This policy is to inform visitors to the Alpha.austin.gov web site of its data gathering methods and use of such data. Alpha.Austin.gov collects many types of data throughout its website and the degree to which this data is used will be specified below. The City of Austin may change this policy at any time at its sole discretion and without notice.
HIPAA privacy practices
The Public Health Department will comply with all federal and state laws that pertain to any aspect of the clinical practices or business procedures of the Department. In particular, privacy and security rules relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), along with related state laws, are integral to matters of privacy, medical records, and the confidentiality of communications. For more information, see the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website on Health Information Privacy.
Logs and activity reports
The Alpha.austin.gov web site collects data each time a visitor enters the Alpha.austin.gov web site or moves from one page to the next within the web site. This information is used to gather statistics about visitors as a whole and in no way points to individuals. Personal information is not gathered in the Alpha.austin.gov website log files. The information gathered falls into these categories:
- Time of day
- Date
- Which URL was visited prior to coming to the Alpha.austin.gov website
- Which URL you are viewing at the Alpha.austin.gov website
- What browser and version of browser you use
- Which Operating System you use
The above information is processed and analyzed to keep the Alpha.austin.gov website up to industry standards. Portions of the website's design and functionality are influenced by the data collected.
Collection and use of information
The Alpha.austin.gov website does not sell or lease personal information. Information submitted to the Alpha.austin.gov website may be subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Information about the Texas Public Information Act is available from the Office of the Texas Attorney General at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/open/requestors.shtml.
For more information regarding specific City of Austin Connection web pages or web applications, contact the City of Austin’s Communications and Public Information Office at webadmin@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-3329.
Often personal or business information is requested by an Alpha.austin.gov website online service. The request of information, storage of that information and the dissemination of that information will vary based on the department and/or service.
In each instance, clear indications of whether or not the information is required or optional will be marked.
The Alpha.austin.gov website may be required by law enforcement or judicial authorities to provide personally identifiable information to the appropriate governmental authorities. We reserve the right to report to law enforcement agencies any activities that we in good faith believe to be unlawful.
Security
This site uses a secure server for conducting online services. All credit card and other payment information that you transmit to us will be protected by industry standard encryption; provided your browser is properly configured and your computer is operating properly. Current browsers provide visual cues to the visitor that the online service is secure. In the bottom of the browser you should see a key or lock. If the key is not broken or the lock is locked, then you are on a secure site. If not the site is not secure, you should not trust the transmission of personal information to the site.
Personal information is secured and only those employees that monitor the status of the computers, or perform routine maintenance are allowed access. For more information regarding the security of personal or business information, you can contact the Communications and Technology Management Department.
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are stored on the visitor's hard drive in order to place certain information regarding the transaction. A session ID, along with time date and other information may be gathered. In order for the transaction to take place, cookies must be enabled by your browser.
The Alpha.austin.gov website uses cookies in some of its online services.