The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) values your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide to us using our website. This DFI Website Privacy Notice (Privacy Notice) covers the following topics:
- Information We Collect
- Personal Information and Choice
- How We Use Your Information
- Sharing of Your Information
- Public Access to Information
- Correcting Personal Information
- Security
- Disclaimer
- Contact Information
Information We Collect
DFI collects information through its website in the following ways:
- Automatically Collected Information: When you visit our website, we may collect your IP address, browser type, device information, and browsing behavior using cookies or analytics tools.
- User-Provided Information: If you submit forms, provide information through online applications, or contact us, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, and other relevant details.
Personal Information and Choice
DFI collects no personal information about you through this website unless you choose to give that information to us. Personal information means information about a person that is easily identifiable to that individual, like a name, social security number, address, or phone number.
Providing personal information to us through this website, its forms, its applications, or by sending us a communication is voluntary. Your choice not to provide personal information will not limit your ability to browse DFI’s website and read or download any information provided on the website. However, not providing certain information may make it difficult for DFI to provide you with services you desire.
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) governs information gathering online from or about children under the age of 13. DFI’s website is intended for general public audience, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Users are cautioned that personal information provided to DFI by children will be treated the same as information as given by an adult and may be subject to public access.
Please keep in mind most official business conducted with our agency is governed by Washington's Public Records Act and is subject to disclosure. See Public Access to Information below.
How We Use Your Information
DFI uses collected data to:
- Improve website functionality and user experience
- Respond to inquiries and provide requested services
- Comply with legal obligations and agency regulations
- Ensure security and integrity of our systems
Sharing of Your Information
DFI may share the personal information you choose to provide with DFI employees and contractors, who are required to keep it confidential. In some cases, DFI may share your personal information with third parties. For example, we may share it with financial services we regulate to respond to your inquiry or provide requested services. We may also share your information with law enforcement and other state or federal government agencies.
In some cases, DFI may be required by law to disclose information you provide. Such as when ordered by subpoena or similar legal process, properly issued under federal or state law.
Public Access to Information
In Washington State, laws are in place to ensure government is open and that the public has the right to access appropriate records and information possessed by state agencies. There are exceptions in both state and federal laws that may limit the public's right to access certain information in public records, including laws relating to the privacy of individuals.
All the information collected at this website, including any personal information volunteered by you, becomes a public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by members of the public, unless an exemption or other legal protection exists. Washington State’s Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, 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 (8) of this section, this chapter, 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 this chapter, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with this chapter when it makes available or publishes any public record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing. RCW 42.56.070(1).
In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act or other laws governing the agency’s disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.
Correcting Personal Information
You can review any personal information we collect about you by using the information in the Contact Information section of this Privacy Notice. We will do our best to correct factual errors in your personal information if you send us a written request that clearly and acceptably shows the error. We will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.
Security
DFI, as host of this website, takes steps to safeguard data and prevent unauthorized access to information collected and maintained by DFI. These steps 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 DFI’s possession.
These statements should not be considered business, legal, or other advice. Nor should these statements be taken as guaranteeing the security of information provided via DFI’s website.
Disclaimer
DFI’s website includes links to other websites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses. When you link to one of these other websites, you are no longer on the DFI website, and this Privacy Notice will not apply. Instead, when you link to another website, you will be subject to the privacy policy of that new website.
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. Any person or entity who relies on any information obtained from this system does so at their own risk.
We reserve the right to revise this Privacy Notice at any time without notice by posting the revision on our website.
Contact Information
For questions about this Privacy Notice, or to review or request a correction of your personal information, contact us here:
Department of Financial Institutions
PO Box 41200
Olympia WA 98504-1200
DFI Privacy Officer: privacy@dfi.wa.gov
DFI Webmaster: dfi@dfi.wa.gov