NOVEMBER 2024

Data Practices Office Annual Report is Online

The Data Practices Office's Annual Report is now available on our website. This report provides a look at our office's work during the 2024 fiscal year. The report includes an overview of the different types of questions we received from our partners in the public and government entities, an overview of advisory opinion requests our office received, and a summary of responses to the trainings we conducted. We hope you find the report informative. As always, we welcome feedback on our work and how we can better support you. Feel free to email us at info.dpo@state.mn.us.

Upcoming Data Practices Trainings

Advanced Data Practices: Personnel Data Redaction Remote Workshop

Interested in a deeper dive into providing personnel data to requesters? Then this workshop is for you!

The Data Practices Office will be hosting an Advanced Data Practices: Personnel Data Redaction Workshop on Wednesday, November 13 that provides an in-depth look at reviewing and redacting government personnel data. The workshop offers:

• Information about requirements for providing data and making redactions under the Minnesota Data Practices Act
• Hands-on activities to apply personnel data classifications under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.43
• Opportunities to connect with other employees performing personnel redactions and share approaches and techniques.

This workshop will be held remotely on WebEx, and it does not require in-person attendance. The cost to attend this workshop is $80 per person.

Registration information for this workshop is available on our website.

Advisory Opinion Updates

Identification not required when requesting public data

In Advisory Opinion 24-004, a member of the public asked whether a city responded appropriately to a request for public data that he made while using a pseudonym. The City had informed the requester that it would not provide access to data until he identified himself. The Commissioner opined that the city did not respond appropriately because Minnesota Statutes, section 13.05, subdivision 12 prohibits government entities from requiring data requesters to identify themselves as a condition to obtain access to public data.