Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Baldwin County, AL Public Services handles information when visitors use baldwinal.org. The website is designed to help users find public-service information, tools, contact details, and frequently asked questions related to services and offices in Baldwin County, Alabama. Topics covered on the website include the Animal Shelter, BRATS Bus, Building Department, Circuit Clerk, cities, courthouse services, deeds and records, county departments, driver license information, elections, GIS, Health Department, high schools, Highway Department, Humane Society, jail information, marriage licenses, Planning and Zoning, Probate Office, property search, property tax, Revenue Commission, school calendars, schools, Sheriff's Office, Solid Waste, and ZIP Codes.

Protecting visitor privacy is important to us. Baldwin County, AL Public Services does not require users to create an account or register before accessing website content. We also do not actively request or collect personal information such as a visitor's name, phone number, email address, residential address, or similar identifying details through normal use of the website.

Information We Do Not Actively Collect

Visitors can browse the website without submitting personal information. There are no required user profiles, membership accounts, login credentials, or registration forms for accessing the public information provided on the site.

We do not intentionally ask visitors to provide personal information simply to read articles, view public-service information, review frequently asked questions, or use the informational resources presented on the website. This means that ordinary browsing does not require users to provide identifying details directly to us.

Visitors should understand, however, that certain technical information may be collected automatically through website analytics, advertising services, browser technologies, cookies, and similar tools. This information is generally used to understand how the website is accessed and how its content performs.

Automatically Collected Information

When a visitor accesses baldwinal.org, certain non-directly submitted information may be generated automatically by the visitor's browser, device, internet connection, or services used by the website. Depending on the technology involved, this information may include browser type, device type, operating system, general location information, referring pages, pages viewed, time spent on pages, interactions with website content, and similar usage data.

This type of information is generally used for traffic measurement, technical performance analysis, security, website maintenance, and improvements to the way visitors find information. It helps us understand which pages are useful, how visitors move through the website, and where improvements may make public-service information easier to locate.

Google Analytics

Baldwin County, AL Public Services uses Google Analytics to better understand website traffic and visitor behavior. Google Analytics may use cookies and other technologies to collect or analyze information about how visitors use the website. This information may include device information, browser type, website interactions, traffic sources, session activity, and other technical or usage information.

We use analytics information to evaluate website performance and improve the search and browsing experience. For example, analytics may help us identify frequently visited public-service pages, recognize navigation problems, understand general traffic patterns, and determine whether changes to the website make information easier to find.

Analytics data is used for website improvement and traffic analysis rather than for requiring users to identify themselves to access the site. The information collected or processed through Google Analytics may also be handled by Google according to its own privacy practices and technology settings.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

Cookies are small data files that may be stored on a visitor's browser or device when a website is used. Baldwin County, AL Public Services and third-party services used on the website may use cookies or similar technologies for analytics, advertising, website functionality, traffic measurement, and related purposes.

Cookies may help recognize general browsing activity, remember certain browser-related settings, measure page performance, or support advertising services. Some cookies may remain on a device for a period of time, while others may be removed after a browser session ends.

Most modern browsers provide controls that allow users to review, block, limit, or delete cookies. Disabling certain cookies may affect how some website features or third-party services operate. Cookie controls and privacy settings vary by browser and device.

Google AdSense and Advertising

Baldwin County, AL Public Services uses Google AdSense to display advertising. Google and other advertising technologies associated with AdSense may use cookies, device information, browser information, or similar signals in connection with the delivery, measurement, personalization, or performance of advertisements.

The advertisements displayed on the website are provided through third-party advertising systems. These services may process information about a visitor's browser, device, or website activity according to their own policies and settings. The website does not control every technical method used by third-party advertising providers.

Advertising helps support the operation and maintenance of the website while allowing visitors to access its informational content without being required to register for an account.

Third-Party Services

The website may rely on third-party technology providers for analytics, advertising, hosting, security, or other operational functions. These providers may process technical information independently or on behalf of website operations.

Third-party services may have their own privacy policies, data collection methods, cookie practices, retention periods, and privacy controls. Baldwin County, AL Public Services does not control the privacy practices of outside services and cannot guarantee how information is handled after it is processed by an independent third party.

Public-Service Information

The purpose of baldwinal.org is to organize and present information that helps users locate Baldwin County public-service resources. The website may provide information about government offices, public agencies, schools, public records, transportation services, property-related services, elections, public safety, and other community resources.

The presence of information about a government office, department, public agency, or service does not mean that the website receives personal records from users who interact with those organizations. If a visitor chooses to contact or use an outside government office, public agency, school system, or other organization, information provided directly to that organization is handled under that organization's own policies and procedures.

How Information Is Used

Information generated through normal website operation may be used to maintain and improve baldwinal.org. Uses may include measuring website traffic, identifying popular pages, improving navigation, evaluating search behavior, detecting technical problems, maintaining website security, understanding browser and device compatibility, and improving the overall functionality of the site.

We may also use aggregated or non-identifying usage information to understand how visitors interact with different categories of Baldwin County public-service content. This can help determine which information should be easier to locate or presented more clearly.

Personal Information and User Accounts

Baldwin County, AL Public Services does not require account creation to access website content. Because registration is not required, visitors do not need to provide usernames, passwords, profile information, or similar account details to browse the site.

Users should avoid submitting sensitive personal information through any website feature unless it is clearly necessary and they understand where the information is being sent. Public-service transactions that require confidential information should generally be completed through the appropriate official agency or government system responsible for that service.

Data Security

Reasonable efforts are made to operate the website in a secure and reliable manner. However, no internet transmission, browser interaction, hosting environment, analytics platform, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Visitors should use appropriate browser security settings and take reasonable precautions when using websites or online services.

Children's Privacy

Baldwin County, AL Public Services is a general informational website intended to provide public-service information to the community. The website does not knowingly require children to create accounts or intentionally request personal information from children as a condition of accessing its content.

Your Privacy Choices

Visitors can manage many privacy preferences through their browser or device settings. Depending on the browser or device, users may be able to delete stored cookies, block new cookies, limit tracking technologies, adjust advertising preferences, or restrict certain types of website storage.

Changing these settings may influence how analytics, advertising, and certain website functions operate. Privacy controls can differ between browsers, devices, and operating systems, so visitors should review the settings available in the software they use.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be revised periodically to reflect changes in website functionality, analytics practices, advertising services, technology, legal requirements, or the way baldwinal.org operates. Updated versions may be posted on this page when changes are made.

Visitors are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy from time to time if they want to remain informed about how website usage information, cookies, analytics, and advertising technologies are handled.