Terms of Service

Steeky Community Platform ("Company", "we", "us", or "our") operates the steeky.com website and mobile application (the "Service").

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User", "you", or "your") and Steeky Community Platform governing your access to and use of our Service. By accessing, browsing, or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you are not permitted to use the Service.

1. Definitions and Interpretation

"Account": Your personal profile and login credentials on the Service.

"Community": A group or subreddit-like space within the Service where users can share and discuss content.

"User Content": All content you create, upload, post, or transmit through the Service, including posts, comments, messages, and files.

"Intellectual Property Rights": All rights including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other proprietary rights recognised under UK law.

"Service": The steeky.com website, mobile application, and all features, functionality, and services provided therein.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Age Requirements

You must be at least 17 years old to use this Service. We do not knowingly permit access from users under 17 years of age.

2.2 Account Registration

To access certain features of the Service, you may be required to create an account by providing accurate, current, and complete information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and account credentials.

2.3 Account Security

• You agree to protect the confidentiality of your login credentials
• You are responsible for all activities conducted under your account
• You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account
• We are not liable for losses resulting from unauthorised access to your account due to your negligence

2.4 Accuracy of Information

You warrant that all information provided during registration is accurate, truthful, and not misleading. You agree to update your profile information to keep it current and accurate.

3. Permitted and Prohibited Use

3.1 Permitted Use

The Service is provided for lawful, non-commercial use only. You may use the Service to:

• Create an account and manage your profile
• Post, comment, and share content in communities
• Join and participate in communities of interest
• View and interact with other users' content
• Access information and resources provided by the Service

3.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree that you will not, and will not permit any third party to:

• Post content that is illegal, obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, abusive, or hateful
• Harass, bully, stalk, or threaten any other user
• Post content that infringes on any person's intellectual property rights
• Spam, flood, or artificially inflate engagement metrics
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Service or other users' accounts
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without written permission
• Engage in phishing, fraud, or scams
• Post content that discriminates based on protected characteristics
• Distribute malware, viruses, or other malicious code
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to derive the source code of the Service
• Resell or redistribute the Service without permission
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations

3.3 Content Moderation

While we do not review all content posted on the Service, we reserve the right to remove any content that violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable, at our sole discretion.

4. User Content and Intellectual Property

4.1 Ownership of User Content

You retain all intellectual property rights to your User Content. By posting content on the Service, you do not forfeit your ownership rights; however, you grant Steeky a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, and worldwide licence to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, and display your content.

4.2 License Grant

You grant Steeky the right to:

• Display your content on the Service and in search results
• Copy and cache your content for backup and performance purposes
• Use your content in aggregated analytics (anonymised)
• Promote the Service using extracts from your content (with attribution)

4.3 Intellectual Property Rights of Steeky

The Service, including all software, design, graphics, logos, and text (excluding User Content), is the exclusive property of Steeky Community Platform and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or transmit this content without our prior written consent.

4.4 Responsibility for User Content

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

• You own or have rights to the content you post
• Your content does not infringe on any third-party rights
• Your content complies with all applicable laws
• Your content is not false, misleading, or defamatory

5. Communities and User Conduct

5.1 Community Guidelines

Each community may have its own set of rules and guidelines established by community moderators. You agree to respect and comply with these community-specific rules in addition to these Terms.

5.2 Moderator Authority

Community moderators have the authority to enforce community rules, remove content, and suspend users within their communities. Moderator decisions are made in accordance with community guidelines and these Terms.

5.3 Prohibited Community Activities

You agree not to:

• Create communities for illegal purposes
• Use communities to distribute misinformation or disinformation
• Impersonate community moderators or Steeky staff
• Evade moderation through alternative accounts
• Engage in vote manipulation or artificial engagement tactics

5.4 Reporting Violations

If you encounter content or behaviour that violates these Terms or community guidelines, please report it using the reporting tools available on the Service. We will review reports and take appropriate action.

6. Limitation of Liability

6.1 "As-Is" Provision

The Service is provided on an "AS-IS" and "AS-AVAILABLE" basis. Steeky makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the Service's quality, fitness for purpose, or non-infringement of rights.

6.2 Exclusion of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and other applicable UK law, Steeky shall not be liable for:

• Loss of profits, revenue, or anticipated savings
• Loss of business opportunity or goodwill
• Loss of data or information
• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Damages arising from third-party content or conduct
• Service interruption or unavailability

6.3 Cap on Liability

Except for liability that cannot be limited by law (including personal injury or death), Steeky's total liability arising from these Terms shall not exceed the amount you have paid to Steeky in the past 12 months, or £100, whichever is greater.

6.4 User Responsibility

You acknowledge that you use the Service at your own risk. You are responsible for maintaining backup copies of any important data you store or transmit through the Service.

7. Termination and Account Suspension

7.1 Termination by User

You may terminate your account at any time by following the account deletion procedures on the Service. Upon termination, your account will be deactivated, and your personal data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

7.2 Termination by Steeky

Steeky may terminate or suspend your account at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. Grounds for termination include, but are not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms
• Repeated violations of community guidelines
• Engaging in illegal activity
• Harassment or abuse of other users
• Payment default (if applicable)
• Inactivity for an extended period

7.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service immediately ceases
• Your account and all associated data may be deleted
• You remain liable for any breaches of these Terms
• Provisions that should survive termination (such as indemnification) remain in effect

7.4 Account Reactivation

Steeky reserves the right to permanently ban users who repeatedly violate these Terms. Reactivation of suspended accounts is at Steeky's sole discretion.

8. Disclaimers and Warranties

8.1 Service Availability

While we strive to maintain continuous service, we do not guarantee uninterrupted access to the Service. The Service may be unavailable due to maintenance, updates, technical issues, or circumstances beyond our control.

8.2 Accuracy of Information

While we endeavour to provide accurate information, we do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any content on the Service, including User Content posted by other users.

8.3 Third-Party Content

The Service may contain links to or content from third-party websites and services. Steeky is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, or quality of third-party content. Access to third-party content is at your own risk.

8.4 Viruses and Security

We implement security measures to protect the Service; however, we cannot guarantee that the Service is free from viruses, malware, or other harmful code. You are responsible for maintaining appropriate security measures on your devices.

9. Indemnification

9.1 Indemnity by User

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Steeky Community Platform and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and successors from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your User Content or third-party claims related to your content
• Your violation of applicable laws or third-party rights
• Your conduct or interactions with other users

9.2 Defense of Claims

Steeky may assume the exclusive defence and control of any claim subject to indemnification. You agree to cooperate fully with Steeky in defending any such claims.

10. Amendments to These Terms

10.1 Right to Modify

Steeky reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by:

• Posting the revised Terms on the Service
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending you an email notification (for material changes)

10.2 Acceptance of Changes

Your continued use of the Service after modifications indicates your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree with the changes, you should discontinue use of the Service.

10.3 Changes in Effect

Material changes will take effect 30 days after notification. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

11.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of law principles. The application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is expressly excluded.

11.2 Jurisdiction

You irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales to resolve any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Service.

11.3 Dispute Resolution

Before initiating legal proceedings, you agree to attempt to resolve disputes through informal negotiation with Steeky. If negotiation fails, you may pursue legal remedies as permitted by law.

11.4 Limitation on Actions

You agree that any legal action or proceeding related to these Terms must be initiated within 12 months of the date the cause of action arose, or such action shall be permanently barred.

11.5 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable under UK law, such provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, wish to report violations, or need to contact us, please use the details below: