Harris County TX respects the privacy of people who visit https://harriscountytexas.org. This Privacy Policy explains what information may be collected through the website, why that information may be used, how it may be protected, and what choices visitors may have. Harris County TX is an informational website that publishes general information about Harris County, Texas, court records, public records, and related topics. This website is independent and is not the official website of Harris County, Texas, or any Harris County government office. This Privacy Policy applies only to harriscountytx.org. It does not control the privacy practices of government websites, external websites, or other websites that may be reached through links published on this site.
Information We May Collect
Harris County TX aims to keep the collection of personal information limited. Visitors can read most website content without creating an account or submitting personal information.
Information collected through the website may fall into two main categories:
- Information a visitor voluntarily sends to the website
- Basic technical information collected during a website visit
The exact information collected depends on how the website is accessed and which technical features are active at a given time.
Information You Provide
A visitor may choose to contact Harris County TX by email at info@harriscountytexas.org.
An email message may contain information such as:
- Name
- Email address
- Message content
- Subject of the message
- Information the visitor chooses to include
Visitors should send only information that is relevant to their inquiry. Sensitive information should not be sent through ordinary email unless there is a clear and lawful reason to do so.
Harris County TX does not require visitors to submit personal information simply to read informational pages.
Technical Information
When a visitor opens a webpage, the website’s hosting and technical systems may receive basic information associated with the visit.
This may include:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device type
- Operating system
- Date and time of access
- Requested webpage
- Referring webpage
- Basic technical information
This information can help with website operation, security, error detection, and basic traffic analysis. Technical information does not always identify a person by name. Still, an IP address or another technical identifier may be treated as personal information under applicable law in certain situations.
How We Use Information
Information collected through Harris County TX may be used for reasonable website-related purposes.
These purposes may include:
- Operating the website
- Responding to email inquiries
- Protecting website security
- Detecting suspicious activity
- Reviewing technical errors
- Measuring general website traffic
- Maintaining website functionality
- Complying with legal requirements
- Protecting the website from misuse
Harris County TX does not need personal information from visitors for ordinary access to informational content. Personal information should be used only for a purpose that is reasonably connected with the reason for collection or another purpose permitted by applicable law.
Email Information
If a visitor contacts info@harriscountytexas.org, the information contained in that message may be used to review and respond to the inquiry. An email address is not automatically treated as permission for unrelated promotional communication. Email correspondence may be retained for a reasonable period when it is needed for communication records, website administration, security, or legal purposes. Visitors should avoid sending passwords, financial information, Social Security numbers, medical information, or other highly sensitive information through email. Harris County TX cannot guarantee that ordinary email communication will remain completely secure during transmission.
Cookies
Harris County TX may use cookies or similar browser technologies if they are required for website operation, security, analytics, or basic preferences. Cookies are small files that a website may store through a visitor’s browser. They can help a website recognize a browser or retain certain settings.
Cookies may serve purposes such as:
- Basic website functionality
- Security
- Traffic measurement
- Preference storage
- Technical analysis
The actual use of cookies depends on the website’s active configuration.
Visitors can manage cookies through browser settings. Most modern browsers provide options to block, delete, or limit cookies. Blocking cookies may affect certain website functions if those functions depend on them.
Analytics and Website Statistics
Harris County TX may use website analytics to review general visitor activity. Analytics information can include page views, browser information, device categories, approximate geographic information, referral sources, and similar technical data. This information may help identify which pages receive visits and whether technical problems affect website access. Analytics information is normally reviewed in aggregate form. The purpose is to understand general website activity rather than identify visitors personally. If a third-party analytics provider is used, that provider may process technical information according to its own privacy policy and terms. Visitors should review the applicable third-party privacy information if they have questions about how a specific analytics provider handles information.
Personal Data and Texas Privacy Law
The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act became effective on July 1, 2024. The law gives certain Texas consumers rights related to their personal data and places duties on businesses that fall within the law’s scope. The Act does not apply to every person or organization. Texas law contains exemptions based on factors such as the type of entity, the nature of the information, and the type of processing involved. Small businesses are generally exempt, subject to a specific restriction concerning the sale of sensitive data. Where applicable law grants privacy rights, Harris County TX will handle valid requests according to the requirements that apply to the website and the specific request. Depending on applicable law, rights may include:
- Confirmation of whether personal data is being processed
- Access to certain personal data
- Correction of inaccurate personal data
- Deletion of certain personal data
- Access to personal data in a usable format
- Opting out of targeted advertising
- Opting out of the sale of personal data
- Opting out of certain profiling activities
The Texas statute also prohibits covered businesses from discriminating against consumers for exercising rights provided by the Act.
How to Submit a Privacy Request
A visitor who wants to ask about personal information connected with harriscountytx.org may contact:
Email: info@harriscountytexas.org
A privacy request should clearly state what information the visitor is asking about and what action is requested.
For example, a visitor may ask about:
- Personal data held about them
- Correction of inaccurate information
- Deletion of certain information
- Information about how submitted data is used
A request may require reasonable verification. Verification helps prevent one person from requesting information belonging to another person. Texas law states that covered businesses cannot require a consumer to create a new account merely to submit a privacy rights request. Some requests may be subject to legal exceptions or limitations. A request does not automatically require disclosure or deletion of information when applicable law permits or requires the information to be retained.
Data Sharing
Harris County TX does not sell personal information simply because a visitor reads the website. Personal information may be disclosed when there is a lawful or legitimate reason. This can include situations involving legal requirements, security matters, technical website operations, or protection of legal rights. If third-party providers support website hosting, security, analytics, or similar technical functions, those providers may process limited information needed for their role. Harris County TX does not intend to disclose personal information for purposes unrelated to the purpose for which the information was collected, except where permitted or required by law.
Sale of Personal Data
Harris County TX does not state that visitor personal information is sold unless such activity actually occurs. If the website’s data practices change in a way that involves the sale of personal data, this Privacy Policy should be updated to accurately describe that activity and any rights that apply. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act defines the sale of personal data and provides consumers with an opt-out right for covered sales.
Targeted Advertising
Harris County TX does not claim that it uses targeted advertising unless that feature is actually active on the website. If targeted advertising is introduced later, the website’s privacy disclosures should be updated to explain the relevant data practices and applicable choices. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act gives qualifying consumers the right to opt out of processing for targeted advertising.
Sensitive Personal Information
Visitors should not submit sensitive personal information to Harris County TX unless it is reasonably needed for a specific lawful purpose. Sensitive information can include information relating to health conditions, religious beliefs, citizenship or immigration status, genetic or biometric information used for identification, precise location information, and personal information belonging to children under 13. Harris County TX does not need this type of information for visitors to read ordinary informational content. If a visitor voluntarily sends sensitive information by email, that information may be handled as part of the submitted message. Visitors should carefully consider whether such information is appropriate to send.
Children’s Privacy
Harris County TX does not knowingly seek personal information from children under 13. The website contains general informational material concerning court records and public records. Children should not submit personal information through email or other website functions. If a parent or legal guardian believes that a child has provided personal information to Harris County TX, the parent or guardian may contact info@harriscountytexas.org. A request should explain the concern without including unnecessary sensitive information.
Public Records Information
Harris County TX publishes informational content about court records and other public record topics. Public records may contain information about people, businesses, cases, property, filings, or other matters. The existence of information in a public record does not mean that Harris County TX collected that information directly from the person concerned. Government agencies maintain their own records under applicable laws and policies. Harris County TX does not control the privacy practices of government agencies that maintain public records. Visitors who submit information directly to a government website should review that agency’s privacy notice and applicable terms.
Links to External Websites
Harris County TX may include links to external websites for informational reference. External websites can include government websites, court websites, county offices, public agencies, and other sources. Once a visitor leaves harriscountytx.org, this Privacy Policy no longer controls the visitor’s interaction with that external website. Each external website may have its own privacy policy, terms, cookies, data practices, and security measures. Visitors should review the privacy policy of an external website before submitting personal information. A link does not mean that Harris County TX owns or operates the linked website.
Data Security
Harris County TX takes reasonable measures to protect information handled through the website. Security practices may include access controls, technical safeguards, software maintenance, monitoring, and other measures appropriate to the type of information involved. No website, server, email system, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to remain completely secure. Visitors should avoid sending highly sensitive information through ordinary email. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act requires covered controllers to maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security practices appropriate to the volume and nature of personal data processed.
Data Retention
Harris County TX may retain information for as long as reasonably needed for the purpose for which it was collected. Email messages may be retained for communication, administrative, security, or legal reasons. Technical logs may be retained according to the configuration of hosting and security systems. Retention periods can differ based on the type of information and the reason it exists. Information may be deleted when it is no longer reasonably needed, subject to legal requirements, technical limitations, or legitimate recordkeeping needs.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy may be changed when website practices, legal requirements, or information handling practices change. Any updated version may be published on this page with a revised Last Updated date. Visitors should review this page periodically for changes. A revised Privacy Policy applies after it is posted unless the page states a different effective date.
Accuracy of Privacy Information
This Privacy Policy describes the website’s intended information practices based on the information available when this page was prepared. Website technologies can change. A hosting provider, analytics provider, security feature, cookie, or other technical component may affect information collected through a website. For that reason, this page may be updated when actual website practices change. Visitors with questions about information submitted directly to Harris County TX may contact info@harriscountytexas.org.
Contact Harris County TX
For privacy questions concerning harriscountytx.org, contact:
Harris County TX
Website: https://harriscountytexas.org
Email: info@harriscountytexas.org
Visitors should describe their privacy question clearly. They should avoid including unnecessary sensitive information in an email.