Data You Give Us Directly
Search Queries
A name or place entered in a search tool is sent directly to the outside provider that operates it. That provider processes the query and supplies its results. Houston County Criminal History does not keep or log those search terms on its own systems.
Messages and Contact Submissions
An email or other direct message may be retained long enough to respond and maintain the related correspondence. It remains within the operating team unless disclosure is required by law.
Data We Gather Automatically
When a page loads, servers may automatically receive basic technical and traffic details:
- Page-view dates and times
- Browser name and version
- Device and operating-system type
- IP address
- Referring site, when supplied
- Pages viewed and approximate visit duration
Cookies and Analytics
Cookies are small device files used to understand traffic patterns, such as popular pages and exit points. Analytics providers combine this activity into site-performance reports. A browser can block cookies, although doing so may change how some features behave.
What We Do With This Data
- Diagnosing technical faults and performance problems
- Routing a submitted query to the selected search partner
- Operating and securing the website
- Understanding which resources visitors use
- Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests
No Criminal-Record Data on File
Houston County Criminal History does not build, hold, or sell a personal criminal-record database. It identifies official routes to the Houston County Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, and county government directory, as well as Alabama state systems. Repository dissemination is separately governed by Ala. Code §§41-9-590 through 41-9-649. Visitor data is not assembled into a consumer report or a file about another person, and this resource is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Third-Party Search Partners
Outside companies operate the search boxes. Their own privacy terms, retention periods, and sharing practices govern information entered there. Those choices are beyond our control, so review the selected provider’s policy before sending a query.
Links to Other Websites
Links may lead to the Houston County Sheriff, Alabama courts, ALEA, other government resources, or search partners. Once a visitor leaves this domain, the destination’s privacy rules apply. Check those rules before supplying personal information.
Advertising providers may use their own systems to recognize activity across websites and select ads. Their tracking does not run under this policy.
Who Might See Your Data
Personal data is not sold. Limited information may be received by:
- Analytics providers that measure traffic and performance
- A search partner chosen to process a query
- Advertising networks serving page content
- A government body when disclosure is compelled by a valid legal order
How We Protect Your Data
Reasonable technical and operational safeguards are used for collected information. No internet system can guarantee perfect security, however, and this policy does not promise that a breach is impossible.
Users Under 18
This resource is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal data from anyone younger than 18. Information identified as a minor’s will be removed when a valid deletion request is received.
Your Data Rights
Applicable law may provide additional privacy or consumer rights. The Alabama Open Records Act, Ala. Code §36-12-40, governs public writings held by government offices and should not be confused with data held by this private resource. Visitors may ask to:
- Opt out of processing where that choice is available
- Receive a copy of personal data held about them
- Correct inaccurate information
- Request deletion, subject to lawful retention duties
Updates to This Policy
A revised privacy policy will be posted here and identified by a new effective date. The version displayed on this page controls future use after that update.
Effective date: July 15, 2026