Blount County Public Records /Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

BlountRecords.org Privacy Policy

Overview

BlountRecords.org is an informational website dedicated to helping individuals understand and navigate the world of public records. We are committed to maintaining the trust of our visitors and take the privacy of all users seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and handle information in connection with your use of our website.

By accessing or using BlountRecords.org, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Who We Are

BlountRecords.org is an independent informational resource focused on public records education and guidance. We provide general information about public records, how to access them, what they contain, and how they are maintained by government agencies and other authorized entities. We do not operate as a government agency, and we are not affiliated with any official records repository.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Voluntarily

We may collect personal information that you choose to provide to us directly. This may occur when you:

Submit a question or inquiry through a contact form
Subscribe to a newsletter or informational updates
Participate in surveys or feedback requests
Register for any features or services offered on the site

The types of information you may voluntarily provide include your name, email address, and any details you choose to include in your message or submission.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit BlountRecords.org, certain information may be collected automatically through standard web technologies. This may include:

IP Address – Your internet protocol address, which helps us understand general geographic usage patterns
Browser Type and Version – The web browser you are using to access our site
Device Information – General information about the device you are using, such as whether it is a desktop, tablet, or mobile device
Pages Visited – Information about which pages on our site you view and how long you spend on them
Referring URLs – The website or link that directed you to BlountRecords.org
Date and Time of Visit – When you accessed our site

This information is collected primarily through cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies, and is used in aggregate form to improve the functionality and content of our website.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

BlountRecords.org uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze site traffic. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.

We may use the following types of cookies:

Essential Cookies – Necessary for the basic functioning of the website
Analytics Cookies – Help us understand how visitors interact with our site so we can improve content and navigation
Preference Cookies – Allow the site to remember choices you have made to provide a more personalized experience
Third-Party Cookies – Placed by external services we use, such as analytics platforms or advertising networks

You have the right to control cookie usage. Most web browsers allow you to manage cookie preferences through their settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of some areas of our website.

How We Use the Information We Collect

The information we collect is used for the following purposes:

To operate, maintain, and improve the BlountRecords.org website
To respond to your questions, comments, or requests
To deliver newsletters or informational content you have requested
To analyze website traffic and user behavior in order to enhance the user experience
To detect, prevent, and address technical issues or security concerns
To comply with applicable legal obligations
To understand which public records topics are most relevant and useful to our visitors

We do not use your personal information to make automated decisions that significantly affect you, and we do not engage in profiling for commercial targeting purposes beyond standard website analytics.

How We Share Information

BlountRecords.org does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share information in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and delivering services. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes for which it was shared and to maintain appropriate security standards.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal processes, such as a court order, subpoena, or government request. We may also disclose information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of BlountRecords.org, our users, or the public.

Business Transfers

In the event that BlountRecords.org undergoes a merger, acquisition, or transfer of assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will take reasonable steps to ensure that your privacy rights continue to be protected in such circumstances.

Aggregate and Anonymized Data

We may share aggregated or anonymized data that cannot reasonably be used to identify you with partners, researchers, or the public for informational or analytical purposes.

Public Records and Third-Party Information

BlountRecords.org provides educational content about public records, which by their nature are documents and information made available to the general public by government agencies. It is important to understand the following:

We do not host or store official public records. Any public records information discussed on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only.
Public records are inherently public. Information contained in public records — such as court documents, property records, vital records, and government filings — is made available by law and is not considered private in the traditional sense.
We are not responsible for the content of external public records databases. Links or references to third-party public records resources are provided for convenience, and we encourage users to review the privacy policies of those external sites.

If you have concerns about information contained in an official public record, you should contact the relevant government agency or seek legal counsel, as BlountRecords.org does not have the authority to alter, remove, or restrict access to official public records.

Data Security

We take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect the information we collect from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include the use of secure server technology, encrypted data transmission where applicable, and restricted access to personal information by our staff and service providers.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You use our website and provide information at your own risk.

Third-Party Links

BlountRecords.org may contain links to external websites, government portals, and third-party resources. These links are provided for your convenience and informational purposes. We do not control the content or privacy practices of these external sites and are not responsible for their policies or actions.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit through links on our site.

Children's Privacy

BlountRecords.org is intended for use by adults and is not directed toward children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has submitted personal information to our site, please reach out to us so we can address the matter appropriately.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

The right to access – You may request information about the personal data we hold about you
The right to correction – You may request that inaccurate or incomplete information be corrected
The right to deletion – You may request that we delete personal information we hold about you, subject to certain legal limitations
The right to opt out – You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time
The right to data portability – Where applicable, you may request a copy of your data in a portable format
The right to restrict processing – You may request that we limit how we use your information in certain circumstances

To exercise any of these rights, please use the contact information available on our website. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a resident of California, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other applicable California privacy laws. These rights may include the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to know whether your personal information is sold or disclosed, the right to opt out of the sale of personal information, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.

BlountRecords.org does not sell personal information as defined under California law.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or the services we offer. When we make changes, the updated policy will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

Your continued use of BlountRecords.org following any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of those changes.

Governing Law

This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and applicable state laws. Any disputes arising in connection with this Privacy Policy shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the appropriate courts.

BlountRecords.org is committed to transparency and responsible information practices. We believe that understanding public records should be accessible to everyone, and we are equally committed to ensuring that your experience on our site respects your privacy and personal information.