Terms of Service - Jynx

1. Introduction & Acceptance

Welcome to Jynx, a social gaming platform that connects players, helps them form teams, and play together.

By accessing or using the Jynx application ("Service", "Platform", "App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms", "ToS"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.

IMPORTANT: These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Jynx Group.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

• "Service" / "Platform" / "App": The Jynx mobile application and all related services
• "User" / "You": Any person who accesses or uses the Service
• "Content": All text, images, data, information, or other materials posted, uploaded, or transmitted through the Service
• "Account": Your personal Jynx account created through registration
• "Community": A group created within Jynx for gaming and social interaction
• "Handle": Your unique identifier in the format @username#discriminator for private friend discovery
• "We" / "Us" / "Jynx": Jynx Group and its affiliates

3. Eligibility & Account Registration

3.1. Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account and use Jynx.

During registration, you will be required to provide your date of birth. If you are under 18 years old, you will not be able to create an account or access the Service.

Enforcement: Our age gate automatically blocks account creation for users under 18. If we discover that you have provided false information about your age, your account will be immediately terminated.

3.2. Account Creation

To use Jynx, you must create an account by providing:

• A valid email address OR authentication via Google/Apple
• A unique username
• Your date of birth (for age verification)
• Profile information (country, timezone, languages, gaming preferences)

You will be assigned a unique Handle (e.g., @username#1234) that allows friends to find you privately without public search exposure.

3.3. Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized use

We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account information.

3.4. Account Accuracy

You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Update your information to keep it accurate and current
• Not impersonate any person or entity
• Not create multiple accounts for abusive purposes

4. User Conduct & Prohibited Activities

4.1. Acceptable Use

Jynx is a community-driven platform. You agree to use the Service in a respectful, lawful, and appropriate manner.

4.2. Prohibited Conduct

When using Jynx, you agree NOT to:

Harassment & Abuse:

• Harass, threaten, bully, stalk, or intimidate other users
• Engage in hate speech or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic
• Send unwanted sexual content or engage in sexual harassment
• Coordinate or encourage harassment of others

Spam & Misuse:

• Send spam, unsolicited advertising, or promotional content
• Use the Service for commercial purposes without our prior written consent
• Create multiple accounts to evade bans or manipulate the platform
• Use automated systems (bots, scripts) to access or interact with the Service
• Attempt to manipulate matchmaking, ranking, or community systems

Impersonation & Fraud:

• Impersonate another person, user, or entity
• Misrepresent your identity, age, or affiliation
• Create fake accounts or misleading profiles
• Share or sell your account credentials

Illegal Activity:

• Use the Service for any illegal purpose or in violation of any laws
• Share, promote, or facilitate illegal activities
• Violate intellectual property rights of others
• Engage in fraud, scams, or phishing attempts

Platform Security:

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, servers, or databases
• Distribute malware, viruses, or malicious code
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Service
• Exploit bugs, glitches, or vulnerabilities for unfair advantage (must report to security@jynx.app)

Privacy Violations:

• Share other users' private information without consent (doxxing)
• Screenshot or share private conversations without permission
• Collect or harvest user data without authorization

Content Violations:

• Post content that violates our Community Guidelines
• Share violent, graphic, or disturbing content
• Post content involving minors in any capacity
• Distribute copyrighted material without permission

Platform Manipulation:

• Artificially inflate engagement metrics or reputation
• Coordinate mass reporting to abuse our reporting system
• Interfere with the normal operation of the Service
• Bypass or circumvent any rate limits, restrictions, or safety features

Enforcement: Violation of these prohibitions may result in content removal, account suspension, permanent ban, and/or legal action. To report violations, contact support@jynx.app. For security vulnerabilities, contact security@jynx.app

4.3. Rate Limiting & Anti-Spam

To protect the platform and user experience, we enforce rate limits:

• Client-side: 10 messages per minute (sliding window)
• Server-side burst protection: 1 message per second
• Server-side daily limit: 500 messages per day (resets at midnight UTC)

Attempting to bypass these limits may result in account suspension.

4.4. Moderation & Reporting

Moderation Structure:

Jynx employs a centralized moderation team to ensure consistent enforcement of these Terms and Community Guidelines across the platform. Our moderation system includes:

• Jynx Moderation Team: Dedicated team responsible for reviewing all reported violations and taking appropriate action
• Automated Detection: Algorithm-based systems that automatically flag and remove spam, illegal content, and severe violations
• Community Owner Powers: Community owners have limited moderation capabilities within their communities, including the ability to kick members or apply temporary mutes (up to 24 hours). Severe violations must be escalated to the Jynx moderation team

Reporting Process:

You can report violations through:

• In-App Reporting: Use the "Report" button available on messages, profiles, and community content. Select the appropriate category (Harassment, Spam, Inappropriate Content, Fraud, or Other) and provide context
• Email: Contact support@jynx.app with detailed information, including screenshots and evidence when applicable

All reports are reviewed by our moderation team. Submitting false or malicious reports may result in action against your account.

Response Times:

We prioritize reports based on severity:

• Urgent (threats, illegal content, imminent harm): Review and action within 2 hours
• High Priority (harassment, hate speech, sexual content): Review and action within 24 hours
• Medium Priority (spam, platform manipulation, rule violations): Review and action within 72 hours
• Low Priority (community disputes, minor infractions): Review and action within 7 days

5. Content Ownership & License

5.1. Your Content

You retain ownership of all content you post, upload, or transmit through the Service ("User Content"), including:

• Messages in community chats and private conversations
• Profile information, biographies, and images
• Gaming statistics and preferences

5.2. License to Jynx

By posting User Content, you grant Jynx a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to:

Core Service Operations:

• Host, store, and display your User Content as necessary to provide the Service
• Share your User Content with other users according to your privacy settings (e.g., display in communities, show in match profiles)
• Create backup copies and ensure data redundancy for reliability
• Moderate and review content for compliance with these Terms and applicable laws

Service Improvement & Analytics:

• Use your User Content to improve and develop the Service (e.g., analytics, feature development)
• Train machine learning models for our auto-match system and recommendation algorithms
• Generate aggregated, anonymized statistics about platform usage and user behavior
• Conduct research to enhance user experience and platform safety

Security & Compliance:

• Detect and prevent spam, abuse, fraud, and violations of these Terms
• Respond to legal requests and enforce our rights
• Maintain moderation records for platform safety

Marketing & Promotional Use (Limited):

• Use aggregated, anonymized statistics in marketing materials (e.g., "10,000 matches made this month")
• Feature publicly shared User Content (community posts, public profiles) in promotional materials, with your explicit opt-in consent
• Request your permission to use testimonials, screenshots, or specific content for case studies or advertising

Important Limitations:

• Private messages and conversations will NEVER be used for marketing purposes
• We will always obtain your explicit written consent before using identifiable User Content (e.g., your profile, username, images) in marketing materials
• You can withdraw consent for marketing use at any time by contacting dpo@jynx.app
• Anonymized or aggregated data does not require additional consent

We will NOT sell your personal data to third parties. See our Privacy Policy for data handling details.

5.3. Third-Party Content

Jynx integrates with third-party services, including:

• Riot Games API: Champion names, images, statistics, and match data are property of Riot Games. Jynx operates under the Riot Games API Terms of Service.
• Firebase Services: Provided by Google under their Terms of Service.
• OAuth Providers: Google and Apple authentication services.

5.4. Content Removal

We reserve the right to remove any User Content that:

• Violates these Terms
• Violates applicable laws
• Infringes on third-party intellectual property rights
• Is reported and confirmed to violate our community guidelines

You will be notified of content removal when possible.

6. Communities & Gaming Features

6.1. Community Creation & Management

Users can create and join communities for gaming and social interaction.

Freemium Limitations:

Free Users:

• Create: 1 community maximum
• Join: Up to 5 communities maximum
• Community Member Limits: Communities are subject to member caps based on their boost level

Premium Users (Jynx+):

• Create: Unlimited communities
• Join: Unlimited communities
• Exclusive Benefits: 2 free community boosts per month to support your favorite communities

Community Boost System:

Communities can increase their member capacity and unlock additional features through community boosts:

• Level 0 (Base): Up to 30 members
• Level 1 (5 boosts): Up to 100 members + Custom community wallpapers
• Level 2 (15 boosts): Up to 250 members + Custom role creation
• Level 3 (30 boosts): Up to 500 members + Advanced community features

6.2. Auto-Match System

Jynx uses an intelligent auto-match system to connect players based on:

• Game preferences
• Skill levels (e.g., Riot Games rank)
• Play styles and availability
• Language and timezone

By using the auto-match feature, you consent to your gaming profile being shared with potential matches.

6.3. Riot Games Integration

When you link your Riot Games account, we retrieve:

• Summoner name and Riot ID
• Ranked statistics (League of Legends, Valorant, etc.)
• Champion mastery and match history

You can unlink your Riot account at any time from Settings.

7. Account Suspension & Termination

7.1. Suspension by Jynx

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms of Service
• Engage in prohibited conduct (Section 4.2)
• Engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• Repeatedly receive valid reports from other users

Moderation Actions:

Our moderation team may take the following actions:

1. Warning (Low Severity)

• Issued for minor infractions or first-time violations
• No account restrictions, but violation is documented
• Warnings remain on record for 30 days

2. Temporary Suspension (Medium to High Severity)

• 7-day suspension: Standard duration for significant violations (harassment, spam, platform manipulation)
• 14-day suspension: Repeated violations or more serious infractions
• 30-day suspension: Severe violations that don't warrant permanent removal
• During suspension, you lose all access to the Service

3. Permanent Ban (Critical Severity)

Issued for the most severe violations, including:

• Illegal activities (fraud, distribution of illegal content)
• Severe harassment, threats, or hate speech
• Repeated violations after multiple suspensions
• Creating multiple accounts to evade bans
• Exploitation of security vulnerabilities for malicious purposes

7.2. Effect of Termination

Upon account termination:

• You lose access to your account and all associated data
• Your user data is anonymized in accordance with GDPR
• Your Firebase Authentication account is deleted
• OAuth tokens (Google, Apple) are automatically revoked

Refund Policy: No refunds are issued for premium subscriptions or virtual items (cosmetics) when your account is terminated due to violations of these Terms.

7.3. User-Initiated Deletion

You can delete your account at any time via Settings > Danger Zone > Delete My Account.

This action is irreversible. See our Privacy Policy for the deletion process.

7.4. Appeal Process

If you believe your account was suspended or terminated in error, you have the right to appeal the decision.

How to Appeal:

1. Submit Your Appeal: Contact us at dpo@jynx.app with your account information (username, email, handle), reason for the appeal, any supporting evidence, and your perspective on the incident
2. Review Timeline: We will review all appeals within 7 business days of submission
3. Investigation: Our moderation team will re-examine the original violation report and evidence, review your account history and context, and consider any new information you've provided
4. Decision: After review, we will either uphold the decision, reduce the penalty, or overturn the decision and reinstate your account
5. Notification: You will receive our final decision via email, including the outcome and explanation of our reasoning

Appeal Deadlines:

You must submit your appeal within:

• 24 hours for mutes or short suspensions (1-7 days)
• 7 days for suspensions (14-30 days)
• 30 days for permanent bans

8. Premium Services & Payments

Premium Features Status: Jynx currently operates as a free-to-use platform. Premium subscription features (Jynx+) and paid cosmetics are coming soon and not yet available for purchase.

8.1. Freemium Model

Jynx operates on a freemium model where all core features are accessible for free, with optional premium enhancements.

Free Tier Limitations:

• Match Queue: 20 likes per day, 200 profile views per day
• Chat Requests: 3 requests per day from match queue, 5 requests per day globally
• Communities: Create 1 community, join up to 5 communities
• Cosmetics: Access to free tier cosmetic items (badges, avatar borders)

Jynx+ Premium Benefits (Coming Soon):

• Unlimited Communities: Create and join unlimited communities
• Community Boosts: 2 free community boosts per month to support your favorite communities
• Unlimited Matching: No daily limits on likes, profile views, or chat requests
• Priority Support: Faster response times for support inquiries
• Premium Badge: Display a special premium badge on your profile
• Exclusive Cosmetics: Access to premium-tier cosmetic items
• Advanced Features: Early access to new features and enhanced matching algorithms

8.2. Cosmetics & Virtual Items

Jynx will offer optional cosmetic items to personalize your profile, including badges, avatar borders, and hero borders.

Important: Cosmetics are purely decorative digital items with no real-world value. You do not own cosmetics; you are granted a limited, revocable license to display them on your Jynx profile.

8.3. Refunds & Cancellations

EU Consumer Rights (14-Day Cooling-Off Period):

If you are a consumer in the European Union, you have the right to withdraw from digital content purchases within 14 days of purchase, subject to conditions.

Refund Policy:

• Technical Errors: If you experience technical issues preventing you from accessing purchased features, contact support@jynx.app within 14 days for a full refund
• Accidental Purchases: Refunds for accidental purchases may be issued at our discretion within 48 hours of purchase
• Unauthorized Transactions: Report unauthorized transactions immediately to dpo@jynx.app and your payment provider
• No Refunds for: Account termination due to Terms violations, change of mind after using premium features for more than 14 days

9. Third-Party Services

Jynx integrates with the following third-party services, each governed by their own terms:

9.1. Firebase Services (Google)

We use Firebase for:

• Authentication
• Cloud Firestore (database)
• Cloud Storage (images)
• Cloud Functions (backend logic)
• Cloud Messaging (push notifications)
• App Check (security)
• Performance Monitoring
• Crashlytics (crash reporting)

9.2. Sentry (Error Monitoring)

We use Sentry for error tracking and performance monitoring. Data is anonymized before being sent to Sentry.

9.3. Riot Games API

We use the Riot Games API to retrieve gaming statistics (League of Legends, Valorant, etc.).

9.4. OAuth Providers

We offer authentication via:

• Google Sign-In
• Apple Sign-In

You are responsible for complying with the terms of these third-party services.

10. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

10.1. Service Provided "AS IS"

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement; Guarantees of uninterrupted, secure, or error-free service; Accuracy or reliability of auto-match results.

10.2. No Warranty on Third-Party Services

We are not responsible for:

• Downtime or issues with Firebase, Riot Games API, or other third-party services
• Accuracy of Riot Games statistics (e.g., rank, match history)
• Loss of data due to third-party service failures

10.3. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, JYNX SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR: Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages; Loss of profits, data, or goodwill; Service interruptions or unavailability; User-generated content or conduct of other users.

Maximum Liability: Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid to Jynx in the 12 months preceding the claim, or €100, whichever is greater.

11. Modifications to Terms

11.1. Right to Modify

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this document
• Provide 30 days advance notice for all changes
• Notify you via in-app notification
• Notify you via email at the address associated with your account

11.2. Acceptance of Changes

Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Service and delete your account before the changes take effect.

11.3. Material Changes

For material changes that significantly affect your rights or obligations (e.g., changes to payment terms, liability limitations, data processing, dispute resolution), we will:

• Provide 60 days advance notice (double the standard notice period)
• Require explicit acknowledgment of the changes before you can continue using the Service
• Offer you the opportunity to export your data if you choose to discontinue using the Service

12. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

12.1. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of France and applicable European Union regulations, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Applicable Regulations: French Civil Code (Code civil), French Consumer Code (Code de la consommation), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), EU Digital Services Act (DSA), EU Consumer Rights Directive.

12.2. Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Nantes, France.

12.3. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

No Mandatory Arbitration: Jynx does not require mandatory arbitration. You retain the right to bring disputes before the courts of Nantes, France.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (Optional):

Before initiating legal proceedings, we encourage you to:

1. Contact Us Directly: Attempt to resolve the issue by contacting support@jynx.app or dpo@jynx.app
2. Informal Negotiation: We will work with you in good faith to reach an amicable resolution within 30 days
3. Mediation (Optional): If informal resolution fails, you may propose mediation through a neutral third-party mediator

12.4. EU Consumer Rights

If you are a consumer in the European Union, you retain all mandatory consumer rights under EU law, including:

• 14-day cooling-off period for digital content purchases
• Right to remedies for defective products or services
• Protection against unfair contract terms
• Right to file complaints with your local consumer protection authority
• Access to the EU ODR platform

12.5. GDPR Compliance

Our data practices comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). See our Privacy Policy for details on data collection, processing, retention, your rights, and how to contact our Data Protection Officer.

13. Contact & Legal Information

13.1. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms of Service:

• General Inquiries: dpo@jynx.app
• Customer Support: support@jynx.app
• Security Issues: security@jynx.app

13.2. Legal Entity

Company Name: Jynx Group

14. Miscellaneous

14.1. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Jynx regarding the Service.

14.2. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

14.3. Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

14.4. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

14.5. Language

These Terms are provided in English. In the event of any conflict between the English version and any translation, the English version shall prevail.

By using Jynx, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.