Privacy
Section A. Introduction
Thank you for visiting the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) website and reviewing this Privacy Policy.
This Policy addresses the collection, use and security of and access to information that may be obtained through use of this website.
Section B. Information Collected and How it is Used
Information collected if you only browse this site
By browsing this website, we will gather and store certain information about your visit. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:
The Internet domain and IP address used to access this site. An IP address is a number that is assigned to your computer network whenever you are using the Internet;
The type of web browser and operating system used;
The date and time of your visit;
The pages you visit on this website; and
The last website you visited before coming to ours and other web traffic statistics.
The information we automatically collect is saved and used by WaTech to improve the content of our web services and to help us understand how people are using our services.
Information collected if you volunteer information
If during your visit to our website you participate in a survey, send us an email, or perform some other transaction online, the following additional information may be collected:
- Your email address and contents of the email.
- Information volunteered in response to a survey related to the use of this website.
- Information volunteered through an online form for any other purpose.
The information collected is not limited to text characters and other formats you choose to send us.
We use the email you send to us to address issues, to further improve our website, or to forward the email to another agency for appropriate action.
Section C. Personal Information
Personally identifiable information (“PII”) as defined in this Privacy Policy, means 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.
We collect no PII about you unless you voluntarily provide it to us by sending us e-mail, or completing an online form or survey. You may choose not to contact us by e-mail or to provide any PII using an online form or survey. Your choice to not participate in these activities will not impair your ability to use our site and read or download any information provided on the site. If you choose to provide PII by emailing WaTech, participating in a survey, or completing an online form, WaTech stores this information.
If any type of PII is volunteered by the users, it is governed by laws such as the Washington Public Records Act RCW 42.56(link is external). This information may become a public record once it is provided, and it may be subject to public inspection and copying if not otherwise protected by federal or state law.. Confidential information is protected and it will only be disclosed pursuant to a legal process or as otherwise required by law.
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) governs information gathering online from or about children under the age of 13. We are especially concerned about protecting children's privacy. If a child chooses to provide personally identifying information to us then the child must get his/her parents' permission before providing any information online.
If you have questions about how WaTech uses your personally identifiable information, you may contact WaTech as shown in the Contact Information Section of this statement.
Section D. Public Access to Information
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.
Information collected through use of this site may be public information and subject to inspection and copying by members of the public. The Public Records Act, 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 42.56.070(6) (link is external)], Chapter 42.56 RCW (link is external), 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 Chapter 42.56 RCW (link is external), an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with Chapter 42.56 RCW (link is external) 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 Policy and the Public Records Act or other law governing the agency’s disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.
Section E. Correcting Personally Identifiable Information
State law requires agencies that collect personally identifiable information to provide “procedures for correcting inaccurate information, including establishing mechanisms for individuals to review information about them and recommend changes in information they believe to be inaccurate.”
You can access any personally identifiable information we collect about you by using the information in the Contact Information section at the end of this Policy. You may correct factual errors in your personally identifiable information by submitting an email or written request that credibly shows the error. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.
Section F. Cookies
To better serve our users, we use "cookies" to customize your browsing experience with the WaTech website. Cookies are small data files stored on your hard drive or in your device memory when you visit a website. Cookies and similar technologies are widely used by websites to make them work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the website operator about how users are using their website. Most devices allow you to block cookies by adjusting the settings on your browser. However, if you use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies) this could affect the availability and functionality of the WaTech website. WaTech only has control over cookies we provide and not over third party cookies or other technologies deployed on this website that may be created by using embedded third party applications.
To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, please refer to your browser ‘help’ section, or visit www.aboutcookies.org (Link is external) or www.allaboutcookies.org (Link is external).
Section G. Security
WaTech has taken steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information maintained by us. These measures are designed and intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of information in our possession.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 this website.
Section H. WaTech Copyright
This site contains text, artwork, photos or other content that is copyrighted by others and is being used with permission of the copyright holder. Therefore, WaTech recommends that you contact our Webmaster (link sends e-mail) for permission to use any content contained on this site.
Section I. Disclaimer
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 who relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.
WaTech has many links to other web sites. These include links to web sites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private businesses, including but not limited to the websites of our vendors. When you link to another site, you are no longer on the WaTech web site and this Privacy Policy will not apply. When you link to another web site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site. This symbol means you are leaving the government website and this policy will no longer apply.
Reference in this Web site to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the State of Washington, WaTech, or its officers, employees or agents.
WaTech reserves the right to revise and update this Privacy Policy at any time without notice by posting the revision on our site.
Section J. Our Contact Information
You may contact us as follows:
To review your personal information, or request correction of your personal information:
Conact Office of Legal Services: Public Records Requests
To offer comments about our web site, or about the information presented in this Privacy Policy:
WaTech’s Privacy Officer: privacyofficer@watech.wa.gov
For other puposes, please use our Contact Us form.
