CiviScan is designed to help communities report and track public safety concerns. We are committed to being transparent about the data we collect, why we collect it, and how it is used.
CiviScan collects the following types of data:
Precise Location (GPS) — When you tap the map to place a report, the app reads your device's GPS coordinates. This is used solely to verify that you are within 3 miles of the reported location and to attach geographic coordinates to your report. We do not continuously track or store your location history.
IP Address & Network Information — Your IP address is collected when you submit a report to detect VPN or proxy usage and to verify your general geographic region. This helps prevent fraudulent or spoofed reports.
Account Information — When you register, your email address and display name are stored to identify you as the author of your reports and to manage your account.
Report Content — Information you enter when submitting a sighting (location, people count, observed indicators, optional notes) is stored and displayed to other users on the community map.
Device & Usage Data — Basic usage data (such as app errors or session activity) may be collected automatically to improve app performance and stability.
Location — To place your report accurately on the map and to enforce proximity-based reporting rules.
IP / Network — To prevent abuse, detect fraudulent submissions, and confirm you are reporting from within the expected geographic area.
Account info — To authenticate you, attribute your reports to your account, and allow you to delete your own submissions.
Report content — To power the community map and provide aggregated statistics visible to all users.
CiviScan uses OpenStreetMap to render the in-app map. Map tiles are loaded from OpenStreetMap servers, which may receive your IP address as part of standard web requests. OpenStreetMap's privacy policy is available at .
CiviScan does not use your camera in any way. The android.permission.CAMERA permission may appear in the app package due to an underlying third-party library included in the build system. CiviScan never requests, accesses, or captures any camera input, images, or video. No camera data is collected, stored, or transmitted.
CiviScan does not access your camera, microphone, contacts, photos, or any other device sensor beyond GPS location. We do not collect payment information, Social Security numbers, or any sensitive financial data.
CiviScan does not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Report content (location, indicators, timestamps) is visible to all app users as part of the community map. Your email address and account details are never publicly displayed.
Sighting reports are automatically removed from the live map after 24 hours. You may delete your own reports at any time by tapping the pin on the map. You may permanently delete your account and all associated data via Settings → Delete Account.
We use industry-standard security practices to protect your data. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We encourage users to avoid including personally identifiable information in report notes.
CiviScan is not intended for use by children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so we can delete it.
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or your personal data (including data access or deletion requests), please contact us at:
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We will respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 30 days.