Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 17, 2026

This Privacy Policy is for KrowdSpot (the application at https://krowdspot.wuver.org). KrowdSpot is an independently operated project based in Ghana.

It explains what information KrowdSpot collects, how we use it, how we store it, when we share it, and how we handle Google user data when you Sign in with Google.

1. Information We Collect

Google account information (Sign in with Google)

If you choose Sign in with Google, Google provides KrowdSpot with your Google account name, email address, and profile photo (the standard OpenID Connect / profile and email scopes). We do not request access to your Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Contacts, or other Google product data.

You can use KrowdSpot without a Google account. Browsing places, search, and the map do not require sign-in.

Account information

When you create an account (Google Sign-In or email), we store your name, email address, profile photo or avatar URL, the authentication identifier issued by our auth provider, and account preferences such as theme.

Contributions

When you contribute, we store and publicly display the content you submit: reviews, ratings, photographs, place details, corrections, reports, contribution dates, and your public profile name or avatar.

Location information

If you grant permission, your browser can share device location with KrowdSpot so we can sort nearby places, show distance, and position the map. Location is requested only for those features. We do not store your precise live location as a profile field, and we do not show it to other users. You can refuse or revoke location permission in your browser. Basic browsing works without it.

Usage information

Our hosting and database infrastructure receive standard technical data: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, pages requested, timestamps, and error logs. We use this to operate, secure, and debug the service.

Cookies

KrowdSpot uses cookies (and similar storage) to keep you signed in, remember theme preference, and protect sessions. We do not use cookies to sell personal information or to run third-party advertising.

2. How We Use Google User Data

KrowdSpot accesses Google user data solely to authenticate you and to create or link a KrowdSpot account. Specifically:

• Email is used as your account identifier and for account-related messages (for example verification or support).
• Name is used as your public display name on reviews and contributions unless you change it.
• Profile photo is used as your avatar inside KrowdSpot.

We do not use Google user data for advertising, do not sell it, do not share it with other apps, and do not use it to train unrelated models. We do not request additional Google scopes beyond sign-in.

3. How We Use Other Information

We use collected information to operate KrowdSpot: create and manage accounts, show places and maps, publish reviews and photos you submit, save bookmarks, prevent abuse, fix outages, and comply with law. We do not sell personal information.

4. How We Store Information

Account records, reviews, saved places, and related data are stored in a PostgreSQL database hosted by Neon. Session cookies are issued through Neon Auth. Photos you upload are stored with Cloudinary. The application is hosted on a virtual private server serving krowdspot.wuver.org. Access is limited to operating the service.

5. How We Share Information

We share information only with processors that run KrowdSpot, and only as needed for that job:

• Google — Sign in with Google (you authenticate on Google's pages; Google then sends us name, email, and profile photo).
• Neon Auth — authentication and session handling, including the Google OAuth exchange.
• Neon — PostgreSQL database hosting.
• Cloudinary — image hosting for photos you upload.
• Our VPS host — serving the website and application logs.

Map tiles come from public map providers (Leaflet / CARTO). They do not receive your Google account data from us.

We also disclose information when required by law, to respond to a lawful request, or to protect KrowdSpot or other people from abuse or security incidents.

6. Public Information

Reviews, ratings, photos, and place edits are public. Other users can see your public name, avatar, the content, and when you posted it. Do not submit anything you do not want associated with your profile.

7. Data Retention

We keep account and contribution data while your account exists and as needed to operate the community guide, keep security records, and meet legal duties. Technical logs are kept only as long as needed for operations and debugging.

8. Account Deletion

Email wuvershayne@gmail.com to delete your account. We will delete or anonymize personal information tied to the account, including Google identifier, email, and name on the user record. Public reviews and photos may remain in anonymized form so place history stays intact. After deletion we stop using your Google account data.

9. Security

We use HTTPS, session cookies, and access controls on the database and auth provider. No internet service is perfectly secure. Protect your Google account if you use Sign in with Google.

10. Children

KrowdSpot is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children in violation of applicable law. Contact us if you believe a child has created an account so we can delete it.

11. International Processing

Neon, Cloudinary, and Google process data in data centres that may be outside Ghana (including the EU and the United States). By using KrowdSpot you understand that information, including Google user data used for sign-in, may be processed in those locations.

12. Your Choices

You can browse without signing in, refuse location permission, sign out, and request access, correction, or deletion by emailing us. You can also revoke KrowdSpot's access to your Google account in your Google Account permissions.

13. Changes

If we change how we use Google user data or other personal information, we will update this policy and the “Last updated” date. Material changes to Google user data use will be disclosed before we rely on them.

14. Contact

Privacy questions, deletion requests, and Google user data questions:

wuvershayne@gmail.com

KrowdSpot is operated as an independent personal project, not a registered company.