Privacy Policy

Last Updated: August 20, 2026

1. Overview

This Privacy Policy describes how SiPAT collects, uses, and protects information when you access or use our platform, including any AI-powered tools (collectively, the "Platform"). It is intended to be read together with our Terms of Service.

2. Information We Collect

We aim to collect as little personal information as possible to operate the Platform. The information we may collect falls into the following categories:

2.1. Information You Provide

When you use certain features, you may voluntarily provide information, including:

• Feedback or issue reports submitted through the Platform, which may include contact details, descriptions, and any content you choose to include.

• Communications you send to us directly.

We will only use this information for the purpose for which you provided it.

2.2. Information Collected Automatically

We may collect certain technical information automatically to operate and improve the Platform, including:

• Browser type and version, operating system, device type.

• Pages visited, time and date of access, and referring pages.

• Internet Protocol (IP) address and other standard server logs.

This information is used in aggregate to understand how the Platform is used and to maintain its security and reliability.

2.3. Local Preferences

When you use the Platform, we may store certain preferences on your device, such as your selected display theme and language, using browser storage (e.g., localStorage) or cookies. These preferences stay on your device and are used solely to preserve your choices on future visits.

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

3.1. Operating the Platform

To operate, maintain, and improve the Platform, including its search, comparison, analysis, and AI-powered features.

3.2. Responding to You

To address feedback, questions, corrections, or issue reports you send us.

3.3. Security and Reliability

To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, security incidents, misuse, or errors affecting the Platform.

4. AI-Powered Features

The Platform may include AI-powered features, such as a chatbot that can search, summarize, and explain documents related to Philippine Local Government Units.

When you use these features, your query and the relevant source documents may be processed in order to generate a response. This processing is done to provide you with the requested response and to operate the feature.

These features may rely on third-party AI providers. Where such providers are used, we apply reasonable safeguards and only share the information needed to provide the response.

5. Legal Basis

Where personal data is processed, we do so in order to provide the services you requested, to operate our Platform, to pursue our legitimate interests in maintaining and improving it, and to comply with applicable laws. Where required, we will obtain your consent before processing.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies strictly where needed to make the Platform function, such as remembering your theme or language preferences. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies for purposes of advertising. Please refer to our Cookie Policy for more detail.

7. Data Retention

We retain the information we collect only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, to operate the Platform, and to comply with legal or security obligations.

We do not sell personal information and we do not share it except as described below:

8.1. Service Providers

We may share information with trusted service providers who help operate the Platform (such as hosting, security, or the AI providers needed to power the chatbot), and who are contractually required to protect the information.

8.2. Legal and Safety

We may disclose information where required by law, or where the disclosure is necessary to detect and prevent fraud, security issues, or technical problems, or to protect the rights, safety, and property of the Platform, our users, or the public.

8.3. Aggregated Data

We may share aggregated or de-identified information that does not reasonably identify any individual.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights over your personal data, which may include:

• Right to access the personal data we hold about you.

• Right to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

• Right to delete personal data, subject to legal or operational limitations.

• Right to withdraw consent, where processing is based on consent.

• Right to object to or restrict certain processing where applicable.

10. Children's Privacy

The Platform is intended for general audiences and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children, and if we become aware of such data, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

11. Data Security

We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect the information we hold from unauthorized access, loss, or alteration. No method of transmission over the internet is fully secure. While we aim to protect the information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security, and we encourage you to use the Platform responsibly.

12. Third-Party Links

The Platform may link to third-party websites or external documents, including official government portals. These third parties have their own privacy practices, and we are not responsible for their content or practices.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date above. If the changes are material, we will take reasonable steps to notify you. Your continued use of the Platform after the changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us at support@sipat.example.