Terms of Service

Introduction

Welcome to Flinteract, a social networking platform designed specifically for college and university students. These Terms of Service govern your use of our iOS app and services.

Acceptance & Eligibility

Age Requirements

• Minimum Age: 17 years old to create an account
• Age Rating: App rated 17+ for social networking with user-generated content
• Verification: Age verified during account creation process
• Minor Protections: Enhanced protections for users under 18

University Eligibility

• Student Status: Valid university or college email address required
• Email Verification: Verification required within 48 hours of account creation
• International Students: Welcome with appropriate visa status
• Account Limits: One account per person, verified by email address

Continued Use

• Terms Updates: Continued use after updates means acceptance of new terms
• Compliance: Must comply with all applicable laws and university policies

iOS App Store Compliance

Distribution

• Exclusive Distribution: App available only through Apple App Store
• App Store Guidelines: Full compliance with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines
• Updates: All updates delivered through official App Store mechanism

iOS Integration

• Security Compliance: No circumvention of iOS security or privacy features
• Interface Guidelines: Adherence to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines
• Permissions: Proper use of iOS permissions with user consent

Payments

• In-App Purchases: Follow Apple's payment processing requirements
• Subscription Management: Managed through Apple's subscription system

Student Verification & University Features

Verification Process

• Email Requirement: University email verification required for access
• Domain Validation: Verification based on valid college/university email domains
• Community Access: Access restricted to verified university communities
• Verification Timeline: Must complete verification within 48 hours

University-Specific Features

• Content Filtering: University-specific content and event filtering
• Campus Communities: Access to your university's community features
• Local Content: Campus-relevant posts, events, and marketplace listings

Academic Integrity

• Academic Policies: University academic integrity policies apply to all interactions
• Misconduct Reporting: Academic misconduct reported to appropriate authorities
• Honor Codes: Respect for university honor codes and academic standards

Account Responsibilities

Account Security

• Password Protection: Maintain secure passwords and account credentials
• Unauthorized Access: Immediately report any unauthorized account access
• Account Sharing: Accounts are personal and may not be shared

Content Responsibility

• User Content: You are responsible for all content you post or share
• Legal Compliance: Content must comply with all applicable laws
• University Policies: Content must respect university codes of conduct

Community Standards

• Respectful Interaction: Maintain respectful communication with all users
• Professional Conduct: Represent yourself and your university appropriately
• Safety First: Prioritize safety in all interactions and transactions

Marketplace & Housing Transactions

Transaction Framework

Safety Requirements

Housing Specific

• Fair Housing: Housing discrimination prohibited - fair housing compliance required
• Accurate Listings: Provide accurate descriptions, photos, and pricing
• Safety Meetings: Meet potential roommates in public, well-lit locations
• Prompt Updates: Remove listings when housing is filled

Marketplace Specific

• Honest Descriptions: Accurate item descriptions and condition reports
• Legitimate Items: Only sell items you legally own
• No Prohibited Items: No illegal, dangerous, or restricted items
• Academic Materials: Course materials shared for legitimate educational purposes only

Content Guidelines & Moderation

Acceptable Content

Prohibited Content

Moderation Process

• Human Review: All reported content reviewed by human moderators within 24 hours
• Escalation: Severe violations escalated to senior moderation team
• Appeals Process: Transparent appeals process for all moderation decisions
• Community Reporting: 11 report categories for comprehensive content oversight

Enhanced Safety Measures

Content Protection

• Manual Review: Human content review for safety and appropriateness
• Community Reports: User reporting system for inappropriate content
• Immediate Review: Priority review for safety-critical reports
• Emergency Protocols: Immediate escalation for self-harm, violence, or illegal activity

User Safety Tools

• Blocking System: Comprehensive user blocking and privacy controls
• Reporting Categories: Detailed reporting system for all content types
• Safety Resources: Mental health and crisis resources provided
• Emergency Contacts: 24/7 safety contact available

Crisis Response

• Immediate Action: Swift response to credible threats or safety concerns
• Professional Coordination: Coordination with university counseling and safety departments
• Law Enforcement: Cooperation with law enforcement when legally required
• Victim Support: Support and resources for users experiencing harassment or threats

Account Termination & Appeals

Self-Service Deletion

• Account Settings: Delete account anytime through Settings → Account → Delete Account
• Data Removal: Complete data deletion within 30 days
• Data Export: Right to export personal data before deletion
• Support Access: Contact support if unable to access deletion settings

Enforcement Actions

• Violation Response: Warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans for violations
• Serious Violations: Severe violations reported to university authorities
• Legal Reporting: Illegal activities reported to law enforcement when required

Appeals Process

• Human Review: All enforcement actions reviewed by human moderators
• Appeal Window: 7 business days to submit appeals
• Evidence Submission: Opportunity to provide context and evidence
• Transparent Process: Clear communication throughout appeals process
• Final Review: Senior moderation team review for complex cases

Intellectual Property

User Content

• Ownership: You retain ownership of content you create and post
• License Grant: You grant Flinteract license to host and display your content
• Removal Rights: You can delete your content at any time

Platform Content

• Flinteract Property: Flinteract owns all app features, design, and functionality
• Trademark Protection: Flinteract name and logo are protected trademarks
• Respect IP: Respect intellectual property rights of others

Privacy & Data Protection

Privacy Policy

• Comprehensive Protection: Full privacy policy available at flinteract.com/privacy
• FERPA Compliance: Compliance with educational privacy regulations
• Student Rights: Enhanced privacy rights for student users
• Data Minimization: Collect only necessary data for app functionality

Third-Party AI Services

• OpenAI Integration: We use OpenAI to detect colleges and universities from user email domains
• Data Sharing: Only email domains (e.g., @university.edu) are shared with OpenAI for college identification
• Privacy Protection: No personal information is shared with AI services
• Purpose Limitation: AI services used only for university verification, not content moderation

Data Security

• Encryption: End-to-end encryption for sensitive communications
• Secure Storage: Industry-standard security measures for data protection
• Regular Audits: Regular security audits and penetration testing

Disclaimers & Limitations

Service Availability

• Best Effort: We strive for 99.9% uptime but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service
• Maintenance: Scheduled maintenance may temporarily interrupt service
• Force Majeure: Not liable for service interruptions due to circumstances beyond our control

User Interactions

• Platform Role: Flinteract facilitates connections but is not responsible for user interactions
• Transaction Mediation: We do not mediate disputes between users
• Safety Reminder: Users responsible for their own safety in all interactions

Content Disclaimer

• User Generated: All user content represents views of individual users, not Flinteract
• No Endorsement: Flinteract does not endorse any user content or opinions
• Educational Purpose: Platform designed for educational and social networking purposes

Legal & Governing Law

Jurisdiction

• Governing Law: These terms governed by laws of the State of Delaware
• Venue: Legal disputes resolved in Delaware state or federal courts
• Arbitration: Binding arbitration for most disputes as outlined in full terms

Updates & Changes

• Term Updates: We may update these terms to reflect legal or operational changes
• Notice: Material changes communicated through app notifications
• Continued Use: Continued use after updates constitutes acceptance

Contact Information