Terms of Service

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Topical ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Service.

2. Data Ownership

You own all content you create on Topical.

  • All posts, comments, and other content you create belong to you
  • You can export your data at any time from your account settings
  • If you delete your account, all your content will be permanently removed
  • By posting content, you grant Topical a license to display and distribute your content on the platform
  • You retain all other rights to your content

3. User Accounts

Account Types:

  • Free Accounts: Can vote on proposed topics and participate in discussions
  • Paid Accounts: Can create topics instantly without community approval

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and password. Topical cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage from your failure to comply with this security obligation.

4. Topic-Based Structure

Topical is organized around specific topics of discussion:

  • All conversations must remain relevant to their topic
  • Free users can propose new topics, which require community votes to be approved
  • Paid users can create topics without requiring votes
  • Topics that consistently attract off-topic discussions may be archived

5. Content Policy

You agree not to post content that:

  • Is illegal, harmful, or promotes illegal activities
  • Harasses, threatens, or demeans others
  • Contains child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
  • Violates the intellectual property rights of others
  • Is spam or primarily promotional
  • Is repeatedly off-topic for the discussion thread

6. Moderation & Enforcement

Topical uses a dignity-based moderation system:

  • First violation: Informational warning
  • Second violation: Formal warning
  • Third violation: Final warning with temporary restrictions
  • Continued violations: Account suspension or permanent ban
  • CSAM or illegal content: Immediate permanent ban and law enforcement notification

We strive to give users the benefit of the doubt and opportunities to improve before taking severe action.

7. Social Media Cross-Posting

When topics are approved, they may be automatically cross-posted to external social media platforms (Bluesky, Twitter, etc.) with a link back to Topical. This helps drive traffic to the platform while keeping the primary discussion on Topical.

8. Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

9. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violations of these Terms. You may also delete your account at any time from your account settings.

10. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify users of significant changes by email or through the Service. Your continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

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

12. Limitation of Liability

TOPICAL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE.

13. Contact

For questions about these Terms, please contact us at: legal@topical.app

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