Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to BD Rising! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the BD Rising platform, including our website, mobile applications, and all related services (collectively, the "Service").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these Terms, you may not access or use our Service.

2. Eligibility

To use BD Rising, you must:

• Be at least 13 years of age (or the minimum legal age in your jurisdiction)
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement
• Not be prohibited from using the Service under applicable laws
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Be a resident or citizen with genuine civic concerns

If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms.

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of our Service, you must create an account. When creating an account, you agree to:

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

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for safeguarding your account credentials. BD Rising will never ask for your password via email or phone. If you suspect any unauthorized access, please contact us immediately.

4. User Conduct

When using BD Rising, you agree NOT to:

• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent civic reports
• Harass, abuse, or threaten other users or officials
• Use the platform for any illegal purposes
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any systems
• Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful content
• Collect user information without consent
• Use automated systems to access the Service
• Engage in spam or unsolicited communications

5. User Content

5.1 Your Content

You retain ownership of content you submit to BD Rising ("User Content"). By submitting content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your content for operating and improving the Service.

5.2 Content Guidelines

User Content must comply with the following guidelines:

• Be truthful and accurately represent civic issues
• Not contain offensive, defamatory, or illegal material
• Not infringe on intellectual property rights
• Not contain personal information of others without consent
• Be relevant to civic engagement purposes

5.3 Content Removal

We reserve the right to remove any User Content that violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable, at our sole discretion and without notice.

6. Intellectual Property

The BD Rising Service, including its original content, features, and functionality, is owned by BD Rising and is protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

• Our logo, name, and branding are registered trademarks
• You may not use our trademarks without written permission
• All software and code are proprietary to BD Rising
• User-generated content remains the property of users

7. Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using our Service, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

8. Disclaimers

The BD Rising Service is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
• Warranties that the Service will be uninterrupted or error-free
• Warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability of information
• Warranties that defects will be corrected

We do not guarantee that civic issues reported through our platform will be resolved within any specific timeframe or at all.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, BD Rising shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, data, or goodwill
• Service interruption or computer damage
• Cost of substitute services
• Any damages arising from user content
• Actions or inactions of third parties

10. Termination

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

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Upon your request to delete your account
• Extended period of inactivity
• Discontinuation of the Service

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. Provisions that should survive termination will remain in effect.

11. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of significant changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on our website
• Sending an email to registered users
• Displaying a notice within the Service

Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: