Privacy Policy

Updated 1/15/2008

Thank you

Thank you for your interest in the Office of the State Auditor. We are dedicated to giving you the best possible information through our website. At times, this requires us to collect and store certain information about our visitors. This policy addresses collection, use and security of and access to information through the Office of the State Auditor's website. This notice covers the following topics:

 

 

Applicable Laws

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, and Minnesota Statutes, section 6.715, govern the use of information by the Office of the State Auditor. The Office of the State Auditor retains information in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 138.17 and Minnesota Statutes, section 15.17. This notice explains information gathering and dissemination practices for our domains.

Electronic Access Data

For systems administration purposes, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, the type of browser and operating system used, the time of day visited, the pages viewed, and other general data are collected automatically for all visitors to our website. This information is not personal in nature and is used only for statistical analysis and tracking so that we may improve the website and offer you the best possible experience. This information is not tied to any personally identifiable information.

In addition, some online applications that require a login may track general information about the logged-in user's access (i.e., the log-in used and pages visited). This information is used by the Office of the State Auditor to administer the website and to help solve access problems.

Use of Electronic Access Data

Under Minnesota law, electronic access data may also be disseminated (1) to the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration for the purpose of evaluating electronic government services, (2) to another government entity to prevent unlawful intrusions into government electronic systems, or (3) as otherwise provided by law.

Personal Information

“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 do not collect personal information about you unless you participate in an activity that asks for information (i.e. sending an email or filling out a form). If you choose not to participate in these activities, your choice will not affect your ability to use other features of the Office of the State Auditor’s website.

If personal information is requested on the website or volunteered by the user, it may be protected by law. 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.

Public Disclosure

In the State of Minnesota, 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 information collected at this site becomes public records that may be subject to inspection and copying by the public, unless an exemption in law exists. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 1205 define Minnesota's Data Practices Act.

Cookies

The State Auditor’s website does not currently use persistent cookies, which are small data files placed on a visitor’s computer. In some online applications requiring a login, session cookies are used. These cookies are removed from the visitor’s machine when the web browser is closed. They are used only for proper application functionality and are not shared with anyone outside of the Office of the State Auditor.

Security Encryption

Areas of this website use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to protect transmitted data, such as login information. These areas will be clearly indicated.

Links to External Websites

This website may contain links to websites or materials outside of the control of the Office of the State Auditor. These links are provided as a service to you, but the Office of the State Auditor is not responsible for and cannot guarantee the accuracy of information found outside of the Office of the State Auditor website. When you link to another website, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that new website.

Warranties

This website is provide by the Office of the State Auditor on an "as is" basis, and the Office of the State Auditor expressly disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, including without limitation warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to services or materials or products provided or linked through this website. The Office of the State Auditor provides information on its websites for the benefit of the public in general. No individual should rely on any such information without independent verification. In no event shall the Office of the State Auditor be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever with respect to services, materials or products linked through this website.

Under no circumstances shall the Office of the State Auditor be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive or consequential damages that result in any way from your use of or inability to use this service or to access the internet or any part thereof, or your reliance on or use of information, services or merchandise provided on or through this website, or that result from mistakes, omissions, interruptions, deletion of files, errors, defects, delays in operation, or transmission, or any failure of performance.

Viruses

The Office of the State Auditor cannot and does not guarantee or warrant that files available for downloading from this website are free of viruses, worms, Trojan horses or other code that has contaminating or destructive properties. The Office of the State Auditor does not make any express or implied warranties, representations or endorsements whatsoever (including without limitation warranties of title, noninfringement or fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to the files available for downloading from this website.

Contact Information

If you have questions or comments about the Office of the State Auditor website or about this notice, you may contact:

Web Administrator
Office of the State Auditor
525 Park Street, Suite 500
St. Paul, Minnesota 55103
(651) 297-7104
webmaster@osa.state.mn.us