How the City Uses Location Analytics
The City of Dublin uses data to make informed decisions about public spaces, events, economic development, mobility and community planning. One of the tools the City uses is Placer.ai, a location analytics platform that provides estimates about visitation patterns using aggregated and anonymized mobile location data.
This information helps the City better understand general trends, such as how many people visit the City, attendance statistics at community events, and how public spaces, events or business districts are being used.
Why the City Uses This Information
Location analytics can help the City:
- Estimate attendance and visitation for community events
- Understand how parks, public spaces and business districts are used
- Evaluate the economic impact of major events and destinations
- Support planning for traffic, parking, public safety staffing and infrastructure
- Identify visitor trends that may help support local businesses
- Measure changes over time in areas such as Downtown Dublin, parks or commercial corridors
- Supplement other information, such as surveys, traffic counts, business feedback and staff observations
The data is one tool among many. It does not replace public input, professional judgment or other forms of analysis.
What Information the City Receives
The City receives aggregated reports and estimates. These may include information such as:
- Estimated number of visits to a general area
- Approximate visitor origin areas, such as city, region or trade area
- General visit patterns, including time of day, day of week and length of visit
- Estimated repeat visitation
- Generalized demographic or market insights based on third-party datasets
- Comparisons between time periods or locations
The City does not receive information that identifies a specific person or shows an individual person’s movements.
What This Information Is Not Used For
The City does not use Placer.ai or similar location analytics services to:
- Identify individual residents, visitors or devices
- Track a specific person’s location
- Monitor private activity
- Enforce laws against individuals
- Create individual profiles
- Access names, phone numbers, contacts, messages, photos or app content
- Determine where a specific person lives, works or travels
Privacy and Data Protection
Placer.ai states that its platform uses aggregated and anonymized data and that data received from third-party mobile apps is stripped of identifiers such as names, mobile advertising identifiers and persistent device identifiers before being used in its platform. Placer.ai also states that its customers receive aggregated statistical information rather than individual consumer data.
The City’s use of this tool is intended to support broad planning, operational and economic development decisions, not individual tracking.
How to Limit or Opt Out of Location Data Sharing
Residents and visitors can take steps to limit how mobile apps collect and share location information.
Review location permissions on your phone
Most mobile devices allow you to control which apps can access your location.
On an iPhone:
- Open Settings
- Select Privacy & Security
- Select Location Services
- Review each app’s location access
- Choose settings such as Never, Ask Next Time, While Using the App or turn off Precise Location when appropriate
On an Android device:
- Open Settings
- Select Location
- Select App location permissions or App permissions
- Review which apps have access to your location
- Change permissions to options such as Don’t allow, Ask every time or Allow only while using the app
Settings may vary by device, operating system and manufacturer.
Review privacy settings inside individual apps
Some mobile apps have their own privacy settings. Residents may wish to review app-specific settings related to location sharing, personalized advertising, analytics or data sharing.
Limit mobile advertising tracking
Residents may also review device settings related to advertising or app tracking. These settings can help limit how apps use mobile advertising identifiers or share information for advertising and analytics purposes.
Contact Placer.ai
Placer.ai’s consumer privacy policy states that individuals may contact the company with privacy questions or requests at privacy@placer.ai.
Because Placer.ai states that it does not collect direct identifiers such as names, phone numbers or mobile advertising identifiers associated with consumers, the company notes that it may not be able to associate data in its systems with a specific person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Placer.ai?
Placer.ai is a location analytics platform that provides estimated foot-traffic and visitation insights for places such as downtowns, parks, shopping areas, event sites and public spaces. It uses aggregated and anonymized mobile location data to help organizations understand broad visitation trends.
Why does the City use this type of data?
The City uses this information to better understand how people use public spaces, events and business districts. It can help with planning, event evaluation, economic development, transportation, parking and infrastructure decisions.
Is the City tracking my phone?
No. The City does not receive individual phone location data, names, phone numbers, device IDs or individual travel histories. The City receives aggregated reports and estimates.
Can the City see where I personally went?
No. The City cannot use Placer.ai reports to see where a specific person went, where they live or where they work.
Can this data identify me?
The City does not receive personally identifying information through Placer.ai. The information provided to the City is aggregated, meaning it is grouped together to show broader trends rather than individual activity.
Does the City collect the GPS data directly?
No. The City does not collect GPS data directly through Placer.ai. Placer.ai receives data through third-party mobile apps and uses that data to create aggregated analytics reports.
What kinds of places might the City analyze?
The City may analyze general visitation trends for places such as Downtown Dublin, parks, public facilities, event areas, commercial corridors or other community destinations.
How accurate is the data?
Location analytics should be viewed as an estimate. It can provide useful trend information, but it is not a perfect count of every person in an area. The City uses this information alongside other sources, such as event operations, surveys, traffic counts, business feedback and staff observations.
Is this used for law enforcement?
No. The City does not use Placer.ai to identify individuals or conduct individual law enforcement activity. The tool is used for broad planning, economic development, event and operational analysis.
Can I opt out?
You can limit how apps access and share your location by reviewing your mobile device’s location settings and the privacy settings in individual apps. You may also contact Placer.ai directly at privacy@placer.ai with privacy-related questions or requests.
Does turning off location services affect all apps?
Turning off location services, or limiting location permissions for specific apps, may affect how those apps work. For example, maps, weather, rideshare, fitness or delivery apps may need some location access to function properly. You can choose different permission levels for different apps.
Who can I contact with questions?
Residents with questions about the City’s use of location analytics may contact: cmteam@dublin.oh.us.
Residents with questions about Placer.ai’s privacy practices may contact Placer.ai at privacy@placer.ai.
Public Records Request Overview
In order to support faster response and better tracking of requests, the City of Dublin uses JustFOIA to collect, respond to and manage public information requests.
Why JustFOIA?
JustFOIA is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) online application that helps streamline the open records request process for the community and improve efficiencies in getting requested information quickly and accurately.
The application lets community members submit requests for all city records, including police reports. Commonly requested information includes accident reports, copies of resolutions and body-camera video.
Mission
We are and always have been a proud local democracy. In our service, we strive to provide the best quality of life and environment in which our residents and businesses can thrive. We seek to ally our proud traditions with the best innovations of the future.
Vision
Dublin, Ohio, is the most sustainable, connected and resilient global city of choice.
Values
City of Dublin Culture Playbook
Leadership Philosophy
We are members of an organization that succeeds because of teamwork, dedication, diversity and the innovative spirit of all of our members. Together, we build a culture of trust, service, mutual respect, inclusion and open communication. We hold ourselves mutually accountable to promote and sustain continuous learning and to develop the learning potential that exists in every member of our team.
City Code
The complete Dublin City Code is available online at American Legal City Ordinance website. Information staff at the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library are available to help navigate this website.
Revised Charter of Dublin, Ohio
This Revised Charter, as adopted on March 19, 1996, became effective on July 4, 1996.
Zoning Code
The Zoning Code for Dublin is Chapter 153 of the Dublin Code of Ordinances. The Zoning Code sets land development requirements and establishes different uses within individual districts. Zoning regulations address the physical development of a site, such as building height, lot requirements, setbacks from lot lines, minimum numbers of parking spaces, sign types and sizes, and other related regulations.
Service Center
6555 Shier Rings Rd
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Chipper Service Hotline (24 hours)
Phone 614.410.4780
City Forester
Phone: 614.410.4701 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Parks & Recreation
Phone: 614.410.4700 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Recycling
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Streets & Utilities
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Street Maintenance
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Trash Collection
Phone: 614.410.4750 | Fax: 614.761.6512
Transportation and Mobility Phone: 614.410.4740
Report an Issue
Request a service or report an Issue.
Tell Dublin
Send us your public input.
Dublin, Ohio, USA
5555 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, Ohio, 43017
Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.