Terms of service
Terms and Conditions of Use of the Decidim Platform for Eumans
Welcome to the Eumans participation platform! This platform, based on the open source Decidim software, aims to support Eumans' initiatives by providing citizens, activists and members with spaces and tools to actively contribute to decisions, initiatives and processes that affect them. We want an open, welcoming and transparent environment where everyone can express themselves with mutual respect. Use of the platform is free and open to anyone who meets the age requirements and accepts these terms.
Acceptance of terms: By registering on the platform, you declare that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions of Use. These conditions apply to all participants on the site and may be updated over time; any significant changes (especially regarding privacy or security) will be communicated to users. We invite you to consult this page periodically to stay informed about changes or news.
Purpose of the platform and intended use
The Dedidim.eumans.eu platform was created to promote open and transparent participation in the organisation's activities and decisions, involving citizens and various social actors in improving democratic quality. Through assemblies, decision-making processes, conferences and other participatory spaces, we want to encourage public debate, the co-production of ideas and collaboration. All users are encouraged to participate actively by proposing ideas, engaging in constructive discussion and contributing to community projects. Use of the platform must be consistent with these objectives of democratic participation and with the principles of legality and good faith.
All individuals aged 18 or over can participate in the platform by registering with a personal account. By accepting these terms during registration, each user declares under their own responsibility that they are 18 years of age or older. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the use of the platform by minors under their responsibility. Where applicable, the platform may also allow organisations, groups or entities that wish to participate in the processes to register, according to defined procedures (e.g. by providing the name of the organisation and a contact person).
Operation and access: It is possible to browse the public content of the platform freely without registering. In order to participate in activities such as proposing or supporting ideas, commenting, participating in debates or registering for meetings, it is necessary to create an account and log in. Registration requires providing a username (or public name), a valid email address, a password and acceptance of these terms. During registration, you may be asked to confirm certain requirements (e.g. minimum age) or to provide additional information if necessary to verify your identity. The data requested will be used exclusively for account management and verification of participation requirements, in compliance with privacy regulations, and will not be used for other purposes without consent.
Once registered, users will be able to interact in the various participatory areas (assemblies, processes, initiatives, etc.) according to the permissions provided. Some actions (such as supporting proposals or voting in consultations) may require a higher level of verification (e.g., confirming identity or membership of a specific group). In any case, access to participatory functions is designed to be as inclusive as possible, encouraging occasional participation even by users who wish to contribute from time to time.
User behaviour and lawful use
The user undertakes to use the platform in a lawful, appropriate and diligent manner, avoiding any conduct that is illegal or contrary to good faith. In particular, each participant must comply with the following rules of conduct (platform etiquette) when publishing content or interacting with others:
Truthfulness: Do not publish false or misleading information. Before sharing data or news, diligently verify that it is correct and truthful.
Illegal or offensive content: It is prohibited to publish illegal content (defamatory, obscene, child pornography, incitement to crime, etc.) or content that violates public decency. In particular, content that is aggressive or violent in tone, insults and personal attacks, threats, incitement to suicide or self-harm, or other forms of hate speech are not permitted.
Prohibition of discrimination: Discriminatory or offensive content or behaviour based on race, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other personal characteristics is not tolerated. All participants must respect other members of the community, promoting an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Privacy and personal data: Do not publish personal information about third parties (such as full names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, photos of others) without consent. Violating the privacy of others is contrary to the rules of the platform and the law.
Intellectual property: Do not upload copyrighted material (text, images, videos, software, etc.) without authorisation or without complying with the licence. Publishing content belonging to others in violation of copyright or registered trademarks is not permitted.
Proper technical use: Do not post content that contains viruses, malware, malicious code or is designed to compromise the security of the platform or other people's systems. Similarly, attempting to circumvent the security or operating measures of the site is prohibited.
No spam or commercial activities: It is prohibited to use the platform to send spam, unwanted messages or unauthorised commercial promotions to other users. Content that is purely advertising, promotion of products/services, job offers or commercial initiatives unrelated to the purposes of the platform is not permitted.
No chain letters or scams: Do not publish or disseminate chain letters, pyramid schemes, gambling, scams, phishing or misleading content aimed at collecting personal information for fraudulent purposes.
No astroturfing or multiple fake accounts: Each person should have only one personal account. It is not permitted to create multiple accounts pretending to be different people to manipulate the debate or simulate consensus (a practice known as astroturfing). Furthermore, the use of bots or automated scripts to generate artificial interactions on the platform is prohibited.
These rules are intended to ensure a safe and constructive environment for all participants. Content or behaviour that violates these rules will not be tolerated and may be subject to moderation. Each user is directly responsible for what they publish: they must ensure that their contributions are lawful and appropriate, and may be held liable for any damages or third-party claims arising from their content.
Moderation and responsibility of the platform
The team managing the Eumans platform (administrators and designated moderators) reserves the right to moderate content to ensure compliance with these terms and the smooth running of the discussion forum. Specifically, staff may, if necessary and at their discretion, remove or hide content (posts, comments, proposals, etc.) that violates the rules described above. Such removal will be carried out solely for the purpose of preserving the fundamental objectives of the platform (constructive participation and mutual respect). Furthermore, in the event of serious or repeated infringements, the administrators may take action against the profiles of the users responsible: for example, by temporarily suspending the account, deactivating it or, in extreme cases, permanently deleting it. Where possible and appropriate, a warning will be sent to the user concerned, but in more serious cases, action may be taken immediately and without warning (e.g. for illegal content, incitement to hatred or security risks).
All participants are aware and accept that their published content is publicly visible and may be subject to moderation according to these criteria. Users remain fully responsible for the content they post: the Eumans platform (and the organisation that manages it) assumes no responsibility for the quality, legality, truthfulness or validity of what users publish. In particular, Eumans and the platform operators are not liable for any consequences arising from misuse of the site by users or from the use by anyone of the ideas/proposals published. The presence of external links in user-generated content does not imply approval or control by the platform; Eumans is not responsible for any damage or loss arising from access to third-party sites reported by users.
In the event of disputes between users or between a user and a third party, the platform administrators may facilitate the removal of harmful content, but cannot be held liable for any complaints, claims or damages arising from disputes beyond the direct control of the platform. Users release the Eumans organisation and the platform operators from liability in relation to such disputes.
Reporting abuse: All participants can help maintain a healthy community by reporting inappropriate content or behaviour. A 'report' feature is available on the platform next to user contributions (e.g. a button to report a comment or proposal). Alternatively, you can contact the moderators at the dedicated email address (or through other channels indicated) to report violations of the terms of use. Reports will be evaluated by staff based on the 'Rules of Conduct' described on this page. If the content is deemed non-compliant, it may be removed or modified and, if necessary, action will be taken against the author ( ). This 'notice and take down' process aims to protect all users and ensure that the platform remains a safe and constructive place.
Privacy and personal data protection
The Eumans platform treats the privacy of participants with seriousness and care. During registration and use, some personal data may be collected (e.g. email address, profile information, published content). Such data will be processed in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR) and applicable data protection legislation. The Eumans Association/Organisation (as data controller) undertakes to use user data only for the purposes intended: management of the platform, participation in processes, communications relating to participation and improvement of the service. The data will not be disclosed to third parties or transferred for commercial purposes; any communication to external parties may only take place in the event of legal obligations or to fulfil purposes strictly related to participation (e.g. publication of the results of a process, always in anonymous or aggregate form).
The complete Privacy Policy is available on the website, which describes in detail the methods of data processing, the legal basis, the security measures adopted and the rights of data subjects. In summary, each user has the right to access their personal data held by the platform, to rectify it if inaccurate, to erase it (right to be forgotten) in certain cases, and to object to or request the restriction of its processing where applicable. It is also possible to request the portability of your data, where technically feasible. To exercise these rights or for any questions about privacy, users may contact the representatives indicated in the Policy (e.g. a dedicated email address or an online form). Eumans will process requests with due care and in accordance with the law.
Consent to processing: The main legal basis for the processing of personal data on the platform is the free and informed consent provided by the user when registering and accepting these terms. In some cases, additional consent may be required for specific features (e.g. if the user decides to link their account to external services or to participate in projects that require additional information). The user is free to withdraw consent at any time, for example by requesting the deletion of their account; however, the withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing already carried out.
The platform uses cookies and similar tools for technical operation and – subject to consent – for anonymous statistical analysis aimed at improving the service. Further details are available in the website's Cookie Policy.
In line with Decidim's principles, Eumans takes measures to ensure transparency, traceability and integrity of information, while providing security and confidentiality to all participants. Participation data (such as votes, comments, proposals) are public in aggregate and anonymous form, to ensure the transparency of democratic processes, but without unduly tracking individuals. User contributions (proposals, comments, etc.) will remain associated with the public profile chosen by the user, which may be a pseudonym, thus respecting individual privacy while ensuring the traceability of discussions at the platform level ( ).
Content ownership and copyright
The Eumans platform encourages the open sharing of knowledge and ideas. For this reason, all textual content, proposals, comments and other original material posted by users, unless otherwise indicated, are released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) licence. This means that anyone (including the Eumans organisation itself and other users) may reuse, redistribute and modify such content, including for commercial purposes, provided that they acknowledge the original author and share any derivative content in the same way, under a CC BY-SA licence. This open licence choice aims to promote the dissemination of ideas and collaboration, while maintaining the protection of the author through attribution. It applies to both user-generated content and, unless otherwise indicated, content published directly by Eumans on the platform.
The user guarantees to upload to the platform only content for which they hold the relevant rights or content that is freely usable (e.g. material in the public domain or under a licence compatible with CC BY-SA). In any case, the user retains ownership of the copyright on the original contributions they create: the CC BY-SA licence does not entail the transfer of authorship of the work, but only permission for others to use it under the conditions described above. If the user wishes to publish content on the platform under a different licence (more restrictive or more permissive), they must expressly indicate this in the content itself. In the absence of such an indication, the default CC BY-SA licence will apply.
Materials on the platform that may be provided by Eumans or third parties (such as logos, trademarks, official documents, images, etc.) may be protected by different intellectual property rights. These items are generally marked, and their use may be subject to restrictions. Unless explicitly permitted, it is not permitted to copy, reproduce or commercially exploit content on the platform covered by third-party or organisational copyright beyond what is permitted by law or the applicable licence.
Eumans promotes the use of open licences and the creation of derivative works based on the platform's content. However, the reuse of information must always be done with respect for the author and without creating the impression that Eumans directly sponsors or endorses the activity in which such information is reused. In practice, anyone reusing content from the platform must cite the source and licence, and must not attribute any approval or support to Eumans or the original authors that is not genuine.
User contributions and dissemination: by publishing content on the platform, users agree that it may be republished or disseminated by Eumans organisers to promote the participatory initiative. For example, a proposal submitted may be included in a final report, on other Eumans websites, on the organisation's social media or in press releases, citing the author (username) where appropriate. In general, any information submitted is treated as non-confidential and public: therefore, avoid entering sensitive data or content that you do not wish to disclose. If for any reason it is necessary to share confidential information privately with the organisers (e.g. to support a proposal with internal documents), specific measures will be taken and you may be required to sign separate confidentiality agreements, but this is outside the ordinary use of the platform.
Account closure and withdrawal
Users may stop using the platform at any time. If you wish to delete your account and associated data, you can request this using the available functions (e.g. a deletion option in your personal area) or by contacting the administrators. Deleting your account will result in the removal or anonymisation of your personal data within a reasonable time frame, as described in the Privacy Policy. Please note that published content (e.g. contributions to discussions or proposals) may remain visible on the platform in anonymous form even after your account has been deleted, if it has already been published in public contexts, as part of the record of completed participatory processes.
Eumans reserves the right to close or suspend accounts that are inactive or that systematically violate these terms. In such cases, we will endeavour, where possible, to notify the person concerned of the reasons for the measure and any actions required for possible reactivation.
Applicable law
These terms of use are governed by the laws in force in the country where the Eumans organisation has its registered office at Rue Ducale 41 1000 – Brussels. Any disputes relating to the interpretation or application of these terms that cannot be resolved amicably will be subject to the jurisdiction provided for by applicable law. In any case, we will endeavour to resolve any disputes collaboratively, in the interests of the community.
INFORMATION ON THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA
Based on the provisions of art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (below, GDPR (1)), Associazione Luca Coscioni per la libertà di ricerca scientifica (hereafter, ALC), the Associazione Soccorso Civile (hereafter, ASC), the Science for Democracy Association (hereafter, SFD), and the Associazione Eumans (AEU) as joint data controllers, inform you that the personal data you have provided for the purposes of joining each of the aforementioned Associations, including the particular data (2) meaning those provided as a sympathizer or donor or militant or volunteer, or for the purpose of a mere request of information related to the initiatives carried out by the associations, will be treated for the exclusive purposes of managing the associations’ relationship or other relationship with them, in compliance with your fundamental rights and freedoms, and limited to what is necessary for the pursuit of the legitimate interest pursued by the joint holders. (2) (3)
Your data will be processed by those who operate under the authority of the joint holders, as well as by external subjects who, where deemed necessary or appropriate, are appointed as data processors.
The treatment will take place both with paper instruments and with the aid of electronic equipment, in full compliance with the principles dictated by GDPR, also in relation to the adoption of appropriate measures to guarantee the security, protection and confidentiality of your personal data.
The provision of personal data is not mandatory, but in its absence it will not be possible to follow up the management of the associations’ relationship, meaning managing your position as a sympathizer or donor or as someone requesting information.
Personal data may be disclosed to third parties to whom some fiscal, accounting, administrative and management services are outsourced.
Your data may be used, subject to your consent, also to send informative material relating to the activities and campaigns carried out by the joint holders for the pursuit of the related statutory purposes, via sms, other messaging systems (e.g. WhatsApp), or e-mail.
Consent may be revoked at any time.
The data you provide will be kept after the termination of the associations’ relationship, only for the period necessary for the fulfillment of the legal obligations that the joint holders are required to respect, meaning for the period in any case necessary for the exercise of the rights of defence in the event of litigation.
The data provided by sympathizers or donors or militants and volunteers, or people requesting information, will be kept, subject to your consent, for the aforementioned sending of information material.
Pursuant to the GDPR, you are attributed the exercise of specific rights, including, under the conditions indicated in the GDPR, the right to access your data (art.15), to correct them (art.16), to delete them (art.17), to limit them (art.18), as well as the right to oppose the related processing (art.21) (4). All your rights may also be exercised by submitting a complaint to the Guarantor for the protection of personal data.
The joint holders of the processing are:
Associazione Luca Coscioni per la ricerca scientifica, Via di San Basilio 64 – 00187 Rome, Italy tel. 06.64010848 Fax 06.23327248– PEC associazionelucacoscioni@pec.it – E-mail: info@associazionelucacoscioni.it;
Associazione Soccorso Civile, in Via Gian Leonardo 16 – 00147 Rome, Italy
Science for democracy, Rue Ducale 41 – 1000 Bruxelles – Belgium tel. +32.27810823 E-mail: info@sciencefordemocracy.org
Associazione Eumans, Via di San Basilio 64 – 00187 Rome, Italy tel. 06.64010848 Fax 06.23327248
Last revision of this information: April 2020
[1] Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)
[2] The notion of particular data includes, among others, and as far as is relevant here, those that reveal racial or ethnic origin, union membership, biometric data intended to uniquely identify a natural person, and data relating to health
[3] The so-called legal basis of the processing must therefore be located in art. 6 par. 1 lett. f) (balancing of interest) and, for what concerns particular data, in art. 9 par. 2 lett. d) of GDPR
[4] Since the processing of your data is based on the legitimate interest referred to in art. 6 par. 1 letter f), the conditions for exercising the right to portability pursuant to art. 20 of the GDPR are not met