Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
How we handle your data and what you agree to when using Civicly.
Civicly is a simple web platform that lets you report local civic issues and view them on an interactive map. We believe in transparency, so this document clearly explains what data we collect, why, and how you can control it.
TL;DR: We don't sell your data. We collect only what's needed to run the platform. You can delete your posts anytime. Usernames are stored in Firebase when you post.
By using Civicly, you agree to the terms described in this document. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the service.
We aim to collect as little data as possible. Here's what is stored:
- Anonymous User ID: Firebase assigns every visitor a unique anonymous identifier automatically. This is used to link your posts and reactions securely without requiring a traditional account.
- Username: Stored locally in your browser's
localStorage. We also store it in Firebase when you post or react, attached to that content.
- Post Content: Text description, optional image URL, and location tags you write and submit.
- Reactions: Your emoji reactions (upvotes) to reported issues, attributed to your anonymous UID.
- Basic Usage Data: Firebase may collect standard analytics like page views, device type, and geographic region via Google's infrastructure.
We do not collect your real name, email address, phone number, IP address (directly), or payment information.
Data collected is used strictly to:
- Display your civic posts and upvotes on the feed and interactive map
- Enable you to delete your own posts and manage your contributions
- Maintain platform stability and performance
We do not use your data for advertising, profiling, or sale to third parties.
Civicly is powered by Google Firebase, which provides our real-time database and anonymous authentication. By using Civicly, your data is also subject to:
Note: Google Firebase infrastructure may store data on servers located outside your country. By using this service, you consent to this transfer.
We use Google Fonts (Syne, DM Sans) to render typography. Google may collect limited data about font requests. See Google Fonts Privacy FAQ.
We have no other third-party integrations, tracking pixels, or analytics scripts beyond what Firebase provides.
All posts and reactions you publish on Civicly become publicly visible to all users of the platform. By posting, you agree that:
- Your content may be seen by anyone with access to the platform
- You own the rights to any content you post
- You will not post content that is illegal, harmful, hateful, or infringes on others' rights
- We reserve the right to remove content that violates these terms
You may delete your own posts at any time by clicking the delete button on your post. Deletion is permanent and immediate.
We implement the following security measures:
- Firebase Security Rules: Database rules ensure users can only delete their own posts.
- Anonymous Authentication: No personal credentials are stored. Firebase manages secure session tokens.
- HTTPS: All data transmitted between your browser and Firebase is encrypted in transit.
While we take security seriously, no system is 100% breach-proof. Avoid posting sensitive personal information in public posts.
Depending on your location, you may have rights under GDPR, POPIA, CCPA, or other regulations. In practice, here's what you can do:
- Delete your posts: Use the delete button on any of your own posts
- Change your username: Click your avatar and set a new name. Old posts retain the previous name as it was stored at time of posting.
- Clear local data: Clear your browser's localStorage to remove your stored username from your device
- Request data deletion: Contact us to request removal of data tied to your anonymous UID from Firebase
By using Civicly, you agree to the following:
- You will not post spam, advertisements, or repetitive content
- You will not post content that harasses, threatens, or abuses others
- You will not post illegal content including but not limited to: pirated material, CSAM, or instructions for illegal activities
- You will not attempt to exploit, hack, or reverse-engineer the platform
- You understand that Civicly is provided "as is" with no warranty of uptime or data preservation
- We reserve the right to suspend access for violations of these terms
Civicly is intended for users aged 13 and older. If you are under 13, please do not use this service.
These terms may be updated at any time. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.