Question

Why doesn't Nixle display booking photos for arrested individuals?

Answer

Nixle does not display booking photos (mugshots) due to several important legal and ethical considerations:

• Presumption of innocence - Individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in our legal system. Publishing booking photos could imply guilt and potentially harm reputations before any legal proceedings have concluded.

• State-specific privacy laws - Some states have passed legislation that specifically restricts the public distribution of mugshots, which Nixle respects across its platform.

• Privacy protection - Booking photos are considered personally identifiable information (PII). Their release is restricted under various privacy laws including:

  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) limitations

  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

  • Various state-level privacy regulations

These policies help protect individuals' privacy and prevent potential reputational damage while still allowing Nixle to provide important public safety information.