📜 The Constitutional
Scoring Handbook
This is how we hold technology accountable. 10 categories. 36 criteria. Every one derived from the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
How It Works
Read the Agreement
We read the full user agreement, privacy policy, community guidelines, and every related policy document.
Score Each Criterion
Each of the 36 criteria is scored 0–10 based on specific language in the agreement and documented practices.
Weight by Importance
Categories are weighted by constitutional importance. Privacy (4th Amendment) weighs most at 18%.
Calculate the Score
The weighted average produces a final score out of 100. Letter grades from A+ to F.
The 10 Categories
1st Amendment: Freedom of Expression 12%
"Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble."
Your right to speak, create, and share ideas — without a corporation deciding which thoughts are acceptable.
Content Moderation Transparency
Are the rules for removal clearly defined and public? Or vague enough to justify removing anything?
Appeal Process
If your content is removed, is there a real appeal to a real human? Or an automated dead end?
Viewpoint Neutrality
Are rules enforced consistently regardless of political viewpoint?
Right to User Expression
Does the agreement affirm your right to post lawful content — or claim blanket authority to remove anything "at its sole discretion"?
4th Amendment: Privacy & Security 18%
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated."
Your digital "papers and effects." Protected like property, or mined like a resource?
Data Collection Minimization
Does it collect only what's needed? Or vacuum up everything — contacts, location, browsing, biometrics, voice?
Third-Party Data Sharing
Is your data shared with advertisers and data brokers? Are "partners" named or hidden behind vague language?
Government Data Requests
Does the company require warrants? Publish transparency reports? Notify you?
Encryption & Data Protection
Is your data encrypted end-to-end? Can the company itself read your messages, files, or photos?
Behavioral & Location Tracking
Does it track your location, browsing, app usage, or movements? Can you fully opt out?
5th Amendment: Due Process 14%
"No person shall be... deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."
If they punish you — suspend, ban, delete — do you get a fair hearing? Or do you just wake up locked out?
Notice Before Action
Are you notified before account action? Or terminated without warning?
Right to Appeal
Can you appeal to a human being with a defined process and timeline?
Clear Enforcement Rules
Are the rules specific and understandable? Or open-ended enough to cover anything?
Protection of Digital Property
If terminated, can you still access purchased content, export data, retrieve files?
6th Amendment: Timely & Transparent Resolution 7%
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial."
When there's a dispute, do you get a fast, transparent resolution — or are you trapped in automated loops for months?
Response Time Commitments
Does the company commit to specific response timelines for disputes and appeals?
Human Accessibility
Can you reach an actual human being? Or are you stuck in chatbot loops and form responses?
Transparency of Process
Is the dispute resolution process documented, public, and understandable?
8th Amendment: Proportional Enforcement 7%
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
Does the punishment fit the violation? Or does one mistake cost you your entire digital life?
Graduated Enforcement
Are there warnings and escalating consequences? Or is it zero-to-permaban?
Proportional Consequences
Does a minor violation lead to a minor consequence? Or does everything result in full account termination?
Right to Reinstatement
After serving a suspension, can you be fully reinstated? Or are bans permanent with no path back?
9th Amendment: Retained Rights & Ownership 12%
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
You own what you create. You can leave when you want. You control your identity. These rights don't disappear because you signed up.
Data Portability
Can you export ALL your data in a standard, usable format? Or are you locked in with no exit?
Right to Delete
Can you fully delete your account and data? Actually deleted — or just "deactivated" while they keep mining?
Content Ownership
Do you own what you create? Or does the agreement grant a "perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license"?
Right to Opt Out
Can you opt out of tracking, ads, and algorithms without losing core functionality?
10th Amendment: User Sovereignty 6%
"The powers not delegated... are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
Powers not explicitly given to the platform belong to YOU. Can you control your own experience, or does the platform dictate everything?
User Control Over Experience
Can you configure your feed, disable algorithms, choose what you see? Or is the platform in total control?
Infrastructure Independence
Do you own your data infrastructure? Or is everything stored on their servers under their control?
Interoperability
Can the service work with other platforms and tools? Or is it a walled garden?
13th Amendment: No Forced Digital Labor 5%
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude... shall exist within the United States."
Are you the user, or are you the product? Does the platform extract value from your labor — your content, your data, your attention — without fair compensation?
Value Extraction Transparency
Does the company disclose how much revenue it generates from your data and content?
Creator Compensation
If your content generates revenue, do you get a fair share? Or does the platform keep it all?
Attention Manipulation
Does the platform use dark patterns, infinite scroll, or addictive design to extract more of your time?
14th Amendment: Equal Protection 5%
"No State shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Are the rules the same for everyone? Or do VIPs get a pass while everyone else gets the algorithm?
Non-Discriminatory Algorithms
Does the company address algorithmic bias? Are there audits?
Equal Enforcement
Are rules applied equally regardless of user status, followers, or revenue?
Accessibility
Is the service equally accessible to people with disabilities?
Contract Clause & Article I: Fair Contract Terms 14%
"No State shall... pass any... Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts."
A contract is a two-way street. Can they change everything whenever they want while you're locked in?
Unilateral Change Provisions
Can they change the deal at any time without your explicit consent?
Notification of Changes
When terms change, are you clearly notified with a summary of what changed?
Right to Reject & Exit
If you disagree with new terms, can you leave with your data? Or is it "agree or lose everything"?
Readability
Is it written in plain language a normal person can understand? Or 10,000 words of legalese?
Guiding Principles
Transparency over secrecy
If a company can't clearly explain what they do with your data, that's a failing grade.
Consent over coercion
"Agree or leave" is not consent when the company holds years of your data hostage.
Ownership over licensing
You created it, you should own it. A "perpetual worldwide license" is digital serfdom.
Due process over power
No one should lose their digital life without notice, explanation, and the right to be heard.
Protection over extraction
Your data should be protected like property, not mined like a natural resource.
Equal rules for everyone
VIPs and everyday users should play by the same rules.