Last updated: November 10, 2026. This policy describes what information the Homeward Initiative collects through homewardaid.org, how it is used, and the choices you have. Questions or requests: hao@homewardaid.org.

Who we are

The Homeward Initiative is a volunteer-run public information initiative based in Middletown, Delaware, United States. We publish missing-person notices reproduced from official public listings and submissions from families and the public, and we publish anti-scam awareness material.

Information we collect

1. Accounts. If you register, we store your name, email address and a securely hashed password (never the password itself).
2. Submissions. Missing-person notices, case tips, scam reports and contact messages you send us, including the contact details and any photograph you provide with them.
3. Alert subscriptions. If you subscribe to email alerts, we store your email address for that purpose only.
4. Technical logs. Like most websites, our server records basic request information (IP address, browser type, pages requested and time) used to operate and protect the site.

How we use it

We use this information to publish and maintain case notices after review, to pass tips to the investigating agency and the reporting family, to operate member accounts and email alerts, to answer messages, and to prevent abuse of the site. Photographs and details in a published notice come from the official public listing for the case or from the family or person who submitted it.

Sharing

We do not sell personal information, and we do not share it for marketing. Tips and case submissions are shared with the law-enforcement agency and family working the case — that is the purpose of submitting them. We may disclose information where required by law, or where necessary to protect a missing person or the public.

Cookies

This site uses only functional cookies that keep you signed in (and, for the site administrator, an admin session cookie). We run no advertising and no third-party analytics or tracking cookies.

Retention and removal

A missing-person notice is removed when the person is located, the agency closes the case, or the family or agency asks us to take it down. Submission and account records are kept while they are needed for the purpose they were provided. You may ask us at any time what information we hold about you, and to correct or delete it, by emailing hao@homewardaid.org; we act on verified requests promptly.

Children

Information about missing children on this site is reproduced from official public listings such as the FBI's. Accounts are intended for adults; if you believe a child's information appears here in error, contact us and we will review it the same day.

Changes to this policy

If we change this policy, the updated version will be posted on this page with a new date. Continued use of the site after a change means you accept the updated policy.