# mortalpings – Terms of Service
_Last Updated: 21st November 2025_
Welcome to **mortalpings**, a hyperlocal messaging platform designed to connect people instantly within their surroundings.
By using mortalpings (“the App”), you agree to these Terms of Service.
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## ⚖️ 1. Eligibility
- You must be at least **13 years old** to use mortalpings.
- If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must review these Terms with you.
- You confirm that you are legally allowed to use such services in your region.
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## 📱 2. Nature of the Service
- mortalpings enables **time-bound, location-based communication.**
- Messages (“pings”) and replies automatically **expire** after a chosen duration between **1 and 24 hours** (default: **1 hour**).
- Each ping is visible **only within a chosen radius** (500 m → 10 km).
- The app is **offline-aware** — if you post while offline, your message is **queued locally** and auto-sent when online again.
- **Voice Input** converts speech into text — ideal for moments when you **can’t type (like while driving or eating)**.
- Each install is assigned an UID. The app may create a small /users/{uid} document containing displayId, createdAt, and isVendor. These fields are minimal and required for app operation and moderation. The UID is used to guarantee that writes come from the signed-in client and to support moderation; it is not PII.
- mortalpings is built for **momentary, local updates**, not permanent or private chats.
-The **Market category** allows any user to share short-lived product or service information within their local area. It is simply another message category — replies are disabled to keep this space clean and focused.
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## 🙋♂️ 3. User Responsibilities
You are responsible for everything you post.
Please **do not** use mortalpings for:
- Illegal, abusive, or harmful content.
- Hate speech, harassment, or spam.
- Sharing personal details (numbers, addresses, links).
- Explicit, violent, or threatening messages.
- Misusing offline-sending to flood messages.
- Impersonation or misinformation.
- Automated or bot-generated posts.
Use the Market category only for genuine, location-relevant products or services.
Also note:
- mortalpings is **not for emergency use** — always contact local authorities.
- Messages are **temporary and limited-by-radius**; treat them accordingly.
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## 📝 4. Content Ownership & License
- You **own** your posts and replies.
- By posting, you grant mortalpings a **temporary license** to display content until expiry.
- Expired posts may stay in secure logs up to **30 days** for abuse-prevention or compliance.
- mortalpings does **not** reuse, resell, or permanently store your data.
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## 🔒 5. Data, Privacy & Security
mortalpings collects **minimal data** necessary for core functionality.
### What We Collect
- UID and displayId (human-readable label).
- Approximate location (lat/long) for radius filtering.
- Message text (temporary).
- Device type/version for diagnostics.
### What We Do **Not** Collect
- No names, phone numbers, or emails.
- No media, photos, or contacts.
- No advertising trackers or profiling.
### Voice Input
- Processed **locally** on-device.
- mortalpings never uploads or stores audio.
- Useful when **typing isn’t possible** (e.g., driving, eating).
### Data Retention
- Messages auto-delete after expiry.
- Offline messages stored locally until sent.
- Backend logs retained ≤ 30 days for abuse prevention & legal compliance.
- Minimal /users/{uid} docs are kept indefinitely unless user is deleted/blocked (you may add deletion policy if desired).
### Security
- Encryption and modern safety measures are used.
- No platform is 100 % secure — avoid sharing private info.
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## ⚠️ 6. Limitations of Liability
mortalpings is provided **“as-is”** and **“as-available.”**
We make no guarantees of uptime, reliability, or accuracy.
We are **not liable** for:
- User-generated content or consequences.
- Service outages, latency, or data loss.
- Misuse, impersonation, or abuse by others.
- Reliance on mortalpings for emergencies.
Use mortalpings responsibly as a **local awareness tool**, not a critical service.
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## 💰 7. Sponsored Content & Ads
- Future updates may include **sponsored pings**.
- All promotions will be **clearly marked** (e.g., “Sponsored”).
- Sponsored content will **not** access private data.
- The **Market section** is separate from sponsored content and is intended for organic, user-created posts by local vendors or providers.
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## 🚫 8. Suspension & Termination
We may suspend or terminate your access if you:
- Violate these Terms.
- Post illegal or harmful content.
- Abuse, spam, or harass users.
- Attempt to hack, reverse-engineer, or disrupt the app.
Termination may remove your UID and data.
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## 🚀 9. Feature Evolution
mortalpings evolves continuously.
Future updates may include:
- Media attachments (images, short voice notes).
- AI-based moderation.
- Community / business features.
Continued use after updates = acceptance of new terms.
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## ⚖️ 10. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of **Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Maharashtra, India.**
Disputes fall under the **local courts of Pune**.
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