Data Stewardship and Sensitive Information Policy

Data Stewardship and Sensitive Information Policy

Effective Date: [Insert Date]

TK Array Lands Corp (“TK Array Lands”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) recognizes that information collected through iLands may include environmentally sensitive, culturally sensitive, community-held, proprietary, or confidential information.

This Data Stewardship and Sensitive Information Policy explains the responsibilities of users regarding the collection, management, storage, sharing, export, and protection of information uploaded to iLands.

This Policy supplements the iLands Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Acceptable Use Policy.

1. Purpose

iLands is designed to support environmental monitoring, land stewardship, mapping, field data collection, environmental intelligence, reporting, collaboration, and related activities.

Because information stored in iLands may have cultural, environmental, legal, scientific, operational, or economic significance, users are expected to exercise appropriate care and responsibility when using the Services.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to all users of iLands, including but not limited to:

  • Indigenous Nations and communities;

  • Environmental consultants;

  • Industry organizations;

  • Government agencies;

  • Researchers;

  • Academic institutions;

  • Non-profit organizations;

  • Private landowners;

  • Contractors; and

  • Individual users.

3. Data Ownership

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

  • Users retain ownership of information they upload to iLands.

  • TK Array Lands Corp does not claim ownership of user-generated content.

  • Users remain responsible for determining ownership rights associated with uploaded information.

  • Users are responsible for ensuring they possess the authority necessary to upload, store, share, export, or disclose information through iLands.

Nothing in this Policy transfers ownership of user information to TK Array Lands Corp.

4. Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous Knowledge

TK Array Lands recognizes that some information uploaded to iLands may constitute Traditional Knowledge, Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, oral history, cultural knowledge, or other forms of community-held knowledge.

Users acknowledge and agree that:

  • TK Array Lands does not determine ownership of Traditional Knowledge.

  • TK Array Lands does not determine cultural authority over Traditional Knowledge.

  • TK Array Lands does not verify whether permissions have been obtained.

  • Users are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals, permissions, and authorizations before uploading such information.

Where Traditional Knowledge is subject to community protocols, laws, customs, governance structures, or agreements, users remain solely responsible for complying with those requirements.

5. Community-Held Information

Certain information may belong collectively to a community, organization, Nation, government, research program, client, or stakeholder group.

Users are responsible for ensuring that:

  • They have authority to upload such information;

  • Sharing is authorized;

  • Storage within iLands complies with applicable agreements;

  • Exports and disclosures are appropriately controlled.

TK Array Lands is not responsible for disputes regarding ownership, authority, permissions, access rights, or governance of community-held information.

6. Sensitive Environmental Information

Users acknowledge that environmental information may be sensitive even when not culturally sensitive.

Examples may include:

  • Species-at-risk locations;

  • Nesting locations;

  • Critical habitat;

  • Rare plant locations;

  • Wildlife movement corridors;

  • Water sources;

  • Conservation areas;

  • Protected areas;

  • Archaeological sites;

  • Cultural sites;

  • Burial sites;

  • Sacred locations;

  • Restricted access areas.

Users are responsible for determining whether information should be collected, stored, shared, exported, published, or disclosed.

7. Confidential and Proprietary Information

Users may upload information belonging to:

  • Employers;

  • Clients;

  • Governments;

  • Research partners;

  • Indigenous Nations;

  • Industry organizations;

  • Contractors; or

  • Other third parties.

Users represent and warrant that they possess all necessary authority to use iLands for such information.

TK Array Lands does not independently verify ownership or authorization.

8. Data Sharing and Exports

iLands may provide features allowing users to:

  • Share information;

  • Export reports;

  • Export maps;

  • Export GIS datasets;

  • Export images and videos;

  • Synchronize information across devices.

Users remain solely responsible for:

  • Determining whether information should be shared;

  • Determining who may access information;

  • Determining whether disclosure is authorized;

  • Complying with legal, contractual, cultural, ethical, and regulatory obligations.

9. User Responsibilities

Users are responsible for:

  • Verifying information before sharing;

  • Protecting sensitive information;

  • Managing account access;

  • Maintaining appropriate permissions;

  • Respecting community protocols;

  • Respecting intellectual property rights;

  • Respecting confidentiality obligations.

Users must not upload information they know they are not authorized to possess, disclose, store, or distribute.

10. Requests for Removal

Where a user believes information has been uploaded without proper authorization, they may contact TK Array Lands.

TK Array Lands may, at its discretion:

  • Review requests;

  • Restrict access;

  • Remove content;

  • Suspend accounts;

  • Request additional information.

TK Array Lands is not obligated to adjudicate ownership disputes and may require affected parties to resolve disputes independently.

11. Data Stewardship Principles

TK Array Lands supports the following principles:

  • Respect for data ownership;

  • Respect for Indigenous Knowledge systems;

  • Respect for community governance;

  • Responsible environmental stewardship;

  • Transparency;

  • Accountability;

  • User control over information where feasible.

These principles guide the design and operation of iLands but do not create additional legal obligations beyond those expressly stated in applicable agreements.

12. Limitation of Responsibility

TK Array Lands Corp acts solely as a technology platform provider.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, TK Array Lands Corp shall not be responsible for:

  • Determining ownership of information;

  • Determining authority to disclose information;

  • Verifying permissions;

  • Monitoring user compliance with community protocols;

  • Monitoring regulatory compliance;

  • Resolving ownership disputes;

  • Resolving cultural governance disputes;

  • Resolving contractual disputes regarding information uploaded through iLands.

Users assume full responsibility for the information they collect, upload, store, share, export, synchronize, and disclose through iLands.

13. Policy Updates

TK Array Lands may update this Policy from time to time.

Updated versions will be posted on the iLands website and become effective upon publication.

14. Contact Information

TK Array Lands Corp

Suite 201, 9426 51 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T6E 5A6
Canada

Website: www.tkarray.ca