Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to NewsVote. By accessing or using our platform (the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Description of Service

NewsVote is a community-driven news curation platform that allows users to:

• View and vote on news stories aggregated from various sources
• Compare and rank stories against each other
• Mark stories as "Headlines" by staking Ink (virtual currency)
• Earn Ink through participation and engagement
• Save and share stories with other users
• Report content that violates our guidelines

3. Account Registration

To use certain features, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Maintain the security of your account credentials
• Promptly update any changes to your information
• Accept responsibility for all activity under your account
• Not share your account with others or create multiple accounts

You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. By registering, you represent that you meet this age requirement.

4. Ink Virtual Currency

"Ink" is a virtual currency used within NewsVote. Important terms regarding Ink:

• No monetary value: Ink has no real-world monetary value and cannot be exchanged for cash
• Non-transferable: Ink cannot be transferred between accounts except through official features
• Earning: You earn Ink by voting, participating in comparisons, and other activities
• Spending: You can spend Ink to stake on Headlines and other features
• No refunds: Ink spent on features cannot be refunded
• Subject to change: We may modify Ink mechanics, values, or features at any time

We reserve the right to adjust, reset, or remove Ink balances to maintain system integrity, correct errors, or respond to abuse.

5. User Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Use the Service for any illegal purpose
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Post or share false, misleading, or deceptive content
• Manipulate voting or rankings through fraudulent means
• Create multiple accounts to game the system
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts without permission
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service
• Circumvent any security or access controls
• Impersonate other users or entities
• Collect or harvest user data without consent
• Use the Service to distribute spam or malware

6. Content Guidelines

NewsVote aggregates news from third-party sources. We do not create, endorse, or verify the accuracy of news content. Users should exercise their own judgment.

When contributing to the Service (votes, reports, suggestions), you agree:

• Not to submit content that is hateful, violent, or promotes harm
• Not to submit content that infringes on others' rights
• To use reporting features responsibly and in good faith
• That your contributions may be visible to other users

7. Content Moderation

We reserve the right to remove, hide, or modify any content that violates these Terms or our Community Guidelines. We may also:

• Suspend or terminate accounts that violate Terms
• Remove or adjust Ink earned through violations
• Block users from certain features
• Take action based on user reports

Moderation decisions are at our sole discretion. We are not obligated to provide notice or explanation for moderation actions, though we strive to be fair and transparent.

8. Intellectual Property

Our Property: The NewsVote platform, including its design, features, branding, and code, is owned by us and protected by intellectual property laws.

Third-Party Content: News articles, images, and other content from third-party sources remain the property of their respective owners. We aggregate and display this content under fair use principles.

Your Content: By submitting content (votes, reports, suggestions), you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use that content to operate and improve the Service.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

NewsVote contains links to third-party news sources and websites. We are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of these third parties. Clicking external links is at your own risk. We encourage you to review the privacy policies and terms of any third-party sites you visit.

10. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Accuracy, reliability, or completeness of news content
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation
• Security of data or communications

We do not guarantee that rankings, scores, or community votes represent objective truth or quality. Community opinion is subjective and may not reflect factual accuracy.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEWSVOTE AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill
• Actions or content of third parties
• Unauthorized access to your account

In no event shall our total liability exceed the amount you paid us (if any) in the 12 months preceding the claim.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless NewsVote and its affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of the Service, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any third-party rights.

13. Account Termination

By You: You may delete your account at any time through Profile settings. Account deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

By Us: We may suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Reasons may include violation of Terms, suspicious activity, or extended inactivity.

14. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the courts located in Delaware.

15. Dispute Resolution

Before filing any legal claim, you agree to first contact us and attempt to resolve the dispute informally. Most concerns can be quickly resolved through direct communication.

If informal resolution fails, any dispute shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, rather than in court. You waive your right to participate in class action lawsuits.

16. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated through the Service or via email. Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you disagree with changes, your remedy is to stop using the Service.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. The unenforceable provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and NewsVote regarding use of the Service. Any prior agreements or understandings are superseded.

19. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us: