1. Information We Collect
TheLiving collects information to provide better services to our users. We collect:
- Account Information: Email address, username, and profile details when you create an account
- Content: Species contributions, comments, forum posts, and other content you submit
- Usage Data: How you interact with our platform, including pages visited and features used
- Newsletter: Email address if you subscribe to our newsletter
2. How We Use Your Information
- To provide, maintain, and improve our services
- To personalize your experience and show relevant content
- To communicate with you about updates, features, and community activity
- To track achievements, XP, and leaderboard rankings
- To prevent abuse and ensure platform security
3. Third-Party Data Sources
TheLiving aggregates species information from trusted biodiversity APIs:
- GBIF - Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Wikipedia - Encyclopedia articles and images
- iNaturalist - Species observations and photos
- ITIS - Integrated Taxonomic Information System
- EOL - Encyclopedia of Life
All data from these sources is used in accordance with their respective terms of use.
4. Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. We may share data with:
- Service providers who help operate our platform (hosting, analytics)
- Law enforcement when required by law
- Other users (only public profile information and contributions)
5. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Correct inaccurate information
- Delete your account and associated data
- Export your contributions
- Opt out of marketing communications
6. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at our Help Center.