Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 2024

1. Introduction

Welcome to PopoAlert ("we," "our," or "us"). PopoAlert is a real-time police alert application that allows users to report and view police activity in their area. This document contains both our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

By using PopoAlert, you agree to be bound by these terms and our privacy practices. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our service.

2. Terms of Service

2.1 Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using PopoAlert, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. These terms apply to all users of the service, including without limitation users who are browsers, vendors, customers, merchants, and/or contributors of content.

2.2 Description of Service

• Allows users to report police activity in real-time
• Provides navigation and route checking features
• Enables users to view and verify police alerts in their area
• Offers anonymous reporting options
• Includes media upload capabilities for photos and videos
• Provides user scoring and verification systems

2.3 User Accounts and Registration

2.3.1 Account Creation

• You must create an account to use certain features of PopoAlert
• Users are authenticated with Google Sign in.
• You must use a Google account you own to sign in.
• You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account

2.3.2 Account Responsibilities

• You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• You may not share your account credentials with others
• You may not create multiple accounts for malicious purposes

2.4 Acceptable Use

2.4.1 Permitted Uses

• Reporting legitimate police activity in your area
• Viewing and verifying police alerts
• Navigation and route planning
• Community safety awareness

2.4.2 Prohibited Uses

• Report false or misleading information
• Harass, threaten, or intimidate others
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Upload illegal, harmful, or inappropriate content
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the service
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Use automated tools to access the service without permission

2.5 Content and Media Uploads

2.5.1 User-Generated Content

• You retain ownership of content you upload
• You grant us a license to use, store, and display your content
• You are responsible for the accuracy and legality of your content
• We may remove content that violates these terms

2.5.2 Media Guidelines

• Photos and videos must be relevant to police activity
• Content must not contain personal information of others without consent
• File uploads are limited to 3 files per alert/comment
• Supported formats: images (JPG, PNG, GIF) and videos (MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI)

2.6 Location Services

2.6.1 Location Permissions

• PopoAlert requires access to your location for core functionality
• Location data is used to show nearby alerts and provide navigation
• You can disable location services, but this will limit app functionality

2.6.2 Location Data Usage

• Your location is used to display relevant police alerts
• Location data helps calculate distances to reported incidents
• We do not share your precise location with other users
• Location data is stored securely and used only for app functionality

2.7 User Scoring and Verification

2.7.1 Spotter Score

• Users earn points for verified reports and community contributions
• Scores are based on report accuracy and community verification
• Higher scores may provide additional app features

2.7.2 Anonymous Mode

• Users can choose to report anonymously
• Anonymous reports still contribute to your spotter score
• We maintain privacy while ensuring accountability

2.8 Service Availability

2.8.1 Service Modifications

• We may modify, suspend, or discontinue the service at any time
• We will provide reasonable notice for significant changes
• We are not liable for any interruptions in service

2.8.2 Technical Requirements

• PopoAlert requires an internet connection
• Compatible with modern web browsers and mobile devices
• Some features may require specific device capabilities

2.9 Intellectual Property

2.9.1 Our Rights

• PopoAlert and its content are protected by intellectual property laws
• Our trademarks, logos, and branding are our property
• You may not use our intellectual property without permission

2.9.2 Your Rights

• You retain rights to your user-generated content
• You grant us a non-exclusive license to use your content
• You can request removal of your content at any time

2.10 Disclaimers and Limitations

2.10.1 Service Disclaimer

• PopoAlert is provided "as is" without warranties
• We do not guarantee the accuracy of user reports
• We are not responsible for actions taken based on app information
• Users should verify information independently

2.10.2 Limitation of Liability

• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Our liability is limited to the amount you paid for the service
• We are not responsible for third-party actions or content

2.11 Termination

2.11.1 Account Termination

• You may terminate your account at any time
• We may terminate accounts that violate these terms
• Upon termination, your data will be handled according to our privacy policy

2.11.2 Effect of Termination

• Your access to the service will end immediately
• We may retain certain data as required by law
• You remain responsible for any violations that occurred before termination

2.12 Changes to Terms

• We may update these terms from time to time
• We will notify users of significant changes
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
• You should review terms periodically

2.13 Google Maps Terms of Service

By using this service, you’re agreeing to Google MapsTerms of Service.

2.14 Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where PopoAlert operates. Any disputes will be resolved in the appropriate courts of that jurisdiction.

3. Privacy Policy

3.1 Information We Collect

3.1.1 Account Information

• Google Account Data: When you sign in with Google, we receive your email address, name, and profile picture
• User Profile: We store your display name, profile picture, spotter score, and anonymous mode preference
• Authentication Tokens: We store secure tokens to maintain your login session

3.1.2 Location Data

• Precise Location: Your GPS coordinates when using the app
• Location History: Temporary storage of your location for app functionality
• Navigation Data: Start and end points for route planning

3.1.3 User-Generated Content

• Alert Reports: Text descriptions, photos, and videos you upload
• Comments: Responses to alerts and community discussions
• Verification Data: Your verification actions on other users' reports

3.1.4 Technical Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, and browser version
• Usage Analytics: How you interact with the app (features used, time spent)
• Error Logs: Technical information when the app encounters issues

3.2 How We Use Your Information

3.2.1 Service Provision

• Core Functionality: To provide police alert services and navigation features
• User Experience: To personalize your experience and improve app performance
• Communication: To send notifications about alerts and app updates

3.2.2 Community Safety

• Alert Distribution: To share police activity information with the community
• Verification System: To maintain report accuracy and user accountability
• Scoring System: To track user contributions and maintain quality

3.2.3 Service Improvement

• Analytics: To understand usage patterns and improve features
• Bug Fixes: To identify and resolve technical issues
• Feature Development: To develop new features based on user needs

3.3 Information Sharing

3.3.1 What We Share

• Public Alerts: Your alert reports (with location) are shared with the community
• Anonymous Reports: When you choose anonymous mode, your identity is hidden
• Aggregated Data: We may share anonymized usage statistics

3.3.2 What We Don't Share

• Personal Information: We do not sell or rent your personal data
• Precise Location: Your exact location is not shared with other users
• Private Messages: Any private communications remain confidential

3.3.3 Legal Requirements

• Law Enforcement: We may disclose information if required by law
• Safety Emergencies: We may share information to prevent harm
• Legal Process: We may respond to valid legal requests

3.4 Data Storage and Security

3.4.1 Storage Locations

• Primary Storage: Data is stored on secure cloud servers
• Local Storage: Some data is cached on your device for performance
• Backup Systems: We maintain secure backups of your data

3.4.2 Security Measures

• Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit and at rest
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can view your data
• Regular Audits: We regularly review and update security measures

3.4.3 Data Retention

• Account Data: Retained while your account is active
• Location Data: Automatically deleted after 30 days
• Media Files: Retained until you delete them or close your account
• Analytics Data: Anonymized and retained for service improvement

3.5 Your Privacy Rights

3.5.1 Access and Control

• View Your Data: You can view your profile and activity data
• Update Information: You can modify your profile and preferences
• Delete Content: You can delete your alerts, comments, and media

3.5.2 Account Management

• Download Data: You can request a copy of your data
• Delete Account: You can permanently delete your account
• Opt-Out: You can disable certain data collection features

3.5.3 Communication Preferences

• Notifications: You can control which notifications you receive
• Marketing: You can opt out of promotional communications
• Updates: You can choose how to receive service updates

3.6 Third-Party Services

3.6.1 Google Services

• Authentication: We use Google OAuth for secure login
• Maps: We use Google Maps for navigation and location services
• Analytics: We may use Google Analytics for usage insights

3.6.2 Storage Services

• File Storage: We use secure cloud storage for media files
• Database: We use reliable database services for user data
• CDN: We use content delivery networks for fast file access

3.6.3 Third-Party Policies

• Third-party services have their own privacy policies
• We recommend reviewing their policies for complete information
• We only work with reputable, privacy-conscious providers

3.7 Children's Privacy

• PopoAlert is not intended for children under 13
• We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13
• If we discover we have collected such data, we will delete it
• Parents should contact us if they believe their child has provided data

3.8 International Users

3.8.1 Data Transfers

• Your data may be processed in countries other than your own
• We ensure adequate protection for international data transfers
• We comply with applicable data protection laws

3.8.2 Regional Variations

• Some features may vary by region due to local laws
• We adapt our practices to comply with local requirements
• Contact us for region-specific privacy information

3.9 Cookies and Tracking

3.9.1 Essential Cookies

• Authentication: Cookies help maintain your login session
• Preferences: Cookies remember your app settings
• Security: Cookies help protect against unauthorized access

3.9.2 Analytics Cookies

• Usage Tracking: We track how you use the app to improve it
• Performance: We monitor app performance and identify issues
• Features: We analyze which features are most popular

3.9.3 Cookie Management

• You can control cookies through your browser settings
• Disabling cookies may affect app functionality
• We provide clear information about our cookie usage

3.10 Data Breaches

3.10.1 Incident Response

• We have procedures to detect and respond to data breaches
• We will notify affected users as required by law
• We work with security experts to investigate incidents

3.10.2 User Notification

• We will notify you if your data is compromised
• Notifications will include steps you can take to protect yourself
• We will provide updates as the situation develops

3.11 Changes to Privacy Policy

• We may update this privacy policy from time to time
• We will notify users of significant changes
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance
• You should review the policy periodically

3.12 Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

• Email: privacy@popoalert.com
• Address: [Your Business Address]
• Phone: [Your Contact Number]

We will respond to your inquiries within 30 days.

4. Additional Information

4.1 Emergency Situations

In emergency situations:

• Call emergency services (911 in the US) immediately
• PopoAlert is not a substitute for emergency services
• We may share information with authorities if required
• Your safety is our priority

4.2 Community Guidelines

To maintain a safe and helpful community:

• Report only legitimate police activity
• Be respectful in comments and interactions
• Verify information before reporting
• Help maintain the accuracy of the platform

4.3 Support and Feedback

We welcome your feedback and are here to help:

• Technical Support: support@popoalert.com
• Feature Requests: feedback@popoalert.com
• Bug Reports: bugs@popoalert.com
• General Inquiries: info@popoalert.com

4.4 Legal Notices

• Copyright: © 2024 PopoAlert. All rights reserved.
• Trademarks: PopoAlert and related marks are our trademarks.
• Third-Party Rights: Respect the rights of third parties.

5. Intellectual Property

All content, trademarks, and intellectual property related to PopoAlert remain the sole property of their respective owners. You may not copy, distribute, or reproduce any part of the platform without explicit permission.

6. Termination of Service

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the platform at our discretion, without prior notice, if you violate these terms or engage in unauthorized activities.

7. Limitation of Liability

PopoAlert is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. We are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform.

8. Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. This section explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information:

8.1 Information Collection

We collect information you provide, such as name, email address, and profile picture only to create and manage your account.

8.2 Data Usage

The information collected is used solely to create and manage your account on PopoAlert. This includes:

• Account creation and management
• Service functionality and features
• Communication and notifications

8.3 Third-Party Sharing

We do not sell or share your personal data with third parties, except as required by law or with your consent.

8.4 Data Security

We employ security measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure.

9. Changes to Terms and Privacy Policy

We may update these terms and the privacy policy from time to time. It is your responsibility to review them periodically. Continued use of the platform constitutes your acceptance of any changes.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these terms or our privacy practices, please contact us at oyindosumu4@gmail.com.