Privacy Policy

The St. Louis Regional Data Exchange ("RDX") is a collaborative project led by The Curators of the University of Missouri on behalf of the University of Missouri-St. Louis Community Innovation and Action Center ("UMSL") in conjunction with the St. Louis Regional Data Alliance ("RDA").

Because the RDX is hosted by UMSL, UMSL's Privacy Policy, available at https://www.umsl.edu/privacy-policy.html, applies to the use of personal information by RDX.

In addition, this RDX Privacy Policy provides additional provisions regarding the sharing and use of personal information by RDX. With the exception of personal information shared as part of the metadata record, we will not share your personal information with anybody without your permission, unless required by law or as part of an investigation related to a violation of the open data repository terms of use. People can elect to opt-out of general email distribution lists by contacting the RDA.

The RDX collects information provided by users as part of several different activities, actions, and events, including:

Using the open data portal:

When you agree to the click-through terms of use on the open data repository, your IP address, date of access, and time of access is captured. This information is used to 1. compile aggregate statistics on the number of users as part of RDA performance management activities, and 2. maintain record of the acknowledgment of the open data portal terms of use. IP records will be archived by the RDA. The data portal uses cookies to improve the user’s experience – by using cookies, users will only need to agree to the terms of use once per browser session.

Creating an account on the open data portal:

Names, email addresses, user names, and passwords may be collected when you create an account on the open data repository. Accounts are needed to upload data and generate a key to access APIs found on the open data repository. This information may be used to 1. inform you about changes to the site affecting the use of APIs or data uploads, 2. contact you as part of the RDA’s performance management activities, and 3. share news about upcoming events, available training materials and other resources.

Creating metadata:

The RDA’s metadata standard specifies the name and email for a Data Contact. The Data Contact’s name or email will not be publicly displayed on the data repository, but may be used to reach the appropriate contact person should RDA staff have questions about a data set. This is distinct from the name and email for a Data Steward, which will be publicly displayed on the data repository.

Event attendees:

If you attend an RDA event, you may be asked to voluntarily share your email address, name, phone number, and other contact information as part of a sign-in sheet. This information will be used to 1. compile aggregate statistics related to event attendance, 2. inform attendees about future events, and 3. survey attendees as part of the RDA performance management activities. This information may also be shared with event partners and other attendees.

Requests to be added to the mailing list:

You may wish to voluntarily share your contact information, including name, email, and phone number to subscribe to the RDA mailing list. The mailings to members of the mailing list may include information about the RDA, upcoming events, and other information. Contact information will be used to 1. compile aggregate statistics related to subscriptions, 2. keep you informed about future events and share news about the RDA, and 3. survey attendees as part of RDA performance management activities.

Ad-hoc data requests:

If you make a request for data not appearing on the open data portal, you must agree to the RDA terms of use. Contact information will be retained to 1. document your acknowledgment of the open data portal terms of use, 2. produce aggregate/anonymized statistics related to data requests, and 3. distribution of surveys related to RDA performance management activities.

Sharing policy:

With the exception of personal information shared as part of the metadata record, we never share your personal information with anybody without your permission, or unless required by law or as part of an investigation related to a violation of the open data repository terms of use. You can elect to opt-out of general email distribution lists by contacting the RDA.