Data Privacy Policy

1. Privacy Policy

City of Syracuse Web Site Privacy Policy

The City of Syracuse is committed to the protection of your online privacy. To better protect your privacy we are providing you with an explanation of our on-line information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. By using our Web site, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy. While online we may request your name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, and account number(s). All data collected is used for the processing of your account.

Information We Collect and Store Automatically

When you visit our Web site our Web server automatically recognizes your domain name, but not your e-mail address, and collects and stores your domain name, IP address, type of browser and operating system, the language your browser uses, the dates and times you visited the site, the Web pages you accessed and visited, and the Web site from which you linked to our site (if any). None of this information is personally identifiable. We store and analyze aggregate information on what pages you access or visit.

Some of our Web areas may use cookies to store information you provide and to assist in tracking the pages you visit. This information that we collect automatically is used to make your experience more convenient and meaningful. Cookie information used for tracking helps us to better tailor the presentation of information and to understand patterns of usage. It does not reveal your personally identifiable information (such as your name or address). You may set preferences in your browser to prevent storage of cookies. The information we collect through the use of cookies is private corporate data and is not shared beyond the corporation.

Information That You Voluntarily Provide to Us

If during your visit to the City of Syracuse web site you participate in a survey, send an e-mail, or sign up for an e-mail list, your e-mail address and contents of the e-mail or information volunteered in response to a survey will be collected. The contents of your email, your email address, and survey responses may be used to respond to you, address issues you identify, further improve our web site, forward the email to another agency for appropriate action, or other appropriate action. Emails, surveys and discussion group information are public records.

Access to Information About You

The City of Syracuse will restrict access to your personal information to a limited number of employees based on their need for access to complete their duties. These employees will be trained in the proper handling of customer information. Employees who violate our privacy policy will be subject to our normal disciplinary processes. The City of Syracuse employs reasonable and current Internet Security electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard the information we collect from you and to prevent the loss, misuse, and alteration of such information. The City of Syracuse will restrict access to your personal information to a limited number of employees based on their need for access to complete their duties. These employees will be trained in the proper handling of customer information. Employees who violate our privacy policy will be subject to our normal disciplinary processes. The City of Syracuse employs reasonable and current Internet Security electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard the information we collect from you and to prevent the loss, misuse, and alteration of such information. If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, or if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us.

Online Services

The City of Syracuse offers services online as a means to improve services and to make them more convenient and accessible. If during your visit to the City of Syracuse web site you access services, we will collect additional information related directly to the service you are accessing. We will limit the information requested to only that required to conduct the service. We will not use the information for any other purpose without your permission, except as required or provided for by law.

Public Records and Disclosure

The City of Syracuse is a governmental agency and therefore subject to the laws regarding retention and disclosure of public records. These laws exist to ensure that the government conducts its business in a manner open to the public and provides the public the right to access most records, documents, and information used and possessed by all governmental entities. All information you provide and we collect at this site becomes public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption in law exists. Information that is exempt from disclosure will be identified as such. Note that in the event of a conflict between this Privacy Policy and state or federal law governing disclosure of record, the state or federal law will control.

Privacy Disclaimer

The City of Syracuse web site 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 the City of Syracuse web site and this Privacy Policy will not apply. When you link to another web site, you are subject to the privacy policy and data collection practices of that new site. You must take responsibility for visiting these third-party sites, as The City of Syracuse has no control over information you submit to these third parties.
We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy at any time, and, if we do so, we will post those changes on this Web site. It is your responsibility to check this Policy so that you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we disclose it.

City of Syracuse Mobile App

The City of Syracuse is using SeeClickFix, an online and mobile service request system, to power its mobile app and reporting forms. SeeClickFix is an application that allows the City of Syracuse citizens to report non-emergency related issues to the city. SeeClickFix can be used via the web on a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. SeeClickFix is a public application. The description entered will be visible to the public. Your display name will also be visible unless you choose to submit as anonymous. Your email address will never be displayed publicly.

2. Data Privacy Policy

The City of Syracuse (the “City”) collects and shares data about a range of services, including complaints about road conditions, tax payment history, code violations, public safety services, and more. The City uses this data and information to better deliver services. As more tools to collect data become available, the amount and range of data collected will increase as well. We know that protecting this data is important, and this privacy policy details how we collect, manage, use, and protect it. We work to find a balance between using data to provide services and protecting your privacy. The data we collect is not sold to third-parties and it is only released publicly after review in accordance with our open data policy, legal process, or as required by New York State’s Freedom of Information Law. We think you should know the types of data being collected about you.

This data privacy policy is written with the City’s mission, vision, and values in mind.

Mission Syracuse will be a growing city that embraces diversity and creates opportunity for all

Vision As a model of innovation and citizen engagement, the City of Syracuse will consistently deliver high quality customer experiences through proactive and efficient service

Values Accountability, collaboration, constituent-focused, cultural competency, data-driven decisions, diversity, empathy and compassion, transparency

A growing city needs to analyze data to make informed decisions. Data allows the city’s staff to innovate and engage the public. Being open about what data is collected and how it is used provides the transparency that a government should strive for as well as what a community should expect. Though access to data may increase efficiency, engaging in constituent-focused outreach and having empathy for those in the community may limit how much data to collect or analyze. The collection or interpretation of data can be biased and lead us to poor conclusions. Careful understanding of these processes is important to ensure we are living up to the mission, vision, and values of the City, while also respecting the community.

3. Privacy Principles

1. Your privacy is important - personally identifiable information will only be released when legally obligated. In such a case, a review is conducted by our Office of Corporation Counsel and department directors or commissioners that oversee the collection of that respective piece of information.

2. We do not collect more data than we need - while there are an ever-growing number of ways to collect data, we consider how each piece of data will be used and work to ensure we only collect the data that helps us provide better services.

3. We tell you how the data is used - where possible, we will tell you how data collected will be used and in certain cases will allow you to opt-out of data being collected about you.

4. We are secure - your data is kept in ways that are secure and we constantly monitor and train employees about the potential ways data breaches can occur in an effort to avoid them in the future.

5. We pursue data accuracy - maintaining large amounts of data presents multiple challenges, but we work to maintain accurate data and update the information when it is inaccurate.

4. What We Collect

Each department within the City of Syracuse collects large amounts of data. Some are provided directly to us, like permit applications. Other data we may collect during a passive interaction with one of our departments, like your image captured on a security or law enforcement camera. We try to collect only as much data as is needed to provide services. The table below provides some examples of the types of data collected:

5. How Data Is Used

Data collected about the public is used in a variety of ways within the city government. Many times it serves as a way to check records about prior payments or outstanding tax balances or parking violations. Being able to look up an individual and ensure he or she has paid taxes prior to receiving a permit ensures we are doing our due-diligence in a permitting process, for example.

In many cases, this data can also be aggregated to better understand trends in the community. Analyzing where in the City the bulk of permits are filed, or which neighborhood reports the most potholes allows departments to make better decisions, and sometimes test new ways of doing work. In the cases where data is used in bulk, the City considers how to ensure data is accurate and understood before completing the analysis. Bulk data is typically aggregated based on location or date rather than individual, and personally identifiable information is removed as a part of this aggregation.

6. How We Will Review Data Collection

Especially in a world where sensors collect massive amounts of data about everything happening in a space, understanding the privacy implications of new technologies is critical. In the coming months, the City of Syracuse will formalize the policy for how it collects data from these technologies, as well as more traditional means. This policy will direct departments to review and publish what and how data is collected about individuals.

For questions about the City of Syracuse Data Privacy Policy, email digital@syrgov.net.