General Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: 10.10.2024

Welcome to BuddyTalk. By accessing and using BuddyTalk, you agree to abide by these Terms of Service (TOS), which form a legally binding agreement between you and BuddyTalk. These terms govern your use of our platform, services, and any content, features, or transactions on BuddyTalk. It is important that you read and understand these terms before using our services.

If you do not agree with these terms, please discontinue using BuddyTalk. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at support@buddytalk.org.

1. Eligibility

To use BuddyTalk, you must meet the following conditions:

  • You must be at least 14 years old or the legal age required in your country to enter into a binding contract.
  • You must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date registration information.
  • You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations while using BuddyTalk.

BuddyTalk reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account that does not comply with these conditions.

2. Acceptable Use Policy

At BuddyTalk, we aim to create a respectful and safe environment for all users. By using the platform, you agree to:

  • Create and Maintain a Profile: Users are encouraged to share accurate personal information in their profiles and use the platform for genuine social interactions.
  • Engage in Respectful Communication: Users may use chat and messaging features to communicate with others, but all interactions must be respectful, non-discriminatory, and in compliance with these terms.
  • Use Location-Based Features: Users can choose to share their location to connect with others nearby. However, this feature is voluntary, and we recommend exercising caution when sharing your location.

3. Prohibited Activities

BuddyTalk enforces strict rules on what is prohibited within the platform to ensure safety, compliance with laws, and a positive experience for all users. The following activities are strictly prohibited:

  • Illegal Activities: Any actions that violate local, national, or international laws, including but not limited to fraud, harassment, or criminal activities.
  • Hate Speech and Harassment: BuddyTalk does not tolerate hate speech, harassment, or bullying. Any content or communication promoting discrimination, threats, or violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected categories is strictly forbidden.
  • Impersonation and Deception: You may not impersonate any person or entity, misrepresent your identity, or engage in any form of deceptive behavior.
  • Unauthorized Commercial Activity: You may not use BuddyTalk for unauthorized commercial purposes, such as marketing, advertising, or selling goods or services without permission.
  • Data Scraping or Automated Use: The use of bots, automated tools, or scripts to extract data or interact with the platform is prohibited.
  • Sharing Malware or Viruses: You may not upload or distribute any harmful software, viruses, or code that could damage or disrupt the platform or other users’ devices.

Consequences of Violations:
If you violate any of the above rules, BuddyTalk reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account without notice and pursue legal remedies where applicable.

4. No Liability for User Interactions

BuddyTalk provides a platform for users to connect, chat, and engage with others. However, BuddyTalk does not monitor or control the content of chats, messages, or other communications between users. As such, we do not assume liability for any interactions, disputes, or issues that arise between users, including but not limited to:

  • Inappropriate Messages or Content: While we encourage reporting inappropriate behavior, BuddyTalk cannot be held responsible for offensive or inappropriate content shared between users.
  • Meetups and Personal Interactions: BuddyTalk is not liable for any events or meetups organized through the platform, and users are encouraged to exercise caution when meeting others in person.

If you encounter any issues or breaches of the terms, you are encouraged to report them immediately to support@buddytalk.org for investigation.

5. Payments and Subscriptions

Certain features of BuddyTalk may require payment, such as premium subscriptions or additional services. By purchasing any of these services, you agree to the following terms:

  • Payment Methods: Payments for services must be made using an accepted payment method (e.g., credit card, PayPal). You are responsible for ensuring that all payment information provided is accurate.
  • Refund Policy: Payments are generally non-refundable unless otherwise stated in the specific service terms. Refund requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Subscription Renewals: Some services may be offered on a subscription basis. By opting for a subscription, you agree to automatic renewals at the end of each billing cycle, unless you cancel the subscription before the renewal date.

For any payment-related inquiries, contact us at support@buddytalk.org.

6. Data Requests and Privacy Rights

BuddyTalk takes user privacy seriously and complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), and other applicable data protection laws. Users have the right to access, correct, or request the deletion of their personal data at any time.

Data Requests:
You may submit a data request through https://buddytalk.app/data_request.php. You do not need to provide a specific reason for your request; however, you must be logged into your account and provide identity verification before the request is processed.

Rights Under GDPR:

  • Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you.
  • Right to Rectification: You can request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Right to Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You may request the deletion of your data if it is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected.
  • Right to Data Portability: You may request that your data be transferred to another platform or service provider.
  • Right to Object: You can object to data processing under certain circumstances, especially for direct marketing purposes.

To exercise any of these rights, contact dpo@buddytalk.org.

For privacy-related complaints or disputes, you may also file a complaint with GlobalComplaint at www.globalcomplaint.org.

7. Law Enforcement Requests

BuddyTalk cooperates with law enforcement agencies while ensuring the privacy of its users. In compliance with German law and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), BuddyTalk may be required to disclose personal data under the following conditions:

  • Valid Legal Request: Data will only be disclosed in response to valid legal requests, such as a court order or subpoena, issued by a German court or law enforcement agency.
  • Necessity and Proportionality: Any disclosure must be necessary and proportionate to the purpose of the request, such as for criminal investigations involving serious offenses.
  • User Notification: When legally possible, BuddyTalk will notify users of any law enforcement requests related to their data, unless such notification is prohibited by law.

Requests from law enforcement can be submitted to lawenforcement@budt.org.

8. Account Termination and Bans

BuddyTalk reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban users from the platform for violating these Terms of Service, engaging in prohibited activities, or for other justifiable reasons, including:

  • Repeated instances of harassment, bullying, or hate speech.
  • Participation in illegal activities or fraudulent behavior.
  • Violation of privacy laws or misuse of personal data.
  • Spreading harmful content, such as viruses or malware.

If your account is suspended or banned, you will be notified via email. Users who believe their account was wrongfully banned can submit an appeal. Appeals must be made in writing and sent to appeal@buddytalk.org. Appeals will be reviewed, and users will be notified of the outcome.

Alternatively, users may file a formal complaint or appeal through our external complaint management system, GlobalComplaint, at compliance@globalcomplaint.org. All appeals and complaints will be reviewed thoroughly, and decisions will be based on the evidence provided.

BuddyTalk reserves the right to make the final determination on whether an account ban is justified.

9. Limitation of Liability

BuddyTalk provides its platform on an “as-is” basis and makes no warranties about the availability, functionality, or security of the service. To the fullest extent permitted by law, BuddyTalk is not liable for:

  • Loss of Data or Content: We are not responsible for the loss or damage of data or content stored or shared via BuddyTalk.
  • Injuries or Damages: We are not liable for any injuries, damages, or losses arising from interactions between users or from using BuddyTalk, including but not limited to physical meetups or communication via the platform.
  • Indirect or Consequential Damages: BuddyTalk will not be held liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

10. Changes to the Terms of Service

BuddyTalk reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. We will notify users of significant changes through email or notifications on the platform. Continued use of BuddyTalk after changes have been made constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service are governed by the laws of Germany. Any legal disputes or claims arising from these terms or the use of BuddyTalk shall be resolved exclusively in the courts located in Aachen, Germany.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns about these Terms of Service, please contact us at:

Support:
Email: support@buddytalk.org

Data Protection Officer (DPO):
Email: dpo@buddytalk.org

For data requests, please visit:
https://buddytalk.app/data_request.php

For complaints or disputes, you can also reach out to:
GlobalComplaint
Email: compliance@globalcomplaint.org
Website: www.globalcomplaint.org

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