City of Scottsdale - ScottsdalePulse Privacy Policy
Want to delete your ScottsdalePulse profile? See Account Deletion and Data Removal for how to delete it in the app or by email, and what information is kept.
1. Introduction
The City of Scottsdale, Arizona ("City," "we," "us," or "our") respects the privacy of individuals who use its official ScottsdalePulse application ("ScottsdalePulse" or "Application").
ScottsdalePulse provides residents, businesses, and visitors with convenient access to City information and municipal services. Through the Application, users can report community issues, submit and track service requests, read City news, discover local events, and access City services from their mobile devices or web browsers.
This Privacy Policy explains what information ScottsdalePulse collects, how that information is used, when it may be shared or disclosed, how it is protected, and what choices users have regarding their information.
This Privacy Policy applies specifically to information collected or processed through the ScottsdalePulse iOS and Android applications and the ScottsdalePulse website. Other City websites, applications, and services may be governed by separate privacy notices.
In this Privacy Policy, "Application" means the iOS app, the Android app and the ScottsdalePulse website, unless a section says otherwise.
2. Information We Collect
ScottsdalePulse collects information provided voluntarily by users, information necessary to process service requests, and certain information associated with the operation of the Application.
2.1 User Profile Information
Users may create a ScottsdalePulse profile to personalize their experience and simplify interactions with City services.
The following information may be collected:
| Information | Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Optional | Personalize the user experience and assist with service request communications. |
| Email Address | Required for profile creation | Verify user identity, establish and manage the profile, and communicate account or service request information. |
| Phone Number | Optional | Provide an additional means of communication regarding service requests. |
| Physical Address | Optional | Simplify location selection for future service requests and support location-relevant City information. |
A valid email address must be verified to complete profile registration.
Your profile is stored on your device (on the website, in your web browser's local storage). When you verify your email address, your name, email address and phone number are also sent to the City's service request system, where they are used to create or locate your customer record so that your service requests and notifications are associated with you. Your address is stored only on your device. It is used to pre-fill service request forms if you turn on that option, and text you type into the address search is sent to the City to suggest matching addresses.
City employees may also create a staff profile using their City email address. Staff profiles are handled the same way as resident profiles.
Users may choose not to provide optional profile information. Declining to provide optional information will not prevent profile creation, although certain convenience features may be limited. Individual request submission forms may require certain contact information.
2.2 Location Information
ScottsdalePulse uses location information to provide geographic context for municipal services and community information.
When users grant location permission, ScottsdalePulse may access their device's location only while the Application is being used.
Location information supports the following features:
- Events Near Me: Display community events and activities near the user's location.
- Active Requests Near Me: Identify active service requests or reported community issues in the surrounding area.
- City Services at My Location: Provide information about municipal services relevant to the user's geographic location.
- Service Request Location Selection: Simplify identifying the location of an issue or request by suggesting the device's current location.
ScottsdalePulse does not require background location access for these features and does not access a user's location when the Application is not in use.
When you use a "near me" feature, your device's location is sent to City servers to find nearby events, service requests and City services. The City does not store these locations.
Users control location access through iOS or Android device settings or web browser site settings and may revoke permission at any time. ScottsdalePulse requests precise location information, if available, for better service from the City.
Disabling location access may limit location-based functionality but does not necessarily prevent use of other Application features.
When a service request is published in the City's public open data, its location is generalized to the nearest intersection.
Maps in the Application are provided by Esri (ArcGIS). When a map is displayed, your device requests map images from Esri, which receives your device's IP address and the area of the map being displayed.
2.3 Service Request Information
When users report a community issue or submit a service request, ScottsdalePulse may collect information necessary to receive, evaluate, assign, process, and resolve the request.
This information may include:
- The type or category of service request.
- A description of the issue or requested service.
- The address or geographic location associated with the request.
- Contact information provided by the user.
- Photographs, videos, and other supporting materials.
- The date and time of submission.
- Request status, processing history, and resolution information.
Information submitted through service requests may be shared with authorized City personnel and departments responsible for addressing the reported issue.
Service request information may become part of the City's official records and may be subject to applicable public records laws and records retention requirements.
Some service request information is published in the City's public open data portal, including the request type, status, dates and a generalized location (nearest intersection). Descriptions, photographs, videos and your contact information, including your name, email address and phone number, are not published.
2.4 Photographs and Videos
ScottsdalePulse allows users to attach photographs or videos to supported service requests to help City personnel better understand reported issues.
When users choose to capture or attach media, ScottsdalePulse may request access to the device's camera or selected photos and videos.
When you attach existing photos or videos, you choose the specific items to share; the Application does not access the rest of your photo library. Videos you record include sound, and on iOS your device may ask for microphone permission when you record a video.
The City may collect and retain media that users submit as part of a service request.
Submitted media may contain personal or identifying information, including images of individuals, vehicles, private property, or geographic details.
Users should avoid including unnecessary sensitive personal information in uploaded photographs, videos, or descriptions.
3. Push Notifications
ScottsdalePulse supports push notifications to communicate relevant Application and City service information.
Push notifications are available in the iOS and Android apps. They are not available on the website.
Push notifications are used to provide:
- Updates concerning submitted service requests.
- Changes to service request status.
The City may add other types of notifications in the future, and will update this policy when it does.
Users may turn push notifications on or off in the Application or through iOS / Android device notification settings.
Disabling push notifications will not prevent users from accessing ScottsdalePulse, although they may no longer receive timely notifications regarding service requests or other Application information.
If you turn on notifications, the Application sends the City a notification token for your device, your device name, model and operating system, a device identifier assigned by the app vendor, and the email address of your verified profile, so the City can send notifications about your service requests to that device.
Notifications are delivered through Google Firebase Cloud Messaging (Android), Apple Push Notification service (iOS) and Amazon Web Services (Amazon SNS). Turning notifications off deactivates the device registration. Clear Profile deletes it (see Section 10).
4. Application and Technical Information
ScottsdalePulse may process technical information necessary to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and secure the Application.
The Application and the City's servers process the following technical information: device notification token, device name, model, operating system and version, app-assigned device identifier, Application version, IP address, and error and diagnostic messages. City servers record activity logs, which may include the date and time of a request, the feature used, and the email address or phone number used to look up your service requests. Error and activity logs are stored by the City and by its logging provider (Stackify) and are kept for 90 days.
When you submit a service request, the Application also sends the type of device (phone, tablet or desktop), its platform (such as iOS, Android or Windows), whether you used the app or the website, and the Application version. On the website, the notification token, device name and app-assigned device identifier are not collected.
The City may use this information to maintain Application functionality, investigate technical problems, protect City information systems, and improve service delivery.
5. How We Use Information
The City may use information collected through ScottsdalePulse for the following purposes:
- Providing Municipal Services: Receiving, processing, routing, tracking, and resolving service requests.
- Managing User Profiles: Creating and maintaining profiles, verifying email addresses, and supporting account administration.
- Communicating With Users: Sending service request updates, account-related messages, and push notifications.
- Providing Location-Based Features: Displaying nearby events, service requests, and City services.
- Improving Service Delivery: Identifying service needs, evaluating operational effectiveness, and improving Application functionality.
- Maintaining Security: Protecting the Application and related City systems from unauthorized access, misuse, and security threats.
- Complying With Legal Obligations: Meeting applicable public records, records retention, legal, and governmental requirements.
Information will be used for authorized municipal purposes consistent with the functionality and services described in this Privacy Policy.
6. Information Sharing and Disclosure
The City does not sell personal information collected through ScottsdalePulse and does not use it for advertising.
Information may be shared or disclosed under the following circumstances.
6.1 City Departments and Authorized Personnel
Information may be shared with City departments, employees, and authorized personnel when necessary to provide municipal services, respond to requests, administer the Application, or perform legitimate governmental functions.
6.2 Technology and Service Providers
The City uses the following service providers to operate ScottsdalePulse:
- Google (Firebase Cloud Messaging): Android push notification delivery. Notification token and notification content.
- Apple (Apple Push Notification service): iOS push notification delivery. Notification token and notification content.
- Amazon Web Services: hosts the City's notification service and routes push notifications (Amazon SNS). Notification token, device information and notification content.
- Microsoft (Microsoft 365): verification and service request email. Email address and message content.
- Esri (ArcGIS): map images. IP address and map area viewed.
- Stackify: error and activity logging. Log contents described in Section 4.
Third-party providers may process information as necessary to deliver their contracted services.
6.3 Public Records Requests
The City of Scottsdale is subject to Arizona public records laws, including Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 39-121 et seq.
Information submitted through ScottsdalePulse may constitute a public record and may be subject to disclosure in response to a lawful public records request.
Potentially disclosable information may include service request descriptions, submitted photographs or videos, geographic locations, communications, and associated records.
The City will evaluate public records requests in accordance with applicable law, including any legal requirements or recognized grounds for withholding information.
Users should not assume that information submitted through ScottsdalePulse will remain confidential or exempt from public disclosure.
6.4 Legal Compliance and Public Safety
The City may disclose information when required or permitted by applicable law, lawful legal process, or legitimate public safety responsibilities.
7. Data Security
The City maintains administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information processed through ScottsdalePulse.
Such safeguards may include authentication controls, access restrictions, secure communications, monitoring, and other security measures appropriate to the systems involved.
Information sent between the Application and City systems is encrypted in transit using HTTPS (TLS).
Access to personal information is restricted to authorized individuals and service providers with legitimate operational responsibilities.
Although the City takes reasonable measures to protect information, no mobile application, network transmission, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
8. Data Retention
Information collected through ScottsdalePulse may be retained in accordance with applicable Arizona records retention requirements, approved City records retention schedules, and other legal or operational obligations.
Service request records, including submitted descriptions, photographs, videos, and related communications, may need to be retained even after a request has been resolved. Different departments in the City may adhere to different data retention periods.
Specific retention periods for information associated with ScottsdalePulse:
- Customer record (name, email address and phone number): kept for as long as any service request associated with the customer is retained. Service request retention periods vary by request type under the City's records retention schedules, ranging from one year to permanent retention.
- Device registrations for push notifications: kept for as long as the customer record, or until you request account deletion (see Section 10). Deactivated registrations are kept for notification delivery history.
- Server error and activity logs: 90 days.
- Information stored on your device or in your web browser: kept until you clear your profile, uninstall the Application or clear your browser's site data.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, applicable records schedules, and any legal requirements.
Information that is no longer required to be retained will be handled in accordance with applicable City records management and information security procedures.
9. User Privacy Choices and Controls
Users may control certain information and device permissions associated with ScottsdalePulse.
9.1 Optional Profile Information
Users are not required to provide a name, phone number, or physical address when creating a profile.
A verified email address is required for profile registration.
9.2 Location Permissions
Users may enable, deny, or revoke location permissions through iOS / Android device settings or web browser site settings.
ScottsdalePulse accesses device location only while the Application is being used and the appropriate permission has been granted. Precise location information is requested, if available, to improve service from the City.
9.3 Camera and Media Access
Users may choose whether to capture or attach photographs and videos to supported service requests.
Applicable camera and media permissions may be managed through iOS / Android device settings or web browser site settings.
9.4 Push Notifications
Users may turn push notifications on or off in the Application or through iOS / Android device notification settings.
9.5 Profile Updates
Users may update profile information, but a change of email address will require a verification of the new email address.
9.6 Account Deletion
Users may request deletion of their ScottsdalePulse account. See Section 10.
10. Account Deletion and Data Removal
Deleting your profile in the Application. Go to Profile and tap Clear Profile. This:
- removes your profile from your device;
- deletes your device's notification registrations from City systems and from Amazon Web Services; and
- deletes your City customer record (name, email address and phone number) if no service requests are associated with it.
On the website, Clear Profile removes the profile stored in your web browser and deletes your City customer record in the same way. The website has no notification registrations to delete.
Requesting deletion without the Application. If you no longer have the Application installed, email pulsefeedback@scottsdaleaz.gov from the email address on your profile with the subject "ScottsdalePulse profile deletion", and include your first and last name and the email address on your profile. The City will complete the same deletion within 30 days.
What is kept. If you have submitted service requests, your customer record and the contact information on those requests are kept with those requests under the City's records retention schedules (see Section 8), because service requests are public records under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 39-121 et seq.). Once your device registrations are deleted, this information is no longer connected to the Application.
Uninstalling is not deletion. Uninstalling the Application or clearing your browser's site data removes the data stored on your device or in your browser but does not delete your information from City systems.
11. Children's Privacy
ScottsdalePulse is intended to provide general municipal information and services to residents, businesses, and visitors.
The Application is not specifically directed toward children under the age of 13.
The City does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
If the City becomes aware of such collection, it will take appropriate action consistent with applicable legal obligations.
Parents or legal guardians with concerns regarding information submitted by a child may contact the City using the information provided in Section 15.
12. Third-Party Services and External Links
ScottsdalePulse may contain links to external websites, mapping services, event resources, and other services operated by third parties.
These external services may maintain separate privacy policies and information handling practices.
The City is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites or services that it does not operate or control.
Users are encouraged to review the applicable privacy policies of external services before providing personal information.
Service providers integrated directly into ScottsdalePulse are listed in Section 6.2.
13. Permissions
ScottsdalePulse may request the following iOS / Android permissions or capabilities to support its features.
| Permission or Capability | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Approximate and precise location (while using the app) | Display nearby events, active service requests, City services, and assist with service request location selection. |
| Camera | Capture photographs or videos for service requests. Videos include sound. |
| Photo and video picker | Select specific photos or videos to attach to service requests. On Android, no photo library permission is requested; on iOS, only the items you select are shared. |
| Microphone (iOS) | Record sound with videos you capture for service requests. |
| Internet Access | Communicate with City systems and retrieve or submit information. |
| Network status | Check whether the device is online so the Application can work offline. |
| Notifications | Deliver service request updates and other relevant push notifications. |
Permission requests are subject to the iOS / Android operating system and applicable device settings.
Users may manage permissions through iOS / Android settings. Disabling a permission may limit the corresponding Application features.
On the website, your web browser asks for permission to use your location when you use a location feature. The website does not request other browser permissions.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
The City may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in Application functionality, information practices, legal requirements, or municipal operations.
When revisions are made, the City will update the "Last Updated" date at the beginning of this document.
Material changes may be communicated through the Application or other appropriate City communication channels.
Users are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically.
15. Contact Information
Questions, concerns, or inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy or information collected through ScottsdalePulse may be directed to:
City of Scottsdale
ScottsdalePulse Application Support
3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
City Website: www.scottsdaleaz.gov
Privacy Contact Email: pulsefeedback@scottsdaleaz.gov
Application Support Contact: pulsefeedback@scottsdaleaz.gov
Account Deletion: pulsefeedback@scottsdaleaz.gov (see Section 10)
Requests for public records should be submitted through the City's established public records request procedures.
16. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy is governed by applicable federal law and the laws of the State of Arizona.
Information collected through ScottsdalePulse may be subject to Arizona public records laws, applicable records retention requirements, and other laws governing municipal operations.
Nothing in this Privacy Policy is intended to waive any rights, defenses, privileges, immunities, or protections available to the City under applicable law.