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Privacy Policy

This policy describes the information collected during a visit, why it is used, and the limited circumstances in which another party may receive it. By continuing to use Houston County Criminal History, you accept the data practices stated here.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or place entered in a search box is sent directly to the outside provider operating that tool. The provider processes the request 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 may be retained long enough to answer and manage the correspondence. Messages remain within the operating team unless disclosure is required by law.

Data We Gather Automatically

When a page loads, the server may automatically receive basic technical and usage details:

  • Page-view times and session duration
  • Device type and operating system
  • IP address assigned to the device
  • Browser name and version
  • Pages viewed during the visit
  • Referring website, when one is supplied

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small device files used to understand traffic patterns, such as popular pages and exit points. Analytics providers help combine that information. A browser can block cookies, although doing so may change how some site features work.

What We Do With This Data

  • Routing a search to the selected partner
  • Maintaining site speed, availability, and security
  • Finding and repairing technical faults
  • Measuring which pages are useful
  • Displaying advertising that may reflect user interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

Houston County Criminal History does not create, store, or sell a database of personal criminal records. It publishes general directions to records held by the Houston County sheriff and courts, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Criminal Records Unit, and Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. Government access follows the Tennessee Public Records Act, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 10-7-501 et seq., while TBI criminal-history dissemination is governed in part by Tenn. Code Ann. § 38-6-120. Visitor data is not turned into third-party profiles or consumer reports, and this site is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Third-Party Search Partners

Outside companies operate the search boxes. Information submitted there is governed by that provider's privacy policy, retention rules, and disclosure practices. Review those terms before running a search because this policy does not control the partner's systems.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to sheriff, court, state-agency, legal-aid, or outside search websites. Once a visitor follows a link, the destination's privacy rules apply. Review them before providing personal information.

Advertising providers may use their own systems to measure activity across websites and select targeted ads.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal data is not sold. It may be available in limited form to:

  • Analytics providers measuring traffic and performance
  • Search providers processing a submitted query
  • Advertising networks placing ads
  • Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal demand

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable standard safeguards are used for collected data. No internet system can guarantee complete security, so protection efforts cannot promise that a breach will never occur.

Users Under 18

The service is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If such data is identified, a deletion request may be made.

Your Data Rights

Applicable privacy and consumer-protection law, including the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act at Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 47-18-101 et seq., may provide added rights. Subject to legal exceptions, a visitor may:

  • Request deletion of eligible personal data
  • Ask what personal information is held
  • Correct inaccurate information
  • Object to certain processing where the law permits

Updates to This Policy

This policy may be revised. A new version becomes available on this page with its updated effective date.

Effective date: August 8, 2026