Information You Choose to Send
Terms Entered in Search
A name, place, or other term entered into a search box passes to the outside provider operating that tool. This site does not keep or log those query terms on its own systems.
Messages Sent to Us
Email and contact submissions are retained as needed to answer the sender. They are not shared beyond the organization unless disclosure is required by law.
Technical Data Received Automatically
Routine server and analytics records may collect these details when a page loads:
- Internet Protocol address
- Browser name and version
- Device category and operating system
- Pages viewed and time spent
- The referring page, when supplied
- Date and time records
Cookies and Browser Controls
Cookies help measure how visitors move through the site. A browser can reject or remove them, though a blocked cookie may change how some functions behave.
Reasons We Use Information
Collected information supports normal site operation and improvement.
- Operate the site and maintain reasonable performance
- Send a search request to the selected partner
- Understand which Columbus County resources visitors use
- Detect and repair technical faults
- Display advertising that may reflect general interests
Privacy Beyond This Website
Links may lead to the Columbus County Sheriff, North Carolina courts, NCDAC, release locators, or outside search tools. Once a visitor follows one, that destination's privacy terms control its collection and use.
Advertising providers may measure activity across multiple sites to select ads. That tracking occurs through their systems and policies, not as a Columbus County government service.
Parties That May Receive Data
We do not sell personal information. Limited data may reach these parties for the stated function:
- Search partners that process submitted queries
- Analytics providers that measure site use
- Advertising networks serving ads
- Law enforcement or government bodies acting under a valid legal order
Reasonable Security Measures
Standard safeguards are used for information under our control. No internet service is perfectly secure, so we cannot promise that a breach or unauthorized access will never occur.
Visitors Younger Than Eighteen
The site is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. A parent or guardian may contact us to request deletion if a minor submitted information.
Choices About Personal Data
Depending on applicable law and the information held, a visitor may ask to:
- Receive a copy of personal data we retain
- Correct inaccurate personal information
- Delete eligible information
- Opt out of certain processing where that right applies
Changes to This Notice
This privacy notice may be revised as the site or its practices change. An updated version will be posted here with a new effective date.