Mobile applications privacy notice

This privacy policy governs your use of our mobile applications created by the Washington Department of Revenue.

What information does our mobile application obtain and how is it used?

Automatically Collected Information
Our mobile applications collect certain information automatically, including but not limited to, the type of mobile device you use, your mobile operating system, and information about the way you use the application, such as how often or how long the application is used and which screens are viewed. The information collected is grouped together with data collected from all other users. Our purpose in collecting this information is to help us understand how our mobile application is being used so that we may continually improve its usefulness to the public.

The Department of Revenue will never (and will not allow any third party to) use our mobile applications to track or to collect any information that will identify you personally.

Do Third Parties See and/or Have Access to Information Obtained by the Application?

Yes. The Department of Revenue uses Google Analytics, a data analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”), to help us analyze information about how users interact with our mobile applications. Google will not associate you with any other data held by Google. The Department of Revenue will not associate any data gathered from this mobile application with any personally identifiable information from any source. Neither the Department of Revenue nor Google will link, or seek to link, information gathered from our mobile application to the identity of any user.

Public Access to Information

In Washington, laws exist to ensure that state 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 by our mobile application becomes a public record that may be subject to inspection and copying by members of the public, unless an exemption in the law exists. The provisions of RCW 42.56.070(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 42.56.070 (6)], RCW 42.56.210, 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 42.56.210, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with RCW 42.56.210 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 addition, the Department of Revenue is governed by the provisions of RCW 82.32.330, which prohibits the Department or any other person from disclosing confidential information about taxpayers. RCW 82.32.330(2) provides that:

Returns and tax information shall be confidential and privileged, and except as authorized by this section, neither the Department of Revenue nor any other person may disclose any return or tax information.

RCW 82.32.330(c) defines returns and tax information as information relating to your business, including any data collected by the Department of Revenue to determine tax liability. However, data or documents that do not disclose information related to a specific or identifiable taxpayer do not constitute tax information that is protected from public disclosure under RCW 82.32.330.

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.

What Are My Opt-Out Rights?

You can stop all collection of information by uninstalling the mobile application. You may use the standard uninstall processes as may be available as part of your mobile device. You may also choose the opt-out option via the mobile application at any time.

Changes

This privacy policy may be updated from time to time for any reason. We will notify you of any changes to our privacy policy by posting the new privacy policy.

Department of Revenue Contact Information

If you have questions concerning the Department of Revenue’s privacy policy, please contact: