Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 2026

Introduction

This Privacy Policy describes how Civic Suite Apps, LLC ("we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and shares information when you use our mobile applications (collectively, the "Apps") on iOS and Android:

• CivicScope (iOS & Android)
• ExecutiveScope (iOS & Android)
• JudicialScope (iOS & Android)

Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Account Information: On iOS, CivicScope and ExecutiveScope use Sign in with Apple. We receive only the information you choose to share (typically just an email address, which may be anonymized by Apple's Hide My Email feature). On Android, CivicScope and ExecutiveScope use Sign in with Google via Google's Credential Manager. We receive your name, email address, and Google account identifier. In both cases, authentication is handled entirely by the platform provider (Apple or Google), and we do not receive or store your password.
• Location Information: CivicScope may request your location to identify your congressional district. On iOS, this requires "When In Use" authorization; on Android, this uses the ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION and ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION permissions via Google's Fused Location Provider. Location data is used solely for district lookup and is not transmitted to our servers.
• Subscription Information: If you subscribe to premium features, Apple (App Store) or Google (Google Play) handles all payment processing. We do not receive or store your payment information.
• API Keys (Premium Features): Certain premium features allow you to provide your own third-party API keys (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) to enable AI-powered analysis. These keys are stored securely on your device (in Keychain on iOS or encrypted storage on Android) and are never transmitted to Civic Suite Apps, LLC. See the "Third-Party AI Services" section below for details.
• Biometric Data: JudicialScope on Android may use your device's biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition) to secure access to the app. Biometric data is handled entirely by your device's secure hardware and is never accessible to or collected by us.

Information Collected Automatically

We use Google Firebase to collect limited analytics, crash reporting, and configuration data:

Analytics (Firebase Analytics)

We collect aggregate, anonymized data to understand how our Apps are used, including:

• General usage patterns (which features are used most)
• App performance metrics
• Device type and operating system version
• Country/region (not precise location)
• Session duration and frequency

This data is aggregated and anonymized. We do not use analytics data to build individual user profiles.

Crash Reporting (Firebase Crashlytics)

When the App crashes or encounters an error, we automatically collect:

• Device state at time of crash
• Device type and operating system version
• Stack traces and error logs
• App version and build number
• Breadcrumb logs (recent user actions leading to the crash)

This helps us identify and fix bugs to improve App stability.

Remote Configuration (Firebase Remote Config)

We use Firebase Remote Config to manage feature flags, app configuration, and conduct A/B testing of app features (such as onboarding flows and subscription page layouts). Remote Config may assign your device to a test group to evaluate different feature variations. This does not collect personal information, but it does use anonymous device identifiers provided by Firebase to deliver consistent configurations.

Push Notifications (Firebase Cloud Messaging)

On Android, our Apps use Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) to deliver push notifications. This involves:

• FCM Token: A unique device token generated by Firebase to deliver notifications to your device. This token is not linked to your personal identity.
• Topic Subscriptions: You may subscribe to notification topics (e.g., vote alerts, floor sessions, breaking news) to receive relevant updates.

On iOS, push notifications use Apple Push Notification Service (APNs). You can disable push notifications at any time through your device settings.

Cloud Storage and Sync

JudicialScope on Android may use Firebase Firestore to sync user preferences, bookmarks, reading history, and notes across devices. This is a premium feature that uses an anonymous Firebase identifier (no personal sign-in required). Synced data is stored on Google's servers and is not linked to your name or email. You can delete this data at any time through the app settings or by contacting us.

On-Device Data Storage

Our Apps store data locally on your device to enable offline access and improve performance:

• Local Databases: Cached government data (legislation, court opinions, executive documents) is stored in local databases (Core Data/SwiftData on iOS, Room on Android).
• Preferences: Your app settings and preferences are stored locally (Keychain/UserDefaults on iOS, DataStore on Android).
• Pre-populated Data: Some Apps include bundled reference databases (e.g., historical court opinions) that are stored locally and do not require network access.

Locally stored data remains on your device and is not transmitted to our servers.

Apple Watch (CivicScope)

CivicScope on iOS may sync data (representatives, legislation, and floor activity) to its companion Apple Watch app using WatchConnectivity. This data transfer occurs directly between your paired devices and does not pass through our servers.

Information We Do NOT Collect

• Personal identification information (name, address, phone number) beyond what you share through Sign in with Apple or Sign in with Google
• Browsing history or activity outside our Apps
• Contacts, photos, or other personal data from your device
• Biometric templates or raw biometric data (handled entirely by your device hardware)

How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and maintain our Apps
• Improve App performance and user experience
• Fix bugs and crashes
• Understand aggregate usage patterns
• Deliver push notifications you have opted into
• Conduct A/B testing to improve feature design
• Sync your data across devices (when you opt in via account creation)
• Comply with legal obligations

We do not use your information to:

• Build individual behavioral profiles for advertising
• Serve targeted advertisements
• Sell or share data with third parties for marketing
• Track your activity across apps or websites
• Access your third-party API keys or the data you send to AI services
• Train artificial intelligence or machine learning models

AI/ML Model Training Disclosure

Third-Party Services

Google Firebase

We use Google Firebase for analytics, crash reporting, remote configuration, cloud messaging, and (in JudicialScope on Android) anonymous cloud storage and sync. Firebase processes data in accordance with Google's privacy policies:

• Firebase Privacy Information
• Google Privacy Policy

Apple Services (iOS)

• Sign in with Apple: Used by CivicScope and ExecutiveScope for authentication. Handled entirely by Apple. We receive only the information you choose to share. See Apple's Privacy Policy.
• App Store Subscriptions: Payment processing is handled by Apple. We do not receive your payment details.
• Apple Intelligence / Foundation Models: Our iOS Apps use Apple's on-device machine learning frameworks (NaturalLanguage, Foundation Models) for text analysis, summarization, sentiment analysis, and entity extraction. All processing occurs entirely on your device. No data is sent to Apple or to us for this purpose.

Google Play Services (Android)

• Sign in with Google: Used by CivicScope and ExecutiveScope for authentication via Google's Credential Manager. We receive your name, email address, and Google account identifier. Your password is never shared with us. See Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google Play Billing: Subscription and payment processing on Android is handled by Google Play. We do not receive or store your payment details. See Google's Privacy Policy.
• Google Maps: CivicScope on Android uses Google Maps to display congressional district boundaries. Google Maps may collect usage data in accordance with Google's Privacy Policy.
• ML Kit: Our Android Apps use Google's ML Kit for on-device machine learning tasks such as language identification, translation, and entity extraction. All ML Kit processing occurs on your device. No data is sent to Google for this purpose.

Third-Party AI Services (Premium Features Only)

• OpenAI (ExecutiveScope): Premium users of ExecutiveScope may optionally provide their own OpenAI API key to enable AI-powered analysis of executive documents. When enabled, document text is sent directly from your device to OpenAI's servers using your personal API key. Civic Suite Apps, LLC does not receive, intercept, or have access to this data or your API key. Your use of the OpenAI API is governed by OpenAI's Privacy Policy.
• Anthropic Claude (JudicialScope - Android): Premium users of JudicialScope on Android may optionally provide their own Anthropic API key to enable AI-powered analysis of court opinions. When enabled, opinion text is sent directly from your device to Anthropic's servers using your personal API key. Civic Suite Apps, LLC does not receive, intercept, or have access to this data or your API key. Your use of the Claude API is governed by Anthropic's Privacy Policy.

Your API keys are stored securely on your device only (in Keychain on iOS or encrypted storage on Android). You can remove your API keys at any time through the app settings, which will immediately stop any data transmission to the respective AI service.

Government and Public Data Sources

Our Apps retrieve publicly available information from government and public sources. These requests do not include any personal information about you:

• Congress.gov (CivicScope) - Legislative data, bill information, congressional records
• GovInfo / Federal Register (CivicScope, ExecutiveScope) - Government publications, executive orders, presidential documents
• CourtListener (JudicialScope) - Court opinions and docket data
• Harvard Caselaw Access Project (JudicialScope) - Historical case law from academic archives

Data Retention

• Analytics data: Retained by Firebase for up to 14 months, then automatically deleted
• Crash reports: Retained by Firebase for up to 90 days
• Account data: Retained until you delete your account or unsubscribe. Authentication data is managed by Apple (iOS) or Google (Android) and subject to their retention policies
• Cloud-synced data (Firestore): Retained until you clear sync data in app settings or request deletion
• FCM tokens: Automatically refreshed by Firebase; old tokens are invalidated
• Local data: Stored on your device until you uninstall the App or clear its data
• API keys: Stored on your device until you remove them through app settings or uninstall the App

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the limited data we collect. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure.

Children's Privacy

Our Apps are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us.

Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the data we hold about you
• Request deletion of your data
• Opt out of analytics collection

Visit our Privacy Choices page to request your data or delete your account.

You can also contact us at privacy@civicsuiteapps.com.

Opting Out of Analytics

You can limit analytics collection by:

• iOS: Disabling "Share Analytics" in your device settings, or using App Tracking Transparency controls
• Android: Opting out of personalized ads in your Google account settings, or disabling usage and diagnostics data sharing in device settings
• Push Notifications: You can disable notifications at any time through your device's notification settings
• AI Services: You can remove your third-party API keys in the app settings to stop any data transmission to AI providers
• Contacting us at privacy@civicsuiteapps.com to request data deletion

International Users

Our Apps are operated from the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please be aware that any information we collect may be transferred to and processed in the United States.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy in the App and updating the "Last Updated" date.

California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to Know: You can request what personal information we collect and how it's used.
• Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

Because we do not sell personal information and collect only anonymized aggregate data, most CCPA provisions do not apply to our data practices.

European Users (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

• Legal Basis: We process anonymized analytics data based on our legitimate interest in improving our Apps.
• Data Subject Rights: You have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, and port your data.
• Complaints: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

Contact us at privacy@civicsuiteapps.com to exercise any of these rights.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Civic Suite Apps, LLC
Email: privacy@civicsuiteapps.com