The Department of Public Safety maintains this Web site (dps.texas.gov) as a public service. This policy describes the Department's privacy practices regarding information collected from visitors to the site. It contains information about what information is collected and how that information is used.
Information Collected
Server Logs/Log Analysis Tools
DPS utilizes server logs and log analysis tools to create summary statistics about the use of the Web site. The summary statistics are used for purposes such as assessing what information is of most interest to users, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. The following information is collected for this analysis:
User/client hostname - The hostname (or IP address, if DNS is disabled) of the user/client requesting access.
HTTP header, "user-agent" - The user-agent information includes the type of browser used, the browser version, and the operating system it is running on.
HTTP header, "referer" - The referer specifies the page from which the user/client accessed the current page.
System date - The date and time of the user/client request.
Full request - The exact request the user/client made.
Status - The status code the server returned to the user/client.
Content length - The content length, in bytes, of the document sent to the user/client.
Method - The request method used.
Universal Resource Identifier (URI) - The location of a resource on the server.
Query string of the URI - Anything after the question mark in a URI.
Protocol - The transport protocol and version used.
For site management functions, information is collected for analysis and statistical purposes. This information is not reported or used in any manner that would reveal personally identifiable information, and will not be released to any outside parties unless required to do so under applicable law.
For site security purposes and to ensure that the site remains available to all users, the Department uses software to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits. Raw data logs are used for no other purposes. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this site are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Texas Penal Code Chapters 33 (Computer Crimes) or 33A (Telecommunications Crimes).
E-mail
Personally identifiable information contained in a question or comment sent to the Department in an e-mail message or in an online form submitted to the Department will be used by the DPS to respond to the request and to analyze trends. The Department may redirect the message to another government agency or person who is in a better position to answer thequestion.
Web-based forms
The DPS uses Web-based forms. Personally identifiable information collected from these forms has a specified use (e.g., registration, survey response, etc.) and the information is used by the DPS only for that purpose. Each form contains a link to this privacy policy.
Use/Release of Information
All information collected from the DPS Web site, including the summary server log information, e-mails sent to the Web site, and information collected from Web-based forms, is subject to the Texas Public Information Act. Pursuant to Sec. 559.004, Government Code, you have a right to have DPS correct information about you that is possessed by DPS and that is incorrect.
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