User Content & Upload Policy

Effective Date: January 16, 2025

Last Updated: January 16, 2025

SightTrack ("we," "our," or "the platform") is dedicated to fostering a respectful, science-driven community where users can document and share observations of biodiversity. This policy outlines the rules and expectations regarding content uploaded by users, including how it is moderated, used, and protected.

By contributing content to SightTrack, you agree to abide by this policy.

1. Types of User Content

Registered users of SightTrack may contribute the following forms of content:

  • Photographs of species or habitats observed in nature
  • Text descriptions such as species names, habitat notes, behavioral details, or other ecological observations

At this time, uploads are limited to image files and textual input. Video, audio, or other media formats are not currently supported.

2. Content Guidelines

To maintain the integrity and safety of the platform, all user-submitted content must comply with the following rules:

Permitted Content:

  • Original photographs taken by the user
  • Images of wildlife, plants, fungi, and natural environments
  • Factual or descriptive ecological observations

Prohibited Content:

  • Non-nature-related images (e.g., selfies, pets, advertising)
  • Inappropriate, offensive, or graphic content, including hate speech, harassment, or violence
  • Copyrighted material not owned by the uploader
  • Misleading or falsified data submissions
  • Images containing identifiable individuals, unless incidental and non-central

SightTrack reserves the right to restrict uploads to biodiversity-related content only. Content outside this scope may be removed without notice.

3. User Rights and Platform License

You, as the user, retain full ownership of your uploaded content, including photographs and written descriptions.

By submitting content to SightTrack, you grant the platform a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to:

  • Display your content on our website and app
  • Use your content in maps, dashboards, educational materials, and scientific tools
  • Share or archive your content in public biodiversity repositories (e.g., GBIF, iNaturalist), with attribution when possible
  • Use your content (in anonymized or transformed form) for AI model training, system optimization, and environmental research

This license remains in effect even if the content is later removed, but we will cease future use upon deletion when technically feasible.

4. Moderation Process

SightTrack employs a combination of automated filters, manual review by moderators, and community flagging to ensure all content meets our standards.

Moderation includes:

  • Automated detection of inappropriate or duplicate images
  • Manual inspection by trained admins
  • Community reporting: Any user may flag a sighting they believe violates the policy

We reserve the sole right to remove or hide any content deemed inappropriate, irrelevant, or harmful—without prior notice. Repeat or serious violations may result in further enforcement actions.

5. Violations and Enforcement

Violations of this policy will be addressed with the following escalation process:

  1. First offense – Written warning and optional content removal
  2. Second offense – Temporary suspension of account privileges
  3. Third offense or severe violation – Permanent ban from the platform

If you believe your content was mistakenly removed or your account was unfairly restricted, you may submit an appeal by contacting us at:

Email: contact@sighttrack.org

Our moderation team will review appeals within a reasonable timeframe and respond accordingly.

6. Final Notes

By uploading any content to SightTrack, you confirm that:

  • You own the rights to the material
  • You are not violating any third-party rights or local laws
  • Your contributions align with the mission of biodiversity protection and education

SightTrack reserves the right to update this policy at any time. Continued use of the platform after updates constitutes agreement to the revised terms.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or suggestions about the Terms and Conditions, please do not hesitate to contact the Service Provider at:

contact@sighttrack.org