📜 Official Governance Framework

Policy & Governance

📅 Effective Date: January 15, 2025 🔄 Last Updated: October 28, 2025 📄 Version: 3.2.1

1. Editorial Standards

Aevum Encyclopedia operates under a strict editorial framework designed to ensure neutrality, verifiability, and academic rigor across all content. All entries must adhere to the following core principles:

  • Neutral Point of View: Articles must present all significant, published viewpoints on a topic fairly, proportionally, and without editorial bias.
  • Verifiability: All factual claims must be supported by credible, independently published sources. Primary sources are encouraged but must be contextualized by secondary analysis.
  • No Original Research: Synthesis of published material is permitted, but novel theories, unpublished data, or independent analysis must not be introduced.
  • Living Documentation: Entries are continuously updated. Significant changes trigger automated peer-review flags for subject-matter experts.
ℹ️ Citation Requirement

Articles lacking verifiable citations for more than 30 days are automatically flagged for review. Persistent unsourced content may be archived or flagged as "Unverified" pending resolution.

2. AI & Algorithmic Governance

Artificial intelligence is used as an assistive tool within Aevum Encyclopedia, not as a content authority. Our AI governance framework ensures transparency, human oversight, and ethical deployment.

AI Usage Boundaries

AI models are strictly prohibited from autonomously publishing, editing, or voting on content. Permitted AI functions include:

  • Grammar & style suggestion (user-applied only)
  • Source cross-referencing & gap detection
  • Automated translation assistance (requires human verification)
  • Knowledge graph mapping & relationship extraction
Bias Mitigation & Auditing

All AI systems undergo quarterly bias audits by an independent ethics board. Training data is filtered for demographic, cultural, and linguistic representation. Any model exhibiting skewed recommendation patterns is immediately decommissioned for retraining.

Model Transparency

Users can view the "AI Influence Report" on any article, detailing which sections were AI-assisted, when, and by which contributor. All AI-generated suggestions are watermarked and logged in the article's revision history.

3. Content Moderation

While Aevum Encyclopedia prioritizes open knowledge, we maintain clear boundaries to prevent harm, misinformation, and legal violations.

3.1 Prohibited Content

Category Scope Action
Illegal Activity Instructions for violence, exploitation, or unlawful acts Immediate removal
Harmful Misinformation Health, safety, or electoral claims contradicting scientific consensus Flagged + expert review within 48h
Privacy Violations Personal data of non-public figures without consent Redacted per GDPR/CCPA
Copyright Infringement Unlicensed media, text, or proprietary databases Takedown per DMCA §512

3.2 Takedown & Appeal Process

  1. Submit a request via our Secure Reporting Portal with specific article URLs and justification.
  2. Initial review by trained moderators within 24 hours.
  3. If disputed, escalation to the Content Governance Committee (COC).
  4. Final decision issued within 10 business days. Appeals may be submitted with new evidence.

4. Contributor Guidelines

Aevum's knowledge ecosystem relies on verified contributors. Participation tiers determine editorial privileges based on expertise, activity, and community trust.

  • Registered User: Can create drafts, suggest edits, and comment.
  • Verified Contributor: Identity & credentials verified. Can publish edits to draft space and tag for review.
  • Subject Expert: Peer-reviewed credentials in specific domains. Granted fast-track publishing in verified categories.
  • Editorial Board: Elected community members responsible for arbitration, policy enforcement, and guideline maintenance.
All contributors must disclose conflicts of interest. Paid editing is permitted but must be clearly labeled and comply with FTC/ASA disclosure standards.

5. Data Privacy & Security

User privacy is foundational to Aevum's mission. We adhere to data minimization, purpose limitation, and explicit consent principles.

  • Data Collection: Only essential data (email, username, contribution history) is stored. No behavioral tracking or advertising profiling.
  • Encryption: All data in transit and at rest is encrypted using AES-256 and TLS 1.3.
  • User Rights: Full access to export, rectify, or delete personal data. GDPR & CCPA compliant with designated Data Protection Officer (DPO).
  • Third-Party Processors: Limited to CDN, backup, and accessibility services. All processors are audited annually and bound by DPA contracts.

6. Transparency & Accountability

Aevum publishes quarterly transparency reports detailing:

  • Content takedown requests & approval rates
  • AI intervention metrics & false-positive rates
  • Editorial board decisions & arbitration outcomes
  • Financial sustainability & grant allocation

Reports are published at transparency.aevumencyclopedia.org and archived for independent audit.

8. Policy Amendments

This governance framework may be updated to reflect technological, legal, or community developments. Substantive changes require:

  1. 30-day public comment period
  2. Review by the Independent Advisory Council
  3. Editorial Board ratification
  4. Notification to all registered contributors

Historical versions are preserved in our governance archive.

Policy Inquiries & Reporting

For questions regarding these policies, takedown requests, or ethical concerns, please contact our Governance Office:

  • General Inquiries: governance@aevumencyclopedia.org
  • Takedown/Legal: legal@aevumencyclopedia.org
  • Security Vulnerabilities: security@aevumencyclopedia.org (PGP Key available)
  • Mailing Address: Aevum Foundation, Route des Acacias 22, 1207 Geneva, Switzerland

All reports are handled confidentially. Response SLA: 48 hours for urgent matters, 5 business days for standard inquiries.