PRIVACY NOTICE INFORMATION

Section A. Introduction

Thank you for visiting the Washington State Liquor Control Board’s 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 this site. This notice covers the following topics:

Section B. 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 download information, 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 (e.g. xcompany.com or yourschool.edu);

  2. The type of browser and operating system you used;

  3. The date and time you visited this 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 collect and store is used by the Liquor Control Board only to improve the content of our web services and to help us understand how people are using our services.

What we collect if you volunteer information.

If during your visit to our web site you participate in a survey, send an email, or perform some other transaction on-line, the following additional information will be collected:

  • The email address.

  • Contents of the email, if applicable.

  • Information volunteered in response to a survey.

  • Information volunteered through an on-line form for any other purpose

The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats sent to us.

We use our email to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, to address issues, you may identify, to further improve our web site, or to forward the email to another agency for appropriate action.

Section C. Personal Information and Choice

You may choose whether to provide personal information on-line.

"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 a survey, or completing an on-line form. To avoid our collection (access) to this information, 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 these activities will not impair your ability to browse the Liquor Control Board’s web site and read or download any information provided on the site.

You may communicate with us in alternative ways if you choose. You may contact us by telephone, fax or in writing as shown in the Contact Section of this notice.

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.

If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, you may contact the Public, Legislative and Media Relations office 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 on-line or by email will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.

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.

All of the information collected at this site becomes public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by members 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 42.17.310, 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.

Section E. Nondisclosure of Certain Information.

We do not collect information, automatically or voluntarily, that is known to be protected from public disclosure under applicable laws, either state or federal, with the following exception. If you report a violation and you wish to be contacted by a Liquor Enforcement Agent, and you do not check the box for "Release of name authorized", your identity will be exempt from public inspection and copying in accordance with RCW.42.17.310(e).

Section F. 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 request that credibly shows the inaccuracy. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.

Section G. Cookies

To better serve our users we are now using "cookies" to customize your browsing experience with the Liquor Control Board. Cookies are simple text files stored on your computer by your web browser. They provide a method of distinguishing among visitors to the Liquor Control Board.

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.

Section H. Security.

The Liquor Control Board takes precautions to safeguard personal information you provide through our web services.

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 by the Liquor Control Board’s web site.

Section I. Disclaimer.

The Liquor Control Board 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 Liquor Control Board’s 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 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 their own risk.

The Liquor Control Board reserves the right to revise and update this Privacy Notice at any time without notice by posting such revised Privacy Notice a the Liquor Control Board home page.

Section J. Liquor Control Board Contact Information.

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

James Kauffman
Public Records Officer
Washington State Liquor Control Board
PO Box 43098
Olympia WA 98504-3098
Telephone: (360) 664-1714
FAX: (360) 664-9689
E-Mail: jdk@liq.wa.gov

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For more information contact Susan Reams at (360) 664-1698.