Terms of Use

1. Scope and Definitions

These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the App. The App is developed and operated within the framework of the CitiObs project (EU Horizon Europe Grant Agreement No. 101086421).

By accessing or using the App, you ("User" or "you") agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the App.

"Citizen Observatory" (CO)

A community-based environmental monitoring initiative where citizens contribute observations using sensors, wearables, or other instruments.

"AUTHENIX"

The GDPR-compliant Authentication-as-a-Service platform provided by Secure Dimensions GmbH, registered in the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) Marketplace.

"Personal Data"

Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).

"Observation Data"

Environmental measurements and related metadata contributed by Users through the App, including air quality readings, sensor data, annotations, and geolocation information.

2. Purpose of the App

The App is designed to support Citizen Observatories by enabling citizens, researchers, and experts to collect, share, and visualize environmental data — in particular air quality data — using low-cost sensors and wearable devices.

The App integrates with the CitiObs technical architecture, including the OGC SensorThings API (STA+), the ValAir data validation toolkit, and the VirtualAir web aggregation service.

The App aims to contribute to open science, evidence-based policy-making, and citizen empowerment in urban environmental protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

3. User Authentication

The App uses AUTHENIX for user authentication. AUTHENIX does not maintain user accounts itself; instead, it brokers authentication from trusted Identity Providers where you already hold an account. A list of trusted Identity Providers is available at authenix.eu/IdPs.

When you log in, AUTHENIX collects Personal Data from your chosen Identity Provider only with your explicit consent. The App may request the following OpenID Connect scopes:

• openid: A cryptonym (pseudonymous user identifier).
• profile: Name, preferred username, and similar profile attributes.
• email: Your email address and its verification status.

You may control which Personal Data is released at the time of login with your Identity Provider. The App will only receive information that you have consented to share.

4. Determined Use of Personal Data

In accordance with the AUTHENIX Terms of Use and Privacy Statement, the App shall use your Personal Data exclusively for the following purposes (the "Determined Use"):

1. Authenticating you as a User of the App and managing your session.
2. Attributing Observation Data to your user identity, in compliance with the STA+ standard, to enable traceability, correct credit, and licensing of contributions.
3. Providing personalised notifications, alerts, and feedback related to environmental conditions or the quality of your contributed data.
4. Communicating with you regarding the operation of the App or the CitiObs project, including data quality feedback loops.

Any use of your Personal Data beyond the Determined Use requires your separate, specific, and explicit consent.

5. Observation Data and Licensing

By contributing Observation Data through the App, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Your Observation Data may be shared with other Citizen Observatories, researchers, and policy-makers through interoperable interfaces (OGC SensorThings API / STA+) for the purpose of environmental monitoring and open science.
• Your contributions will be subject to a Creative Commons licence as determined by the CitiObs project, ensuring proper attribution and reuse conditions.
• Your Observation Data may be validated using automated algorithms (e.g., the ValAir toolkit) and complemented by quality annotations from other users (OGC Geospatial User Feedback).
• Aggregated or anonymised datasets derived from your contributions may be made available through the GEOSS portal, the Copernicus in-situ component, the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), and other open data infrastructures.

6. User Obligations

As a User of the App, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and honest Observation Data to the best of your abilities.
• Not misuse the App to submit fraudulent, misleading, or malicious data.
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including data protection legislation.
• Not attempt to gain unauthorised access to the App, the AUTHENIX service, or any connected systems.
• Respect the intellectual property rights of the CitiObs consortium partners and third parties.

7. Intellectual Property

The App, its design, underlying software, documentation, and all associated intellectual property are owned by the CitiObs project consortium or its respective partners. The AUTHENIX service is owned and operated by Secure Dimensions GmbH.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use the App in accordance with these Terms.

The CitiObs project makes its technological services, tools, and research outputs available under open-source licences and Creative Commons licensing where applicable, in line with its commitment to Open Science.

8. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

The App is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. The CitiObs consortium and its partners do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any Observation Data displayed through the App.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the CitiObs consortium, its partners, and Secure Dimensions GmbH shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or in connection with your use of the App.

Environmental data presented through the App is for informational purposes and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for health, safety, or policy decisions.

9. Third-Party Services and Links

The App may integrate with or contain links to third-party services, including other Citizen Observatories, data platforms, and the AUTHENIX Authorization Server. The CitiObs consortium has no control over and assumes no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of third-party services. You are advised to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party services you interact with.

10. GDPR Compliance

The App operates in full compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation). The App implements privacy by design and privacy by default principles. For full details on how your Personal Data is processed, please refer to the accompanying Privacy Statement.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [OPERATOR COUNTRY], without regard to its conflict-of-law provisions.

For online dispute resolution, please use the platform of the EU Commission at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

12. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to Users with at least 30 days' notice. Continued use of the App after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

13. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact: