General terms & conditions

4.1 How the platform and your data work
Genius Loci is a platform that connects you with heritage content created by project leaders (cities, museums, organizations). Here's how your data is used depending on your usage:

If you are exploring without an account:

You can freely scan medals and view their content without creating an account. In this case, we only collect anonymous technical data: which locations were scanned, the viewing time, which content was accessed, and your GPS coordinates (if you share them). No personal data is collected or shared.

If you create an account:

To fully enjoy the experience—collecting and saving your discoveries, accumulating points, leaving feedback, and claiming rewards—you need to create an account. By creating an account, you provide personal information (such as your username, email address, and possibly your city and country). You understand and agree that the following information is accessible to Genius Loci and are shared with the Project Leaders whose content you view: your username, points accumulated, content viewed, and where applicable your city and country.

We never sell your personal data. Project leaders are not authorized to use your data outside the scope of Genius Loci and its associated services.

4.2 Access to content

The heritage content can be accessed by scanning a physical medal (QR) or by using the digital map.

4.3 Geolocation

Some features require you to enable your GPS location. Your geolocation is used for:
– To allow you to access the content via the digital card
– Verify your physical presence at a location in order to validate the collection of points (proof of presence)

We ask for your permission to enable geolocation. You can withdraw this permission at any time through your device settings. If you decline geolocation, you can still scan medals manually, but some features will not be available.

Your location is used during the session. A timestamp and, where applicable, an approximate GPS location may be associated with the scan interaction to validate point collection. Genius Loci does not track users in real time and does not retain continuous location data.

4.4 Points system and ranking

Each medal scanned or location discovered earns you points. These points are displayed on a public leaderboard visible to other users.

The information displayed on the leaderboard includes: your username (which you freely choose), your number of points, and optionally your city and country if you have chosen to include them in your profile. It is your responsibility to decide whether you use your real name or a pseudonym as your username.

Sessions without an account may also appear on the leaderboard under an anonymous identifier. These entries are not linked to any personal data.

4.5 Comments

When a Project Leader activates the commenting feature, you can leave a comment on the content. Your comments must comply with our Charter (see section 7).

Any user can report content they deem illegal or inappropriate directly on the platform or by contacting us at the address hello@geniusloci.comReported content may be reviewed and, if necessary, removed by Genius Loci or by the relevant Project Leader within a reasonable timeframe.

Genius Loci reserves the right to remove any content that does not comply with these terms and conditions or applicable law.

4.6 Rewards

Some Project Leaders may offer rewards or gifts related to your exploration (for example, when you complete a journey). As explained in section 4.1, your profile information is shared with Project Leaders as part of the normal operation of the service, allowing them to award you these prizes. Sessions without an account may not be eligible for rewards, as we cannot guarantee full tracking of your progress without an account.

4.7 Account and security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. Sharing your password is prohibited. You must notify us immediately in the event of any unauthorized use of your account.

4.8 Minimum age

You must be at least 16 years old to create an account. If you are under 16, you can view content without an account and participate in courses under the supervision of an adult (parent or legal guardian). In this case, the accompanying adult's account will be used to collect points, rewards, and other account-related features.

4.9 Newsletter

When creating your account, you can choose to subscribe to our newsletter. This subscription is optional and not a requirement for using the platform. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in each email or by contacting us at hello@geniusloci.com.

5.1 definitions

Under these conditions: the "Content Genius Loci " refers to the text, graphics, images, music, audio, video, copyrighted works of any kind, and information or other materials that are displayed, generated, provided or otherwise made available by Genius Loci on the platform. “User Content” refers to any content you create or publish on the platform. “Organizational Content” refers to content published on behalf of an organization. Collectively, these are referred to as “Content.”

5.2 Your content and your guarantees

You are solely responsible for the content you publish on the platform. You represent and warrant that:

You own your content or have all the necessary rights to publish it and grant us the license rights described below.
Your content does not infringe, misappropriate or violate the intellectual property rights of any third party (patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, moral rights), nor the image or privacy rights of anyone.
Your content does not violate any applicable laws or regulations, nor does it violate any agreements you have with third parties.

5.3 License granted to Genius Loci

By publishing content, you grant Genius Loci A non-exclusive, transferable, worldwide, and royalty-free license, with the right to sublicense, to use, host, cache, store, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publish, distribute, and modify (for formatting purposes only) your content, solely as part of the operation of the platform. You retain all rights to your content.

5.4 Organizational Content

If you publish content on behalf of an organization (city, museum, etc.), ownership of that content may be defined by your agreement with that organization. In the absence of such an agreement, the organization is presumed to hold the rights.

5.5 Content Sharing

The content you publish is intended to be viewed by Visitors/Adventurers. You understand and agree that these users will be able to view and, if you allow it, comment on your content. You grant Genius Loci all the necessary rights to make your content available to users of the platform and to allow these users to view and interact with it.

5.6 License granted by Genius Loci to users

Subject to compliance with these conditions, Genius Loci grants you a limited, non-exclusive and non-transferable license, without the right to sublicense, to view and consult the Content Genius Loci only within the scope of your authorized use of the platform and solely for personal and non-commercial purposes.

5.7 Content Removal

You can request the deletion of your content. However, some technical copies may temporarily remain in our systems (caches, backups). See section 10 (Termination) for more details.

5.8 Content Monitoring

While we are not obligated to monitor access to or use of the platform, nor to review or modify any content, we have the right to do so for the purposes of operating the platform, ensuring compliance with these terms, and complying with applicable laws. We reserve the right to remove or disable access to any content, at any time and without notice, if we deem content inappropriate or in violation of these terms. We have the right to investigate violations of these terms. We may also consult with and cooperate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute users who violate the law.

5.9 Medals and fastening

The placement of physical medals in public or private spaces is entirely your responsibility. You must obtain the necessary permits and ensure that you do not damage the environment or the property of others.

5.10 Adventurer Data

As a Project Owner, you receive certain information about the Adventurers' activity on your routes (such as username, points, content viewed, and, where applicable, city and country). This information allows you to manage your routes, analyze their use, and, where appropriate, award rewards.
As part of the platform's operation, Genius Loci transmits certain data to the Project Leaders in their capacity as data recipients. This data is shared exclusively to ensure the operation of the service, the management of pathways, statistical analysis and the awarding of any rewards.
The Project Leaders commit to using this data only within this strict framework, and in accordance with applicable laws regarding the protection of personal data, in particular the GDPR and the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nLPD). Any use outside this framework requires the prior and explicit consent of the Adventurer concerned.

In the event of non-compliance with these obligations, Genius Loci reserves the right to suspend the Project Owner's access to the Adventurers' data.

Medals and content hosting are subject to a one-time fee, clearly indicated at the time of purchase. This fee includes content hosting.

Medal pack prices are subject to change. The applicable price is the one displayed at the time of your purchase. Current prices are available on our site.

Genius Loci Pro is a complementary tool offered by subscription, providing advanced features (dashboards, statistics, route creation, medal geolocation, audio file hosting, and more). Details and pricing of Genius Loci Pro are available on our website. For any questions, contact us at hello@geniusloci.com.

The products and services offered by Genius Loci being personalized (including the creation of digital spaces, the generation of unique QR codes and the production of custom medals), any validated order is considered firm and final.

By validating their order, the customer acknowledges that the production and configuration of the service will begin immediately and waives, to the extent permitted by law, any right of withdrawal or refund in accordance with Article 16 of the European Directive on consumer rights.

However, if the customer encounters any difficulty or is dissatisfied with any aspect of the service, they are encouraged to contact us. We are committed to carefully reviewing each situation and seeking a suitable solution whenever possible.

8.1 Platform Ownership
The platform, its design, its features, its source code and its content Genius Loci (excluding user content and organizational content) are the exclusive property of Genius Loci SA, protected by Swiss copyright law, international law and all other applicable intellectual property legislation. The trademark Genius Loci cannot be used without our written consent.

8.2 Ownership of published content
The heritage content published on the platform (texts, images, audio, video and any other media) is the property of its respective authors and/or the Project Leaders who created it. Genius Loci We host and protect this content on behalf of its owners. Any reproduction, reuse, or distribution of this content without the owner's permission is prohibited.

8.3 Database Protection
All content published on geniusloci.com and geniusloci.pro constitutes a database protected by Swiss copyright law and European Directive 96/9/EC on the legal protection of databases.

8.4 Prohibition of automated extraction
It is strictly forbidden for any person, company, artificial intelligence, robot, crawler or automated tool to: index, scrape, extract, reproduce, reuse, train AI models, or exploit in any form whatsoever all or part of the platform's content or its database, without the prior written authorization of Genius Loci SA and/or the owner of the content in question.

This prohibition applies regardless of the method used (direct access, API, caching, aggregation, or any other technique). Any violation may give rise to civil and criminal proceedings, as well as a claim for damages, by Genius Loci and/or the owners of the content in question.

9.1 Data Controller
Genius Loci SA, Chemin de Grassiaz 1, 1112 Echichens, Switzerland (hello@geniusloci.com) is responsible for processing your personal data.

9.2 Data collected
For users without an account:
Anonymous technical data only: places scanned, reading time, content viewed, GPS coordinates (if shared).

For Visitors/Adventurers with an account:
Username, email address, profile data you provide (city, country), points accumulated, content collected, comments, and geolocation data (with your permission, per session).

For Content Creators and Project Leaders:
Name, email address, billing information, published content. If you also use the platform as an Adventurer, the data described above will be used.

The rules for Visitors/Adventurers also apply.

9.3 Legal basis for processing
We process your data on the following legal bases:
– Contract execution: managing your account, providing the service, sharing data with Project Owners within the framework of the service, displaying the ranking
– Consent: geolocation, newsletter subscription
– Legitimate interest: platform improvement through anonymized analyses (Plausible), service security
– Legal obligation: retention of billing data in accordance with Swiss law

9.4 Cookies and analyzes
We only use cookies These cookies are strictly necessary for the platform to function (maintaining your login session). We do not use any advertising or tracking cookies.

For usage analysis, we use Plausible, a tool that does not set any cookies or collect any personal data. We also record usage data in our own systems for the purpose of operating the service.

9.5 Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal data. We only share your information in the following cases:
– With the Project Leaders whose content you are viewing, within the framework of the normal operation of the service (see section 4.1)
– To comply with a legal obligation

Project sponsors are required to use your data only within the framework of Genius Loci and its associated services (see section 5.10).

9.6 Tongue Detection
The platform can read your device's language settings to adapt the display. This information is used solely for technical purposes and is neither stored nor shared.

9.7 Your rights
In accordance with the GDPR and the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nLPD), you have the right to:
– Access your personal data
– Correct inaccurate data
– Request the deletion of your data
– Request the portability of your data
– To object to the processing of your data (in particular for processing based on legitimate interest)
– Request the restriction of the processing of your data
– Withdraw your consent at any time (without affecting the legality of the processing carried out before the withdrawal)
– File a complaint with the competent authority
– You can ask us for the list of Project Leaders who have had access to your data.

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello@geniusloci.comWe will respond to your request within 30 days.

9.8 Data Retention
We retain your personal data as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will delete your personal data within 90 days, subject to our legal retention obligations (including billing data, which is retained in accordance with Swiss law).

Anonymized and aggregated data (usage statistics, route traffic) can be stored indefinitely, as it does not allow for the identification of any individual. This data remains accessible to project leaders for viewing their statistics.

9.9 International Data Transfers
Your data is hosted in Switzerland by Infomaniak (Switzerland). If you subscribe to our newsletter, your email address is processed by Mailchimp (Intuit, USA) in accordance with the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. No other personal data is transferred outside of Switzerland or the European Economic Area.

You can delete your account at any time by contacting us at hello@geniusloci.comSome technical copies of your content (caches, backups) may remain temporarily. We may suspend or delete your account for any violation of these terms, without notice or compensation.

We appreciate your feedback and suggestions. By sharing them with us, you agree that Genius Loci may use them freely to improve its services, without obligation to provide compensation or mention.

Genius Loci assumes no responsibility for content published by users or project leaders, including errors or omissions in such content.

As part of the Service, Genius Loci We may offer automated translations of the content to facilitate access and understanding. These translations are provided for informational purposes only, may contain inaccuracies, and the original content is authoritative.
Genius Loci cannot be held responsible for errors or inaccuracies related to geolocation, nor for damages resulting from the movements, visits or physical interactions of users on the premises.

Except in cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence, nor Genius Loci nor any of its subsidiaries, officers, employees or agents will be liable for any indirect, consequential, exemplary, incidental, special or punitive damages, including loss of profits or data, arising from your use of the platform, even if Genius Loci has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Genius Loci is not responsible for any damages, losses or injuries resulting from hacking, intrusion or other unauthorized access to or use of the platform, your account or the information contained therein.

The full responsibility of Genius Loci will in no case exceed the amount you paid to Genius Loci during the 12 months preceding the claim.

You agree to defend, indemnify and protect Genius Loci, as well as its subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, employees, directors and agents, from any claim, damage, obligation, loss, liability, cost or debt, and expense (including attorneys' fees) arising out of your use of the platform, any breach of these terms, or the posting or use of your user content.

In the event of force majeure (unforeseeable events beyond our control, such as natural disasters, infrastructure failures, government decisions), Genius Loci is released from his obligations for the duration of the event.

You use the platform at your own risk and discretion. The platform is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, or performance.

Genius Loci acts as a technical platform and does not guarantee: that the platform will operate without interruption, will be secure or will be available at a particular time or place; that any error or defect will be corrected; that the platform is free from viruses or other harmful components; that the results of using the platform will meet your requirements; nor the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the content published by users or Project Owners.
Nothing in this document is intended to exclude or limit any liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law, including in cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

These terms and conditions are governed by Swiss law. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms, including their validity, invalidity, breach or termination, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Genius Loci reserves the right to modify, develop or discontinue at any time all or part of the Service, including its features, pricing or the introduction of experimental features (particularly those related to artificial intelligence)

We may modify these terms and conditions at any time. In the event of significant changes, we will notify you by email or through the platform. The changes will take effect 30 days after they are posted.

By continuing to use the platform after this period, you agree to the new terms.

You can contact us regarding the Service or these Terms at the following address:

Genius Loci SA, Chemin de Grassiaz 1, 1112 Echichens, Switzerland or by email to hello@geniusloci.com