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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for visiting the Washington STARs (WA STARs) Web site and reviewing our Privacy Notice. This statement addresses collection, use and security of, and access to information that may be obtained through use of the WA STARs Web site.

This notice covers the following topics:

  • Information Collected and How it is Used

  • Personal Information and Choice

  • Public Access to Information

  • Nondisclosure of Certain Personal/Private Information

  • Review and Correction of Personally Identifiable Information

  • Security

  • Disclaimer

  • Contact Information

INFORMATION COLLECTED AND HOW IT IS USED

Information collected if you only browse this site.

If you do nothing during your visit to our Web site but browse, read pages, or downloadinformation, we will gather and store certain information about your visit. This information does not identify you personally. We automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

1. The Internet Protocol Address and domain name used. 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. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider.

2. The type of browser you used.

3. The date and time you visited the site.

4. The Web pages or services you accessed at this site; and

5. The Web site you visited prior to coming to this Web site.

The information we automatically collect or store is logged and used by the Washington Economic Development Commission (WEDC)  only to improve the content of our Web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. The WEDC analyzes the information we log to determine how our Web site is being used, so that we may continually improve the site’s usefulness to the public.

What we collect if you volunteer information.

If during your visit to our Web site you participate in a survey or send an email the following additional information will be collected:

1. The email address, and contents of the email, for those who communicate with the WA STARs via 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 use your email to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, address issues you may identify, further improve our Web site, or to forward the email to another agency or institution for appropriate action.

PERSONAL INFORMATION AND CHOICE

You may choose whether to provide personal information online.

“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 provide it to us by sending us email, participating in an online survey, or completing an online form. You may choose not to contact us by email, participate in a survey, or to provide any personal information using an online form. Your choice to not participate in this activity will not impair your ability to browse the WA STARs Web site and read or download any information.

If personal information is 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. If you believe that your personal/private information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact the Webmaster as shown in the Contact Information Section of this statement.

Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children online or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.

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.

All of the information collected at this site becomes public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by member of 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 agency’s disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.

REVIEW AND CORRECTION OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION

You can review any personally identifiable information we collect about you by using the information in the “Contact Information” section at the end of this Notice. You may recommend changes to your personally identifiable information you believe to be inaccurate by submitting an email or written request that credibly shows the inaccuracy. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections. (RCW 43.105.310) 

SECURITY

The WEDC, as developer and manager of the WA STARs Web site, has taken several steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information maintained by the WEDC. 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 private 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 agency Web sites.

DISCLAIMER

The WA STARS Web site has many 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 the WA STARs Web site 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 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 linked from this system does so at their own risk.

CONTACT INFORMATION

You may contact the WEDC as follows:

To review your personal information, or request correction of your personal information:

Assistant to the Director, WEDC
Washington STARs
Evergreen Plaza, Suite 607
711 Capitol Way S.
P.O. Box 48302
Olympia, WA 908504-8302
Telephone (360) 586.5662
Fax (360) 586.5658

To offer comments about the WA STARs Web site, or about the information in this

Privacy Notice:

Webmaster

Washington STARs
WEDC
Evergreen Plaza, Suite 607
711 Capitol Way S.
P.O. Box 48302
Olympia, WA 908504-8302
Telephone(360) 586.5662
Fax (360) 586.5658
Email noreen.hoban@wedc.wa.gov

 

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WA STARS | Evergreen Plaza, Suite 607  | 711 Capitol Way  |  Olympia WA 98504-8302