Privacy Policy

Semo

Last updated: February 16, 2026

1. Introduction

Semo is a digital platform that enables users to scan, search and analyse products based on ecological, social, performance and reliability metrics. Semo operates as a valuation system and is evolving into a broader economic and governance infrastructure.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal data when you use the Semo website and related digital services.

Semo is built in alignment with openness, accountability and collective governance principles as outlined in the Semo Constitution V0.2.

2. Data Controller

The entity responsible for processing personal data in relation to www.semo.network and the Semo MVP app is:

[Insert legal entity name]
[Insert address]
[Insert email address]

3. What Data We Collect

We collect only the data necessary to operate and improve the Semo platform.

3.1 Website Data

When visiting the website, we may collect:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device information
  • Pages visited
  • Date and time of visit

This data is used for security, performance and analytics purposes.

3.2 App Usage Data

When using the Semo MVP app, we may collect:

  • Scanned barcodes
  • Product search queries
  • Shopping list entries
  • User-submitted product information (e.g. description, packaging, store name, price)
  • User ratings (-100 to +100 scale)
  • Verification inputs (correct/incorrect votes)
  • Uploaded photos (product, label, packaging)
  • Scan history

This data is used to:

  • Improve product data accuracy
  • Aggregate community-based valuation
  • Enhance database quality
  • Improve user experience

3.3 Device Permissions

If you grant permission, the app may access:

  • Camera (for barcode scanning and product photography)

Camera access is requested only when required for functionality.

3.4 User Reports

If you submit a report or feedback, we collect:

  • Description text
  • Optional attachments (e.g. screenshots)

No mandatory email field is required in the MVP version.

4. What We Do Not Collect

We do not:

  • Sell personal behavioural data
  • Sell individual user data to third parties
  • Track cross-platform behaviour
  • Use invasive advertising tracking technologies

As stated in the Business Model documentation, data monetisation, where applicable, is based on aggregated and anonymised insights only, and never on identifiable personal behaviour.

5. How Data Is Used

Data is used to:

  • Operate the product scanning system
  • Generate product valuations
  • Improve ecological, social and reliability analysis
  • Enable collective verification
  • Improve search and recognition logic
  • Strengthen transparency metrics

If AI systems are used to generate descriptive analysis, they operate on product-level information and anonymised input only.

6. Third-Party Data Sources

Semo integrates external public or API-based data sources to enrich product information. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Open Food Facts
  • Public labour and environmental datasets
  • Certification databases
  • ESG and transparency frameworks

Semo does not transfer identifiable personal user data to these third parties.

7. Community-Contributed Information

Users may add or edit product data. All such data is:

  • Publicly visible within the app
  • Subject to collective verification
  • Traceable to anonymised or pseudonymised user contributions

Semo is a collaborative data environment. Users should not upload sensitive personal information unrelated to product transparency.

8. Data Storage

Data is stored using secure backend infrastructure (e.g. database systems such as PostgreSQL via Supabase as described in the App Brief).

Security measures include:

  • Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS)
  • Access control systems
  • Regular updates and audits
  • Separation of user input from valuation logic

9. Aggregated and Analytical Use

Semo may analyse anonymised and aggregated usage patterns to:

  • Improve valuation methodology
  • Improve database completeness
  • Provide aggregated market insights

Where B2B analytics are offered in the future, these will rely exclusively on aggregated and anonymised metrics.

10. Blockchain and Token Systems

If and when Semo token systems are integrated:

  • Blockchain records may be publicly visible
  • Wallet addresses are pseudonymous
  • No personal identity is inherently attached to blockchain addresses
  • Users are responsible for protecting their own wallet credentials

11. Data Retention

We retain:

  • Product contributions for as long as they remain relevant to the database
  • Scan history for as long as the user account or device profile remains active
  • Reports and feedback for quality improvement purposes

Users may request deletion of their personal data where applicable.

12. Your Rights

Where applicable under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), users have the right to:

  • Access their personal data
  • Request correction
  • Request deletion
  • Object to certain processing
  • Request data portability

Requests can be sent to: [insert email]

13. Children

Semo is not intended for children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

14. Security

We implement technical and organisational measures to protect against:

  • Unauthorised access
  • Data alteration
  • Data disclosure
  • Data destruction

However, no digital system is entirely risk-free.

15. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may evolve alongside the Semo platform. Updates will be published on this page.

16. Contact

For questions regarding privacy or data handling:

Contact@Semo.network

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