Terms of Service

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing and using Grid, you accept and agree to be bound by these terms. You acknowledge that:

• The service is provided "as is" and may occasionally experience issues
• Features may change or be removed without notice
• The service may be unavailable from time to time

2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE

Grid is a location-based social networking platform that enables users to:

• Connect with other users based on geographic proximity
• Share posts, photos, and personal information within location hierarchies
• Join and interact with local places (restaurants, venues, etc.)
• Message other users and form social connections
• Discover events and activities in their area
• Control privacy settings for profile information and content

3. ELIGIBILITY AND AGE REQUIREMENTS

• You must be at least 18 years old to use Grid. Your date of birth is required at registration so we can verify that you meet this minimum age
• You must provide accurate and truthful information during registration
• New accounts are created using your mobile phone number, verified by a one-time SMS code. Previously, accounts could also be created with an email/password or a Google or Apple account; those methods are now used for signing in and for linking to an existing account rather than creating a new one
• You may optionally connect a verified email address (and/or a Google or Apple account) to your phone account for added account security and recovery
• By providing your phone number, you consent to receive a verification SMS; message and data rates may apply and are your responsibility. These are transactional messages required to provide the service, not marketing
• Grid signup is currently available for U.S. (+1) phone numbers only, and creating an account requires that you are physically located in the United States, which we verify using your device location at the time of registration
• You are responsible for maintaining account security and confidentiality
• One account per person; no shared or fake accounts allowed
• We reserve the right to verify your identity and age at any time
• Creating an account while under 18 is a violation of these terms and federal law (COPPA)
• If we discover a minor has created an account, it will be immediately terminated and reported if required by law
• Adults who engage in sexual, exploitative, or inappropriate interactions with minors may face account termination and law enforcement referral

4. LOCATION DATA AND PRIVACY

Location data is fundamental to Grid's functionality:

• We collect precise GPS coordinates when you use the app
• Location data is used to connect you with nearby users and places in the same neighborhood or city
• Other users can see you in The Grid when you're in the same neighborhood or city as them
• You can choose whether to show your home neighborhood in your profile
• Other users cannot see your full location hierarchy or precise coordinates
• Background location tracking may occur to provide real-time features
• Location history is stored temporarily for service functionality including location verification, proximity matching, and recommendation improvements
• App requires location access for core functionality and cannot be used without it

5. USER CONTENT AND CONDUCT

You are solely responsible for content you post. You agree that you will NOT:

• Post illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, or defamatory content
• Share any explicit sexual content, nudity, or sexually suggestive material
• Share, request, possess, or distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or any content involving minors
• Harass, stalk, threaten, or intimidate other users
• Impersonate others or create fake profiles
• Post spam, commercial solicitations, or unauthorized advertising
• Share private information about others without consent (doxxing)
• Use the service for any illegal activities or to facilitate illegal activities
• Attempt to hack, reverse engineer, or compromise the platform
• Solicit or arrange meetings for illegal purposes including prostitution or drug transactions
• Use the platform to harm, exploit, or endanger the safety of minors in any way

6. CONTENT OWNERSHIP AND LICENSING

• You retain full ownership of all content you create and post on Grid
• By posting content, you grant HyperLocal Social Inc a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use, store, display, and distribute your content solely as necessary to provide the Grid service
• This license allows us to show your content to other users, store it on our servers, and perform technical operations like caching and backup
• We may use aggregated, anonymized data for analytics and service improvement
• You can delete your content at any time, though cached copies may persist temporarily for technical reasons
• This license ends when you delete your content or close your account

7. MESSAGING AND COMMUNICATIONS

• Messages between users are automatically encrypted (AES-256; direct messages use AES-CBC with HMAC-SHA256 authentication, and Festival Mode mesh messages use AES-256-GCM)
• Message encryption is not end-to-end. Because Grid manages the encryption keys, authorized staff can decrypt message content, but do so only for safety, abuse-prevention, support, and legal purposes (for example, investigating spam, fake accounts, or reported abuse), and when required to respond to valid legal process
• We do not read message content for advertising and do not sell it to third parties
• Unsolicited messages or spam may result in account suspension
• Block and report features are available to manage unwanted contact
• Encrypted message history is stored for service functionality

7A. FESTIVAL MODE AND BLUETOOTH MESH NETWORKING

Festival Mode is an optional feature that enables offline messaging through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networking:

• Festival Mode uses Bluetooth Low Energy to create a peer-to-peer mesh network between nearby devices
• When enabled, your device may be discoverable to nearby devices running Grid with Festival Mode enabled
• Messages sent via Festival Mode are encrypted using AES-256-GCM encryption but are transmitted through nearby devices in the mesh network
• Device discovery information (device IDs, user IDs, usernames, display names) may be visible to nearby devices when Festival Mode is active
• Your approximate location coordinates may be transmitted via the mesh network for geographic message routing
• You acknowledge that enabling Festival Mode requires Bluetooth permissions and location access
• Festival Mode is optional and can be disabled at any time in your settings
• Bluetooth mesh networking operates peer-to-peer and does not transmit data to Grid servers
• Grid is not responsible for Bluetooth connectivity issues, mesh network failures, or message delivery failures in Festival Mode
• You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws when using Festival Mode, including laws regarding message content and communication
• All terms of service, including prohibitions on illegal content and harassment, apply to messages sent via Festival Mode

8. PLACE AND BUSINESS INTERACTIONS

• Places (restaurants, venues, etc.) may have business accounts with additional features
• Business accounts may promote content or events to nearby users
• We are not responsible for goods, services, or interactions with businesses
• Reviews and ratings reflect individual user opinions, not our endorsement

9. ADVERTISING AND MONETIZATION

• Grid may display advertising within the app. This includes first-party promotions from businesses (Official Places) and third-party ads served through the Google AdMob advertising network
• On iOS, we ask for your permission through Apple's App Tracking Transparency prompt before allowing personalized advertising. If you decline, we request non-personalized ads only. See our Privacy Policy for details on advertising data
• Ad-free or premium options may be offered from time to time
• Businesses may promote content or events to nearby users, and fees may apply for business/owner features
• Advertising and monetization features may change over time

10. ALGORITHMIC CONTENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• The "For You" algorithm personalizes content based on your interactions
• We use machine learning to recommend posts, users, and places
• You can provide feedback to improve recommendations
• Algorithmic decisions may sometimes be incorrect or biased

11. PRIVACY CONTROLS AND DATA SHARING

• Granular privacy controls let you choose what information to share with whom
• Default privacy settings favor sharing with friends over public visibility
• You control whether your profile information is visible to specific users
• Location-based features may reveal approximate location to nearby users
• Friend connections and mutual connections may be visible to other users

12. ACCOUNT SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION

We may suspend or terminate accounts for:

• Violations of these terms of service
• Illegal activity or court orders
• Harassment or abuse of other users
• Spam or commercial misuse
• Technical security concerns
• Extended periods of inactivity

Upon account deletion:

• Your profile and posts are removed within 30 days
• Some data may be retained for legal compliance or safety purposes
• Cached data may persist in backups for up to 90 days

13. SERVICE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS

• The service is provided "as is" and "as available" with no warranties
• Features may change or be subject to updates over time
• Service interruptions and occasional bugs may occur, as with any online service
• Your feedback and bug reports help improve the service
• Access may be suspended or revoked in accordance with these terms

14. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• HyperLocal Social Inc is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Our total liability is limited to the lesser of $100 or the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim
• This liability cap sets reasonable financial limits for a free/low-cost service
• We are not responsible for user-generated content or third-party actions
• We are not liable for data loss, service interruptions, or security breaches

15. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• The Grid platform, including software, design, and trademarks, is owned by HyperLocal Social Inc
• You may not copy, modify, or reverse engineer our software
• User-generated content remains owned by users, but you grant us a license to use it (see Section 6)
• This means you keep ownership but allow us to display and distribute your content through our service
• Third-party content and integrations are owned by their respective owners

16. LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND COOPERATION

• You agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations including age of consent laws
• We cooperate fully with law enforcement investigations involving illegal activity
• We may disclose user information pursuant to valid legal process or emergency situations
• We are required by federal law to report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to NCMEC and will fully comply with these obligations
• Users are responsible for complying with local laws regarding online services, age verification, and consent
• Violation of laws regarding minors, sexual content, or criminal activity will result in immediate account termination and law enforcement referral

17. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

• Disputes should first be addressed through our support channels
• We prioritize resolving issues directly with users where possible
• Serious legal matters may be subject to binding arbitration
• These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware

18. CHANGES TO TERMS

• We may modify these terms as the service evolves
• Terms may change with notice provided through the app or email when possible
• Significant changes will be communicated via email and in-app notification
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of new terms
• You will have the opportunity to review material changes before they take effect

19. FEEDBACK AND IMPROVEMENTS

• Your feedback is valuable and appreciated
• Bug reports and feature suggestions help improve the service
• You may be contacted for additional feedback or user research
• Participation in feedback is voluntary but encouraged

20. USER SAFETY AND PLATFORM RESPONSIBILITY

A. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

• If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services (911) immediately
• Grid is not a substitute for emergency services or personal safety measures
• We may share information with authorities in genuine emergency situations
• Report safety concerns through our in-app reporting system

B. MEETING OTHER USERS

• Grid facilitates connections between users but does not verify user identities or conduct background checks
• Users meet at their own risk and are solely responsible for their personal safety
• We strongly recommend meeting in public places and informing trusted contacts of your plans
• HyperLocal Social Inc is not responsible for any interactions, meetings, or relationships between users
• Users assume all risks associated with meeting people through the platform

C. CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND HARM

• HyperLocal Social Inc is not liable for any criminal acts, violence, harassment, or harm between users
• This includes but is not limited to assault, robbery, sexual assault, murder, or any other criminal activity
• Users are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others
• We cooperate fully with law enforcement investigations but cannot prevent criminal behavior
• Report criminal activity to local authorities immediately, then to our safety team

D. PROHIBITED CONTENT AND BEHAVIOR

• Any illegal content including child sexual abuse material (CSAM) results in immediate account termination and law enforcement reporting
• Users who share, request, or possess illegal content will be permanently banned and reported to authorities
• Harassment, stalking, threats, or intimidation may result in account suspension and law enforcement referral
• We use automated and manual content moderation but cannot guarantee prevention of all harmful content

21. PLATFORM LIABILITY AND SECTION 230 PROTECTIONS

• Grid is an interactive computer service under 47 U.S.C. § 230
• HyperLocal Social Inc is not liable for user-generated content or user actions under federal law
• We act in good faith to remove illegal content but cannot monitor all user activity
• Users, not the platform, are responsible for their content and actions
• This protection applies to all user interactions, meetings, and relationships formed through the platform

22. APPLE APP STORE SPECIFIC TERMS

A. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

You acknowledge that this End-User License Agreement (EULA) is concluded between you and HyperLocal Social Inc only, and not with Apple, Inc. (Apple). HyperLocal Social Inc, not Apple, is solely responsible for the Grid application and the content thereof. This EULA does not provide for usage rules that conflict with the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions.

B. SCOPE OF LICENSE

The license granted to you for Grid is limited to a non-transferable license to use Grid on any Apple-branded products that you own or control and as permitted by the Usage Rules set forth in the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions. Grid may be accessed and used by other accounts associated with you via Family Sharing or volume purchasing.

C. MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

HyperLocal Social Inc is solely responsible for providing any maintenance and support services with respect to Grid, as specified in this EULA or as required under applicable law. You acknowledge that Apple has no obligation whatsoever to furnish any maintenance and support services with respect to Grid.

D. WARRANTY

HyperLocal Social Inc is solely responsible for any product warranties, whether express or implied by law, to the extent not effectively disclaimed. In the event of any failure of Grid to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple will refund the purchase price for Grid to you (if any). To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Apple will have no other warranty obligation whatsoever with respect to Grid, and any other claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses attributable to any failure to conform to any warranty will be the sole responsibility of HyperLocal Social Inc

E. PRODUCT CLAIMS

You and HyperLocal Social Inc acknowledge that HyperLocal Social Inc, not Apple, is responsible for addressing any claims by you or any third party relating to Grid or your possession and/or use of Grid, including, but not limited to: (i) product liability claims; (ii) any claim that Grid fails to conform to any applicable legal or regulatory requirement; and (iii) claims arising under consumer protection, privacy, or similar legislation, including in connection with Grid's use of location services and HealthKit/HomeKit frameworks (if applicable). This EULA does not limit HyperLocal Social Inc's liability to you beyond what is permitted by applicable law.

F. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

You and HyperLocal Social Inc acknowledge that, in the event of any third party claim that Grid or your possession and use of Grid infringes that third party's intellectual property rights, HyperLocal Social Inc, not Apple, will be solely responsible for the investigation, defense, settlement and discharge of any such intellectual property infringement claim.

G. LEGAL COMPLIANCE

You represent and warrant that (i) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. Government embargo, or that has been designated by the U.S. Government as a "terrorist supporting" country; and (ii) you are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties.

H. THIRD PARTY TERMS OF AGREEMENT

You must comply with applicable third party terms of agreement when using Grid. For example, if Grid uses location services, you must not be in violation of your wireless data service agreement when using Grid.

I. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY

You and HyperLocal Social Inc acknowledge and agree that Apple, and Apple's subsidiaries, are third party beneficiaries of this EULA, and that, upon your acceptance of the terms and conditions of this EULA, Apple will have the right (and will be deemed to have accepted the right) to enforce this EULA against you as a third party beneficiary thereof.