WSAC Privacy Policy Updated 2023.06

Section A. Introduction

This Policy explains what we do with data collected as a result of your visit to this website. It also describes several state and federal laws that apply to personally identifiable information that you might provide in the course of navigating this site.

   Section B. Data Collection and Use

• Information collected if you only browse this site

When you browse this website, we may gather and store certain information about your visit. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

1. 1. The Internet domain and network address you use to access our site.
   2. The type of web browser and operating system you are using.
   3. The date and time of your visit.
   4. The pages you visit on this website.
   5. The last website you visited before coming to ours.
   6. Other web traffic statistics (through analytics).
   7. For users with Ads Personalization turned on in their browser, additional information may be gathered, such as user location, search history, YouTube history, and data from sites that partner with Google. This information is used to provide aggregated and anonymized insights into users’ cross-device behavior.

The information we automatically collect is saved and used by this agency 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:

1. 1. Your email address and contents of the email.
   2. Information volunteered in response to a survey.
   3. Information volunteered through an online form for any other purpose.

The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us. We will not usually ask for or collect this kind of information from the general public through this website.

Email you send to us may be used to respond to issues and to further improve our services. We may forward your email to another agency or a vendor for appropriate action.

The records retention schedules published by the State Archives require us to keep this information only so long as it is useful, and then destroy it; these schedules change from time to time.

     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. Personally identifiable information includes such things as your name, address, and phone number.

We will not collect PII about you unless you voluntarily provide it to us by sending us email 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 restrict 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 us, participating in a survey, or completing an online form, we may store this information.

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (link is external) (COPPA) governs information gathering online from or about children under the age of 13. We are especially concerned about protecting children's privacy. Under COPPA, a website must get parental permission before collecting personally identifiable information about a child under the age of 13.

If you have questions about how we use your personally identifiable information, you can contact our agency 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 the 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.

As a public agency, all our information is governed by laws such as Washington’s Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Information you send us may become a public record, and it may be subject to public inspection and copying if not otherwise protected by federal or state law.

Information collected through the use of this site may be public information and subject to inspection and copying by members of the public. 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” (RCW 43.105.365).

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. We will do our best to correct factual errors in your personally identifiable information if you send us a written request that clearly shows the error. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.

    Section F. User Tracking and Customization of Pages

To better serve our users, we may use a variety of indicators to customize your browsing experience with this website, including “cookies.” If you use your browser settings opt to block all cookies in the settings to your web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox), (including essential cookies) this could affect the availability and functionality of this website. We only have control over the indicators we provide and not over third-party tools or other technologies deployed on this website that may be created by using embedded third-party applications.

    Section G. Security

This agency 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 provide reasonable protection of information in our possession.

     Section H. Copyright

This site contains text, artwork, photos, or other content that may be copyrighted by others and is being used with permission of the copyright holder. Therefore, we recommend that you contact us 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.