What Kind of Data We Might Have About You?

The Government Data Practices Act presumes that all government data are public unless a state or federal law says that the data are not public. Data about you are classified by state law as public, private, or confidential.

Public data

We must give public data to anyone who asks. It does not matter who is asking for the data or why the person wants the data. The following are examples of some of the public data the City of New Brighton may have about you:

  • Your name and address on a business license application
  • An email you sent a City staff member regarding a City business item
  • Your application to serve on a City Commission
  • Utility billing information

Private Data

We cannot give private data to the general public, but you can have access to private data when the data are about you. We can share your private data with you, with someone who has your permission, with our government entity staff who have a work assignment to see the data, and to others, as permitted by law or court order. The following are examples of private data the City of New Brighton may have about you:

  • Your social security number on a business license application
  • Your contact information when you sign up for electronic updates from the City
  • Your contact and personal information when you sign up for City recreational programs

Confidential Data

Confidential data have the most protection. Neither the public nor you can get access even when the confidential data are about you. We can share confidential data about you with our government entity staff who have a work assignment to see the data, and to others, as permitted by law or court order. We cannot give you access to confidential data. The following is an example of confidential data about you:

  • Any information about you that is currently part of an open police investigation
  • Any identifying information in an email you sent a City staff member regarding a concern you have about someone's property
  • Any identifying information about you when you report potential child or vulnerable adult abuse or neglect

Show All Answers

1. How to Request Data?
2. What to Expect When You Request Data?
3. How Much Data Costs?
4. Who to Contact With Questions About Data?
5. How do I Request Private or Non-Public Data About Myself?
6. What Kind of Data We Might Have About You?
7. When Do You Collect Private Data About Me?
8. What If I Do Not Understand the Data I Received?
9. Requesting Summary Data
10. What Do You Do to Protect Our Data?