Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

At BetterComm, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform. By using our services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our platform:

2.1 Personal Information

When you create an account or use our services, we may collect:

• Email address (for account creation and verification)
• Phone number (optional, for account verification)
• Full name (first name and last name)
• Location information (state, city, Local Government Area)
• Profile information you choose to provide

2.2 Issue Report Information

When you report an issue, we collect:

• Issue title and description
• Location data (coordinates, street address, state, LGA)
• Photos and images you upload
• Category and classification of the issue
• Timestamp of when the issue was reported

2.3 Usage Information

We automatically collect certain information when you use our platform:

• Device information (browser type, operating system)
• IP address and general location data
• Pages visited and features used
• Interaction data (votes, views, searches)
• Session storage data (temporary form data, preferences)

2.4 Cookies and Local Storage

We use browser sessionStorage to temporarily store form data, user preferences, and authentication information. This data is automatically cleared when you close your browser session. We do not use persistent cookies for tracking purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To create and manage your account
• To process and display your issue reports
• To verify your identity and prevent fraud
• To communicate with you about your reports and account
• To improve our services and user experience
• To analyze usage patterns and platform performance
• To ensure platform security and prevent abuse
• To comply with legal obligations
• To respond to your inquiries and support requests

4. Data Storage and Retention

Your personal information and issue reports are stored securely on our servers. We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations.

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after account deletion
• Issue Reports: Retained to maintain the public record of community issues
• Session Data: Automatically cleared when you close your browser (sessionStorage)
• Pending Reports: Stored temporarily in sessionStorage with 1-hour expiration

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Public Issue Reports: Your issue reports (title, description, location, photos) are publicly visible on the platform. Your name may be displayed as the reporter, but contact information remains private.
• Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform (e.g., cloud storage for images, hosting services)
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation
• Safety and Security: We may share information to protect the rights, property, or safety of BetterComm, our users, or others
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.

Security measures include encryption of data in transit, secure authentication, regular security assessments, and access controls. While we strive to protect your information, you should also take steps to protect your account credentials and use secure networks when accessing our platform.

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can access and review your personal information through your account settings
• Correction: You can update or correct your personal information at any time
• Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and personal information
• Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Opt-Out: You can opt out of certain communications and data processing activities
• Browser Controls: You can control sessionStorage and cookies through your browser settings

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact Us section below.

8. Third-Party Services

Our platform may integrate with third-party services that have their own privacy policies:

• Image Storage: We use cloud storage services (e.g., Cloudinary) to store and serve images. These services may have access to your uploaded images.
• Geocoding Services: We use OpenStreetMap Nominatim API for location services. Location queries are processed through our proxy API to protect your privacy.
• Analytics: We may use analytics services to understand platform usage and improve our services

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of these third-party services to understand how they handle your information.

9. Children's Privacy

Our platform is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country. By using our platform, you consent to the transfer of your information to these countries. We take appropriate safeguards to ensure your information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our platform after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

• Through our platform's support channels
• By email at the contact address provided on our platform
• Through the contact form or information available on our website

We will respond to your inquiries within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable data protection laws.