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Privacy Policy

This policy describes the information collected during a visit, the reasons it is used, and the limited circumstances in which it may reach another service. Continued use of the Steuben County Criminal History website signifies acceptance of these practices.

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 query and supplies the response. We do not keep or record those search terms on our systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

An email sent to us may be retained so that we can respond. It remains within our organization unless disclosure is required by a valid legal obligation.

Data We Gather Automatically

Loading a page causes the server to receive routine technical information about the visit:

  • Page-view timestamps
  • Device type and operating system
  • Browser name and version
  • Device IP address
  • Visited pages and time spent on them
  • The referring site, when one is supplied

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small files placed on a device. They help show broad patterns such as popular pages and points where visits end. Analytics vendors combine this traffic information for us. A browser can reject cookies, though doing so may change how some site functions behave.

What We Do With This Data

  • Diagnosing and repairing technical faults
  • Operating the site and maintaining page speed
  • Directing a search query to the chosen partner
  • Measuring which content is useful or needs improvement
  • Displaying advertising that may reflect visitor interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

No database of personal criminal histories is compiled, maintained, or sold by this site. The content identifies how official Steuben County files may be sought from the Sheriff, criminal courts, New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, and New York State Sex Offender Registry. We are not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Visitor information is not assembled into consumer reports or third-party criminal records.

Third-Party Search Partners

Outside companies operate the search boxes. Their own privacy terms govern anything submitted to a tool, including retention and sharing choices that we do not control. Read the provider's policy before running a query.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to Sheriff pages, court portals, New York agencies, legal assistance resources, or outside search tools. Once a visitor leaves this domain, the destination's privacy rules apply. Review them before providing personal information.

Advertising services may use their own systems to track activity across websites for interest-based advertisements. We do not operate that tracking.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal data is not sold. Limited information may be received by:

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

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for collected data. No internet-connected service can guarantee perfect security, so a breach can never be ruled out.

Users Under 18

This resource is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If a minor's information is identified, a request may be made for its deletion.

Your Data Rights

Rights can vary by residence and applicable New York law. Public Officers Law Article 6 governs access to New York agency records, while Executive Law §837 governs DCJS criminal-history functions and lawful dissemination. Those public-record laws do not turn this private site into a government record custodian. Subject to applicable law, you can:

  • Request deletion of eligible data
  • Ask what personal information is held about you
  • Correct information that is inaccurate
  • Opt out of processing where the law provides that choice

Updates to This Policy

This policy may be revised. Any new version will appear here with an updated effective date, so visitors should review it from time to time.

Effective date: August 1, 2026