Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 2025

1. Introduction

Welcome to World Republic. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and services (collectively, the "Service").

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you provide directly to us and information that is automatically collected when you use our Service. Under applicable privacy laws (including GDPR and CCPA), "personal information" is broadly defined and includes any information that can identify you directly or indirectly.

2.1 Information You Provide to Us

  • Account Information: When you create an account, we collect your email address, name, and profile image (if you sign in with Google OAuth)
  • Profile Information: We automatically generate a unique username for your account
  • Content You Create: Information you provide when creating political parties, including party names, descriptions, and website URLs
  • Transaction Information: Details about transactions you initiate, including wallet addresses and transaction amounts

2.2 Information Automatically Collected

  • Device Information: We collect information about your device, including device type, operating system, browser type, and device identifiers
  • Log Information: When you use our Service, we automatically collect certain information, including: IP addresses, browser type and version, pages you visit and time spent on pages, date and time of your visit, and referring website addresses
  • Usage Information: We collect information about how you interact with our Service, including features you use, actions you take, pages you view, and time and duration of your activities

2.3 Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to:

  • Essential Cookies: Required for authentication and security. These cookies are necessary for the Service to function and cannot be switched off
  • Functional Cookies: Store your preferences, such as language selection
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our Service through anonymized performance monitoring

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our Service.

2.4 Identity Verification Information

We use Self, a third-party identity verification service that employs zero-knowledge proofs. Important: We do NOT collect, store, or have access to any personal information from your government-issued identification documents (such as passports or national IDs).

Self verification works by:

  • You scan your ID document using the Self mobile app
  • Self creates a cryptographic proof that verifies you are a unique, real person
  • We only receive a cryptographic nullifier (a unique identifier) that prevents duplicate verifications
  • No personal data from your ID document is ever shared with us or stored on our servers

This zero-knowledge approach ensures your identity can be verified while maintaining complete privacy of your personal identification information.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Provide and Maintain the Service: Create and manage your account, process transactions, and deliver the features you request
  • Authenticate Your Identity: Verify your identity and secure your account using authentication methods you choose
  • Process Transactions: Facilitate digital currency transactions, manage your wallet balance, and maintain transaction records
  • Enable Platform Features: Support political party creation, voting mechanisms, and community engagement features
  • Improve Our Service: Analyze usage patterns to enhance user experience, fix bugs, and develop new features
  • Ensure Security: Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security issues, and technical problems
  • Comply with Legal Obligations: Meet legal requirements, respond to legal processes, and protect our rights
  • Communicate with You: Send you service-related notifications and respond to your inquiries

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

  • Google (OAuth): For user authentication. Google's use of your information is governed by their Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
  • Self (Identity Verification): For identity verification using zero-knowledge proofs. Only cryptographic nullifiers are shared; no personal ID data is transmitted
  • Vercel Speed Insights: For performance monitoring. Vercel Speed Insights collects anonymized performance metrics only and does not store personal information
  • Thirdweb: For processing blockchain transactions. Only transaction data (wallet addresses, amounts, network information) is shared; no personal identifying information is sent
  • Neon Database: For data storage and hosting. All user data stored in our database is hosted on Neon's infrastructure

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).

4.3 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to protect your personal information, including:

  • Encryption of data in transit using HTTPS/TLS
  • Secure database storage with access controls
  • Regular security assessments and updates
  • Secure authentication and session management
  • Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law:

  • Account Information: Retained until you delete your account or for 3 years of account inactivity
  • Transaction Records: Retained for 7 years to comply with legal and regulatory requirements
  • Server Logs (including IP addresses): Retained for 90 days
  • Analytics Data: Aggregated and anonymized data may be retained indefinitely

When we no longer need your personal information, we will delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

7.1 Rights Under GDPR (European Users)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
  • Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Erasure: Request deletion of your personal information ("right to be forgotten")
  • Restriction: Request limitation of processing in certain circumstances
  • Data Portability: Receive your personal information in a structured, machine-readable format
  • Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

7.2 Rights Under CCPA (California Users)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to:

  • Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect
  • Delete: Request deletion of your personal information
  • Opt-Out: Opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
  • Non-Discrimination: Not be discriminated against for exercising your privacy rights

7.3 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@worldrepublic.org. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country.

When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission
  • Adequacy decisions by relevant data protection authorities
  • Other legally recognized transfer mechanisms

9. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

  • Posting the updated Privacy Policy on this page
  • Updating the "Last Updated" date
  • Sending you a notification (if required by law)

Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

  • Email: privacy@worldrepublic.org
  • Website: https://www.worldrepublic.org

12. Data Protection Authority

If you are located in the EEA and believe we have violated your privacy rights, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

    World Republic