Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
American Witness, providers of the Victim Notification Service (VNS) respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share your information when you use our online service (app).
2. Information We Collect
Personal Information: We collect only the minimum information necessary to provide our services, specifically your email address and an optional cell number if you choose to receive SMS updates. We do not collect names or any other personal identifiers.
Sensitive Information: The VNS does not collect or store any sensitive information related to victims, perpetrators, or incidents. The updates on cases come from external sources, and no such data is captured by the VNS.
Usage Data: We use Google Analytics to monitor how users interact with the app. This includes information such as pages visited and time spent on the app.
Location Data: We do not collect GPS or other location-based data, other than what is provided through Google Analytics.
3. How We Collect Your Data
Direct Collection: All user registrations are completed by users themselves. We do not harvest information from other sources.
Service Logs: We log information provided by the services we use to deliver updates (such as delivery success rates), allowing us to manage and improve the service.
4. How We Use Your Data
Service Provision: The information you provide (email and optional cell number) is used to send you updates on the cases you choose to follow. We may also on occasions send you messages with important news and changes and also surveys asking for feedback on improving the service.
Service Improvement: Usage data from Google Analytics helps us improve the app and enhance user experience.
5. Data Sharing
Third-Party Service Providers: We do not share personal information with third parties, except with service providers necessary to deliver updates (e.g., MailGun for email delivery and TextMagic for SMS). These providers are only given the information required to perform their specific functions.
Legal Compliance: We will only share user information to comply with a court order or other legal obligations.
6. Data Storage and Security
Data Storage: All data is stored on our private, cloud-based server located in the United States. Periodic backups may be stored remotely on secure local networks for analysis and feature development.
Security Measures: We employ strict access controls and other security measures to protect user data. Our primary security strategy is limiting the amount of data we collect and store.
Data Retention: User data, including accounts and subscriptions, is retained indefinitely unless the user chooses to delete their account. Users can delete their accounts and associated data through the app.
7. User Rights
Access, Correction, and Deletion: Users can access, correct, or delete their data by contacting us at support@americanwitness.org. Account deletion can also be done directly through the app.
Consent and Withdrawal: New users give consent by accepting the Terms of Use. Existing users are considered to have consented when they first created their account. Users can withdraw consent by deleting their account or contacting us at support@americanwitness.org.
Complaints: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint by emailing support@americanwitness.org.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our app is not targeted at children, and there are no age restrictions for using the app. However, we do not collect any content other than publicly available details of cases, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.
9. Communication with Users
Policy Changes: We will notify users of any significant changes to this Privacy Policy that require their consideration. Users will receive instructions on opting out if they do not agree with the updated terms.
Contact Information: For any privacy-related questions or concerns, please contact us at support@americanwitness.org.
10. International Users
The VNS app is intended for users based in the United States of America only. We do not currently support or comply with international data protection laws such as GDPR.
11. Compliance with Laws
Applicable Laws: As we operate exclusively in the USA, we comply with relevant U.S. laws and regulations. We do not store financial or banking information.
Contact: Although we are not required to have a Data Protection Officer, privacy-related inquiries can be directed to support@americanwitness.org.
