Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

1.1 Binding Agreement

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Sitocrats, operating under the brand name "YaraCircle" ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), a company incorporated and operating under the laws of India, governing your access to and use of the YaraCircle website (yaracircle.com), mobile applications, and all related services, features, content, and functionality (collectively, the "Service").

1.2 Acceptance

BY ACCESSING, BROWSING, OR USING THE SERVICE IN ANY MANNER -- INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO VISITING THE WEBSITE, CREATING AN ACCOUNT, USING GUEST MODE, SENDING OR RECEIVING MESSAGES, POSTING WHISPERS, PARTICIPATING IN GROUPS, USING VOICE OR VIDEO CALLS, INTERACTING WITH YARA AI, OR SUBSCRIBING TO PREMIUM FEATURES -- YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS IN THEIR ENTIRETY, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY CEASE ALL USE OF THE SERVICE.

1.3 Supplementary Policies

These Terms apply to all visitors, users, guests, and others who access or use the Service worldwide. Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Cookie Policy, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and any supplementary policy, these Terms shall prevail unless the supplementary policy expressly states otherwise.

1.4 Electronic Communications Consent

By using the Service, you consent to receive electronic communications from us, including but not limited to emails, push notifications (via Firebase Cloud Messaging or web push), in-app messages, and SMS (if you provide a phone number). You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. You may manage your notification preferences through your account settings, but certain transactional and legal notifications cannot be opted out of while you maintain an account.

2. Eligibility and Age Requirements

2.1 Tiered Age Requirements

YaraCircle employs a tiered age system with age-appropriate access to features:

2.2 Content Maturity Ratings

Certain content on YaraCircle (particularly Whispers) uses a maturity rating system:

• Everyone: Suitable for all ages. Visible to all users aged 13 and older.
• Teen: May contain mild themes. Visible only to users aged 16 and older.
• Mature: Adult content. Visible only to users aged 18 and older, displayed behind a content warning overlay.

Users may only post content at maturity levels appropriate for their age. Attempting to circumvent content maturity restrictions is a violation of these Terms.

2.3 Age Verification

We collect your date of birth during registration to verify your age and provide age-appropriate access to features. By providing your date of birth, you represent and warrant under penalty of applicable law that the information is accurate. Misrepresenting your age is a material violation of these Terms and may result in immediate and permanent account termination, forfeiture of any paid subscription without refund, and potential legal action. We reserve the right to request additional proof of age at any time, including government-issued identification, and to suspend or terminate accounts where age verification cannot be satisfactorily completed.

2.4 General Eligibility

By using the Service, you represent and warrant that:

• You meet the minimum age requirement for your account type (13 for registered accounts, 18 for guest access)
• You have the legal capacity and authority to enter into a binding agreement (or, if you are a minor aged 13–17, that your parent or legal guardian has reviewed and consents to these Terms on your behalf)
• You are not prohibited from using the Service under the laws of India or any applicable jurisdiction
• You have not been previously banned, removed, or suspended from the Service
• You will not use the Service for any illegal, unauthorized, or prohibited purpose
• Your use of the Service will not violate any applicable law, regulation, or ordinance in your jurisdiction
• You are not located in a country that is subject to a Government of India embargo or sanctions
• You are not listed on any Government of India or international list of prohibited or restricted parties

2.5 Parental Responsibility for Minor Users

If you are a parent or legal guardian of a user aged 13–17, you are responsible for supervising your child's use of the Service and ensuring they comply with these Terms. By allowing your child to use the Service, you agree to these Terms on their behalf and accept responsibility for their activity on the platform. We encourage parents to review their child's privacy settings and discuss online safety practices.

2.6 Compliance with Child Safety Laws

YaraCircle does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. Users under 13 are blocked from creating accounts on the platform entirely. If we discover that an account belongs to a user under 13, we will immediately terminate the account and permanently delete all associated data. If you become aware that a person under 13 is using the Service, please report it immediately to safety@yaracircle.com. This policy complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provisions on children's data, the Indian Information Technology Act, 2000, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO).

3. Guest Access

YaraCircle offers a guest mode that allows users to access limited stranger chat features without creating an account. Guest access is subject to the following terms:

• Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to use guest mode. By entering guest mode, you affirm that you meet this requirement.
• Limited Features: Guest users can access stranger chat and view Whispers (read-only). Creating Whispers, friend lists, groups, Daily Pulse, Sparks, Yara AI companion, voice/video calls, profile features, settings, and subscriptions require account registration.
• Session Duration: Guest sessions are temporary and may expire after a period of inactivity as determined by us.
• No Data Persistence: Chat history and preferences are not permanently saved for guest users. We make no guarantee of data retention for guest sessions.
• Same Rules Apply: All Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, and prohibited conduct rules apply equally to guest users. Violation may result in IP-level restrictions.
• Upgrade Path: You may convert a guest session to a registered account. Any data from the guest session may or may not be preserved at our discretion.

4. Account Registration and Security

4.1 Registration

To access the full range of Service features, you must create a registered account. When you create an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration, including your true date of birth
• Maintain and promptly update your account information to keep it accurate and complete
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials
• Accept full responsibility for all activities that occur under your account, whether or not authorized by you
• Notify us immediately at support@yaracircle.com of any unauthorized use or security breach
• Not share your account credentials with any third party
• Not create multiple accounts for deceptive, abusive, or fraudulent purposes
• Not create accounts using automated methods, bots, or scripts

4.2 Google OAuth Login

You may register or log in using Google OAuth. By using Google login, you authorize us to access certain information from your Google account as described in our Privacy Policy. Your use of Google OAuth is also subject to Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. We are not responsible for Google's availability, security practices, or handling of your data. If your Google account is compromised, your YaraCircle account may also be at risk; this is not our responsibility.

4.3 Email Verification

Email verification is required to fully activate your account and access all features. Unverified accounts may have limited functionality until email verification is completed.

4.4 Account Suspension and Termination by Us

We reserve the right to suspend, disable, or permanently terminate any account at our sole discretion, without prior notice or liability, for any reason including but not limited to violation of these Terms, suspected fraudulent activity, requests from law enforcement, or extended inactivity.

5. Description of Service and Features

YaraCircle is a social communication platform that provides the following features, each subject to the specific terms and disclaimers set forth below and throughout these Terms:

5.1 Stranger Chat (Connect) — 18+ Only

Anonymous one-on-one matching with other users based on shared interests. Stranger chat is restricted to users aged 18 and older. Before your first stranger chat session, you must actively confirm that you are 18 or older and agree to the Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy. Voice calls in stranger chat are audio-only; video calls are not available in stranger sessions. You acknowledge that you will be matched with strangers whose identity, age, location, and intentions we cannot verify. You interact with strangers entirely at your own risk. We do not monitor real-time conversations and cannot be held responsible for any content exchanged, any harm arising from such interactions, or any offline meetings that may result. You should never share personally identifiable information (real name, address, phone number, financial information) with strangers.

5.2 Friends System

Persistent encrypted messaging with users you have mutually added as friends. Messages are encrypted at rest with friend-specific encryption contexts. Friend connections are made at your own discretion and risk. We do not vet, verify, or endorse any user.

5.3 Groups

Users may create and join topic-based communities with group chat functionality. Group creators and administrators are responsible for moderating their groups. We provide tools for moderation but assume no obligation to monitor group content. Groups that violate these Terms or Community Guidelines may be removed without notice.

5.4 Voice and Video Calls

Voice and video calling powered by WebRTC peer-to-peer technology. Calls are available to registered users only — guest users cannot make or receive calls. Friend-to-friend calls support both audio and video. Stranger chat calls are audio-only (video is blocked). We do not record, store, or process call media — the server handles signaling only. You acknowledge that: (a) call quality depends on your internet connection, device, and network conditions, which are outside our control; (b) we do not guarantee uninterrupted, secure, or error-free calls; (c) you are responsible for ensuring that your use of voice and video features complies with all applicable recording consent laws in your jurisdiction; (d) you must not record, screenshot, or capture calls without the explicit consent of all participants; (e) we are not responsible for any content transmitted during calls; and (f) call metadata (duration, participants, timestamps) may be logged for service improvement and safety purposes.

5.5 Whispers

An anonymous posting feature allowing registered users aged 13 and older to publish short-form content with hashtags, reactions, and replies. Users under 13 are blocked from Whispers entirely. Whispers use a content maturity rating system: "Everyone" (visible to ages 13+), "Teen" (visible to ages 16+), and "Mature" (visible to ages 18+, shown behind a content warning overlay). You may only post content at a maturity level appropriate for your age. Guest users may view Whispers but cannot create, edit, react to, bookmark, reply to, or report them.

Although Whispers are displayed anonymously to other users, you acknowledge and agree that: (a) Whispers are not truly anonymous to us — we maintain internal records linking Whispers to user accounts; (b) we may deanonymize and disclose the identity of a Whisper author to law enforcement, regulatory authorities, or courts in response to valid legal process, court orders, or where we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to prevent imminent harm, comply with applicable law, or protect our legal rights; (c) all Whispers are subject to our content moderation policies and may be removed without notice; (d) you are fully responsible for the content of your Whispers and may be held legally liable for defamatory, illegal, or harmful content even if posted anonymously; (e) the anonymity feature is a user experience choice, not a legal shield.

5.6 Daily Pulse

Daily prompts with community answers and streak-tracking features, available to registered users only (guests are excluded). Individual prompts may have additional age restrictions. Under-18 participants receive reduced profile exposure in challenges (displayed as "Someone" with no avatar to protect minor privacy). Prompts are created by us and are intended for entertainment and social engagement only. User responses to prompts constitute User Content governed by Section 9. Streaks and participation metrics are tracked at our discretion and may be reset, modified, or discontinued at any time without notice or compensation.

5.7 Sparks

Personality-driven icebreakers and challenges designed to facilitate social interactions. Sparks content and features may be modified or discontinued at any time. Any personality assessments, compatibility indicators, or matching suggestions provided through Sparks are for entertainment purposes only and do not constitute psychological, professional, or scientific assessments.

5.8 Discover Feed

A curated feed of trending content, user posts, and community activity. Content appearing in the Discover feed is algorithmically selected and does not represent our endorsement, recommendation, or verification. We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or legality of any content displayed in the Discover feed.

5.9 User Profiles

Users may create profiles with display names, bios, interests, badges, and profile pictures. Profile information is visible to other users as determined by your privacy settings. You are solely responsible for the content of your profile and represent that it does not infringe any third-party rights. Profile pictures are uploaded to and stored in Cloudflare R2 with encryption and are subject to our media policies.

5.10 Reviews

Users may submit reviews of the platform, which may be featured by our admin team. By submitting a review, you grant us an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, and modify your review for promotional, marketing, and operational purposes. We reserve the right to select, edit, or decline to feature any review at our sole discretion.

6. Yara AI Companion -- Disclaimers and Limitations

6.1 Nature of Yara AI

Yara is an AI companion feature powered by third-party artificial intelligence technology (currently Anthropic's Claude). Yara is designed for casual conversation, entertainment, and general engagement. Yara is not a licensed professional of any kind.

6.2 No Professional Advice

Yara AI responses do NOT constitute and must NOT be treated as:

• Medical, health, or mental health advice or diagnosis
• Legal advice or legal opinions
• Financial, investment, or tax advice
• Psychological counseling, therapy, or crisis intervention
• Professional advice of any kind whatsoever
• Emergency or safety guidance

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, mental health crisis, or any situation requiring professional assistance, contact appropriate emergency services (112 in India, 911 in the US, or your local emergency number) immediately. Do not rely on Yara AI in any emergency.

6.3 AI Limitations and Hallucinations

You acknowledge and agree that:

• AI models can and do produce inaccurate, fabricated, or misleading information (commonly known as "hallucinations")
• Yara may generate responses that appear confident and authoritative but are factually incorrect
• Yara may produce biased, offensive, or inappropriate content despite safety measures
• Yara does not have access to real-time information, current events, or your personal records
• Yara's responses are generated algorithmically and do not reflect the views, opinions, or endorsement of Sitocrats or YaraCircle
• We make no warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or fitness for purpose of any AI-generated content
• Any reliance on AI-generated content is entirely at your own risk

6.4 Crisis Detection

Yara AI includes an automated crisis detection system. When messages contain keywords or phrases indicating potential self-harm or suicidal ideation (e.g., "kill myself," "suicide," "self-harm," "want to die"), the system will automatically provide a pre-written crisis response containing local and international helpline numbers and support resources instead of a standard AI-generated response. This feature is designed as a safety measure and does not constitute professional crisis intervention. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact your local emergency services (112 in India, 988 in the US) immediately.

6.5 AI Data and Conversations

Conversations with Yara AI may be logged, stored, and analyzed for the purposes of improving the Service, ensuring safety, and complying with legal obligations. Your AI conversations may be processed by our third-party AI provider (currently Anthropic) subject to their terms of service and data processing policies. Under our data processing agreement with Anthropic, your conversations are not used to train Anthropic's AI models. Do not share sensitive personal information, financial details, passwords, or confidential information in AI conversations.

6.6 Limitation of AI Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SITOCRATS AND YARACIRCLE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES, HARM, OR ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF OR RELIANCE ON YARA AI, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES ARISING FROM INACCURATE INFORMATION, HALLUCINATED CONTENT, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS FROM AI INTERACTIONS, OR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN BASED ON AI-GENERATED CONTENT.

7. Nature of Service and User Responsibility

YaraCircle is a platform that enables communication between users, including anonymous communication. WE DO NOT CONTROL, ENDORSE, VERIFY, OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY CONTENT, COMMUNICATION, OR CONDUCT OF USERS ON THE PLATFORM.

8. Platform Immunity, Intermediary Status, and Safe Harbor

8.1 Intermediary Status under Indian Law

8.2 Safe Harbor under International Laws

To the extent applicable in other jurisdictions where our Service is accessed:

• United States: Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. Section 230), interactive computer service providers are not treated as the publisher or speaker of information provided by third-party users.
• European Union: Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) and E-Commerce Directive, we operate as a hosting service provider and benefit from the conditional liability exemptions for intermediaries.
• Other jurisdictions: We claim the benefit of all applicable intermediary safe harbor, immunity, or liability exemption provisions under local law.

8.3 What This Means

You acknowledge and agree that:

• We are not the creator, author, publisher, or endorser of any user-generated content
• We have no duty to pre-screen, monitor, edit, or remove user content, although we may do so in our discretion
• We are not liable for any content posted by users, including defamatory, offensive, illegal, or infringing content
• We cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, legality, or authenticity of any user content
• Any content moderation action taken by us is at our sole discretion and does not create a duty or obligation to take similar action in any other case
• Our choice to moderate some content does not make us a publisher of all content on the platform

8.4 Assumption of Risk

8.5 Release of Claims

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE SITOCRATS, YARACIRCLE, and their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, partners, and licensors from any and all claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, liabilities, and causes of action of every kind and nature, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with:

• Any dispute between you and one or more users of the Service
• Any act or omission of any user, including illegal, harmful, or tortious conduct
• Any content posted, transmitted, or made available through the Service by any user
• Any meeting or interaction with other users, whether online or offline
• Any reliance on information or representations made by other users or by Yara AI
• Any content in Whispers, groups, the Discover feed, Daily Pulse, or Sparks
• Any voice or video call content or quality issues

8.6 No Duty to Monitor

We have no obligation to monitor user content or conduct. However, we reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to monitor, screen, filter, edit, block, refuse, or remove any content at any time and for any reason without notice. We may use automated systems, AI-based moderation tools, and human review. Any such monitoring or moderation does not create a duty or obligation to take any other action or to monitor all content.

8.7 Compliance with IT Intermediary Rules, 2021

In accordance with the IT Intermediary Rules, 2021, we:

• Publish these Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Community Guidelines prominently
• Inform users that content violating these Terms is prohibited
• Provide mechanisms for users to report violations (in-app reporting and email)
• Appoint a Grievance Officer as required under Rule 4
• Acknowledge complaints within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days (or such period as prescribed)
• Remove or disable access to unlawful content upon receiving actual knowledge or upon order from a court or appropriate government authority
• Cooperate with authorized government agencies for law enforcement purposes
• Retain information as required under applicable laws and rules

8.8 Reporting Illegal Activity

We take illegal activity seriously and cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies, courts, and government authorities. If you encounter illegal content or conduct on our Service, please report it immediately using our in-app reporting tools or by emailing safety@yaracircle.com. We reserve the right to report suspected illegal activity to appropriate authorities, preserve evidence, and disclose user information (including deanonymizing anonymous content such as Whispers) as required by law, court order, or as we deem necessary to protect the safety of our users, the public, or our legal rights.

9. User Content, License Grant, and Content Moderation

9.1 Definition of User Content

"User Content" means all content that you submit, post, upload, transmit, display, or otherwise make available through the Service, including but not limited to: text messages, chat messages, Whispers, group messages, Daily Pulse responses, Sparks content, profile information (bio, display name, interests), profile pictures, voice and video call transmissions, reviews, reactions, replies, hashtags, and any other content or materials.

9.2 Ownership

You retain ownership of your original User Content. However, by submitting User Content to the Service, you grant us the licenses described in Section 9.3 below.

9.3 License Grant to YaraCircle

By submitting, posting, or transmitting User Content through the Service, you hereby grant Sitocrats and YaraCircle a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable, irrevocable, and perpetual license to:

• Use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, publicly perform, and publicly display your User Content
• Store, cache, process, and transmit your User Content in connection with operating the Service
• Use your User Content for service improvement, analytics, safety, machine learning model training, and research purposes
• Use your User Content (including reviews, Whispers, and Daily Pulse responses) for promotional, marketing, and advertising purposes
• Sublicense the above rights to our service providers, partners, and affiliates as necessary to operate the Service

This license continues even after you stop using the Service or delete your account, to the extent that your content has been shared with others, cached, or otherwise distributed, or to the extent required for legitimate business or legal purposes. For content that has not been shared or distributed, the license terminates within a commercially reasonable time after account deletion, subject to our data retention policies and legal obligations.

9.4 Representations and Warranties

By submitting User Content, you represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights, licenses, consents, and permissions to use and authorize us to use your User Content as described herein
• Your User Content does not infringe, misappropriate, or violate any third party's intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or other rights
• Your User Content does not violate any applicable law, regulation, or these Terms
• Your User Content does not contain viruses, malware, or other harmful code

9.5 Waiver of Moral Rights

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you waive any and all moral rights you may have in your User Content, including rights of attribution and integrity.

9.6 Content Moderation and Removal

We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to review, screen, filter, moderate, edit, refuse, or remove any User Content at our sole discretion, at any time, for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you. Reasons for content removal may include but are not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms or Community Guidelines
• Receipt of a valid complaint, takedown notice, or court order
• Content flagged by automated moderation systems
• Content reported by other users
• Content we determine, in our sole judgment, may expose us to liability
• Any other reason at our sole discretion

We do not endorse any User Content and expressly disclaim any and all liability in connection with User Content. You understand that by using the Service, you may be exposed to User Content that is offensive, indecent, or objectionable.

10. Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to engage in any of the following prohibited conduct on any part of the Service (including stranger chat, friend messaging, groups, Whispers, Daily Pulse, Sparks, voice/video calls, Discover feed, AI companion, profiles, and reviews):

10.1 Harmful Conduct

• Harass, abuse, stalk, threaten, defame, bully, or intimidate any person
• Engage in hate speech, discrimination, or incitement of violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic
• Encourage self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, or dangerous activities
• Dox or publish another person's private information without consent
• Engage in sextortion, blackmail, or coercion
• Groom, solicit, or exploit minors in any way

10.2 Illegal Content and Activity

• Share, request, create, or distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or any sexually explicit content involving minors
• Promote terrorism, violent extremism, or radicalization
• Facilitate drug trafficking, weapons sales, or other illegal transactions
• Engage in fraud, phishing, scamming, or financial exploitation
• Violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation

10.3 Deceptive Conduct

• Impersonate any person, entity, or brand, or falsely represent your affiliation with any person or entity
• Create fake profiles or multiple accounts for deceptive purposes
• Misrepresent your age, identity, gender, or location
• Spread misinformation or disinformation that could cause real-world harm
• Use deepfakes, manipulated media, or AI-generated content to deceive others

10.4 Spam and Commercial Abuse

• Send spam, unsolicited messages, chain messages, or promotional content
• Engage in unauthorized commercial solicitation, advertising, or marketing
• Promote external services, products, or websites without authorization
• Use the Service for unauthorized commercial purposes

10.5 Technical Abuse

• Use automated systems, bots, scrapers, crawlers, or data mining tools to access the Service
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service, other accounts, computer systems, or networks
• Transmit viruses, worms, malware, ransomware, or any harmful or malicious code
• Interfere with, disrupt, or create an undue burden on the Service or connected networks
• Circumvent, disable, or interfere with security features, rate limiting, content moderation, or any technical measures
• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or attempt to derive the source code of the Service
• Exploit bugs, vulnerabilities, or errors in the Service for personal gain or to cause harm
• Use VPNs, proxies, or other tools to circumvent geographic restrictions, bans, or age verification

10.6 Feature-Specific Prohibitions

• Stranger Chat: Do not share personal contact information, solicit meetings, or engage in explicit sexual content
• Whispers: Do not use anonymity to defame, harass, threaten, or bully specific individuals; do not post content targeting real people by name
• Groups: Group creators must not use groups for illegal activities, hate groups, or coordinated harassment
• Voice/Video Calls: Do not record, screenshot, or broadcast calls without consent of all participants; do not expose yourself or engage in sexual conduct on camera
• Yara AI: Do not attempt to jailbreak, manipulate, or circumvent AI safety measures; do not use AI to generate illegal, harmful, or abusive content
• Profiles: Do not use copyrighted images, impersonate others, or include prohibited content in profiles
• Daily Pulse / Sparks: Do not use prompts or challenges to bully, discriminate, or harass others

11. Copyright Policy, DMCA, and Intellectual Property

11.1 Respect for Intellectual Property

We respect the intellectual property rights of others and expect our users to do the same. You may not upload, share, transmit, or otherwise make available any content that infringes the copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property rights of any third party.

11.2 DMCA Takedown Notice (US Users)

If you believe that your copyrighted work has been copied and is accessible on the Service in a way that constitutes copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), please provide our designated Copyright Agent with a written notification containing:

• A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf
• Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed
• Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing, with sufficient information to locate it on the Service
• Your contact information (name, address, telephone number, and email address)
• A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner

11.3 Copyright Takedown (India and Other Jurisdictions)

For users outside the United States, or where the DMCA does not apply, you may submit a copyright infringement complaint by providing substantially similar information to that listed in Section 11.2 above, adapted to comply with the copyright laws of your jurisdiction. Under Indian law, copyright infringement complaints should reference the Indian Copyright Act, 1957.

11.4 Counter-Notification

If you believe that content you posted was removed by mistake or misidentification, you may submit a counter-notification to our Copyright Agent. Your counter-notification must include all information required under applicable law (DMCA Section 512(g) for US users). Filing a false counter-notification may subject you to legal liability.

11.5 Repeat Infringer Policy

In accordance with the DMCA and other applicable laws, we have adopted a policy of terminating, in appropriate circumstances and at our sole discretion, the accounts of users who are deemed to be repeat infringers. We may also limit access to the Service or terminate the accounts of users who infringe any intellectual property rights of others, whether or not there is any repeat infringement.

11.6 YaraCircle Intellectual Property

The Service and its entire contents, features, and functionality -- including but not limited to all software, code, algorithms, text, displays, images, video, audio, the design, selection, and arrangement thereof, the YaraCircle name, logo, brand elements, "Yara" AI character and persona, "Whispers," "Daily Pulse," "Sparks," and all other trademarks, service marks, and trade names -- are owned by Sitocrats, its licensors, or other providers of such material and are protected by copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to access and use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use, subject to these Terms. This license does not include the right to: (a) modify, copy, distribute, or create derivative works based on the Service; (b) use data mining, robots, or similar data gathering methods; (c) download (other than page caching) any portion of the Service; or (d) use the Service for any commercial purpose. Any unauthorized use terminates this license automatically.

12. Premium Subscription and Payments

12.1 Subscription Plans

YaraCircle offers a premium subscription tier ("YaraCircle Premium") that provides enhanced features. The current subscription price is $9.99 USD per month, subject to change as described in Section 12.5. Premium features, pricing, and availability may vary by region.

12.2 Billing and Auto-Renewal

Premium subscriptions are billed in advance on a recurring monthly basis. BY SUBSCRIBING, YOU EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZE US (THROUGH OUR PAYMENT PROCESSOR, STRIPE) TO CHARGE YOUR PAYMENT METHOD AUTOMATICALLY ON A RECURRING BASIS UNTIL YOU CANCEL. Each billing cycle will automatically renew unless you cancel before the end of the current billing period. You are responsible for keeping your payment method current and valid.

12.3 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings or by contacting us at support@yaracircle.com. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. You will retain access to premium features until the end of the period you have already paid for.

12.4 Refund Policy

12.5 Price Changes

We reserve the right to change subscription prices at any time. We will provide you with at least 30 days' notice before any price increase takes effect. Price changes will take effect at the start of the next billing period following the notice period. Your continued use of the premium subscription after a price change constitutes acceptance of the new price. If you do not agree to a price increase, you must cancel your subscription before the new price takes effect.

12.6 Payment Processing by Stripe

All payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. ("Stripe"), a third-party payment processor. By making a payment, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. We do not store your full credit card number or CVV on our servers. We are not responsible for any errors, failures, delays, or security breaches arising from Stripe's payment processing services.

12.7 Taxes

Subscription fees are exclusive of applicable taxes (including GST, VAT, sales tax, and other government-imposed charges). You are responsible for all applicable taxes in your jurisdiction. We may collect and remit taxes where required by law.

12.8 Free Trials

We may offer free trial periods at our discretion. At the end of a free trial, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid subscription unless you cancel before the trial ends. Only one free trial per user is permitted.

13. Media Upload and Storage

13.1 Profile Pictures and Media

You may upload profile pictures and other media to the Service. Uploaded media is stored in Cloudflare R2 with encryption. By uploading media, you grant us all rights necessary to store, process, display, and distribute that media in connection with the Service.

13.2 Content Scanning

We reserve the right to scan, analyze, and review uploaded media for violations of these Terms, including but not limited to detecting CSAM, malware, copyright-infringing material, or other prohibited content. We may use automated tools and third-party services for this purpose.

13.3 Storage Limitations

We may impose limits on media file sizes, formats, and total storage per user. We reserve the right to delete uploaded media that violates these Terms or that has been associated with terminated accounts, subject to our data retention obligations.

14. Referral Program and Badges

14.1 Referral Program

YaraCircle may offer a referral program allowing you to invite others and earn rewards. Referral program terms:

• Referrals are only counted when the invited user creates an account, verifies their email, and meets applicable completion criteria
• You may not use spam, misleading advertising, paid advertising, or deceptive practices to generate referrals
• Self-referrals (creating multiple accounts) are prohibited and may result in permanent account termination
• We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the referral program at any time without notice
• Referral rewards may be revoked for fraudulent or abusive activity

14.2 Badges

YaraCircle may award badges based on criteria we determine. Badges are non-transferable, non-monetary, confer no special privileges unless explicitly stated, remain our property, and may be revoked at our sole discretion. Limited badges (such as Founding Member) are subject to availability and approval.

15. Reports, Blocks, and User Safety Controls

15.1 Reporting

You may report users, content, or conduct that violates these Terms or Community Guidelines using our in-app reporting tools or by emailing safety@yaracircle.com. We will review reports and take action as we deem appropriate in our sole discretion. Filing false, frivolous, or abusive reports is itself a violation of these Terms.

15.2 Blocking

You may block other users to prevent them from contacting you or viewing your content. Blocking is a user-level action and does not guarantee complete invisibility or prevention of all indirect interactions (e.g., in group settings or public Whispers).

15.3 No Guarantee of Safety

While we provide reporting and blocking tools, we do not and cannot guarantee your safety on the platform. You are ultimately responsible for your own safety and for the information you choose to share with others.

16. Disclaimers and Warranties

17. Limitation of Liability

18. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Sitocrats, YaraCircle, and their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, partners, suppliers, licensors, and successors from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, debts, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees, expert fees, and litigation costs) arising from or relating to:

• Your use of and access to the Service
• Your violation of any provision of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or data protection rights
• Your violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation, or order in any jurisdiction
• Any User Content you submit, post, transmit, or make available through the Service, including Whispers, group messages, and reviews
• Any claim that your User Content caused damage to a third party
• Any interaction between you and any other user of the Service, whether online or offline
• Your misrepresentation of your age, identity, or eligibility
• Any unauthorized use of your account, whether or not you authorized such use
• Any claim arising from your use of voice or video call features

This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these Terms, your account, and your use of the Service. We reserve the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter for which you are required to indemnify us, and you agree to cooperate with our defense of such claims.

19. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

19.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution proceeding, you agree to first contact us at legal@yaracircle.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days. Most disputes can be resolved informally through good-faith negotiation.

19.2 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, you and Sitocrats (operating as YaraCircle) agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Service, or the relationship between us shall be resolved by binding individual arbitration conducted under the rules of the Indian Council of Arbitration or such other arbitration institution as mutually agreed. The seat of arbitration shall be India. The language of arbitration shall be English. The arbitrator's decision shall be final, binding, and enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.

19.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND SITOCRATS AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, REPRESENTATIVE, OR COLLECTIVE ACTION. Unless both you and we agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of class or representative proceeding.

19.4 Exceptions to Arbitration

Either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction for infringement or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights, breach of confidentiality obligations, or other matters where injunctive relief is appropriate. Small claims court actions (within the jurisdictional limits of such courts) are also excluded from the arbitration requirement.

19.5 Opt-Out

You may opt out of the arbitration agreement by sending written notice to legal@yaracircle.com with "Arbitration Opt-Out" in the subject line within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your opt-out notice must include your full name, account email, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out. If you opt out, the Governing Law and Jurisdiction provisions in Section 20 will apply.

19.6 GDPR and EU Dispute Resolution

If you are a resident of the European Union and the arbitration clause is deemed unenforceable under EU consumer protection law, nothing in this section limits your right to bring proceedings in the courts of your country of residence or to lodge a complaint with your local data protection supervisory authority for matters relating to the processing of your personal data.

20. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

20.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, including but not limited to the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended), the IT Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

20.2 Jurisdiction

To the extent that any lawsuit or court proceeding is permitted under these Terms (including where arbitration does not apply), you and Sitocrats agree to submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the courts located in India. You waive any objection to jurisdiction, venue, or inconvenient forum.

20.3 Limitation Period

You agree that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to use of the Service or these Terms must be filed within ONE (1) YEAR after such claim or cause of action arose, or be forever barred, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

20.4 International Users

The Service is operated from India. If you access the Service from outside India, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with all applicable local laws. We make no representations that the Service is appropriate, available, or compliant with laws in any particular location outside India. You agree not to access the Service from any territory where its contents are illegal or where your use would be unlawful.

21. Privacy and Data Protection

21.1 Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, storage, and disclosure of your personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Service, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.

21.2 GDPR Rights (EU/EEA Users)

If you are located in the European Union or European Economic Area, you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing, data portability, and object to processing of your personal data. These rights are described in detail in our Privacy Policy. Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under the GDPR or other applicable data protection laws. To exercise your GDPR rights, contact us at legal@yaracircle.com.

21.3 Indian Data Protection

We process personal data in compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the IT (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (to the extent in force). Our Privacy Policy details our data handling practices.

21.4 California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including:

• Right to Know: You may request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
• Right to Delete: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to Correct: You may request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Right to Opt-Out of Sale/Sharing: We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA/CPRA rights.

To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at legal@yaracircle.com with the subject line "CCPA Request." We will verify your identity before processing your request and respond within 45 days (extendable by an additional 45 days with notice). For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

21.5 Data Export

You may request a full JSON download of all your personal data through your account settings or by contacting us. A 30-day cooldown applies between export requests to prevent abuse. Your export will include your profile data, messages, whispers, reactions, bookmarks, and other account-related information. This right supports data portability under GDPR (Article 20), CCPA, and DPDPA.

21.6 Data Retention and Deletion

We retain your data as described in our Privacy Policy. You may request deletion of your account and personal data by contacting us or using account settings. We offer both a 30-day soft delete (with grace period for account restoration) and an immediate permanent deletion option (see Section 25.2). Upon account deletion, we will delete or anonymize your personal data within a commercially reasonable timeframe, subject to our legal obligations to retain certain data (e.g., for law enforcement cooperation, financial records, dispute resolution, or fraud prevention). Content that has been shared with others (e.g., group messages, Whispers that have been viewed) may persist in anonymized form.

22. Third-Party Services and Links

22.1 Third-Party Service Providers

The Service integrates with and relies upon various third-party services, including but not limited to:

• Stripe, Inc. -- Payment processing for subscriptions
• Google (Google OAuth) -- Authentication and social login
• Firebase (Google) -- Push notifications for mobile devices
• Anthropic -- AI technology powering Yara AI companion
• Cloudflare (R2) -- Media storage and content delivery
• Sentry -- Error tracking and monitoring

22.2 Third-Party Terms

Your interactions with these third-party services are governed by their respective terms of service and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the practices, policies, content, availability, or security of any third-party services. We do not endorse, warrant, or guarantee any third-party services and shall not be liable for any losses, damages, or harm arising from your use of or reliance on such services.

22.3 Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources. We provide these links for convenience only and do not endorse or assume any responsibility for the content, accuracy, privacy practices, or availability of any linked third-party site. Accessing third-party links is at your own risk.

22.4 No Liability for Third-Party Services

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY ACTS, OMISSIONS, ERRORS, INTERRUPTIONS, DATA BREACHES, OR FAILURES OF ANY THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDER USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SERVICE. IF A THIRD-PARTY SERVICE EXPERIENCES AN OUTAGE, DATA LOSS, SECURITY BREACH, OR OTHER ISSUE, WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY RESULTING DAMAGES TO YOU.

23. Real-Time Communication Risks

23.1 Socket.IO and Real-Time Features

The Service uses real-time communication technology (Socket.IO) for chat, notifications, presence indicators, and other live features. You acknowledge that:

• Real-time communications may experience delays, interruptions, or failures due to network conditions, server load, or other technical factors beyond our control
• Messages may not be delivered, may be delivered out of order, or may be delivered with delay
• Presence indicators (online/offline status) may not accurately reflect a user's actual status
• We do not guarantee real-time delivery, read receipts, or typing indicator accuracy

23.2 Stranger Chat Risks

Stranger chat connects you with unknown users in real-time. You acknowledge and accept the inherent risks of communicating with strangers online, including but not limited to exposure to inappropriate content, harassment, scams, catfishing, and other harmful conduct. We strongly recommend: (a) never sharing personal identifying information; (b) never sharing financial information; (c) never agreeing to meet strangers in person; (d) using the report and block features immediately if you encounter concerning behavior.

23.3 Voice and Video Call Risks

Voice and video calls use WebRTC peer-to-peer technology. You acknowledge that: (a) call quality is dependent on your network and device and is not guaranteed; (b) peer-to-peer connections may expose your IP address to other participants; (c) we are not responsible for any content transmitted during calls; (d) calls may be unexpectedly disconnected; (e) you must comply with all applicable wiretapping, eavesdropping, and recording consent laws in your jurisdiction and the jurisdiction of the other participants.

24. Push Notifications

The Service may send push notifications to your device through Firebase Cloud Messaging (mobile) or web push APIs (browser). By enabling notifications, you consent to receiving push notifications for new messages, friend requests, group activity, Whisper interactions, Daily Pulse reminders, and other Service-related updates. You may disable push notifications through your device settings or browser settings at any time, but this may impact your experience with the Service. We are not responsible for any notification delivery failures caused by your device settings, operating system, network conditions, or third-party notification service issues.

25. Account Termination and Deletion

25.1 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, at our sole discretion, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation:

• Breach of any provision of these Terms or Community Guidelines
• Requests by law enforcement or government agencies
• Suspected fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Unexpected technical or security issues or compromised accounts
• Extended periods of inactivity (as determined by us)
• Failure to verify age or eligibility when requested
• Discontinuance or material modification of the Service
• Any other reason at our sole discretion

25.2 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by using the account deletion feature in your settings or by contacting support@yaracircle.com. We offer two deletion options:

• Soft Delete (30-day grace period): Your account is deactivated and hidden from other users. During the 30-day grace period, you can restore your account by logging back in. After 30 days, your account and personal data are permanently deleted.
• Immediate Permanent Deletion: You may request immediate and irreversible deletion of your account and all associated personal data. This requires email confirmation and cannot be undone. Once confirmed, your data is permanently erased without a grace period.

Regardless of the deletion method chosen:

• Your access to the Service will be revoked
• Any active premium subscription will not be refunded for the remaining billing period
• Your profile, personal data, and account information will be deleted or anonymized in accordance with our Privacy Policy and data retention obligations
• Some content you posted (e.g., messages in group chats, Whispers viewed by others) may persist in anonymized or aggregated form
• We may retain certain data as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention, legal compliance)

25.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination (whether by you or us), your right to use the Service will immediately cease. All provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to: ownership and license provisions (Section 9.3), warranty disclaimers (Section 16), limitation of liability (Section 17), indemnification (Section 18), dispute resolution (Section 19), and any other provisions that by their nature are intended to survive.

26. Grievance Officer (India)

In accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, we have appointed a Grievance Officer to address your complaints and grievances regarding the Service, including complaints about content, privacy, or violations of these Terms.

If you wish to file a complaint regarding content that violates your rights, please provide: (a) your name and contact information; (b) a description of the content you believe violates your rights; (c) the location (URL or description) of the content on the Service; and (d) a statement explaining why the content should be removed.

27. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from any cause beyond our reasonable control ("Force Majeure Event"), including but not limited to: acts of God, natural disasters, war, armed conflict, terrorism, riots, civil unrest, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, earthquakes, epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19 and its variants), government-imposed lockdowns or restrictions, power outages, telecommunications failures, internet service disruptions, cyberattacks, DDoS attacks, acts of hackers, failure of third-party service providers (including hosting, cloud, and payment providers), labor disputes, shortages of materials or labor, and any other events beyond our reasonable control. During a Force Majeure Event, our obligations under these Terms will be suspended for the duration of the event.

28. Export Controls and Sanctions

You agree that you will not use, export, re-export, import, or transfer the Service in violation of any applicable export control or sanctions laws and regulations, including those of India, the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and any other applicable jurisdiction. You represent that you are not located in, a resident of, or a national of any country subject to comprehensive economic sanctions, and that you are not listed on any sanctioned party list.

29. Severability and Waiver

29.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal, and enforceable while preserving the original intent of the parties. If such modification is not possible, the provision shall be severed from these Terms. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions, which shall continue in full force and effect.

29.2 Waiver

No waiver of any term or provision of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term. Our failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by the waiving party to be effective.

30. Assignment

You may not assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms or any rights or obligations hereunder without our prior written consent. We may freely assign, transfer, or delegate these Terms and our rights and obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, without notice or consent, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate restructuring, or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. Any attempted assignment in violation of this section shall be null and void. Subject to the foregoing, these Terms shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

31. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, Cookie Policy, and any supplementary terms or policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Sitocrats (operating as YaraCircle) regarding the Service and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, regarding the Service. No oral or written representation, warranty, course of dealing, or trade usage not contained herein shall be binding on either party.

32. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify, amend, or replace these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of these Terms
• For material changes, we will make reasonable efforts to provide notice through one or more of: email notification, in-app notification, push notification, or a prominent notice on the Service
• What constitutes a "material change" will be determined at our sole discretion
• Changes take effect immediately upon posting unless we specify a later effective date

BY CONTINUING TO ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE AFTER ANY REVISIONS BECOME EFFECTIVE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE REVISED TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE NEW TERMS, YOU MUST STOP USING THE SERVICE AND DELETE YOUR ACCOUNT.

We encourage you to periodically review these Terms to stay informed of updates. Your continued use of the Service constitutes your acceptance of the then-current version of these Terms.

33. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about these Terms or the Service, please contact us using the appropriate channel: