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Digital Privacy Policy, MAnual, and Principles

The City's Digital Privacy Policy is composed of 7 key elements (view full policy). The Privacy Manual guides implementation of the policy. Both the policy and the manual are rooted in the City's Privacy Principles:

Provide notice when data is collected: The City will strive to provide citizens with detail on what data is being collected, why its being collected, and how it will be used. In some circumstances the City may not provide notice before collection, such as in an emergency (e.g., during a 911 phone call).

Practice defined retention periods: The City will define how long it keeps your data, and will delete or anonymize your information following the retention period. How long we keep your data is defined in our City data retention schedule and state policy, but in general we keep most records for at least 2 years.   

Minimize personal information collected: The City will strive to provide its services and maintain operations while collecting and retaining as little personal information as possible.  We are constantly working to provide better services while storing less personal information for less time.

Maintain accountability for data usage and security: The City will maintain publicly accessible documents detailing how we are following our Digital Privacy Policy. If any information under our control is compromised, the City will take reasonable steps to investigate and notify individuals who may have been impacted.

Promote accuracy in our data and models: The City will make every reasonable effort to 1) ensure we have accurate data; 2) maintain accurate predictive and automated models with limited bias; and 3) provide the public with details on the models we use and how to raise concerns with the City. City departments may use predictive or automated systems to inform decisions, but they must provide some level of human input and oversight before making any decisions.

Ensure responsible data sharing: The City will only share data with trusted partners as needed to provide government services and maintain operations. The City will apply the same expectations of privacy to its vendors as it does itself, including following our Digital Privacy Policy.

Advance equity through data driven decisions: The City will work so that the data collected on our communities will serve to improve those communities. We strive to mitigate, if not eliminate biases in the data and models we use.  

HOW DOES SAN JOSÉ PUT PRIVACY INTO PRACTICE?

For an in-depth look at how the City practices Digital Privacy, see our City Digital Privacy Manual. This is the general guide for collecting, sharing, or otherwise using data or personal information in the City. Partners and potential partners looking for guidance on how to comply with the City Privacy Policy can refer to the Privacy and Disclosure Policy (version current as of June 22, 2023).

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAN JOSÉ'S DIGITAL PRIVACY?

We continue to improve our approach to digital privacy through three core groups:

1. Our Digital Privacy Advisory Taskforce comprised of business, nonprofit and community stakeholders. They provide guidance on our digital privacy policy and overall digital strategy.
2. Our Digital Privacy Working Group comprised of employees across departments dedicated to implementing and improving our digital privacy practices.
3. Our Digital Privacy Officer who leads privacy reviews and community outreach on privacy. You can contact our Digital Privacy Office any time at digitalprivacy@sanjoseca.gov. 

Outreach Schedule

No public outreach scheduled at this time. If your organization or neighborhood association would like to discuss how the City protects resident privacy, contact digitalprivacy@sanjoseca.gov. 

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