Data You Give Us Directly
Search Queries
When a visitor enters a name or place into a search tool, the query goes directly to the outside provider that operates it. That provider processes the request and returns its result. Winnebago County Criminal History does not record or retain the search terms on its systems.
Messages and Contact Submissions
An email sent to us may be kept long enough to review and answer it. We do not disclose a message outside our organization unless the law requires disclosure.
Data We Gather Automatically
Loading a page may cause the servers to receive the following technical visit details automatically:
- Operating system and device category
- Browser name and version
- Your device's assigned IP address
- Pages opened during the visit
- Page-view dates, times, and visit duration
- A referring website, when one is supplied
Cookies and Analytics
Cookies are small files stored on a device. Along with analytics services, they help summarize traffic patterns, including which pages are opened and where a visit ends. A browser can block cookies, but doing so may affect some functions.
What We Do With This Data
- Diagnose faults and service interruptions
- Measure which material visitors use
- Operate, secure, and improve site performance
- Display advertising that may reflect visitor interests
- Route a submitted query to the selected search partner
No Criminal-Record Data on File
We do not create, maintain, or sell a database of personal criminal records. The site identifies routes for requesting official Winnebago County records from the sheriff, Circuit Court, Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Crime Information Bureau (CIB), and Wisconsin Public Sex Offender Registry. It is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and visitor data is not assembled into a consumer report or a file about another person.
Third-Party Search Partners
Outside companies operate the search boxes. Information entered in a box is governed by that provider's privacy policy, retention period, and sharing practices. Because we do not control those rules, visitors should review the applicable provider policy before submitting a query.
Links to Other Websites
Links may lead to sheriff, court, Wisconsin agency, legal-aid, or outside search websites. After a visitor leaves, the destination's privacy policy controls. Review that policy before providing personal information.
Advertising providers may use their own technology to observe activity across websites and choose targeted ads.
Who Might See Your Data
Personal data is not sold. It may be disclosed to:
- Traffic and performance analytics providers
- A government or law-enforcement body acting under a valid legal order
- A search partner processing a query
- Advertising networks serving site ads
How We Protect Your Data
Reasonable, standard safeguards are used for information the site collects. No online service can guarantee complete security, so we cannot promise that a breach will never occur.
Users Under 18
The website is meant for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18, and we will delete such information if it is identified.
Your Data Rights
Applicable law may provide additional rights. Wisconsin Public Records Law, Wis. Stat. §§19.31–19.39, governs access to government records. Wis. Stat. §§165.83–165.84 govern criminal-history submissions and specified record removal. Those government-record provisions are separate from the visitor-data requests listed here. Subject to applicable law, you may:
- Seek correction of inaccurate data
- Object to or opt out of eligible processing
- Request access to data held about you
- Ask for deletion where the law permits it
Updates to This Policy
We may revise this policy. Any new version will appear here with a changed effective date.
Effective date: August 11, 2026