Privacy Policy

Last updated June 2026. This policy explains what information BailWatcher (bailwatcher.com) collects, how we use and share it, and the choices you have. By using the site or submitting information, you agree to this policy. It works alongside our Terms of use.

1. Who we are

BailWatcher is an independent news and information site for the bail industry, operated from the State of Texas, United States. We publish news and articles and run a directory of bail agencies, sureties, and industry tools. We are not a law firm, a bail bond agency, a surety, or a government body. For privacy questions, contact us at info@bailwatcher.com.

2. Information we collect

Information you give us. When you contact us, subscribe to our newsletter, submit a directory listing (an agency or a tool), or reply to one of our emails, we collect what you provide, such as your name, business name, email address, phone number, location, website, the services you list, and any message or notes. Directory submissions are reviewed before any listing is published.

Information collected automatically. Like most websites, our servers and analytics record technical information when you visit, including your IP address, browser and device type, operating system, referring page, the pages you view, and the date and time. This is used for security, troubleshooting, and understanding how the site is used.

Public sources. Some directory entries (for example, agency or product listings) are compiled from publicly available sources. If an entry concerns you or your business, you can ask us to correct or remove it at any time.

3. Cookies and analytics

We use a small number of cookies and similar technologies:

• Essential cookies keep the site working, including your session and security tokens (CSRF) on forms. These cannot be turned off without breaking core features.
• Analytics. We use Google Analytics 4 to understand aggregate, non-identifying usage (pages viewed, general location, device). Analytics runs under Google Consent Mode. Google may set its own cookies; see Google's privacy policy for details.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, and you can opt out of Google Analytics using Google's browser opt-out add-on. We honor recognized browser privacy signals where required by law.

4. How we use information

• To operate, secure, and improve the site and the directory.
• To review, build, display, and maintain directory listings.
• To respond to your messages and to contact you about a listing, verification, or relevant updates.
• To send our newsletter or industry outreach where you have opted in or where permitted by law (see section 6).
• To produce aggregate analytics and reporting.
• To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.

5. How we share information

We share information only as needed:

• Service providers that run the site on our behalf: our web host (Hostinger), Google Analytics and Search Console, our email and SMTP provider, and search-indexing services such as IndexNow (Bing and Yandex). They may process data only to provide their service to us.
• Public display. Information submitted for a directory listing (such as business name, location, contact details, and services) is intended to be shown publicly.
• Legal and safety. Where required by law, legal process, or to protect rights, safety, and the integrity of the site.
• Business transfer. In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, subject to this policy.

6. Email and outreach

We may send commercial email to industry contacts and to people who opt in. Every commercial message includes a working unsubscribe link and a List-Unsubscribe header, and a valid postal mailing address, as required by the US CAN-SPAM Act. You can opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link in any message, and we will stop sending you commercial email promptly. Transactional messages (for example, about a listing you submitted) may still be sent.

7. Your rights and choices

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, to correct or delete it, to opt out of marketing, and to opt out of any sale or sharing (we do not sell or share for advertising). Residents of California (CCPA/CPRA), Texas, and other US states with privacy laws may exercise these rights, and we will not discriminate against you for doing so.

To exercise a right, email info@bailwatcher.com from the address concerned, or use the unsubscribe link for email opt-outs. We may need to verify your identity before acting. You may also designate an authorized agent where the law allows.

8. Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described here, to run the directory, to meet legal, accounting, or reporting requirements, or to resolve disputes. When no longer needed, we delete or anonymize it. Published directory information remains until you or we remove the listing.

9. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, including HTTPS, hashed passwords, prepared database queries, and access controls. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Data location and international users

The site is hosted in the United States, and information is processed there. If you access the site from outside the US, you understand that your information is transferred to and processed in the US, which may have different data-protection rules than your location.

11. Children's privacy

The site is intended for professionals in the bail industry and is not directed to children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

12. Third-party sites

The site links to independent third parties, including agencies, sureties, tools, and other resources. We do not control and are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Review the privacy policy of any site you visit.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "last updated" date above shows the current version, and continued use of the site after a change means you accept the updated policy.

14. Contact

Questions or privacy requests: info@bailwatcher.com. Our postal mailing address is included in the footer of our commercial emails.