Navigating Privacy and Security with SouthState Online Banking

SouthState Bank is committed to ensuring the privacy and security of your personal information when you utilize their online banking services. Understanding how your data is collected, used, and protected is crucial in today’s digital landscape. This article outlines the key aspects of online privacy as it pertains to Southstate Online Banking, helping you bank confidently and securely.

Understanding Information Collection in SouthState Online Banking

Like most online platforms, SouthState Online Banking collects certain information to enhance your experience, ensure security, and comply with regulatory requirements. This information can be broadly categorized into browser information and personal details you provide directly.

When you access SouthState Online Banking, your browser automatically sends standard data such as your IP address, browser type, language preferences, access times, and referring website addresses. This information is used for various purposes, including improving the website’s functionality and bolstering security measures. For instance, IP address tracking can help authenticate your login attempts and identify potential unauthorized access.

Furthermore, SouthState Online Banking may track your activity within the site, such as pages visited, links clicked, and actions taken. This data helps SouthState understand user behavior, optimize the online banking platform, and improve service delivery.

The Role of Cookies in Enhancing Your Online Banking Experience

SouthState Online Banking, like many websites, utilizes cookies to improve user experience. Cookies are small data files stored on your computer or device by the web server. These are primarily “session” cookies, meaning they are active only during your current session on the site and are essential for functions like authentication during login. SouthState Online Banking focuses on session cookies for security and functional purposes, and does not generally employ “persistent” cookies that remain after you log off.

While most web browsers automatically accept cookies, you have the option to modify your browser settings to decline them. However, disabling cookies might limit your ability to fully utilize interactive features of SouthState Online Banking, including logging in and accessing account services.

It’s important to note that SouthState Online Banking is designed to respect your privacy regarding online tracking. Except where legally obligated, SouthState Online Banking does not permit third parties to collect data about your online activities across different websites. Similarly, SouthState Online Banking itself focuses on data collection necessary for transaction processing and user authentication within its platform, and does not actively track your browsing across the wider internet. Therefore, while “do not track” signals from web browsers are generally acknowledged, SouthState Online Banking’s practices are inherently aligned with minimizing unnecessary cross-site tracking.

Types of Personal Information Collected by SouthState Online Banking

SouthState Online Banking collects various types of personal information essential for providing secure and efficient banking services. This information falls into categories that are crucial for identity verification, transaction processing, and account management.

The personal information collected may include:

Identifying Information: This encompasses details such as your name, date of birth, postal address, email address, and telephone number. This information is vital for verifying your identity, contacting you for service-related matters, and managing potential risks associated with online banking. SouthState Bank may also utilize identity verification services and consumer reporting agencies, including credit bureaus, to further strengthen identity verification processes and ensure the security of your account.
Bank Account Information: To facilitate online transactions, SouthState Online Banking collects bank account details for accounts you designate for payments, transfers, and other services. This includes crucial information such as routing numbers, account numbers, balances, and transaction history. This data is essential for processing your banking requests accurately and securely.
Billing Account Information: Billing account numbers may be collected to ensure that only authorized users are accessing and utilizing SouthState Online Banking services. This adds an extra layer of security to protect your financial information.
Transaction Information: Details regarding your payments and transaction history through SouthState Online Banking are recorded. This includes payment amounts, dates, recipients, and other relevant transaction specifics. This information is necessary for maintaining accurate records, providing transaction history to you, and ensuring the integrity of the banking system.
User-Provided Information: Any Personal Information you voluntarily enter while using the SouthState Online Banking site, such as during customer service interactions or when filling out online forms, is also collected.

How SouthState Online Banking Collects Your Personal Information

SouthState Bank employs various methods to collect your personal information, ensuring a comprehensive approach to data gathering for security and service enhancement.

Information is collected through:

Your Direct Interactions: As you use SouthState Online Banking services, your interactions directly contribute to data collection. This includes information you input or speak during customer care interactions, as well as data transmitted from your devices (computers, cell phones, etc.) when you access the online banking platform. Every transaction you conduct, every form you fill, and every query you make contributes to the data collected to provide and secure your banking experience.
Information from Third-Party Sources: SouthState Bank may also receive Personal Information about you from external sources. These sources can include:
- Billers: For bill payment services, information may be shared by billers to facilitate seamless transactions.
- Credit Bureaus: For certain services or account applications, credit bureaus may be consulted to verify financial information and assess creditworthiness.
- Affiliates: SouthState Bank’s affiliates may share information as permitted by law to streamline services and enhance customer experience.
- Identity Verification Services: To bolster security and prevent fraud, identity verification services are used to confirm your identity and protect your account.
- Consumer Reporting Agencies: These agencies may provide data to help SouthState Bank maintain accurate customer profiles and comply with regulatory requirements.
- Content Providers: Companies providing content to the SouthState Online Banking site, such as electronic bill providers, may also share necessary information to deliver these services effectively.

Sharing of Personal Information by SouthState Online Banking

SouthState Bank understands the sensitivity of your personal information and adheres to strict legal guidelines regarding its sharing. Sharing of your Personal Information is only done as permitted by law.

For nonpublic Personal Information collected in connection with providing financial services, US federal law mandates specific limitations on sharing. SouthState Bank operates within these legal boundaries, primarily sharing information for essential business operations.

The permitted reasons for sharing your Personal Information include:

Everyday Business Purposes: This is the primary reason for sharing information. It enables SouthState Bank and its service providers to:
- Process your transactions efficiently.
- Maintain your accounts accurately.
- Respond to legal obligations such as court orders and legal investigations.
- Report to credit bureaus as required.
- Detect and prevent fraud.
Sharing for these everyday business purposes is essential for the functionality and security of SouthState Online Banking. You cannot limit this type of sharing as it is crucial for the core operation of the service.
Marketing Purposes: SouthState Bank may share information for marketing purposes, which allows them to offer you products and services that may be of interest. This could include information about new banking products, special offers, or financial services. While SouthState Bank may engage in marketing, you generally cannot limit this sharing as it falls within legally permitted activities for financial institutions.
Affiliate Sharing for Everyday Business Purposes: Information about your transactions and experiences may be shared with SouthState Bank’s affiliates for their everyday business purposes. This sharing is aimed at streamlining operations within the SouthState Bank network and improving overall service delivery. You cannot limit this sharing as it is legally permissible for affiliated financial institutions.

It’s important to note that SouthState Bank does not engage in joint marketing with non-affiliated financial companies. This means your information is not shared with external financial companies for joint marketing initiatives.

How SouthState Online Banking Uses Your Personal Information

SouthState Bank utilizes your Personal Information in various ways, all within the bounds of legal permissions, to provide, secure, and improve your online banking experience.

These uses include, but are not limited to:

Maintaining Service Access: Your information is used to ensure you can access and effectively use SouthState Online Banking services whenever you need to.
Authentication and Security: Personal Information is crucial for authenticating your identity when you log in, both for your security and to enable SouthState Bank to verify your identity for transactions.
Billing Statement Authentication: To allow billers to authenticate your payments made through SouthState Online Banking, certain information may be used for verification purposes.
Service Communications: SouthState Bank uses your contact information to send you important updates, service-related information, and notifications about your account and transactions.
Transaction Processing and Administration: Your information is essential for executing, administering, and enforcing transactions you initiate through SouthState Online Banking.
Anti-Money Laundering and Fraud Prevention: SouthState Bank employs your data to perform Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance checks and monitor for fraudulent activities, protecting both you and the bank. This includes screening transactions and investigating potential fraud and unauthorized transactions.
Identity and Credit Verification: To ensure security and manage risk, your information may be used to verify your identity and determine your credit history, especially when applying for new services or products.
Account Verification: SouthState Bank may verify the information contained in your account to maintain accuracy and security.
Collections and Credit Bureau Reporting: In cases of delinquent accounts, your information may be used for collection purposes and reporting to credit bureaus, in accordance with legal requirements and industry practices.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: SouthState Bank utilizes your information to comply with applicable laws, regulations, court orders, and lawful instructions from government agencies.
Safety and Security: Your information may be used to protect the personal safety of SouthState Online Banking users and the public, and to prevent and defend against legal claims.
Dispute Resolution and Troubleshooting: In case of disputes or technical issues, your information helps in resolving conflicts, troubleshooting problems, and ensuring smooth service operation.
Enforcing Terms and Conditions: Your data may be used to enforce SouthState Online Banking’s Terms and Conditions of Service, ensuring fair and secure usage of the platform.
Protecting Rights and Property: SouthState Bank may use your information to protect its rights and property, including preventing misuse of the online banking platform.
Service Improvement and Customization: Analyzing user data helps SouthState Bank customize, measure, and improve the Services, the content, and the layout of the online banking site. This includes pattern recognition, modeling, enhancement, system analysis, and performance analysis to optimize your banking experience.

Protecting Your Personal Information

SouthState Bank prioritizes the security of your Personal Information and implements robust safeguards to protect it from unauthorized access and misuse.

These security measures include:

Physical, Electronic, and Procedural Safeguards: SouthState Bank maintains a comprehensive security framework encompassing physical security measures (secure facilities), electronic safeguards (encryption, firewalls), and procedural safeguards (access controls, employee training). These measures are designed to comply with applicable federal and state laws and industry best practices.
Service Provider and Partner Requirements: SouthState Bank mandates that its service providers and business partners, who may have access to your information, adhere to the same stringent security standards. This ensures consistent data protection across all aspects of service delivery.

Continued Protection for Former Customers

Even after you cease being an active SouthState Online Banking customer, or stop using the Site or Service, SouthState Bank continues to protect your Personal Information as described in their privacy policies and as mandated by law. This ongoing protection is essential for:

Risk Management: Maintaining data security for former customers is crucial for managing potential risks and liabilities.
Regulatory Compliance: Legal and regulatory requirements often necessitate the continued protection of customer data even after the customer relationship ends.
Audit Purposes: Data retention and security are necessary for audit trails and compliance verification.

Policy Amendments

SouthState Bank reserves the right to amend its privacy policy at any time. Changes to the policy will be communicated by posting a revised version on the SouthState Online Banking website. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the revised policy becomes effective immediately upon posting.

In certain cases, SouthState Bank may, at its discretion, provide email notifications of policy amendments. You may also be required to affirmatively acknowledge or accept the revised Privacy Policy to continue using SouthState Online Banking services. Continued use of SouthState Online Banking after notification of changes (whether via website posting, email, or explicit acknowledgment) constitutes your express agreement to the updated Privacy Policy.

Contacting SouthState Bank Regarding Privacy

If you have any questions or concerns about SouthState Bank’s Privacy Policy or data handling practices related to online banking, you can reach out to them through the contact information provided on their official website. Typically, financial institutions provide dedicated channels for privacy inquiries to address your concerns effectively.

[It is recommended to visit the official SouthState Bank website and locate their Privacy Policy section for the most accurate and up-to-date contact information.]

By understanding SouthState Bank’s approach to online privacy and security, you can confidently utilize their online banking services, knowing that your personal information is handled with care and in accordance with legal and ethical standards.