Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Semo Network ("we", "our", or "us") operates the semo.network website and its subdomains (including os.semo.network and phone.semo.network), as well as two mobile applications: Semo Vote and Semo Shopping. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our websites or use our applications.

2. Information We Collect on the Website

You can browse our websites without creating an account. We only collect personal information that you actively submit through one of our forms:

• Partner applications: organisation name, website, your name, email address, and the project details you share with us
• Investment pledges: name, email address, optional phone number, the pledged amount, and an optional message
• Donations and Semo Coin purchases: name, email address, and the amount — payment itself is handled by Stripe (see Payments below)
• Newsletter and event signups: email address, plus your name and phone number for event RSVPs
• Semo Phone pre-orders: name, email address, and your chosen configuration
• Email: messages you send to any @semo.network address, so we can reply to you

3. Information We Collect in Our Apps

We collect the following information when you register and use our apps:

• First name and last name
• Email address
• Password (stored securely using encryption)
• Semo Vote: Investment decisions and certificate distribution data
• Semo Shopping: Scanned barcodes, product search queries, and user ratings (-100 to +100 scale)
• Semo Shopping: Camera access only when needed for barcode scanning functionality

4. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used to:

• Respond to your applications, pledges, and enquiries
• Process donations, Semo Coin purchases, and pre-orders
• Send you the newsletter you signed up for — you can unsubscribe at any time
• Authenticate your identity and provide access to the apps
• Semo Vote: Record and display your investment commitments and certificate distributions
• Semo Shopping: Provide product information, impact scores, and personalized recommendations
• Display aggregated, anonymized statistics

5. Payments

Online payments (donations and Semo Coin purchases) are processed by Stripe on their own secure checkout pages. You enter your card details directly with Stripe; they never reach or get stored on our servers. We only receive a payment confirmation together with the name, email address, and amount. See Stripe's privacy policy (stripe.com/privacy) for how they handle your data. Investment pledges are not charged online — a steward contacts you personally to arrange the transfer.

6. Cookies & Analytics

We keep tracking to a minimum. Your language preference is stored locally in your browser. We use Google Analytics to understand overall site usage through aggregated statistics; we do not use advertising or cross-site tracking. Login sessions are only used in the private staff and admin areas.

7. Data Sharing & Processors

We do not sell, trade, or share your personal data with third parties for their own purposes. To run our services, we rely on a small number of processors that handle data on our behalf:

• Supabase — database hosting for our application data
• Google Cloud — hosting of our backend services (EU region, Netherlands)
• Stripe — payment processing
• Twilio SendGrid — sending and receiving email
• Google Analytics — aggregated usage statistics

Your data is only accessible to authorized administrators within the organization.

8. Data Storage & Security

Your data is stored on secure servers using PostgreSQL via Supabase with encrypted transmission (HTTPS) and access controls. We use industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including encrypted password storage and secure network communication.

9. Community Contributions (Semo Shopping)

User-submitted product information becomes publicly visible and is subject to collective verification. Contributors remain pseudonymized. We advise users against uploading sensitive personal information unrelated to product transparency.

10. Data Retention

App accounts: we retain your data for as long as your account is active. Form submissions: we keep them for as long as needed to follow up on your request and to meet legal obligations (for example, payment records). You may request deletion of your account or your submitted data at any time by contacting us.

11. Your Rights

Under GDPR, you have the right to:

• Request access to your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Request data portability
• Object to or restrict the processing of your data
• Withdraw consent at any time, and lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

12. Children's Privacy

Our apps are not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated revision date.

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at contact@semo.network