Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

City Watch ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our civic transparency platform at citywatch.io ("the Service").

2. Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• Email address
• Name (optional)
• Password (stored securely hashed)
• Subscription tier and billing information

Usage Information

We automatically collect:

• Meetings and topics you view
• Search queries
• Keyword alerts you create
• Feature usage patterns
• Device information and browser type
• IP address and approximate location

Payment Information

Payment processing is handled by our third-party payment processor. We do not store your full credit card number. We may receive and store the last four digits, card type, and billing address for our records.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Process transactions and send related information
• Send you email notifications you've opted into (meeting digests, keyword alerts)
• Respond to your comments, questions, and support requests
• Monitor and analyze usage patterns to improve user experience
• Detect, prevent, and address technical issues or abuse
• Communicate with you about products, services, offers, and events offered by City Watch

4. Marketing Communications

Marketing communications are separate from transactional emails (such as password resets, subscription confirmations, and keyword alerts you have enabled).

5. Information Sharing

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: With vendors who assist us in operating the Service (payment processing, email delivery, hosting), under strict confidentiality agreements
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, subpoena, or other legal process
• Protection: To protect the rights, property, or safety of City Watch, our users, or others
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with notice to affected users
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly authorize sharing

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (such as fraud prevention).

Usage analytics and aggregated data may be retained indefinitely in anonymized form.

7. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Secure password hashing
• Regular security assessments
• Access controls and monitoring

However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Delete your account and associated personal data
• Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications
• Export: Download your data (available to Advocate and higher tiers)

To exercise these rights, visit your account settings or contact us at privacy@citywatch.io.

9. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you logged in
• Remember your preferences
• Understand how you use the Service
• Improve performance and user experience

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may affect Service functionality.

10. Third-Party Services

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with third-party services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those services. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access.

11. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

12. California Privacy Rights

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information is collected and how it is used, the right to delete personal information, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information.

As stated above, we do not sell personal information. To exercise your other CCPA rights, contact us at privacy@citywatch.io.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or prominent notice on the Service. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

Email: privacy@citywatch.io