Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

To provide our agnostic infrastructure for civic updates, we collect specific data points when you interact with New Democracy:

• Authentication Data: Email addresses and secure authentication tokens handled via our infrastructure provider.
• Profile Information: Your name, username, optional avatar, and specific jurisdiction/location data (district, state, pincode) to route updates accurately.
• Civic Data & Media: Details of the civic updates you provide, including geographic coordinates, descriptions, and uploaded photographic evidence.
• Interaction Metrics: Upvotes, priorities, endorsements on proposals, and comments made on civic updates.

2. How We Use Your Data

Your data is strictly utilized to power the civic coordination lifecycle:

• To route service gaps accurately to the verified institutional agencies in your jurisdiction.
• To calculate reputation scores for citizens and officials based on verified positive impacts and accepted solutions.
• To maintain an immutable, public timeline of civic update statuses (e.g., Institutional Alignment, Active Coordination, Milestone Achieved).
• To issue automated notifications regarding updates on service gaps you have highlighted, prioritized, or commented on.

3. Data Visibility & Anonymity

New Democracy is built on a foundation of transparency, but we respect the need for secure data submission.

• Public Records: By default, submitted civic updates, media, and comments are public to foster transparency.
• Anonymous Contributions: If you select the "Anonymous" toggle when submitting a civic update, your profile identity is masked as "Concerned Citizen" across the public feed. However, your account remains internally linked to ensure data integrity and maintain constructive coordination, accessible only to system administrators.
• Confidential Moderation: If you utilize the platform's moderation system to highlight unconstructive content or platform misuse, your identity as the contributor is strictly confidential and visible only to system administrators. It is never shared with the associated party.

4. Data Security & Storage

We implement stringent Row Level Security (RLS) policies at the database layer. This ensures that users can only modify their own profiles, priorities, and data. Direct API manipulation of roles or unauthorized access to internal agency feeds is structurally blocked. We comply with standard data protection protocols required under the Information Technology Act.

5. Account Deletion & Record Retention

You maintain the right to initiate the deletion of your profile. However, because New Democracy serves as an interconnected public framework of civic infrastructure:

• Active Records: To protect the integrity of ongoing civic coordination, you may be required to resolve, delete, or anonymize active public service gaps and civic initiatives you have created before your profile can be fully erased from the database infrastructure.
• Agency Integrity: Verified agencies cannot be deleted if they have active civic updates or civic initiatives aligned to them, ensuring institutional excellence is not erased mid-resolution.