Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Web Site Privacy Policy

This is the privacy policy for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago web Site. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (sometime referred to as "we") respects your privacy. This privacy policy provides information about the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's collection and use of personal information about its users obtained by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago via this web site only. Personal information is specific information about you that enables us to identify you, such as your name, e-mail address and home address.

Personal Information

You may visit this web site without providing any personal information about yourself. You may choose to provide us with personal information if, for example, you subscribe to our publications or mailing lists, apply for a job, send us questions through e-mail, answer our user surveys, register for an event or participate in our on-line activities. Personal information provided voluntarily through this web site may be used to help us tailor our web site, publications and services to our users' needs.

Cookies

A "cookie" is a text file sent by a web server to your browser and which may then be stored on your hard drive. This web site uses cookies for limited purposes. Cookies are a common technique used to track a specific identifiable user's activity on-line. For example, cookies are currently used on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's survey login page to track a user's login information for security purposes. In addition, sometimes third-party contractors will use cookies on web sites they manage and operate for us. For example, the "Search for Job Opportunities" web site, linked to our job opportunities page, is operated by a third-party contractor that uses cookies. Since that web site is not operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, this privacy policy does not apply to the collection, use or maintenance of personal information or any other information from or by that site.

Collection of Personal Information

We may use cookies on this site to collect statistical information about our users in aggregate. This statistical information, in aggregate form, may be shared with other Federal Reserve Banks or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

We may perform analyses on our server's log files to determine, among other things:

Our site's most popular pages
The browsers and operating systems most often used by our visitors
The sites and search engines that have referred visitors to our site
The domains from which our users visit us.

These analyses are used only for the purpose of helping us understand and better meet our audience's needs. Such analyses do not involve personal information.

When you fill out our on-line forms, they may be delivered to a Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago e-mail address or database. Your on-line communications are not encrypted. We cannot guarantee the security of the information sent electronically, whether submitted via on-line form or e-mail. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago monitors this web site for unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, to defeat or circumvent security measures or to utilize this site for other than its intended purposes. By using this web site, you expressly consent to such monitoring, and you are advised that if such monitoring reveals possible evidence of criminal activity, we will provide such evidence to the appropriate law enforcement officials.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Generally, personal information collected via this web site is for Federal Reserve use only. We do not rent, sell or share personal information about you with other people or nonaffiliated companies except under the following circumstances:

When we have your permission.
When we retain the services of other Federal Reserve Banks, outside agents or third parties under contract with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Such personal information is only provided to, and is only used by, those parties in conjunction with the services they provide to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
When we are required to disclose personal information about you, or a company with which you are associated, to government officials or otherwise as required by subpoenas, court orders, legal process or other legal obligations or to establish or exercise our legal rights or defend against claims.
When we investigate, prevent or take action against illegal activities or suspected fraud.

Safeguarding Personal Information

The safeguarding of personal information is important to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. While we endeavor to maintain the security of personal information in our possession, we cannot guarantee such security. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is in no way responsible for the security of personal information or any other information provided by you while the information is being communicated to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago via this web site, through e-mail or otherwise. Nor is the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago responsible for safeguarding information that you provide to a third party.

Children

This web site is not directed toward children under the age of 13, nor does the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago knowingly collect, maintain or use personal information obtained via this web site about children under the age of 13. If a child whom we know to be under the age of 13 sends personal information to us on-line, we will only use that personal information to respond directly to the child, notify parents or seek parental consent. Minor children should always obtain parental consent before releasing information to this or any web site.

Links

This web site contains links to other web sites. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such web sites.

Other Considerations

We may from time to time provide a discussion group, web log "blog" or forum. Please remember that information you submit in connection with such a feature will be publicly viewable and not confidential. There is a risk in such communication venues that information will be collected and used by others.

Policy Changes

We reserve the right to change this policy at any time without notice. The Bank will not provide you with notice of changes to this Policy. You are responsible for reviewing this policy and any changes to it.

This privacy policy was last updated November 1, 2008.

Contact Information Questions or comments about the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's privacy policy may be directed to our web site administrators at information.chi@chi.frb.org.