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Terms of Service

Last updated: January 14, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, accessing, or using CityChat ("the App," "the Service," "we," "us," or "our"), you ("User," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"), our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Service.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Your continued use of the Service after any modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

2. Description of Service

CityChat is a location-based communication platform that enables users to participate in city-specific chatrooms, voice rooms, and community features. The Service facilitates user-to-user communication and community engagement based on geographic location.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use CityChat. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

4. User Accounts

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account information.

5. User-Generated Content

5.1 Definition

"User Content" means any and all information, text, messages, images, photos, videos, audio recordings, voice messages, links, files, or other materials that you upload, post, transmit, share, or otherwise make available through the Service, including content generated using artificial intelligence tools or any third-party services.

5.2 Your Responsibility for User Content

You are solely responsible for your User Content. You represent and warrant that:

  • You own or have all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions to post your User Content;
  • Your User Content does not violate, misappropriate, or infringe any third party's intellectual property rights, privacy rights, publicity rights, or other legal rights;
  • Your User Content is accurate and not misleading;
  • Your User Content complies with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

5.3 License to User Content

By posting User Content, you grant CityChat a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, publicly display, and create derivative works from your User Content in connection with operating and improving the Service. This license continues even if you stop using the Service, but only for content that has already been shared with other users or incorporated into the Service.

5.4 No Endorsement

We do not endorse any User Content or any opinion, recommendation, or advice expressed therein. User Content represents the views of the individual users who post it, not the views of CityChat. We expressly disclaim any and all liability in connection with User Content.

5.5 No Duty to Monitor

We have no obligation to monitor, screen, edit, or review User Content before or after it is posted. However, we reserve the right (but not the obligation) to remove, disable, or restrict access to any User Content at any time, for any reason, without notice, including content that we believe violates these Terms or may be harmful to the Service, our users, or third parties.

6. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree not to use the Service to post, upload, transmit, or share any User Content that:

  • Is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, or invasive of another's privacy;
  • Constitutes hate speech, discrimination, or promotes violence against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic;
  • Contains sexually explicit material, pornography, or non-consensual intimate imagery (including AI-generated or digitally altered images);
  • Exploits, harms, or attempts to exploit or harm minors in any way;
  • Infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property rights;
  • Contains software viruses, malware, or any code designed to interrupt, destroy, or limit functionality;
  • Constitutes unauthorized advertising, spam, pyramid schemes, or other commercial solicitation;
  • Impersonates any person or entity or misrepresents your affiliation with any person or entity;
  • Contains false, misleading, or deceptive statements or information;
  • Facilitates or promotes illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, or terrorism;
  • Violates any applicable local, state, national, or international law or regulation;
  • Collects or stores personal data about other users without their consent;
  • Interferes with or disrupts the Service, servers, or networks connected to the Service;
  • Attempts to gain unauthorized access to the Service, other user accounts, or computer systems.

7. Copyright Policy (DMCA Compliance)

CityChat respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users to do the same. In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 ("DMCA"), we will respond expeditiously to claims of copyright infringement committed using the Service.

7.1 DMCA Takedown Notices

If you believe that your copyrighted work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide our DMCA Agent with the following information:

  • A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner;
  • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed;
  • Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing and its location on the Service;
  • Your contact information (address, telephone number, email);
  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner;
  • 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.

7.2 Counter-Notification

If you believe your content was wrongfully removed, you may submit a counter-notification with: your signature, identification of the removed material, a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief the material was removed by mistake, and your consent to jurisdiction.

7.3 Repeat Infringers

We maintain a policy of terminating the accounts of users who are repeat infringers of intellectual property rights.

7.4 DMCA Agent

Our designated DMCA Agent for notice of claims of copyright infringement can be reached at: dmca@citychat.app

8. Non-Consensual Intimate Images Policy

In compliance with the TAKE IT DOWN Act (2025), CityChat maintains procedures for the removal of non-consensual intimate imagery, including digitally altered or AI-generated intimate images.

8.1 Removal Requests

If you are depicted in intimate imagery published on the Service without your consent, you may submit a removal request. Valid requests must include:

  • Your physical or electronic signature (or that of your authorized representative);
  • Identification and location information sufficient for us to locate the content;
  • A statement of your good-faith belief that the imagery was published without your consent;
  • Your contact information.

8.2 48-Hour Response

Upon receiving a valid removal request, we will remove or disable access to the identified content within 48 hours and make reasonable efforts to remove duplicates or reposts.

8.3 Contact

Submit removal requests to: takedown@citychat.app

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that: (a) the Service will meet your requirements; (b) the Service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free; (c) the results obtained from the Service will be accurate or reliable; (d) any errors will be corrected.

We make no warranties or representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of any User Content posted through the Service. Any reliance on User Content is at your own risk.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL CITYCHAT, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS, OR ASSIGNS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH:

  • Your use or inability to use the Service;
  • Any User Content posted, transmitted, or made available through the Service;
  • Any conduct or content of any third party on the Service;
  • Unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your transmissions or content;
  • Any interactions between users, whether online or offline;
  • Any errors, mistakes, or inaccuracies of content;
  • Personal injury or property damage resulting from your use of the Service;
  • Any other matter relating to the Service.

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU HAVE PAID US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM, OR ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100), WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitation of liability for certain damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless CityChat and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees) arising from:

  • Your use of and access to the Service;
  • Your violation of any term of these Terms;
  • Your violation of any third-party right, including any intellectual property, privacy, or publicity right;
  • Your User Content;
  • Any claim that your User Content caused damage to a third party;
  • Any interactions you have with other users of the Service;
  • Your violation of any applicable law, rule, or regulation.

This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these Terms and your use of the Service.

12. Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • You use the Service at your own risk;
  • We are not responsible for verifying the identity, background, or intentions of other users;
  • We do not conduct background checks or verify the accuracy of statements made by users;
  • You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users, both online and offline;
  • We are not responsible for any harm, injury, or damage that may result from interactions with other users;
  • You should exercise caution and use your own judgment when communicating with or meeting other users.

13. Release of Claims

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, you hereby release CityChat and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns from any and all claims, demands, damages (actual and consequential), losses, and causes of action of every kind and nature, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with:

  • Disputes between you and one or more users;
  • The acts or omissions of third parties;
  • User Content posted by third parties;
  • Any interactions with other users, whether online or offline.

IF YOU ARE A CALIFORNIA RESIDENT, YOU HEREBY WAIVE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH STATES: "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY."

14. Dispute Resolution: Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT.

14.1 Agreement to Arbitrate

You and CityChat agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service (collectively, "Disputes") will be resolved exclusively through final and binding individual arbitration rather than in court, except that either party may bring individual claims in small claims court if they qualify.

14.2 Waiver of Jury Trial

YOU AND CITYCHAT HEREBY WAIVE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY RIGHTS TO SUE IN COURT AND HAVE A TRIAL IN FRONT OF A JUDGE OR A JURY.

14.3 Class Action Waiver

ALL DISPUTES MUST BE BROUGHT IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTION, OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION.

14.4 Arbitration Rules

The arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance with its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be conducted in the English language and held in the state of Delaware, unless otherwise agreed. The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding.

14.5 Opt-Out

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to arbitration@citychat.app within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include your name, mailing address, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out.

15. Termination

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

  • Violation of these Terms;
  • Conduct that we determine to be harmful to other users, third parties, or the Service;
  • Request by law enforcement or government agencies;
  • Extended periods of inactivity;
  • Unexpected technical or security issues;
  • Fraudulent, harassing, or illegal activities.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. All provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnification, and limitations of liability.

16. 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 its conflict of law provisions. To the extent that any lawsuit or court proceeding is permitted under these Terms, you and CityChat agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Delaware.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or if modification is not possible, shall be severed from these Terms. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices or policies published by us on the Service, constitute the entire agreement between you and CityChat regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

19. Contact Information

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

Email: legal@citychat.app
DMCA Agent: dmca@citychat.app
Takedown Requests: takedown@citychat.app
Arbitration Opt-Out: arbitration@citychat.app