Information You Send Directly
Text entered into a search form, such as a name, phone number, or address, is sent to the third-party provider that operates the results service. Palo Alto Residents Directory does not retain a copy of those searches on its own servers. If you contact the operators, the message contains whatever information you choose to provide, and that information is used to respond.
Routine Technical Logs
Hosting systems may record ordinary connection data, including IP address, browser type, pages requested, and timestamps. Aggregate review helps diagnose failures and understand which local-record pages are useful. Basic analytics, cookies, or advertising measurement may also be supplied by the relevant service provider.
How Limited Data Is Used
The information described above supports ordinary operations: keeping pages available, correcting technical issues, measuring broad traffic, and improving the reference. Visitor lists are not sold, and individual user profiles are not built from these limited records.
External Portals and Search Services
Pages link to county and state record portals, library databases, archives, and third-party search tools. Each destination has its own privacy policy and controls what happens after a link is followed or a form is submitted. Sponsored results are supplied by a separate company and are governed by that provider’s practices.
Who Can Process the Data
Hosting and technical vendors may process server logs in order to deliver the pages. Analytics or advertising providers may receive the automatic data described above. Disclosure can also occur when valid legal process requires it. Otherwise, the reference does not maintain a separate directory of people who visit it.
Security and Retention
The pages are delivered over an encrypted connection, and logs are retained only for the operational purposes described here. No account system means there is no site password or personal profile for this service to expose.
Visitors Under 18
The reference is intended for adults and is not directed to children. Personal information is not knowingly collected from a person under 18. If a parent or guardian believes a minor sent information, contact the operators and the information will be removed from the material the operators control.
California Privacy Choices
Depending on the person and the applicable business threshold, California’s Consumer Privacy Act as amended by the CPRA, Civil Code section 1798.100 et seq., provides rights to know, delete, correct, limit certain sensitive-information uses, and opt out of sale or sharing. Exceptions and verification rules apply. Because this reference keeps little personal data, a request generally involves checking the contact mailbox and relevant server logs.
Use the Contact page for a request. Public deeds, court files, voter records, parcel records, and city records held by California, Santa Clara County, or Palo Alto offices are outside the operators’ control. A removal request for those records must go to the custodian, and a commercial opt-out cannot erase a lawful government record.
Changes to This Policy
When the data practices or legal references change, an updated version will be posted here. Continued use after an update indicates acceptance of the revised policy.