Terms of Service

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to We Are United ("we," "our," or "us"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our community safety application and related services. By using We Are United, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

We Are United is designed to provide community safety resources and anonymous alert sharing. We prioritize user privacy and safety, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy of user-generated content or the effectiveness of safety measures.

ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing or using We Are United, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the application.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE

We Are United provides:

• Anonymous Community Alerts: Platform for users to share safety-related information
• Safety Resources: Access to legal information and community support resources
• Emergency Features: Optional emergency location sharing and data protection tools
• Document Vault: Secure local storage for important documents
• Privacy Tools: Features to protect user privacy and data
• Alert Sharing: Anonymous alert sharing capabilities (links, QR codes, system sharing, Signal integration)

ALERT SHARING FUNCTIONALITY

Overview

We Are United includes privacy-preserving alert sharing features that allow users to share safety alerts with their community while maintaining complete anonymity and location privacy.

Sharing Methods

Shareable Links

• Anonymous URLs: Generate temporary links that expire after 4 hours
• Privacy Protection: Links contain only fuzzed location data (area hashes)
• Rate Limiting: Maximum 100 views per link to prevent abuse
• Automatic Cleanup: Links are automatically deleted when expired or limit reached

QR Codes

• Easy Sharing: Scannable codes for quick alert sharing
• Same Privacy: Same privacy protections as shareable links
• No Tracking: QR codes do not contain any user identification

System Sharing

• Device Integration: Use your device's native sharing capabilities
• Multiple Channels: SMS, social media, messaging apps, email, etc.
• User Control: You choose what to share and how to share it
• No App Control: We have no control over how you use system sharing

Signal Bot Integration

• Automatic Sharing: High-priority alerts automatically shared to Signal groups
• Bilingual Support: Messages in English and Spanish
• Anonymous: No user identification in Signal messages
• User Control: Can be disabled in app settings

Privacy and Security

Anonymous Sharing

• No User Data: Sharing links contain no personal information
• Location Protection: Only fuzzed area hashes, never precise coordinates
• Temporal Protection: Links expire to prevent long-term tracking
• No Analytics: We do not track who views shared alerts

User Responsibilities

• Choose Wisely: You are responsible for what you choose to share
• Respect Privacy: Do not attempt to identify users through shared content
• Verify Information: Remember all alerts are user-generated and unverified
• Use Responsibly: Do not use sharing features for harassment or abuse

Limitations

• No Guarantees: We cannot guarantee the privacy of content you share through third-party services
• System Sharing: We have no control over how you use your device's sharing capabilities
• Signal Integration: Signal messages are subject to Signal's own privacy policies
• Link Expiration: Expired links cannot be recovered

Acceptable Use of Sharing Features

You MAY:

• Share alerts with your community for safety purposes
• Use all sharing methods (links, QR codes, system sharing, Signal)
• Copy sharing links to clipboard for manual sharing
• Disable automatic Signal sharing if desired

You MAY NOT:

• Use sharing features to harass, threaten, or harm others
• Attempt to identify or track users through shared content
• Share false or malicious alerts intentionally
• Use sharing features for commercial purposes
• Circumvent rate limiting or expiration mechanisms
• Use sharing features to violate these terms or applicable laws

USER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Accurate Information

When submitting community alerts or other information:

• Provide accurate and truthful information to the best of your knowledge
• Do not submit false, misleading, or intentionally harmful information
• Do not impersonate others or submit information on behalf of others
• Respect the privacy and safety of others

2. Appropriate Use

You agree to use We Are United only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree not to:

• Use the app for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• Submit content that is defamatory, harassing, or threatening
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with or disrupt the app's functionality
• Use the app to harm others or their property
• Use sharing features to spread false information or cause panic
• Attempt to circumvent sharing rate limits or expiration mechanisms

3. Privacy and Security

You are responsible for:

• Protecting your device and local data
• Using emergency features responsibly
• Understanding the privacy risks of using the app
• Complying with local laws regarding privacy and surveillance

USER-GENERATED CONTENT

Content Ownership

You retain ownership of any content you submit to We Are United. However, by submitting content, you grant us a limited license to:

• Display your content to other users
• Process and store your content as necessary for app functionality
• Use your content for service improvement (in anonymized form)

Content Standards

All user-generated content must:

• Be accurate and truthful to the best of your knowledge
• Not violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Not infringe on the rights of others
• Not contain personal information about others without consent
• Be relevant to community safety and support

EMERGENCY FEATURES DISCLAIMER

Emergency Wipe Functionality

We Are United includes emergency data deletion features:

• Purpose: To help users quickly remove app data in emergency situations
• Limitations: Emergency wipe may not remove all traces of app usage from your device
• No Recovery: Emergency wipe is permanent and cannot be undone
• User Responsibility: You are responsible for understanding when and how to use emergency features

Dead Man's Switch

The dead man's switch feature:

• Purpose: Automatically delete data after periods of inactivity
• Configuration: You control the timing and activation of this feature
• Risks: Data may be deleted if you forget to use the app within the set timeframe
• No Liability: We are not responsible for data loss due to dead man's switch activation

Emergency Location Sharing

Emergency location sharing features:

• Purpose: To share your location with emergency contacts in urgent situations
• Privacy Risks: Emergency location sharing may reveal more precise location data
• User Control: You control when and with whom to share emergency location data
• No Guarantee: We cannot guarantee that emergency contacts will receive or act on location data

PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

Your privacy is important to us. Our data collection and use practices are described in detail in our Privacy Policy. By using We Are United, you acknowledge that:

• No digital tool can guarantee complete anonymity
• Your device manufacturer, mobile carrier, and internet service provider may track your activity
• Government surveillance and monitoring may occur
• Device seizure could potentially expose locally stored data
• You accept responsibility for your privacy and safety while using the app

DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS

Service Availability

We strive to provide reliable service, but we cannot guarantee:

• Continuous, uninterrupted access to the app
• That the app will be error-free or secure
• That the app will meet your specific needs
• That the app will be compatible with all devices or networks

Content Accuracy

We explicitly disclaim responsibility for:

• The accuracy, truthfulness, or reliability of user-generated content
• The consequences of acting on information found in the app
• The effectiveness of safety measures or emergency features
• The availability or quality of community resources

Emergency Services

We Are United is not a substitute for emergency services. In emergency situations:

• Contact appropriate emergency services (911, local emergency numbers)
• Do not rely solely on the app for emergency assistance
• Follow official emergency protocols and instructions
• Use the app as a supplementary tool, not a primary emergency resource

THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Firebase (Database and Storage)

• Purpose: Used for anonymous community alerts and resource sharing
• Data Shared: Only anonymous, fuzzed alert data
• Terms: Subject to Google's Terms of Service

Google Maps

• Purpose: Used for displaying community safety information geographically
• Data Shared: Only general location data shared for map display
• Terms: Subject to Google Maps Terms of Service

Device Sharing Services

• Purpose: Used for system sharing capabilities (SMS, social media, messaging apps, etc.)
• Terms: Subject to your device's operating system and app terms
• Control: We have no control over how you use these services
• Responsibility: You are responsible for what you share through these channels

Signal Bot Integration

• Purpose: Used for automatic sharing of high-priority alerts to Signal groups
• Terms: Subject to Signal's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
• Data: Anonymous alert data only, no user identification
• Control: Can be disabled in app settings

Community Resources

• Purpose: Links to legal aid organizations, community groups, and government resources
• Responsibility: We are not responsible for third-party content or services
• Terms: Third-party sites have their own terms and privacy policies

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, We Are United and its developers, operators, and affiliates shall not be liable for:

1. Direct Damages: Any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
2. Data Loss: Loss of data, information, or content stored in or through the app
3. Privacy Breaches: Any privacy violations, data breaches, or unauthorized access
4. Emergency Situations: Any harm, injury, or damage resulting from emergency situations
5. User Content: Any harm caused by user-generated content or user actions
6. Third-Party Services: Any issues arising from third-party services or integrations
7. Device Issues: Any damage to devices or loss of device functionality
8. Legal Consequences: Any legal consequences of using the app or its features

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the app shall not exceed the amount you paid for the app (which is $0, as the app is free).

INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless We Are United, its developers, operators, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of the app
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your submission of user-generated content
• Your use of emergency features
• Any harm caused to others through your use of the app
• Your use of alert sharing features and any consequences thereof
• Any content you share through system sharing, Signal, or other third-party services
• Any misuse of sharing features or violation of sharing-related terms
• Any consequences from sharing false, misleading, or harmful information
• Any disputes arising from shared content or sharing activities

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our Rights

We Are United and its content (excluding user-generated content) are protected by intellectual property laws. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute our code or content without permission
• Reverse engineer or attempt to extract our source code
• Use our trademarks or branding without authorization
• Create derivative works based on our app

Your Rights

You retain ownership of any content you submit to the app. You grant us a limited license to use your content as described in these Terms.

TERMINATION

We may terminate or suspend your access to We Are United at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. You may stop using the app at any time.

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the app will cease immediately
• We may delete your local data if technically feasible
• Anonymous data may be retained as described in our Privacy Policy
• Provisions of these Terms that survive termination will remain in effect

GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTES

These Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where We Are United is operated, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the app will be resolved through:

1. Good faith negotiation between the parties
2. Mediation if negotiation fails
3. Binding arbitration if mediation fails
4. Court proceedings only as a last resort

CHANGES TO TERMS

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify users of material changes by:

1. Posting the updated Terms on our website
2. Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of these Terms
3. Providing notice through the app when possible

Your continued use of the app after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms will otherwise remain in full force and effect.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and We Are United regarding your use of the application.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://somosunidos.app

We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.