Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Flin! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Flin mobile application and website (collectively, the "Service") operated by Flintime Inc. ("Company," "we," "our," or "us"). By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

IMPORTANT: If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our Service. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Flintime Inc.

2. Eligibility and Student Requirements

2.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 17 years old to use Flin. By using our Service, you represent and warrant that you are at least 17 years of age.

2.2 Student Status

Flin is exclusively designed for students. You must be:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States, OR
• A recent graduate (within 2 years) of an accredited US institution, OR
• Faculty, staff, or employees of an accredited educational institution

You agree to provide accurate student verification information and understand that false information may result in immediate account termination.

2.3 Age Rating Justification (Apple App Store Compliance)

2.4 Geographic Restrictions

Our Service is currently available only to users in the United States. You may not use our Service if you are located outside the US or if such use would violate applicable laws.

3. Account Registration and Security

3.1 Account Creation

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

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your account information
• Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access

3.2 Student Verification

Student verification is simple and privacy-focused:

3.3 Account Termination

You may terminate your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms or our Community Guidelines.

4. Platform Features and Services

4.1 Marketplace

Flin provides a marketplace where students can buy and sell items. You understand that:

• We are not a party to transactions between users
• We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of items
• You are responsible for all aspects of your transactions
• Payments are processed through third-party providers
• We may charge fees for certain marketplace features

4.2 Housing Services

Our housing features help students find accommodation. You agree that:

• All housing arrangements are between you and property owners/managers
• We do not guarantee housing availability or quality
• You must comply with all applicable housing laws and regulations
• Rental disputes should be resolved directly with landlords

4.3 Local Offers

We connect students with local business offers and discounts. These offers:

• Are provided by third-party merchants
• May have terms and conditions set by merchants
• Can expire or change without notice
• May not be combinable with other offers

4.4 Events

Campus and local events are posted by users and organizations. You understand:

• Event information is provided by third parties
• We are not responsible for event quality or cancellations
• Age restrictions and other requirements apply to events
• You must comply with all event rules and regulations

5. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

5.1 General Conduct

You agree to use Flin responsibly and in accordance with all applicable laws. You will NOT:

• Violate any local, state, federal, or international laws
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Post false, misleading, or deceptive information
• Engage in discriminatory behavior based on protected characteristics
• Use automated systems to access or use the Service
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems

5.2 Prohibited Items and Services

In compliance with Apple App Store Guidelines Section 1.1 (Objectionable Content), the following items and services are strictly prohibited on Flin:

• Illegal Items: Drugs, weapons, stolen goods, counterfeit items
• Academic Dishonesty: Test answers, completed assignments, thesis writing services
• Adult Content: Sexually explicit materials, pornography, or services that facilitate prostitution
• Dangerous Items: Hazardous chemicals, fireworks, weapons, or items that encourage violence
• Prescription Items: Medications, medical devices, or controlled substances
• Financial Services: Loans, credit services, cryptocurrency, or investment opportunities
• Multi-level Marketing: Pyramid schemes, MLM recruitment, or get-rich-quick schemes
• Alcohol and Tobacco: Even if legally purchased (due to student audience)
• Defamatory Content: Discriminatory, mean-spirited, or harassment-related items/services
• False Information: Fake documents, misleading services, or scam-related offerings
• Privacy Violations: Items or services that compromise user privacy or data security

5.3 Academic Integrity

Flin supports academic integrity. You may not use our platform to:

• Buy or sell completed academic work
• Share test answers or exam materials
• Facilitate cheating or plagiarism
• Circumvent academic policies or honor codes

5.4 Safety Requirements

For your safety and the safety of others:

• Meet in public, well-lit locations for transactions
• Verify items before completing transactions
• Report suspicious or dangerous behavior immediately
• Do not share personal financial information
• Trust your instincts about unsafe situations

6. User-Generated Content and Moderation

6.1 Content Moderation (Apple Guidelines 1.2 Compliance)

In compliance with Apple App Store Guidelines for user-generated content, Flin implements the following moderation systems:

6.2 Content Monitoring Systems

• AI Content Scanning: Automated detection of prohibited content, hate speech, and harassment
• Image Recognition: Scanning uploaded images for inappropriate, violent, or explicit content
• Keyword Filtering: Real-time filtering of messages and posts for prohibited language
• Pattern Recognition: Detection of spam, scam attempts, and fraudulent behavior
• Community Reporting: User-driven reporting system with rapid response protocols

6.3 Age-Appropriate Content Standards

Given our 17+ user base and educational focus, all content must meet higher standards:

• Educational appropriateness: Content should support academic and career goals
• Professional language: Encouragement of respectful, professional communication
• No exploitation: Zero tolerance for content that exploits or harms students
• Mental health awareness: Proactive identification and response to content indicating distress

6.4 Appeals and Due Process

• Appeal process: Clear procedure for appealing content removal or account actions
• Human review: Appeals reviewed by human moderators, not just automated systems
• Timely response: Appeal decisions within 5 business days
• Transparency: Clear explanation of policy violations and enforcement actions

7. Content and Intellectual Property

7.1 User Content

You retain ownership of content you post on Flin but grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, and distribute your content for operating our Service. You represent that you have the right to post all content you submit.

7.2 Platform Content

All Flin trademarks, logos, and proprietary content are owned by Flintime Inc. You may not use our intellectual property without written permission.

7.3 Copyright Policy and DMCA Compliance

We respond to copyright infringement claims under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed, contact us with:

• Description of the copyrighted work
• Location of the infringing material on our Service
• Your contact information and electronic signature
• Statement of good faith belief that use is unauthorized
• Statement that information is accurate and you're authorized to act

7.4 Third-Party Content Compliance (Apple Requirement)

7.5 User Content Responsibility

By uploading content to Flin, you certify that:

• Ownership or permission: You own the content or have explicit permission to use it
• Rights to license: You have the right to grant us the license described in Section 7.1
• No violations: Your content doesn't violate any copyright, trademark, or other IP rights
• Accurate representations: All content descriptions and claims are truthful
• Commercial use rights: If selling content, you have the right to do so commercially

8. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Key points include:

• We collect information necessary to provide our Service
• Student verification data is processed securely and not retained long-term
• You control your privacy settings and data sharing preferences
• We implement security measures to protect your information
• We comply with applicable privacy laws including CCPA and FERPA guidelines

9. Payments and Fees

9.1 Service Fees and Business Model

Flin operates a freemium business model with the following fee structure:

9.2 Vendor Payment Processing (Website Only)

For vendors using our website subscription services, payments are processed through secure third-party providers. Vendors agree to:

• Provide accurate payment information for subscription billing
• Pay all applicable subscription fees and taxes
• Resolve payment disputes directly with payment processors
• Accept responsibility for chargebacks and disputed transactions
• Maintain current payment methods for recurring subscriptions

9.3 Student Marketplace Transactions (External)

Student-to-student marketplace transactions are handled independently:

• Direct transactions: Students arrange payments directly with each other
• No Flin processing: We do not process, handle, or take fees from student transactions
• Payment method choice: Students choose their own payment methods (cash, Venmo, etc.)
• Transaction responsibility: Each party is responsible for their own payment arrangements
• Dispute resolution: Payment disputes are resolved between the transacting parties

9.4 Apple App Store Compliance (Free App)

9.5 Vendor Subscription Refunds

Vendor subscription refunds are handled as follows:

• Monthly subscriptions: No refunds for partial months, cancel anytime for next billing cycle
• Annual subscriptions: Pro-rated refunds available within first 30 days
• Service errors: Full refunds provided for platform errors or service outages
• Cancellation: Vendors can cancel subscriptions anytime through website account settings
• Student transactions: No refunds applicable as Flin doesn't process student payments

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 Service Disclaimers

FLIN IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that:

• The Service will be uninterrupted or error-free
• Defects will be corrected
• The Service is free of viruses or harmful components
• User content is accurate or reliable

9.2 Third-Party Content

We are not responsible for content posted by users or third parties, including merchants, event organizers, or housing providers. User interactions and transactions occur at your own risk.

9.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, FLINTIME INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, DATA LOSS, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION.

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED $100 OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO FLIN IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold Flintime Inc. harmless from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including attorney fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your transactions with other users
• Your content or activities on the platform
• Your violation of third-party rights

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Informal Resolution

Before filing any formal dispute, you agree to contact us at contact@flin.college to resolve the issue informally. We will work in good faith to resolve disputes within 30 days.

11.2 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration under the American Arbitration Association Consumer Arbitration Rules. Arbitration will be conducted in Delaware unless you qualify for telephonic or online arbitration.

11.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that disputes will be resolved individually and waive the right to participate in class actions or collective proceedings.

11.4 Exceptions

Small claims court proceedings and injunctive relief for intellectual property violations are excluded from arbitration requirements.

12. Termination

12.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time through account settings or by contacting us. Upon termination, your access to the Service will be discontinued.

12.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately if you:

• Violate these Terms or our policies
• Provide false information during registration or verification
• Engage in illegal or harmful activities
• Fail to maintain student status (with reasonable transition period)
• Create multiple accounts or circumvent suspensions

12.3 Account Deletion (Apple App Store Requirement)

In compliance with Apple App Store Guidelines, we provide the following account management options:

Account Deletion Process:

1. Go to Settings → Account → Delete Account
2. Verify your identity with password or biometric authentication
3. Complete or cancel any outstanding transactions
4. Optionally download your account data
5. Confirm deletion by typing "DELETE" and tapping the confirmation button
6. Account and all associated data will be permanently deleted immediately

12.4 Effect of Termination

Upon termination or account deletion:

• Your access to the Service ends immediately
• Your profile and listings are permanently removed
• Outstanding transactions must be completed
• Personal data is deleted according to our data retention policy
• Certain provisions of these Terms survive termination
• You may create a new account after termination if desired

13. General Provisions

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by Delaware law without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal proceedings must be brought in Delaware state or federal courts.

13.2 Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or in-app notification with 30 days' notice. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

13.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

13.4 Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms. We may assign our rights to any affiliated company or successor entity.

13.5 Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, government actions, or technical failures.

14. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

We will respond to Terms-related inquiries within 30 days.

15. Apple App Store Additional Terms

If you access Flin through the Apple App Store, the following additional terms apply:

• These Terms are between you and Flintime Inc., not Apple
• Apple is not responsible for the Service or these Terms
• Apple has no obligation to provide support for the Service
• In case of app failure to conform to warranties, Apple may refund the purchase price
• Apple is not liable for any claims related to the Service
• You must comply with Apple's App Store Terms of Service
• Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms