agrees that the answers and content provided by Washoe County’s Search Assistant should be used at the user’s own risk and discretion. The user further acknowledges and agrees that Washoe County and its agents, officers, departments, directors, employees and volunteers shall not be held liable for any actions, decisions or consequences resulting from the user’s use or reliance on Washoe County’s Search Assistant. Washoe County expressly disclaims any liability for any losses or direct, indirect, consequential, incidental or punitive damages arising from the user’s use or reliance on the Washoe County Search Assistant’s responses or the content provided on this platform.
Warranty Disclaimer:
Washoe County disclaims all warranties with respect to the Search Assistant, express or implied, including but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, title, quiet enjoyment, merchantability of computer programs, system integration and informational content.
Washoe County does not warranty or make any representations regarding the operation of the Search Assistant, the use, validity, accuracy or reliability of the Search Assistant, or the responses or any information provided by the Search Assistant or through the user’s use of the Search Assistant.
Data Collection and Handling:
Washoe County is committed to data security. Unfortunately, no information transmitted via the Internet is guaranteed to be completely secure due to the nature of the Internet. But we attempt to safeguard your information from loss, misuse or alteration. We use firewalls and Secure Sockets Layer, where appropriate. Further, Washoe County may have outside companies perform periodic security audits and we may use intrusion detection systems to guard against unauthorized access.
Links to Other Websites:
Various external websites may be referenced by the Washoe County Search Assistant. Visitors to those sites may wish to check their privacy statements and be cautious about providing personally identifiable information. A link does not constitute an endorsement or content, viewpoint, policies, products or services of that website. Once you follow a link to another website not maintained by Washoe County, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that website, including but not limited to its privacy policy.
Modification Of These Terms and Conditions:
Washoe County reserves the right to change the terms, conditions and notices under which Washoe County Search Assistant is offered, including but not limited to the charges associated with the use of the Washoe County’s Search Assistant.
Questions and Concerns:
If you have questions or concerns regarding our Terms and Conditions, we encourage you to contact Washoe County 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or (775) 328–2003.