Law Enforcement Guidelines
Effective Date: January 6, 2023
Date Last Updated: October 16, 2024
These guidelines are intended to provide law enforcement authorities with information regarding the process for requesting records or record preservation from The Conover Company. So that we can ensure compliance with our user Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, we respond only to law enforcement requests that adhere to established legal process and applicable law.
U.S. Legal Process Requirements
We disclose user information and solely in accordance with our published Terms of Service and applicable U.S. law, including the federal Stored Communications Act (“SCA”), 18 U.S.C. Sections 2701-2712. In accordance with U.S. law:
- A jurisdictionally valid subpoena, issued in connection with an official criminal investigation, is required to compel the disclosure of basic user records, which may include name, length of service, billing address, email address(es), and an IP address, if available.
- A court order is required to compel the disclosure of certain records or other information related to a user account (not including contents of communications), which may include message headers and IP addresses, in addition to the basic user records identified above.
- A search warrant properly issued under the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or equivalent state warrant procedures, based on a showing of probable cause, is required to compel the disclosure of the stored contents of any account, which may include messages, attachments, or other content of communications within a user’s account.
International Legal Requirements
In the case of requests from law enforcement outside of the U.S., a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) request or letter rogatory may be required to compel the disclosure of the contents of an account.
Account Preservation Requests
We will take reasonable steps to preserve account records in connection with official criminal investigations for a period of 90 days pending our receipt of a formal legal request for user data. You may request the preservation of records via email or mail as indicated below.
Information Required in Connection With Your Request
Your Contact Information.
- Requesting Agency’s name
- Requesting Agent’s name
- Requesting Agent’s badge/identification number
- Requesting Agent’s Agency-issued Email address
- Requesting Agent’s telephone number, including extension
- Requesting Agent’s mailing address (PO Box not acceptable)
- Requested response date (please allow at least 3 weeks for processing)
Data Request Information.
- Full (first and last) name of the Conover Online User(s)
- Email address(es) associated with the Users’ account(s)
- A clear and specific description of the data being requested (we will be unable to process overly broad or vague requests)
Data Availability
We will search for and disclose data that is specified with particularity in an appropriate form of legal process and which we are reasonably able to locate and retrieve.
User Notification
If required by law, The Conover Company’s policy is to notify users of requests for their information, which includes a copy of the request, prior to disclosure so that they may have an opportunity to challenge such request unless: (a) we are prohibited from doing so by law or court order; (b) there are exceptional circumstances, such as an emergency involving the risk of bodily injury or death to a person or group of people or potential harm to minors; or (c) prior notice would be counterproductive (for example, if we believe that the account in question has been hijacked). Law enforcement officials who believe that notification would jeopardize an investigation should obtain a proper court order or other appropriate process establishing that notice is prohibited. Please note that Officer authored affidavits, cover letters or similar statements are not sufficient to preclude notice to our users. Please note that in situations where a data request draws attention to an ongoing violation of our Terms of Service we may, in order to protect our service and its Users, take action to prevent any further abuse, including actions that could notify the User(s) who are the subject of your data request that we are aware of their misconduct.
Submitting Your Request
A data request may be served by email (legal@conovercompany.com).
Production of records
We provide access to responsive records via email in electronic format (e.g., by attaching text files that can be opened with any word processing software such as Word or TextEdit or by including a restricted URL).
Records authentication
If you require a declaration as to authenticity, please indicate it in your submission.
Cost reimbursement
The Conover Company may seek reimbursement for costs associated with information produced pursuant to legal process and as permitted by law (e.g.,under 18 U.S.C. ยง2706). Non-law enforcement requests should be sent to support@conovercompany.com. For questions about these or any Conover Company terms or policies, email us at legal@conovercompany.com.