Ethical Issues

As a user, you will be entitled to the assurance that your private data is handled carefully and that none of it is misused or given out. Additionally, the application will ensure inclusivity to be user-friendly for all users.

Data Collection

• Data collected including, but not limited to: name, username, email, phone number, date of birth, age, weight, password, activity data, and any other data acquired from the user, is stored securely in a private database.
• Collected data will be will be encrypted when being handled.
• Authentication (MFA) will be required for the user to access private information within their account.
• Database will require for there to be admin credentials to be given to access the information.
• Outdated data will be erased from database upon user's updating their information.
• Data will not be shared/sold/transferred under any circumstances to any third-parties.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

• More details of how private information will be handled will be outlined in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, which the user must review and accept before completing account creation.

Third-Party Integrations

• SchedulerX uses APIs which come from a third-party website called API Ninjas. If at any time the API allows breach in private information handled by the application, use of the APIs will be terminated to ensure maximum protection of the user's information.

Inclusivity

• The SchedulerX team handles inclusivity with the upmost importance to ensure a user-friendly application for everyone.
• Users will not be asked their race and religion as it is irrelevant.
• Users can enter their gender, height, weight, and fitness goal to individually tailor workout/meal plans relative to their person. This ensures that no one is excluded from use of the application based on these factors.
• Application will not suggest workout/meal plans that do not correlate to their fitness goals, however they can still be searched for.
• Due to the nature of the application being based on the user themselves, it is ensured that anyone of any gender, age, race, religion, weight, height, and any other background is able to use the application, therefore mitigating most issues arising from discrimination.

Software Abuse

For an application like SchedulerX, which is tailored for scheduling workouts and maintaining health, the risks of abuse might be less obvious than on a social media platform, but they do exist.

Potential for Abuse:

• Misinformation and Harmful Advice: Users could potentially share harmful workout or health advice that could lead to injury or health issues for others.
• Harassment: User-to-user interaction or public sharing of workout times or locations could potentially lead to harassment or stalking.
• Data Privacy Breach: Since the app includes sharing features, there's a risk of sensitive health data being shared either maliciously or accidentally.
• Body Image Issues: The app includes visual progress reports, which might be a risk of promoting negative body image or unhealthy comparisons among users.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Content Moderation: SchedulerX will have a system to monitor and moderate user-generated content, using both automated tools and human oversight to catch harmful advice before it spreads.
• Privacy Controls: Give users strong controls over who can see their schedules, progress, and health data. Educate users about privacy settings and encourage them to report any suspicious behavior by using pop-ups and guidelines.
• Reporting Mechanisms: Develop a straightforward reporting system that allows users to report abuse, harassment, or misinformation quickly and easily. Users who violate Term of service might be warned, suspended, or banned.
• Positive Environment: Foster a supportive community that encourages healthy self-image and realistic goals. Offer resources for mental health and discourage unhealthy comparisons.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits to ensure that abuse prevention measures are up-to-date and effective.
• Guidelines and Education: Provide clear guidelines about the community standards and educate users on the potential risks of overtraining or unhealthy diet practices.
• Security Measures: Ensure that the application has strong security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access to user data, which could lead to doxxing or other forms of harm.