NOLAServeUS — Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 1, 2026 · Operator: PennTech LLC ("we," "us") · Contact: support@penntech.io

NOLAServeUS is a community-built civic platform for New Orleans. It is not operated by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the City of New Orleans or any government agency. This policy explains what we collect, why, who we share it with, and the choices you have.

⚠️ The most important thing to know first: NOLAServeUS is a public civic record. Reports you file, posts you make (unless posted anonymously), and the act of backing a neighbor's report show your name and profile photo to other residents by default. Filing a report sends your name to the City's 311 system, exactly like calling 311 yourself. If you don't want your identity shown to neighbors, you can turn that off in your profile (see "Your choices").

1. Information we collect

You give us: - Phone number — required to create a resident account (used to sign you in by text code and to keep one account per person). - Name and home address — your name appears on your public activity; your address is used to determine your City Council district and to center your map. We store approximate coordinates for your home. - Email address — optional; used only if you opt in to the monthly digest, or if you hold a city/staff role (which sign in by email). - Profile photo — optional; shown with your public activity if enabled. - Reports — category, description, location, and photos you attach. - Posts, comments, and reactions — content you share in the neighborhood feed. - Backing / confirmations — when you back or confirm a report.

We collect automatically: - Basic device and log information needed to operate and secure the service. - If you enable push notifications, a device "push subscription" token.

We do NOT knowingly collect payment card numbers, government ID numbers, or Social Security numbers. Don't put those in reports or posts.

2. How we use your information

• To show reports, posts, and neighborhood activity publicly, as the service is designed to work.
• To forward verified reports to the City's 311 system with a tracking number, including your name — the same information a 311 call carries.
• To let neighbors verify reports and to display who is backing a report.
• To send you notifications you've chosen: in-app alerts, push notifications, optional SMS ("text me when the city marks it resolved"), and the optional monthly email digest.
• To automatically scan uploaded photos for explicit or graphic content (see "Third parties") so the feed stays safe.
• To moderate content, prevent abuse, and keep the platform secure.

3. What is public

• Reports (category, location, description, photos) are public.
• Posts and comments are public, unless you post anonymously (in which case your name is hidden from other residents, though we retain it internally for safety and moderation).
• Backing a report shows your name and profile photo to neighbors by default. You can disable this (see "Your choices").
• Your phone number, email, and exact home address are never shown publicly.

4. Third parties we share data with

We use trusted service providers to run NOLAServeUS. We share only what each needs to do its job:

• Supabase — database and account hosting.
• Vercel — application and website hosting.
• Twilio — sends login codes and (if you opt in) SMS notifications.
• Resend — sends email (login codes for staff, optional digest).
• Mapbox — maps and address lookup.
• Sightengine — automated photo content scanning.
• City of New Orleans 311 — receives your verified reports (name included).

We do not sell your personal information.

5. SMS messaging

SMS notifications are opt-in only. We send transactional messages (e.g., "the city marked your report resolved — is it fixed?") — never marketing. Reply STOP to any message to opt out; reply HELP for help. Message and data rates may apply.

6. Data retention and deletion

• Public civic records (reports and their history) may remain part of the public record even after your account changes, to preserve the integrity of the accountability log.
• You may delete your account; we remove your personal profile data, subject to limited retention needed for legal, safety, and anti-abuse purposes.
• Contact support@penntech.io for access, correction, or deletion requests.

7. Your choices

• Hide your identity on backing: Profile → turn off "Show my name and photo to neighbors when I back or confirm a report."
• Post anonymously: choose the anonymous option in the composer.
• Notifications: turn push, SMS, and the email digest on or off at any time in your profile.
• Language: English, Español, or Tiếng Việt.

8. Children

NOLAServeUS is intended for adults. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.

9. Security

We use industry-standard measures (encrypted connections, two-factor authentication for city/staff accounts, access controls). No system is perfectly secure; please use a strong, unique login and keep your device secure.

10. Changes

We may update this policy. Material changes will be posted here with a new "last updated" date, and where appropriate we'll notify you in the app.

11. Contact

Questions about privacy: support@penntech.io · PennTech LLC, New Orleans, Louisiana.