1. Terms of Service
1.1 Overview
By accessing or using GeoSME, users acknowledge and agree to these Terms of Service, which are intended to ensure responsible and proper use of the system.
1.2 Purpose of the System
GeoSME is an academic project developed by Batangas State University students to support research and provide a centralized view of SMEs within Batangas Province. It aims to promote transparency, visibility, and data-driven insights for educational purposes, including fintech adoption analysis and market opportunity identification.
1.3 User Roles and Access Levels
GeoSME supports three distinct user roles with different access levels:
- Regular Users: Can browse SMEs, leave reviews, bookmark businesses, view competitor analysis, and access public analytics.
- SME Owners: Can manage their business profiles, respond to reviews, view detailed analytics, upload service galleries, and track competitor analysis.
- Administrators: Have full system access for content moderation, SME registration approval, user management, and system configuration.
1.4 Authentication and Registration
GeoSME supports multiple authentication methods:
- Google OAuth: Secure login using Google accounts for quick access.
- GeoSME Internal Authentication: Direct registration with email and password.
- SME Registration Process: Business owners can register new SMEs or claim existing ones through a verification process including document uploads and admin review.
1.5 User Responsibilities
Users are expected to:
- Provide accurate and up-to-date information when registering or submitting SME details, including payment methods and business documentation.
- Use the platform respectfully and for its intended academic or research-related purposes.
- Refrain from engaging in any activity that could harm the system or compromise its integrity.
- Maintain the accuracy of business information, especially fintech payment methods and contact details.
1.6 Intellectual Property
All system features, designs, datasets, and mapping components are the intellectual property of the GeoSME development team and Batangas State University. Reproduction or distribution of content without permission is not allowed.
1.7 Limitation of Liability
GeoSME is a research-based platform. While the team strives to provide accurate and reliable data, it may contain minor errors or incomplete entries. The developers are not responsible for any issues arising from system use, technical limitations, or data interpretation.
1.8 Revisions and Updates
The GeoSME team may update or refine these Terms of Service to reflect improvements or policy adjustments. Users will be encouraged to review the latest version as updates are made.
2. Privacy Policy
2.1 Purpose of Data Collection
GeoSME gathers and processes information to map, profile, and analyze Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within Batangas Province. This supports research, development initiatives, and the visibility of local businesses.
2.2 Information Collected
The system may collect the following data:
- SME Information: Business name, location, category, contact details, business hours, service descriptions, and business documentation.
- User Information: Name, email address, phone number, authentication details, and municipality location for recommendations.
- Fintech Data: Payment methods accepted by businesses including digital wallets (GCash, Maya), bank transfers, card payments, and cash options for research on financial technology adoption patterns.
- User Engagement Data: Reviews, ratings, bookmarks, business views, competitor analysis searches, and user preferences.
- Geographic Data: Business coordinates, distance from town centers, proximity to major roads, and municipality-based analytics.
- System Data: Browser type, device information, site activity, session data, and performance metrics to improve user experience.
2.3 Use of Information
The information collected is used to:
- Display SMEs accurately on interactive maps with detailed business information.
- Enable user features including reviews, ratings, bookmarks, and competitor analysis.
- Support academic studies on fintech adoption patterns and market analysis.
- Generate insights on business density, market opportunities, and geographic distribution.
- Provide personalized recommendations based on user location and preferences.
- Send notifications about registration updates, new reviews, and system announcements.
- Enhance system functionality and user experience through analytics and performance monitoring.
GeoSME ensures that all collected data is handled responsibly and used only for legitimate educational and research purposes, including fintech adoption research and market opportunity analysis.
2.4 Data Protection
The development team applies reasonable safeguards to protect data against unauthorized access, alteration, or misuse. While all efforts are made to maintain system security, users are reminded that no online platform is entirely risk-free.
2.5 Data Sharing
GeoSME does not sell or distribute data to third parties. However, summarized or anonymous information may be used in research outputs, reports, or academic presentations within Batangas State University.
2.6 Email and Notification System
GeoSME uses an SMTP-based email system to send important notifications:
- Registration Confirmations: Email confirmations when SME registrations are submitted, approved, or require additional documentation.
- Review Notifications: Notifications to SME owners when new reviews or ratings are posted about their businesses.
- System Announcements: Important updates about system features, maintenance, or policy changes.
- Account Updates: Role changes, verification status updates, and account security notifications.
Users can manage their notification preferences and unsubscribe from non-essential communications while maintaining receipt of critical system updates.
2.7 User Rights
SME owners and users may request to review, update, or remove their information by contacting the GeoSME team. Requests will be handled with confidentiality and respect. Users also have the right to:
- Access their personal data and business information.
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Request deletion of their account and associated data.
- Opt-out of non-essential email communications.
- Export their data in a portable format.
3. Use of Technologies
3.1 Web Technologies
GeoSME operates using modern web and geospatial technologies:
- Next.js (App Router): Modern React framework for server-side rendering and client-side interactivity with TypeScript support.
- Supabase (PostgreSQL + PostGIS): Cloud database with advanced geospatial capabilities for storing and querying location-based data.
- Leaflet/Mapbox: Interactive mapping libraries for displaying SME locations, heatmaps, and geographic visualizations.
- PostGIS: Geographic Information System (GIS) extension for advanced spatial queries and analytics.
- NextAuth.js: Authentication system supporting Google OAuth and internal authentication methods.
- Prisma ORM: Type-safe database access layer with automatic migrations and schema management.
3.2 Cookies and Session Management
The system uses secure session management and cookies to:
- Maintain user authentication sessions securely.
- Store user preferences and location data for personalized experiences.
- Track user engagement metrics for research and system improvement.
- Monitor system performance and identify technical issues.
- Enable bookmark functionality and user-specific features.
All session data is encrypted and stored securely. Users can adjust their browser settings to limit cookies, though this may affect certain personalized features and require more frequent re-authentication.
3.3 Third-Party Services
GeoSME integrates with the following third-party services:
- Google OAuth: For secure user authentication and profile management.
- Mapbox/Leaflet: For interactive mapping and geospatial visualization services.
- SMTP Services: For email delivery of notifications and system communications.
- Vercel Hosting: For reliable web application hosting and performance optimization.
These services are used strictly to improve functionality and user experience. Each service follows its respective privacy practices and data protection standards.
3.4 SME Registration and Verification Process
GeoSME includes a comprehensive business registration system:
- Registration Types: Users can register new SMEs or claim existing businesses already listed in the system.
- Document Requirements: Business license, DTI registration, barangay clearance, mayor's permit, and other relevant business documentation.
- Verification Process: All submissions undergo admin review with status tracking (Pending, Under Review, Approved, Rejected, Requires Documents).
- Role Elevation: Upon approval, users gain SME Owner privileges with access to business management tools and analytics.
- Communication: Automated email notifications keep users informed throughout the registration and review process.
This process ensures data accuracy and maintains the integrity of the SME directory while providing business owners with proper verification and management capabilities.