FaceHeatMap | Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · ← Back to Map

Terms of Service

Last Updated: May 1, 2026 · Effective: May 1, 2026

Important: FaceHeatMap provides publicly sourced OSINT data for educational and research purposes only. By using this service, you agree to these terms. You must be 18+ to use this service.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using FaceHeatMap at faceheatmap.app ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to all Terms, do not use the Service. These Terms apply to all users including visitors, researchers, journalists, and any other party who accesses the Service.

2. About the Service

FaceHeatMap is a free, public-interest OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) research tool operated by VPDLNY (Vulnerable Persons Defense League of New York). The Service aggregates and displays publicly available information about government use of facial recognition technology in the United States for educational, journalistic, and research purposes. This tool is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as lawful newsgathering and public interest research.

3. Permitted Uses

You may use FaceHeatMap for:

  • Academic research and scholarship
  • Journalism and investigative reporting
  • Civil rights advocacy and public policy analysis
  • Personal education and awareness
  • Legal research by attorneys, paralegals, or law students
  • Non-commercial public interest work
  • Government accountability reporting

4. Prohibited Uses

You expressly agree NOT to use FaceHeatMap to:

  • Harass, stalk, surveil, or harm any individual person or group
  • Facilitate illegal discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other protected class
  • Conduct commercial surveillance or build competing commercial products using our data without written permission
  • Attempt to circumvent technical security measures or access restricted areas of the Service
  • Scrape or systematically harvest our database for bulk data export without written permission
  • Use the Service in connection with any unlawful activity
  • Impersonate VPDLNY, FaceHeatMap, or our representatives
  • Submit false, misleading, or defamatory contact form submissions

Violation of prohibited use restrictions may result in termination of access and potential legal action.

5. Nature of the Data — Critical Disclaimers

DATA ACCURACY DISCLAIMER: FaceHeatMap data is compiled from public sources and may be incomplete, outdated, or contain errors. We do not represent or warrant that any information on this site is current, accurate, or complete.

5.1 Public Records Basis

All information on FaceHeatMap is derived from: government databases (USASpending.gov, GAO reports), FOIA-disclosed records via MuckRock, EFF Atlas of Surveillance, court documents and litigation records, published journalism from credible news organizations, and academic research.

5.2 No Defamatory Intent

Information about agencies and vendors displayed on this site is factual, sourced, and presented in the public interest. We maintain source citations for all entries. This Service does not present information as established fact where not established, and does not intend to defame any person, agency, or organization.

5.3 Not Legal Advice

Nothing on FaceHeatMap constitutes legal advice. Information about laws, rights, and regulations is provided for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified attorney for legal guidance specific to your situation.

5.4 Temporal Limitations

Government surveillance programs change frequently. Contracts expire, agencies change vendors, and laws are enacted or repealed. Data displayed may not reflect current conditions.

6. Intellectual Property

6.1 Our Content

The FaceHeatMap interface, design, curation, analysis, and original editorial content are protected by copyright and owned by VPDLNY. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without written permission.

6.2 Underlying Data

Underlying data from public sources (government databases, FOIA records) is in the public domain or licensed under open government data licenses. We claim no copyright over raw government data.

6.3 Citation and Attribution

If you use FaceHeatMap data in published work, academic papers, or journalism, please cite: "FaceHeatMap USA (faceheatmap.app), VPDLNY, [date accessed]."

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR UNINTERRUPTED AVAILABILITY. VPDLNY AND FACEHEATMAP MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE.

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, VPDLNY, FACEHEATMAP, AND THEIR OPERATORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR RELIANCE ON ITS CONTENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN JURISDICTIONS THAT DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, OUR LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless VPDLNY, FaceHeatMap, and their officers, agents, and representatives from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of the Service in violation of these Terms.

10. Third-Party Links and Sources

FaceHeatMap links to third-party sources including EFF, ACLU, MuckRock, USASpending.gov, and news organizations. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of third-party sites. Links do not constitute endorsement.

11. Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years of age to use FaceHeatMap. By using this Service, you represent and warrant that you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, do not use this Service.

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, United States, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York County, New York.

13. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes take effect upon posting to this page. Your continued use of the Service following any modification constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

14. Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend access to the Service, with or without notice, for violation of these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion. Sections 7, 8, 9, and 12 survive termination.

15. Contact and Notices

For legal inquiries, DMCA notices, or Terms-related questions:

Email: contact@faceheatmap.app

Operated by: VPDLNY — Vulnerable Persons Defense League of New York

Legal notices must be sent in writing to our contact email. DMCA notices must comply with 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3).

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