Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how InmateRoster.net ("we," "our," or "the Platform") utilizes cookies, pixel tags, web beacons, and local storage technologies when you visit our website at https://inmateroster.net. It details the types of technologies deployed, why they are used, and the direct mechanisms you have to inspect, control, or disable them.
InmateRoster.net is funded through programmatic digital advertising. Third-party vendors, including Google LLC, use cookies to serve advertisements based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites across the Internet.
Google's use of advertising cookies (including the DoubleClick DART cookie) enables Google and its advertising partners to serve targeted, relevant ads to visitors based on browsing history and contextual signals. You may opt out of personalized advertising at any time by visiting Google Ads Settings or through industry opt-out portals such as AboutAds.info.
1. What Are Cookies and Tracking Technologies?
Cookies are small alphanumeric data files that a website transfers to your computer's hard drive, tablet, or smartphone through your web browser. Cookies enable the website's systems to recognize your browser, capture certain non-personally identifiable usage patterns, safeguard against automated bot abuse, and remember your display preferences across visits.
Cookies are categorized based on their origin and lifespan:
First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies
First-Party Cookies are set directly by InmateRoster.net to facilitate navigation, security tokens, and responsive UI caching. Third-Party Cookies are placed by external service partners, primarily Google AdSense, ad exchange networks, and analytics providers.
Session vs. Persistent Cookies
Session Cookies are temporary and exist solely during an active browsing session; they are erased when you close your web browser. Persistent Cookies remain stored on your device until a predetermined expiration date or until you manually clear them via browser tools.
2. Categories of Cookies Deployed on InmateRoster.net
We maintain transparency regarding all tracking technologies utilized across our site. The table below outlines the primary categories, vendors, technical identifiers, and operational purposes of cookies on InmateRoster.net:
| Category | Specific Cookies | Provider | Operational Purpose | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | __cf_bm, cf_clearance, __cflb | Cloudflare, Inc. | Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation, cryptographic bot validation, traffic routing, and CDN edge security. | Session to 1 year (e.g., __cf_bm: 30 minutes; cf_clearance: up to 1 year) |
| Performance & Analytics | _ga, _gid, _gat, _ga_* | Google Analytics (Optional) | Aggregated telemetry, page latency monitoring, visitor count, referral paths, and bounce rate analysis without collecting personally identifiable information. | 24 hours to 2 years |
| Advertising & Targeting | __gads, __gpi, IDE, test_cookie, DSID | Google LLC / DoubleClick | Serving relevant contextual and behavioral advertisements, frequency capping (limiting the number of times you see an ad), and detecting fraudulent click behavior. | 90 days to 13 months |
| Functional & UI | ir_session, ui_theme, filter_pref | InmateRoster.net | Stores temporary client-side navigation filters, county directory sort orders, and cookie notice acknowledgment state. | Session to 6 months |
3. Google AdSense, DoubleClick DART Cookies & Certified Ad Networks
Google is our primary third-party advertising partner. In compliance with Google's Required Privacy Policy and AdSense Publisher Guidelines:
- Personalized Advertising: Third-party vendors and ad networks, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your previous visits to InmateRoster.net and other websites on the Internet.
- The DoubleClick DART Cookie: The DART cookie is used by Google in the ads served on publisher websites displaying AdSense for content. When users view or click an ad, a cookie may be dropped on that end-user's browser. The data gathered from these cookies helps Google serve ads tailored to your interests.
- Non-Personalized Ads (NPA): In jurisdictions where consent is not provided or where users opt out, Google serves non-personalized ads. Non-personalized ads are targeted using contextual information (such as the content of the county jail page you are viewing) rather than past user behavior, though cookies are still required for frequency capping, aggregated ad reporting, and combatting fraud.
- European Economic Area (EEA) & International Visitors: In accordance with Google's EU User Consent Policy and international privacy guidelines, users visiting from the EEA, United Kingdom, and Switzerland may manage behavioral advertising preferences or opt out of interest-based ad networks through the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance at Your Online Choices or via Google Ads Settings.
4. Web Beacons, Clear GIFs, and Local Storage
In addition to cookies, web pages and advertisements on InmateRoster.net may contain electronic images known as web beacons (also referred to as single-pixel GIFs or clear GIFs). Web beacons are tiny graphic images embedded invisibly on web pages that transmit non-identifying telemetry back to a server.
We and our advertising partners use web beacons to compile aggregate statistics regarding how many users visited a particular state directory page, verify the effectiveness of ad impressions, and monitor server performance. Unlike cookies, web beacons are not stored directly on your computer, but they work in conjunction with cookies to track browser activity.
We may also use HTML5 Local Storage or Session Storage to preserve user search filters across page reloads without transferring data to external servers.
5. How to Opt Out of Interest-Based Advertising
You are never required to accept personalized advertising cookies. You can manage your preferences or opt out entirely from interest-based advertising across multiple advertising networks through any of the following official industry self-regulatory mechanisms:
Control which interests Google associates with your profile and turn off personalized ads across Google properties and partner sites.
Manage Google Ads PreferencesOpt out of interest-based ads from dozens of participating companies with a single click via the WebChoices consumer tool.
Visit DAA WebChoices ToolLearn about online behavioral advertising and opt out of ad targeting delivered by NAI member companies.
Visit NAI Opt-Out PlatformFor visitors residing in the European Union and United Kingdom, control behavioral advertising preferences via Your Online Choices.
Visit Your Online Choices (EU)Note: Industry opt-out tools rely on placing an "opt-out cookie" in your browser. If you delete all cookies from your browser, you will need to re-apply your opt-out preferences.
6. Managing Cookies in Your Web Browser
Most web browsers are configured by default to accept cookies. You have the right to configure your browser to notify you when you receive a cookie, reject third-party cookies, or block all cookies completely. Below are direct instructions for major modern browsers:
Google Chrome
Click the three vertical dots menu (⋮) → Settings → Privacy and Security → Third-party cookies. Here you can choose to block third-party cookies or delete existing cookies upon browser close.
Apple Safari (macOS & iOS)
On macOS: Go to Safari → Settings (or Preferences) → Privacy tab → Check "Prevent cross-site tracking" and select "Block all cookies" if desired. On iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open Settings → Safari → Toggle on "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" and "Block All Cookies".
Mozilla Firefox
Click the application menu (≡) → Settings → Privacy & Security → Under Enhanced Tracking Protection, select "Standard" (recommended) or "Strict" to block cross-site tracking cookies.
Microsoft Edge
Click the three horizontal dots (…) → Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies and site data → Toggle on "Block third-party cookies".
Impact of Disabling Strictly Necessary Cookies:
If you choose to block strictly necessary first-party cookies, our Cloudflare security gateway may challenge your connection with repeated verification screens, and some search filter features may become temporarily unavailable.
7. Global Privacy Control (GPC) and Do Not Track (DNT) Signals
InmateRoster.net recognizes and honors the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal broadcast by supported web browsers (such as Brave, Firefox with privacy add-ons, or Chromium extensions).
When our server infrastructure detects an active GPC signal emitting from your browser, we automatically transmit downstream signals to our programmatic advertising partners to treat your session as an opt-out from the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).
Regarding legacy "Do Not Track" (DNT) headers: Because no uniform industry or legal standard currently exists for responding to DNT headers, our systems prioritize the standardized, legally recognized GPC specification.
8. U.S. State Privacy Disclosures (California, Virginia, Colorado)
Under state privacy laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the CPRA (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100 et seq.), the deployment of third-party advertising cookies for cross-context behavioral advertising may be deemed a "sale" or "sharing" of personal data.
You have the unconditional statutory right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information via advertising cookies at any time without penalty or discriminatory treatment. You may exercise this right by:
- Enabling the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal in your browser;
- Opting out via Google Ads Settings and DAA WebChoices; or
- Emailing site support at [email protected] with the subject line
"CCPA / CPRA Do Not Sell or Share Request".
9. Modifications and Periodic Updates
We may periodically update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our advertising partnerships, data protection legislation (such as updates to FTC guidance, GDPR revisions, or state privacy enactments), or platform enhancements. When modifications occur, the "Last Updated" timestamp at the top of this document will be amended accordingly. We encourage you to review this page periodically to remain informed about our cookie practices.
10. Contacting Directory Support
If you have any questions, comments, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our advertising practices, please contact site support:
InmateRoster.net Directory Support Desk
Support Email: [email protected]
Privacy Policy: https://inmateroster.net/privacy-policy
Terms of Service: https://inmateroster.net/terms-of-service
Record Removal Portal: https://inmateroster.net/record-removal