NYSTRS Internet Privacy Policy

Introduction

Thank you for visiting the New York State Teachers' Retirement System ("NYSTRS") Web site. This Web site is designed to make it easy for active and retired members, employers and others ("users") to obtain information about and interact with NYSTRS. NYSTRS recognizes the critical importance that users be confident that their privacy will be protected when they visit the NYSTRS Web site.

Consistent with the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Law, and the Personal Privacy Protection Law, this policy describes NYSTRS' privacy practices regarding information collected from users of this Web site. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used. Because this privacy policy only applies to this Web site, you should examine the privacy policy of any Web site that you access using this Web site.

For purposes of this policy, "personal information" means any information concerning a natural person, which, because of name, number, symbol, mark, or other identifier, can be used to identify that natural person. NYSTRS does not collect any personal information about a user unless the user provides that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail to NYSTRS, or during a connection to the "MyNYSTRS" area of the NYSTRS Web site.

Information Collected Automatically When You Visit the NYSTRS Web Site

When you visit this Web site, NYSTRS automatically collects and stores the following information about your visit:

• User client hostname. The hostname or Internet Protocol address of the user requesting access to the NYSTRS Web site.
• HTTP header, "user agent." The user agent information includes the type of browser, its version, and the operating system on which the browser is running.
• HTTP header, "referrer." The referrer specifies the Web page from which the user accessed the current Web page.
• System date. The date and time of the user's request.
• Full request. The exact request the user made.
• Status. The status code the server returned to the user.
• Content length. The content length, in bytes, of any document sent to the user.
• 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 questions mark in a URI.
• Protocol. The transport protocol and the version used.

None of the foregoing information constitutes personal information.

The information that is collected automatically is used to improve the NYSTRS Web site's content and to help NYSTRS understand how users are interacting with the Web site. This information is collected for statistical analysis, to determine what information is of most and least interest to our users, and to improve the utility of the material available on the Web site. The information is not collected for commercial marketing purposes and NYSTRS is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose the information collected from the Web site for commercial marketing purposes.

Cookies

Cookies are simple text files stored on your personal computer to provide a means of distinguishing among users of this Web site. The use of a cookie is a standard practice among Internet Web sites.

NYSTRS does not place cookies when a user is merely browsing the general Web site. However, once an active or retired member enters their MyNYSTRS account or the authorized representative of a participating employer enters the Convention Delegates System, NYSTRS places a "session" cookie on the user's computer, which remains only for the time period the user's browser session is open. NYSTRS uses the session cookie to store a randomly generated identifying tag on the device with which the user accesses the Web site, so that NYSTRS can access the information necessary to respond to the user's requests when the user is in his or her MyNYSTRS account or Convention Delegates System. The session cookie is erased when the user's browser is closed. Session cookies do not contain personal information and do not compromise your privacy or security. NYSTRS does not place "persistent" cookies.

Certain software and hardware used to access the Web site allows a user to refuse new cookies or delete existing cookies. Refusing or deleting these cookies may limit your ability to take advantage of some features of the Web site.

Information Collected When You E-mail This Web Site or Complete a Transaction

During your visit to this Web site, you may send an e-mail to NYSTRS. Your e-mail address and the contents of your message will be collected. The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, graphic information formats included in the message. Your e-mail address and the information included in your message will be used to respond to you, to address issues you identify, to improve this Web site, or to forward your message to another entity if appropriate. Your e-mail address is not collected for commercial purposes and NYSTRS is not authorized to sell or otherwise disclose your e-mail address for commercial purposes.

Whereas the System regards all messages it receives from users as confidential, please be advised that because the Internet is a public domain, messages sent to NYSTRS outside of a MyNYSTRS account can and may be intercepted or accessed by a third party.

During your visit to this Web site, you may complete a transaction such as a request for a retirement estimate. The information volunteered by you in completing the transaction, including personal information, is used by NYSTRS to operate NYSTRS programs and to provide you the information you requested. The information collected by NYSTRS may be disclosed by NYSTRS only for the purpose of providing information to the user, pertaining to the user, which was requested by the user.

NYSTRS does not knowingly collect personal information from children or create profiles of children through this Web site. Users are cautioned, however, that the collection of personal information submitted in an e-mail will be treated as though it was submitted by an adult, and may, unless exempted from access by federal or State law, be subject to public access.

Disclosure of Information Collected Through This Web Site

The collection of information through this Web site and the disclosure of that information are subject to the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act. As noted above, NYSTRS will only collect personal information through this Web site if the information was voluntarily provided by the user by sending an e-mail, or during a connection to a MyNYSTRS account. NYSTRS will only disclose personal information collected through this Web site if the user has consented to the disclosure of such personal information. The voluntary disclosure of personal information to NYSTRS by the user constitutes consent to the collection and disclosure of the information by NYSTRS for the purposes for which the user disclosed the information to NYSTRS, as was reasonably ascertainable from the nature and terms of the disclosure.

The disclosure of information, including personal information, collected through this Web site is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Law.

NYSTRS may disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce its rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to NYSTRS' information technology assets.

Information and Choice

As noted above, NYSTRS does not collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail or during a connection to a MyNYSTRS account. You may choose not to send NYSTRS an e-mail or enter a MyNYSTRS account. Your choice not to participate in these activities may limit your ability to receive specific services through this Web site; however, it will not have an impact on your ability to take advantage of other features of the Web site, including browsing or downloading information.

Confidentiality and Integrity of Personal Information Collected Through This Web Site

NYSTRS is strongly committed to protecting personal information collected through this Web site against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Consequently, NYSTRS limits employee access to personal information collected through this Web site to only those employees who need access to the information in the performance of their official duties. Employees who have access to this information follow appropriate procedures in connection with any disclosures of personal information.

In addition, NYSTRS has implemented procedures to safeguard the integrity of its information technology assets, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. These security procedures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of this Web site as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.

For Web site security purposes and to maintain the availability of the Web site for all users, NYSTRS employs software to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise damage this Web site.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice, or warranting as fail proof, the security or accuracy of information provided through this Web site. NYSTRS reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete portions of this policy.

Contact Information

For questions regarding NYSTRS' Internet Privacy Policy, please contact the System via e-mail at communit@nystrs.state.ny.us or via mail to: NYSTRS, Attn: Public Information Office, 10 Corporate Woods Drive, Albany NY 12211-2395.

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