EcoScan
Glossary
Algorithm
A mathematical system used to score and prioritize incident reports based on severity, location, evidence quality, and reporter type.
Anonymity
Your identity remains hidden. Your phone number is hashed (encrypted) and never shared with enforcement partners. You can report as "Community Member" without providing personal details.
Audit (Data Audit)
Regular review of how enforcement partners handle shared incident data to ensure they comply with confidentiality and data protection agreements.
Case Reference Number
A unique identifier (format: ECOSCAN-XXXXXXX) assigned to your report after submission. Use it to track status, contact support, or update information. Valid for 7 years.
Confidentiality Agreement
A legal contract between EcoScan and enforcement partners that requires them to keep your data private and use it only for authorized enforcement purposes.
Community Member
A category of reporter: a civilian who observed an environmental violation and wants to report it. Anonymous option available.
Data Processing Agreement (DPA)
A legal contract specifying how third-party vendors (WhatsApp, cloud services, SMS providers) can handle your data. All vendors must comply with GDPR and Ghana data protection laws.
Data Retention
How long EcoScan keeps your information. Example: Incident reports = 7 years; Photos/videos = 1 year; Phone hash = 7 years or until case closes.
Depersonalization
Removing identifying information (e.g., phone number hash) from data while keeping the report itself for research and historical records.
Encryption (AES-256)
A strong method of scrambling sensitive data so only authorized people with the correct key can read it. Your incident descriptions are encrypted at rest and in transit.
Enforcement Partner
Government agencies that receive incident reports and conduct investigations. In Ghana: Police Service, Forestry Commission, EPA, Minerals Commission, and regional authorities.
Evidence
Supporting materials for your report: photographs, video recordings, audio messages, GPS coordinates, or detailed written descriptions of the incident.
Geocoding
Converting a location description (e.g., "near the river in Dunkwa") into precise GPS coordinates and administrative boundaries (region, district, community).
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Satellite-based technology that provides exact location coordinates. You must grant permission for the app to access your device's GPS. Optional but recommended for accuracy.
Good Faith
Honest belief that a report is accurate. Making a report in good faith (even if mistaken) is protected; only deliberately false reports are criminal.
Hash (SHA-256)
A one-way encryption method that converts your WhatsApp phone number into an unreadable string. Even if hacked, your number cannot be recovered. Much safer than plaintext storage.
High Priority
Incident reports with scores between 50-79. Reviewed within 24 hours and made available to enforcement partners for investigation.
Incident Report
Your submission to EcoScan describing an environmental violation: type, location, timing, evidence, and context. Each report receives a case reference number.
Illegal Mining
Unauthorized extraction of minerals (gold, diamonds, bauxite, etc.) without a valid license or in protected areas. Common violation reported to EcoScan.
Location Data
Information about where the violation occurred: GPS coordinates, text description, administrative boundaries (region/district/community). Stored separately from identity for privacy.
Low Priority
Incident reports with scores below 25. Stored for pattern analysis and available to enforcement partners upon request.
Medium Priority
Incident reports with scores between 25-49. Reviewed and prioritized based on available resources and other high-priority incidents.
Metadata
Technical information attached to your media files, e.g., timestamp, GPS location, device model. Can reveal your identity; we recommend disabling location in camera settings.
Phone Hash
Your encrypted WhatsApp number. Never shared with enforcement, never stored in plaintext, deleted after case closure or 7 years. Ensures anonymity.
Priority Scoring
An algorithm that rates incident reports (0-100) based on: severity of violation, location sensitivity, evidence quality, reporter credibility, and urgency. Higher scores = faster response.
Reporter Type
Category describing who you are: Community Member, Youth Ambassador, Government Officer, or Prefer Not to Say. Helps assess credibility without revealing identity.
Retaliation
Punishment, threats, or harm directed at you for reporting environmental crimes. Illegal in Ghana. Report it immediately to info@academicsuccessfdn.org or Ghana Police (191).
SHA-256
Secure Hash Algorithm: a cryptographic standard used to encrypt your phone number. One-way encryption means it cannot be reversed back to the original number.
Spatial Analysis
Automated geographic verification: checking if the report location is within Ghana, in a forest reserve, near a river, etc. Helps validate and prioritize reports.
Terms of Service
Legal agreement governing your use of EcoScan. Covers user responsibilities, liability limitations, enforcement partner roles, and data handling.
Trespass
Entering private property or restricted areas without permission. EcoScan does not endorse trespassing; gather evidence safely from public land.
Very High Priority
Incident reports with scores 80-100. Immediately shared with Ghana Police, Forestry Commission, and EPA. SMS/email alerts sent to agencies within minutes.
Vendor
Third-party service providers (WhatsApp, Cloudinary, SendGrid, Twilio, etc.) that handle your data. All are bound by data protection agreements and cannot sell your information.
Whistleblower
A person who reports illegal or unethical activity in good faith. Protected by Ghanaian law from retaliation. EcoScan ensures whistleblower anonymity and safety.
WhatsApp Integration
EcoScan chatbot accessible via WhatsApp for users without app access. Uses your WhatsApp number (hashed) to receive reports. Subject to Meta's terms of service.
Youth Ambassador
Designated reporter from a youth organization, NGO, or school partner. May have special protections or training for safe reporting in their community.
Missing Something?
If a term requires more clarification, visit our FAQ or contact our technical documentation team.
Reference v1.02