Mobile App Store Policies

The marketplace-branded mobile applications developed by CivicPlus for the SeeClickFix 311 CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software are published in the Apple and Google Play app stores. All apps published in the Apple and Google Play app stores must align with the requirements set forth by Apple and Google, which can change at any time.

Required Actions

There are four actions each organization needs to complete outlined in this article. Those actions include:

• Google Android Requirements
  • Submit a Google Authorization Letter to CivicPlus (DOC)
  • Provide a URL for Privacy Policy Requirements
• Apple Requirements
  • Enroll Annually in the Apple Developer Program
  • Accept the Updated Apple Developer Agreement

All information in this article is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. We recommend that for any legal clarity, each organization works with your legal department.

Go to Article Navigation

Google Android Requirements

Submit a Google Authorization Letter to CivicPlus

Google requires third-party developers to provide documentation that the developer is authorized to publish a mobile app on a government organization’s behalf. According to Google Play, this change is to help “ensure that if your app communicates government information", it does so transparently and empowers users with reliable and clearly sourced civic information.”

To accommodate this requirement, CivicPlus asks that all customer organizations with a marketplace SeeClickFix mobile app provide us with an authorization letter to share with Google.

We have provided a sample authorization letter (DOC). Please copy it onto your organization’s letterhead, complete all information, and have the letter signed by an authorized representative from your administration. Then we ask you to send the signed letter to CivicPlus Support.

As an alternative option, an organization can set up its own Google Play Developer account and provide access for SeeClickFix 311 CRM to publish to that account. If this alternative is desired, please reach out to your Implementation Consultant for more information.

Provide a URL for Privacy Policy Requirements

Under the Google User Data policy, each mobile app must link to a privacy policy on the app's store listing page and within the app.

Send the link to your organization's Privacy Policy to CivicPlus Support. The policy must include:

• A special mobile section
• The name of your mobile app
• Reference SeeClickFix and CivicPlus as developers

Here is a sample statement of what could be included in an organization’s privacy policy:

<Organization Name> is using SeeClickFix powered by CivicPlus, an online and mobile service request system, to power its mobile app and reporting forms. The <APP NAME> is an application that allows residents to report non-emergency-related issues. SeeClickFix can be used on the web on a desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet. SeeClickFix is a public application. The description entered will be visible to the public. Your display name will also be visible unless you choose to submit as Anonymous. Your email address will never be displayed publicly.  Users registering on the mobile application also agree to CivicPlus’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Google's help center provides further details on the requirements of the Privacy Policy.

Go to Article Navigation

Apple Requirements

Enroll Annually in the Apple Developer Program

Apple requires all organizations to enroll and maintain their own Apple Developer account to publish apps. SeeClickFix cannot publish using our Apple Developer account but instead must be invited as a user with appropriate roles on the organization’s Apple Developer account. Please refer to the Help Center for details on how to set up an Apple Developer account.

The Apple Developer Program requires the Account Holder to renew the program each year.  If the account expires, then the app is removed from the store until appropriately re-instated.

Accept the Updated Apple Developer Agreement

Apple updates the Apple Developer Program License Agreement about twice a year, typically in June and October. Each time the Agreement is updated the Account Holder for the organization’s Apple account must accept the new Agreement. If this is not accepted, then CivicPlus is blocked from building and releasing any updates to your organization’s marketplace app powered by SeeClickFix 311 CRM.

Anytime Apple releases new terms, the Account Holder on the Apple Developer account must log in to the Apple Developer Account and accept their new terms.

Go to Article Navigation