Data You Give Us Directly
A name or place entered in a search tool is sent to the outside provider that operates that tool. The provider processes the query and returns its results. Hancock County Criminal History does not keep a local log of those search terms.
An email sent to the site may be retained long enough to respond and maintain the related correspondence. It is not shared outside the organization unless disclosure is legally required.
Data We Gather Automatically
Web servers and analytics tools may receive routine technical details when a page loads, including:
- the device's internet protocol address
- browser name, version, device type, and operating system
- pages viewed and the length of a visit
- the referring website, when one is supplied
- the date and time of each page request
Cookies are small files that can help measure traffic, popular pages, and where visits end. Browser controls can reject them, although a blocked cookie may change how some site functions behave.
What We Do With This Data
Collected technical data supports ordinary website operation. It may be used for these purposes:
- delivering pages and keeping the service available
- sending a visitor's search request to the selected partner
- measuring which content visitors use
- finding performance, security, or technical problems
- displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests
No Criminal-Record Data on File
This site does not compile, maintain, or sell a database of personal criminal records. Its pages explain how official Hancock County records can be sought from the sheriff, Iowa District Court, Iowa DCI, Iowa Department of Corrections, and Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Iowa Code chapter 22 governs access to records held by Iowa public bodies, while chapter 692 controls state criminal-history dissemination. Those laws do not turn this private reference site into a record custodian. Visitor data is not assembled into a consumer report, and this site is not a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA.
Third-Party Search Partners
Outside companies run the search boxes. Their own privacy terms, retention periods, and sharing rules apply to information submitted through those tools. Review the provider's policy before entering a query because this policy does not control the partner's systems.
Links to Other Websites
Links may lead to Hancock County offices, Iowa court and agency portals, legal resources, or partner tools. Once a visitor follows an outbound link, the destination's privacy rules govern the visit. Some advertising services may also use their own systems to measure activity across websites.
Who Might See Your Data
Personal data is not sold. Limited information may be available to:
- the search provider that receives a submitted query
- analytics vendors that measure traffic and performance
- advertising networks that place or measure ads
- a government or law enforcement body acting under a valid legal order
How We Protect Your Data
Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for data in the site's control. No internet service can promise absolute security, so a breach or unauthorized access cannot be ruled out.
Users Under 18
The website is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from a person under 18. Data known to have been supplied by a minor will be removed.
Your Data Rights
Rights depend on the law that applies to the visitor and the data. A person may ask to:
- receive a copy of personal information held by the site
- correct inaccurate personal information
- delete data when the governing law allows it
- opt out of eligible forms of data processing
These choices concern visitor data held by this site. Requests about Iowa government records must go to the public custodian under the Iowa Open Records Law or the applicable criminal-history rule.
Updates to This Policy
This policy may be revised as practices or legal duties change. A new version becomes effective when posted here with an updated date.
Effective date: July 23, 2026