Terms of Use

Effective Date: December 20, 2024

Thank you for choosing Hoontos!

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of Hoontos (the “Service”), which is an AI-powered platform exclusively for university students that enables digital connections, chats, and facilitates in-person encounters. By accessing or using Hoontos, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy.

Please read carefully. If you do not agree with these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

1. Who We Are

Hoontos is an innovative platform that leverages AI-driven prompts and personalized meetup recommendations to help university students connect, chat, and meet in real life, fostering genuine connections in a secure and student-only environment.

Hoontos does not guarantee the formation of friendships or the success of meetups facilitated through the platform.

2. Registration and Eligibility

  • Minimum Age: You must be at least 18 years old or the minimum age of majority in your jurisdiction to use the Service.
  • University Verification: Use of Hoontos requires verification of your student status through a valid university-issued email address.
  • Account Accuracy: You agree to provide accurate and complete information during registration and to keep your information updated.
  • Account Security: You are responsible for keeping your account secure and for any activities occurring under your account. Do not share your credentials.
  • Student Status Verification and Account Duration. We periodically verify users’ university email addresses to ensure continued enrollment and may limit the total duration of an account to four years. If a user’s student status changes—such as graduating or otherwise leaving the university—we reserve the right to remove or deactivate the account.

3. Acceptable Use of the Service

What You Can Do

  • Use Hoontos to connect with fellow university students, chat, and participate in AI-suggested meetups.
  • Use the platform in compliance with all applicable laws and these Terms.

What You Cannot Do

  • Use Hoontos for illegal, harmful, or unauthorized purposes.
  • Harass, bully, or impersonate other users.
  • Share inappropriate, offensive, or prohibited content.
  • Attempt to or assist anyone to reverse engineer, replicate or/and decompile or discover the source code or underlying components of our Services.
  • Share or use another student’s account.
  • Use the Service for commercial purposes, such as promotions or advertisements, without prior written permission.
  • Modify, copy, lease, sell or distribute any of our Services.
  • Automated tools or bots to access or interact with the Service.
  • Circumvention of security features.

Third Party Services. Our Services may include or link to third-party software, products, or services (collectively, “Third Party Services”), and some parts of our Services (such as events or meetups) may incorporate or display output from those Third Party Services (“Third Party Output”). This may include events or meetups sourced from universities or other external event providers. Third Party Services and Third Party Output are subject to their own terms and conditions, and we are not responsible for them. We do not control, endorse, or assume any liability for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any Third Party Services. You acknowledge and agree that your use of Third Party Services and Third Party Output is solely at your own risk.

Feedback. We appreciate your feedback, and you agree that we may use it without restriction or compensation to you.

4. Content and Ownership

Your content. You may provide input to the Services (“Input”), and receive output from the Services based on the Input (“Output”). Input and Output are collectively “Content.” You are responsible for Content, including ensuring that it does not violate any applicable law or these Terms. You represent and warrant that you have all rights, licenses, and permissions needed to provide Input to our Services.

Ownership of content. As between you and Hoontos AI, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, you (a) retain your ownership rights in Input and (b) own the Output. We hereby assign to you all our right, title, and interest, if any, in and to Output.

Similarity of content. Due to the nature of our Services and artificial intelligence generally, output may not be unique and other users may receive similar output from our Services. Our assignment above does not extend to other users’ output or any Third Party Output.

Access to User Content. In accordance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and other applicable laws, you may request access to or deletion of the content you have provided to Hoontos. We will respond to such requests in a manner consistent with our legal obligations. For details on how to submit a request and any necessary verification requirements, please refer to our Privacy Policy or contact us at support@hoontos.ai

Our use of content. We may use Content to provide, maintain, develop, and improve our Services, comply with applicable law, enforce our terms and policies, and keep our Services safe.

Opt out. If you do not wish for Hoontos to use your Content to improve or train our models, you may opt out by sending a written request to support@hoontos.ai. Please ensure your email includes the subject line "Opt-Out Request" and any relevant account details to process your request promptly.

Please note that opting out may limit certain functionalities of the Service, reducing its ability to personalize and optimize features for your specific use case.

Accuracy. Our Services integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are rapidly evolving fields of study. While we continually seek to enhance the accuracy, reliability, safety, and usefulness of these Services, you acknowledge that the probabilistic nature of machine learning may result in Output that is incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise not reflective of real people, places, or facts. Any AI-generated content is provided solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as a guarantee, endorsement, or statement of fact. You understand and agree that such Output may be fictional or inaccurate, and you are solely responsible for evaluating its suitability for your particular use.

  • Your Content: Input, messages, and other content you share on Hoontos remain yours. You represent that you have the rights to share such content.
  • Our Rights: By using the Service, you grant Hoontos a limited license to process, store, and use your content solely to operate and improve the platform.
  • AI Outputs: Outputs generated by Hoontos (e.g., conversation starters, event suggestions, chat conversations with Hoontos AI) may not be unique. You may not claim exclusive ownership of AI-generated content.

When you use our Services you understand and agree:

  • Output may not always be accurate. You should not rely on Output from our Services as a sole source of truth or factual information, or as a substitute for professional advice.
  • You must evaluate Output for accuracy and appropriateness for your use case, including using human review as appropriate, before using or sharing Output from the Services.
  • You must not use any Output relating to a person for any purpose that could have a legal or material impact on that person, such as making credit, educational, employment, housing, insurance, legal, medical, or other important decisions about them.
  • Our Services may provide incomplete, incorrect, or offensive Output that does not represent Hoontos AI views. If Output references any third party products or services, it doesn’t mean the third party endorses or is affiliated with Hoontos AI.

5. Privacy and Safety

  • Hoontos values your privacy. Please refer to our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, store, and use your data.
  • You agree not to disclose personal any contact information (e.g., phone numbers, addresses, location).
  • Student-Only Access: Hoontos employs verification measures to ensure the platform is exclusively for university students. Misuse of verification methods may result in termination of access.
  • Safety Clause. Users should exercise personal judgment and take safety precautions during in-person meetups.
  • No Criminal Background Checks. Hoontos does not conduct criminal background checks or screenings of its users. When you participate in in-person meetups facilitated by or through Hoontos, you are responsible for verifying the identity of other participants and exercising caution at all times. For your safety, consider meeting in public places, informing friends or family of your plans, and using your best judgment when arranging or attending any in-person gathering.

6. Termination of Use

Hoontos reserves the right to terminate or suspend your account if:

  • You violate these Terms or our policies.
  • Your account is inactive for more than 12 months.
  • You misrepresent your student status.

You may stop using Hoontos at any time by submitting a request to delete your account via email to support@hoontos.ai. Upon receipt of your request, we will process the account deletion in accordance with our data retention and deletion policies.

Our IP rights

We and our affiliates own all rights, title, and interest in and to the Services. You may only use our name and logo.

Paid accounts

Billing. If you purchase any Services, you will provide complete and accurate billing information, including a valid payment method. For paid subscriptions, we will automatically charge your payment method on each agreed-upon periodic renewal until you cancel. You’re responsible for all applicable taxes, and we’ll charge tax when required. If your payment cannot be completed, we may downgrade your account or suspend your access to our Services until payment is received.

Cancellation. You can cancel your paid subscription at any time. Payments are non-refundable, except where required by law. These Terms do not override any mandatory local laws regarding your cancellation rights.

Changes. We may change our prices from time to time. If we increase our premium services or subscription prices, we will give you at least 30 days’ notice and any price increase will take effect on your next renewal so that you can cancel if you do not agree to the price increase.

Termination and suspension

Termination. You are free to stop using our Services at any time. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to our Services or delete your account if we determine:

  • You breached these Terms of services.
  • We must do so to comply with the law.
  • Your use of our Services could cause risk or harm to Hoontos AI, our users, or anyone else.

We also may terminate your account if it has been inactive for over a year and you do not have a paid account. If we do, we will provide you with advance notice.

Appeals

If you believe your account has been suspended or terminated in error, you may file an appeal by contacting us at support@hoontos.ai. Please include "Appeal Request" in the subject line and provide relevant details about your account and the situation to help us review your case promptly.

Discontinuation of Services

We reserve the right to discontinue our Services at any time. If we do, we will provide you with advance notice. Please note that refunds will not be issued in such cases.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

Hoontos and its services are provided “as is” without any warranties, express or implied, statutory or otherwise. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hoontos disclaims all warranties, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, satisfactory quality, non-infringement, and any arising from a course of dealing or trade usage.

We do not warrant that:

  • The platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or always secure.
  • Hoontos is not liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service.
  • Hoontos employs student email verification to authenticate and verify users as university students. However, Hoontos cannot guarantee prevention of misuse if someone gains unauthorized access to another student’s email for impersonation.
  • You acknowledge that while Hoontos facilitates chat conversations among university students and encourages in-person meetups, you are solely responsible for ensuring your safety and exercising caution when interacting with other users both online and offline.
  • You acknowledge and accept that any use of outputs or recommendations provided by Hoontos is at your own risk. Hoontos content should not be relied upon as a sole source of truth or as a substitute for professional advice.
  • Hoontos will always maintain a completely non-toxic environment or fully prevent the use of offensive language, despite our efforts to promote a respectful and inclusive platform.
  • Meetups and Safety. Hoontos is not liable for any direct or indirect damages that may occur during or as a result of any meetups facilitated through the platform. You are solely responsible for your personal safety and for exercising reasonable caution when arranging or attending in-person gatherings.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, neither Hoontos nor its affiliates or licensors shall be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to damages for lost profits, goodwill, data, or other intangible losses, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

For free accounts, the total aggregate liability of Hoontos under these Terms is zero. For paid accounts, the total aggregate liability of Hoontos under these Terms will not exceed the greater of:

  • The amount you paid for the Service in the 12 months prior to the incident giving rise to the liability, or
  • One hundred dollars ($100).

These limitations of liability apply only to the extent permissible under applicable law.

9. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Agreement to Arbitrate
You and Hoontos agree that any disputes, claims, or controversies arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Services (“Dispute”) will be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration. This agreement to arbitrate applies regardless of when the Dispute arose, including any Dispute predating these Terms.

Opt-Out of Arbitration
You may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of creating your account or within 30 days of any material update to these arbitration terms by emailing support@hoontos.ai with the subject line “Arbitration Opt-Out.” Your email must clearly state your intent to opt out. If you opt out of an updated arbitration provision, the most recent set of arbitration terms you had agreed to will continue to apply.

Informal Dispute Resolution
Before commencing arbitration or any formal legal proceeding, both you and Hoontos agree to make good faith efforts to resolve the Dispute informally. You must provide written notice of your Dispute to support@hoontos.ai, and Hoontos will use the email associated with your account to respond. If the Dispute is not resolved within 60 days from the date of the notice, either party may proceed with arbitration. During this 60-day period, any applicable statute of limitations will be tolled. Both parties further agree to participate in an individual settlement conference if requested by the other party.

Arbitration Forum
If informal resolution is unsuccessful, the arbitration will be administered by National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM) under its Comprehensive Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures. The arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator, who shall be either a retired judge or an attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado. At the arbitrator’s discretion, the arbitration may be held via videoconference, in person at a mutually agreed location, or at another venue determined by the arbitrator. The Federal Arbitration Act governs all aspects of this agreement to arbitrate, including its interpretation and enforcement. Hoontos will not seek attorneys’ fees or costs from you unless the arbitrator finds your claims frivolous.

Arbitration Procedures
The arbitrator has the exclusive authority to decide all issues regarding the Dispute, including the power to rule on dispositive motions. The arbitrator’s decision will be final, binding, and enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. Any settlement offers made by either party will not be disclosed to the arbitrator until after the arbitrator reaches a final decision.

Exceptions to Arbitration
This arbitration agreement does not apply to:

    1. Claims brought on an individual basis in small claims court, provided they qualify within that court’s jurisdictional limits.
    2. Requests for injunctive or equitable relief concerning the unauthorized use of the Services or alleged intellectual property infringement.

Class Action and Jury Trial Waivers
You and Hoontos agree that any Disputes must be brought in an individual capacity only, and neither party will participate in any class action, consolidated action, or representative proceeding. Class arbitrations, class actions, and representative actions are expressly prohibited. In addition, both parties waive any right to a jury trial in connection with any Dispute.

Batch Arbitration
If 25 or more claimants represented by the same or similar counsel submit arbitration demands asserting substantially similar claims within any 90-day period, NAM will group those demands into “batches” of up to 50 claimants per batch. Each batch will be treated as a single arbitration proceeding before one arbitrator, subject to one set of arbitration fees and one hearing. If a court or arbitrator determines that this batch arbitration procedure is unenforceable as to any claimant or batch, those claims will proceed on an individual basis.

Severability

If any provision of this Dispute Resolution and Arbitration section is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. However, if such invalidity would permit class arbitration or any form of representative action, the entirety of this section shall be deemed unenforceable.

10. General Terms

  • Changes: Hoontos reserves the right to modify or update these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you at least 30 days prior to the effective date of those changes, which may include notice through the Services, via email, or both. Your continued use of Hoontos following the notice period constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must discontinue using the Services before the changes take effect.
  • Governing Law: These Terms are governed by and will be interpreted under the laws of the State of Colorado, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Please note that certain provisions may be overridden by local laws, especially for individuals who reside outside the United States.
  • Entire Agreement: These Terms and our Privacy Policy constitute the complete agreement between you and Hoontos and supersede all prior or contemporaneous agreements, communications, or understandings relating to the Services. Any Service-specific terms will apply in addition to these Terms, and in the event of a conflict, the Service-specific terms will control.

Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms, please contact us at support@hoontos.ai

Hoontos – Better Together | Connects me closer to you