Protection your identity | Data Privacy Week | Digital Inclusion Trailblazer

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 01/22/2026 03:07 PM PST
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Couple sitting at home, using a laptop and a credit card for online shopping.

When your identity takes a Dark Web vacation without you

I am the Chief Privacy Officer at the City of Seattle, and it happened to me (here’s what to do if it happens to you….)  One day, I was sipping tea, feeling like a responsible adult, and the next thing I knew, a fraudulent bank account, created with all my personal information (including my social security number and home address), was living its best life on the dark web. The first clue? A shiny ‘new account summary’ showed up in my mailbox. Yep, identity theft. It’s like finding out your cat has a secret Instagram account—except way less cute, a lot creepier, and potentially a lot more expensive.… [ Keep reading ]

Bridging Gaps, Building Futures

City of Seattle Named One of Nation’s Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazers for 2025 

logo for Digital Trailblazer Award

Seattle is recognized for its efforts to close the digital divide, receiving the highest possible score on digital equity programming for the eighth consecutive year. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named the City of Seattle a 2025 Visionary Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the city’s work to close the digital divide across the community and region. Digital inclusion and the access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training, is crucial for participating in and… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle IT’s “Old Tech” Drive: A Smashing Success

Three people stand beside a blue bin, with a laptop and various items placed on top of it.

Seattle IT’s Old Tech Drive, held in partnership with PCs for People on October 7 and 8 at the Seattle Municipal Tower, proved to be a fantastic partnership that offered Seattle employees the opportunity to upcycle their old technology and donate it to those in need, while also being good… [ Keep reading ]

Focus on Digital Equity

Technology Matching Funds Applications Now Under Review

Thank you to all the community groups and non-profit organizations that submitted proposals for this year’s Technology Matching Funds (TMF) program. The application window is now officially closed, and our team has begun the important work of reviewing submissions to identify this year’s grant recipients. This program is a cornerstone of our effort to close the digital divide, offering matching grants of up to $45,000 to projects that increase internet access and adoption. With a total of $455,000 allocated for awards this year, we are excited to support initiatives that provide vital services like digital navigator assistance, skills training, and technical support to our neighbors who need it most.

While we evaluate the proposals, we encourage everyone to stay engaged with our broader mission of digital equity. If you want to learn more about the Technology Matching Fund Grant program, see examples of past winners, or explore other resources like reduced-cost cable and internet opportunities, please visit www.seattle.gov/tech. Our website serves as a hub for understanding how we are working together to ensure all residents have the connectivity and skills necessary to thrive in a digital world. We look forward to announcing the new cohort of grantees soon.