How are changes governed (content, features, configuration)?
Changes are governed through a mix of council oversight, platform controls and user feedback. Content changes currently follow a two-stage process between councils and Loci, so updates can be reviewed before they go live. Feature and configuration changes are managed by Loci as the platform provider, with councils engaged where those changes affect their use of the platform, local setup or resident experience.
We also build in routes for residents to flag issues directly. If users spot missing or incorrect information, they can report it through Loci’s feedback process, which helps surface issues quickly and supports ongoing accuracy and improvement: https://knowledgecentre.lociapp.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/5452780470303-Providing-Feedback-to-Loci
How do you handle disputes or incorrect community-submitted data?
We handle this through a mix of moderation, clear ownership and reporting routes. Community-submitted content is kept separate from official council information, so there is a clear distinction between public contributions and trusted public body updates.
If incorrect or disputed information is identified, it can be reviewed and moderated through Loci’s platform controls. Residents can also report misinformation or missing information directly through the app, which helps issues get picked up and assessed quickly. Where needed, content can then be corrected, clarified or removed to protect trust and relevance.
What controls exist to prevent misinformation?
Loci uses a mix of source separation, permissions, moderation and user reporting to reduce the risk of misinformation. Official council information is kept clearly separate from community-submitted content, so residents can see what comes from a trusted public body and what comes from the wider community.
Access to publish in official council areas is restricted to authorised public bodies only. Community content sits within controlled spaces, with moderation tools and reporting routes in place to review anything that looks inaccurate, misleading or not relevant. Residents can also flag misinformation directly, which helps issues get picked up and addressed quickly. The overall aim is to make source, relevance and ownership clear, so trust is built into the experience rather than left to chance.
How is community-generated content triaged, validated and removed if necessary?
Community-generated content on Loci will be designed to be managed in a controlled and trust-based way, rather than through open public posting. We will continue to refine this approach, and community groups are not currently planned to launch until 2027.
The model we are working towards is based around private groups. A resident would need to join a group in order to see its content, which helps prevent unwanted messages and avoids the kind of open-feed spam seen on other platforms. In that sense, it is closer to a WhatsApp group or a private Facebook group than a public posting platform. Groups could be associated with a business, organisation, council or community member, depending on the purpose of the group.
Day-to-day management would sit first with the group admin, who would be responsible for their own group space. Content would also be moderated by design, using platform controls and supporting technologies to help make sure Loci’s terms and standards are maintained. Group members would be able to raise concerns about content or behaviour within the group to the admin, and both admins and members would also be able to escalate concerns about groups or individuals to Loci for review where needed.
The exact operating model will be worked through carefully before groups are introduced. Trust is central to Loci’s brand and approach, so any group functionality will be developed with a high level of care around moderation, accountability and relevance.
What audit trails exist for content changes and moderation?
Content changes currently follow a two-stage process between councils and Loci, which gives oversight before updates are applied. Administrative and automated access to systems is also logged and audited, so there is a clear record of operational activity.
Access to content and data management systems is restricted through role-based and relationship-based permissions, with monitoring in place to support traceability, investigation and accountability where needed.