Privacy Notice
Thank you for visiting Access Washington and reviewing our Privacy Notice. This
notice addresses collection, use and security of and access to information that
may be obtained through use of Access Washington. This notice covers the
following topics:
Information Collected and How it is Used
Personal Information and Choice
Public Disclosure
Access and Correction of Personal Information
Cookies
Security
Disclaimer
Contact Information
Information Collected and How it is Used
If you do nothing during your visit to Access Washington but browse or download information, we automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:
- The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used but not the email address. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol Address to direct Internet traffic to you;
- The type of browser and operating system you used;
- The date and time you visited this site;
- The Web pages or services you accessed at this site; and
- The Web site you visited prior to coming to this Web site.
The information we automatically collect or store is used to improve the content of our Web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. Access Washington staff analyzes our Web site logs to continually improve the value of the materials available on our site. Our Web site logs are not personally identifiable, and we make no attempt to link them with the individuals that browse Access Washington.
If during your visit to Access Washington you participate in a survey, register or participate in a listserv, or send an email, the following additional information will be collected:
- The email address and contents of the email;
- Information provided to register or shared during your participation in a listserv and
- Information volunteered in response to a survey.
The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us. The information is retained in accordance with Chapter 40.14 RCW, Preservation and Destruction of Public Records.
We use your email to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, to address issues you identify, to share your comments without attribution with others, to analyze and track user comments and feedback to further improve our Web site, or to forward the email to another agency for appropriate action. Survey information is used for the purpose designated.
Personal Information and Choice
"Personal information" is information about a natural person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Personal information includes such things as an individual's name, address, and phone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.
We collect no personal information about you unless you voluntarily participate in an activity that asks for information (e.g. sending an email, registering or participating in a listserv or participating in a survey). If you choose not to participate in these activities, your choice will in no way affect your ability to use any other feature of Access Washington.
If personal information is requested on the Web site or volunteered by the user, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.
Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children on-line or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.
Public Disclosure
In the State of Washington, laws exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by state government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public's right to access public records that serve various needs including the privacy of individuals. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws.
All information collected at this site becomes public records that may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption in law exists.
RCW 42.17. 260(1) states that
Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (6) of this section
[RCW 42.17.260(6)], RCW 42.17.310, 42.17.315, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records. To the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy interests protected by RCW 42.17.310 and 42.17.315, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with RCW 42.17.310 and 42.17.315 when it makes available or publishes any public record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing.
In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.
Access and Correction of Personal Information
You can review any personal information we collect about you. You may recommend changes to your personal information you believe in error by submitting a written request that credibly shows the error. If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact us. In all cases, we will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections. See Contact Information section.
Cookies
To better serve our users we are now using "cookies" to customize your browsing experience with Access Washington. Cookies are simple text files stored on your computer by your Web browser. They provide a method of distinguishing among visitors to Access Washington.
Cookies created on your computer by using this Web site do not contain personally identifying information and do not compromise your privacy or security. We use the cookie feature only to store a randomly generated identifying tag on your computer. You can refuse the cookie or delete the cookie file from your computer by using any of the widely available methods.
Security
The Department of Information Services (DIS), as developer and manager of Access Washington, has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its telecommunications and computing infrastructure, including but not limited to authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day practices of the entire DIS operating environment as part of its continuing commitment to risk management.
This information should not be construed in any way as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security of information provided via DIS supported Web sites.
Disclaimer
Access Washington has links to other Web sites. These include links to Web sites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses. When you link to another site, you are no longer on Access Washington and this Privacy Notice will not apply. When you link to another Web site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site.
Neither the State of Washington, nor any agency, officer, or employee of the State of Washington warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published by this system, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this system, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
Access Washington Contact Information
To access your personally identifiable information we collect, if any, or request correction of factual errors in your personally identifiable information, contact:
DIS Public Disclosure Officer
PO Box 42445
Olympia, WA 98504-2445
Phone: (360) 902-3551
Fax: (360) 586-5885
Email:
PublicDisclosure@dis.wa.gov
To offer comments about the information presented in this Privacy Notice, contact:
DIS Privacy Officer
PO Box 42445
Olympia, WA 98504-2445
Phone: (360) 902-3551
Fax: (360) 586-5885
Email:
PrivacyOfficer@dis.wa.gov
Last Modified:
July 16, 2004