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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 Linn County Criminal History, you accept these privacy practices.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or location entered in a search tool is sent directly to the third-party company operating that tool. The provider processes the query and returns its response. We do not keep or log those search terms on our systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

We retain an email you send long enough to review and answer it. Messages stay within our organization unless a valid legal duty requires disclosure.

Data We Gather Automatically

Our servers receive routine technical information when a page loads:

  • Page-view dates and times
  • Browser name and version
  • Device category and operating system
  • Pages viewed and approximate time spent
  • Referring website, when available
  • The device’s assigned IP address

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small device files that help measure use, such as popular pages and points where visitors leave. Analytics providers combine that traffic information. A browser can reject cookies, though some site functions may then work differently.

What We Do With This Data

  • Finding and correcting performance or technical problems
  • Operating the site and improving page speed
  • Routing a search query to the selected partner
  • Measuring which pages visitors use
  • Displaying advertising that may reflect general interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

We do not maintain, assemble, or sell a database of personal criminal records. The site explains how Linn County records can be requested from the Sheriff, Iowa District Court, Iowa DCI, and Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Public-agency access is governed by Iowa Code chapter 22, while DCI dissemination follows chapter 692. Visitor information is not turned into a third-party record or consumer report, and we are 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 govern any information entered there, including retention and sharing. Review the applicable provider policy before sending a query because we do not control those practices.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to county offices, Iowa agencies, courts, legal-aid resources, or outside search services. Once a visitor follows a link, the destination’s privacy policy applies. Read it before providing personal information.

Advertising providers may use their own systems to measure activity across websites and select ads. That tracking is not operated by us.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal data is not sold. Limited information may be available to:

  • Analytics providers measuring traffic and performance
  • Search partners processing a query submitted to their tool
  • Advertising networks serving ads on the site
  • Government or law-enforcement bodies acting under a valid legal order

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable security practices are used to protect collected information. No internet system is risk-free, however, so we cannot guarantee that unauthorized access will never occur.

Users Under 18

This resource is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone younger than 18 and will delete such data when its presence is brought to our attention.

Your Data Rights

Applicable privacy law may provide additional rights based on where you live. Separately, Iowa Code section 692.5 gives a person access to and a challenge process for their own DCI criminal-history data, which this site does not hold. For information held by us, you may:

  • Request correction of inaccurate information
  • Ask what information is held about you
  • Object to certain forms of processing
  • Request deletion where applicable

Updates to This Policy

This policy may be revised as practices or legal requirements change. A revised version will appear here with its new effective date.

Effective date: July 23, 2026