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Privacy Policy

This policy describes the information produced by a visit, the purposes for which it is used, and the limited circumstances in which another party may receive it. Continued use of Franklin County Criminal History signifies acceptance of these practices.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

A name or location entered in a search tool passes to the outside company that operates that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its results. Franklin County Criminal History does not keep or log those search terms on its own systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

An email may be retained as needed to answer it. Messages remain within the site team unless disclosure is required by a valid legal obligation.

Data We Gather Automatically

Loading a page creates routine technical information about the visit:

  • Page-view dates, times, and duration
  • Device type and operating system
  • The referring site, when one is reported
  • Browser name and version
  • Pages opened during the visit
  • The device's assigned IP address

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small device files that help measure how visitors move through the site. Analytics providers combine traffic data to show which pages are used and where visits end. A browser can reject cookies, although some features may then work differently.

What We Do With This Data

  • Diagnosing errors and other technical problems
  • Operating the pages and maintaining reasonable performance
  • Routing a query to the selected outside search provider
  • Measuring which reference pages visitors use
  • Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

Franklin County Criminal History does not keep, compile, or sell a database of personal criminal records. Its reference material identifies official custodians, including the Franklin County Sheriff, Iowa District Court, the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Visitor data is not assembled into consumer reports or third-party criminal profiles, and the 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 the selected provider's privacy policy rather than this policy. Each provider controls its own retention and disclosure practices, so review those terms before running a query.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to the Franklin County government, Iowa Courts Online, state agencies, legal resources, or outside search tools. Once a visitor leaves this site, the destination's privacy terms apply. Review them before providing personal information.

Advertising companies may use their own systems to measure activity across websites and select ads. Their tracking practices are outside this site's control.

Who Might See Your Data

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

  • Analytics providers that measure traffic and performance
  • Outside search providers that receive a submitted query
  • Advertising networks serving content on the pages
  • A government or law-enforcement body acting under a valid legal order

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for collected information. No internet service can guarantee perfect security, however, and this policy does not promise that unauthorized access can never occur.

Users Under 18

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

Your Data Rights

Applicable law may provide rights concerning personal data. Iowa Code chapter 22, the Iowa Open Records Law, governs public records held by government bodies, while Iowa Code chapter 692 governs dissemination of criminal-history data by official custodians. Those statutes do not turn this private site into a government record office. Visitors may still ask to:

  • Receive a copy of personal information held about them
  • Correct inaccurate personal information
  • Request deletion where the law permits
  • Decline certain forms of processing where available

Updates to This Policy

Revisions may be posted when practices or legal duties change. The effective date below identifies the version currently in force.

Effective date: July 23, 2026