# Ushahidi platform

> crowdsourcing and mapping tool supported by nonprofit Ushahidi Inc.

**Wikidata**: [Q124969480](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124969480)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushahidi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ushahidi-platform

## Summary
The Ushahidi platform is a crowdsourcing and mapping application designed for end-users to collect, share, and visualize data. Developed and operated by the nonprofit Ushahidi Inc., the software facilitates collaboration and publishing, primarily serving sectors such as human rights documentation. It was initially released on January 9, 2008.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** The platform was created and launched on January 9, 2008.
- **Operator:** It is supported and operated by Ushahidi Inc., a legal 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
- **Primary Functions:** The software is used for data collection, publishing, collaboration, crowdsourcing, and sharing information.
- **Classification:** It is technically classified as a software application (instance of "application").
- **Mobile Availability:** The platform has dedicated mobile applications with ID `1205594516` on the Apple App Store and `com.ushahidi.mobile` on the Google Play Store.
- **Academic Recognition:** It is indexed in the "Text Analysis Portal for Research" and the "Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace."
- **Website:** The official platform is accessible at `https://www.ushahidi.com/`.
- **Global Presence:** The platform's documentation and presence span multiple languages including English, Spanish, Armenian, Indonesian, Javanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Russian, Ukrainian, and Uzbek.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Ushahidi platform?
A: Ushahidi is a tool designed for crowdsourcing and mapping data. It allows users to collect, share, and publish information, often utilized for collaboration in fields such as human rights documentation.

### Q: Who owns and operates the Ushahidi platform?
A: The platform is operated by Ushahidi Inc., a nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity.

### Q: When was the Ushahidi platform founded?
A: The platform was inceptioned on January 9, 2008.

### Q: Is Ushahidi available on mobile devices?
A: Yes, Ushahidi is available as a mobile application for both iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play Store).

## Why It Matters
The Ushahidi platform matters because it provides a critical technological bridge between on-the-ground data collection and global visualization, specifically within the nonprofit and human rights sectors. By offering a specialized application for crowdsourcing and mapping, it solves the logistical problem of aggregating dispersed information from the public or field workers into a centralized, actionable format. Its status as a tool supported by a 501(c)(3) organization underscores its focus on social impact rather than commercial profit.

The platform's inclusion in academic repositories like the "Text Analysis Portal for Research" and the "Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace" highlights its relevance beyond emergency response, serving as a valid instrument for scholarly research and digital humanities. This capacity to turn raw, crowdsourced data into structured, shareable maps allows organizations to document events, monitor human rights abuses, and coordinate responses with greater efficiency and transparency.

## Notable For
- **Nonprofit Model:** Being a crowdsourcing and mapping tool explicitly supported by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Ushahidi Inc.).
- **Human Rights Application:** Being specifically cited as a tool for human rights documenters and data collection.
- **Academic Integration:** Its inclusion in dedicated research portals like the Text Analysis Portal for Research (TAPoR).
- **Multi-platform Accessibility:** Availability across web, iOS, and Android platforms to maximize data reach.
- **Cross-language Support:** Availability and documentation in over 10 languages, including Javanese, Uzbek, and Armenian.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
The Ushahidi platform is an interactive application designed to facilitate the crowdsourcing of information. Technically classified as a software application, it enables end-users to engage in data collection, publishing, and sharing. The platform integrates mapping technologies to visualize the data collected, serving as a bridge between raw input and actionable intelligence.

### Organizational Structure
The platform is maintained by Ushahidi Inc., which serves as both the operator and supporting entity. The organization is legally formed as a 501(c)(3) organization. This nonprofit status aligns with the platform's frequent use in humanitarian, human rights, and social justice contexts.

### History and Inception
The Ushahidi platform was officially inceptioned on January 9, 2008. Since its launch, it has expanded its digital footprint to include a Wikipedia presence in 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, and Indonesian, among others.

### Technical Ecosystem
Ushahidi operates as a multi-channel platform. It is accessible via its primary website (`ushahidi.com`) and through dedicated mobile software.
- **Mobile Integration:** The platform maintains an active presence on mobile operating systems. Its Apple App Store ID is `1205594516`, and its Google Play Store app ID is `com.ushahidi.mobile`. It also maintains a dedicated tag on Stack Overflow for technical support.
- **Research and Data:** The tool is recognized by academic and research infrastructures, including the Social Sciences and Humanities Open Marketplace, which lists the tool for its capacity to aid in research and data analysis.

### Usage and Application
The platform supports a variety of functions essential to open-source intelligence and collaborative work:
- **Publishing:** Disseminating information to a wide audience.
- **Collaboration:** Allowing multiple users to work on data sets.
- **Crowdsourcing:** Aggregating data from a large group of contributors.
- **Data Collection:** Systematically gathering information, often referenced in the context of human rights documentation.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ushahidi.com/terms-of-service/)
2. [Source](https://tapor.ca/tools/1271)
3. [Source](https://marketplace.sshopencloud.eu/tool-or-service/FloQtd)
4. [Source](https://www.theengineroom.org/library/tech-tools-for-human-rights-documenters/)
5. [Source](http://www.kenyanpundit.com/2008/01/09/ushahidicom/)