Privacy Policy

Introduction

The City of El Cerrito ("City," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use the parkEC parking system, including our website, mobile application, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

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Information We Collect

Personal Information

When you register for or use parkEC, we may collect:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number, mailing address)
• Payment information (credit card details, billing address)
• Vehicle information (license plate number, make, model)
• Account credentials (username, password)
• Parking history and transaction records

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Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information when you use the Services:

• Device information (IP address, browser type, operating system)
• Location data (when you use location-based features)
• Parking session details (time, duration, location)
• App usage statistics and preferences

Communication Information

• Messages you send to customer support
• Responses to surveys or feedback requests
• Marketing communication preferences

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How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process parking transactions and payments
• Manage your parkEC account
• Send parking session notifications and receipts
• Enforce parking regulations and issue citations when applicable
• Improve and optimize the Services
• Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support
• Send important updates about the parkEC program
• Conduct research and analysis to enhance parking management
• Comply with legal obligations
• Send marketing communications (only with your consent)

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How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

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Service Providers

We work with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

• Payment processing
• Data hosting and storage
• Customer support
• Analytics and performance monitoring

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Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, such as:

• In response to subpoenas, court orders, or legal processes
• To enforce our Terms of Service
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of the City, our users, or the public
• In connection with parking enforcement activities

Government Agencies

As a municipal service, we may share information with:

• City departments for parking enforcement and management
• Law enforcement agencies when required by law
• Other government entities as required for official purposes

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Business Transfers

If the parkEC program is transferred to another entity, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

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Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

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Your Rights and Choices

Account Information

You may access, update, or delete your account information by logging into your parkEC account or contacting us at parkEC@elcerrito.gov.

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Marketing Communications

You may opt out of receiving promotional emails by following the unsubscribe instructions in those emails or updating your account preferences.

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Location Data

You can disable location services through your device settings, though this may limit certain features of the Services.

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Data Deletion

You may request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us at parkEC@elcerrito.gov. Please note that we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes.

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California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used
• Right to request deletion of your personal information
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at parkEC@elcerrito.gov.

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Children's Privacy

The Services are not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

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Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Parking transaction records may be retained for audit and compliance purposes as required by law.

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Third-Party Links

The Services may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

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Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on our website and updating the "Effective Date" above. Your continued use of the Services after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

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Public Records

Please note that as a public entity, the City of El Cerrito is subject to the California Public Records Act. Certain information collected through the Services may be subject to public disclosure upon request, unless exempted by law.

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