Information You Send
A name, phone number, or address entered into a search widget is sent to the third-party provider that powers the result. The site's own servers do not keep a copy of those search terms. A message sent to the operator reveals the information included in that message and is used to respond.
Routine Technical Logs
The hosting service may record an IP address, browser type, pages viewed, and time stamps. Aggregate information helps maintain the pages and understand general traffic. Cookies or similar tools may support basic analytics or, where used, advertising measurement.
How Information Is Used
Technical data is used to operate the reference, investigate faults, measure broad readership, and improve content. The operator does not sell visitor lists or create individual user profiles from ordinary visits.
Links to Custodians and Other Services
Pages link to San Francisco and California offices, court services, libraries, archives, USPS, and third-party search tools. Once a visitor leaves for one of those services, that provider's privacy policy and submission practices control. Sponsored search results are supplied by a separate company.
Who Processes Technical Data
Hosting and support vendors may handle ordinary server logs. Analytics or advertising partners may receive the automatic information described above when those tools are enabled. Information is disclosed when a valid legal process requires it, and otherwise is not intentionally shared outside the purposes described here.
Security and Retention
The pages use an encrypted connection. Logs are retained only for the operational purposes that require them. There are no site accounts, passwords, or personal profiles for the operator to protect.
Visitors Under 18
The reference is intended for adults and is not directed to children. The operator does not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If a minor has sent personal information, contact the operator so it can be removed where possible.
California Privacy Rights
Depending on the applicable law, a person may request access to, correction of, or deletion of personal information held by a website. For California consumers, the California Consumer Privacy Act and California Privacy Rights Act, Civil Code section 1798.100 and following, provide rights subject to coverage and exceptions. The California Attorney General's CCPA guidance explains the scope. The Delete Act's data-broker system is being implemented through the California Privacy Protection Agency.
Because this reference retains very little, a request usually concerns a contact message or an applicable server log. Use the Contact page to ask. Government records held by the City and County of San Francisco or California are outside the operator's control; deletion or correction requests for those belong with the custodian named on the relevant page.
Changes to This Policy
An updated policy takes effect when posted here. Continued use after a revision indicates acceptance of the revised text.