Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to BearMate! By accessing or using our roommate matching platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use BearMate.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and BearMate. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time, and your continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any changes.

2. Eligibility

To use BearMate, you must:

• Be a current UC Berkeley student with a valid @berkeley.edu email address
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement
• Not be prohibited from using the service under applicable laws

By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.

3. Account Registration and Security

3.1 Account Creation

You must verify your UC Berkeley email address to create an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

3.2 Accurate Information

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information in your profile. Misrepresenting yourself, your housing situation, or your preferences is strictly prohibited and may result in account termination.

3.3 Account Security

You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account credentials.

4. Acceptable Use

4.1 Permitted Use

BearMate is intended solely for UC Berkeley students seeking roommates for off-campus housing in the Berkeley area. You may use the platform to:

• Create a roommate profile
• View compatible matches
• Connect with potential roommates via Instagram

4.2 Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to:

• Create false or misleading profiles
• Harass, threaten, or discriminate against other users
• Use the platform for commercial purposes or solicitation
• Scrape, data mine, or automatically collect user information
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the platform or other accounts
• Post spam, malware, or malicious content
• Violate any local, state, federal, or international laws
• Impersonate another person or entity
• Use the platform for any purpose other than finding roommates
• Share or sell access to your account

5. User Content and Conduct

5.1 Your Responsibility

You are solely responsible for the information you provide in your profile, including free-text notes. You grant BearMate a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your profile information for the purpose of providing the matching service.

5.2 Prohibited Content

Your profile must not contain:

• Offensive, discriminatory, or hate speech
• Explicit sexual content or solicitation
• Personal contact information other than Instagram handle
• False or misleading information
• Promotion of illegal activities

6. Matching Algorithm

BearMate uses a compatibility algorithm to generate matches based on your preferences and profile information. While we strive to provide quality matches:

• Matches are suggestions only and not guarantees of compatibility
• We do not verify the accuracy of information provided by other users
• Compatibility scores are algorithmic estimates, not professional assessments
• You are responsible for vetting potential roommates independently

7. Third-Party Interactions

BearMate facilitates connections between users, but all subsequent interactions, agreements, and arrangements are solely between you and other users. We are not a party to any rental agreements, roommate agreements, or disputes that arise from your use of the platform.

YOU ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MEETING, COMMUNICATING WITH, OR LIVING WITH INDIVIDUALS YOU CONNECT WITH THROUGH BEARMATE.

8. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

8.1 "AS IS" Service

BEARMATE 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, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

8.2 No Guarantee

We do not guarantee that:

• You will find a compatible roommate
• The platform will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• User information is accurate, complete, or up-to-date
• Matches will result in successful housing arrangements

8.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, BEARMATE AND ITS OPERATORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

• Your use or inability to use the platform
• Interactions with other users
• Roommate arrangements or housing disputes
• Unauthorized access to your account or data
• Any conduct or content of third parties

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless BearMate and its operators from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms
• Your use of the platform
• Your interactions with other users
• Any content you submit to the platform
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity

10. Account Termination

10.1 By You

You may delete your account at any time through your profile settings.

10.2 By Us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, without notice, for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Harassment or abuse of other users
• Providing false information
• Inactivity for extended periods
• Any reason at our sole discretion

11. Intellectual Property

BearMate, its logo, and all related trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to BearMate. You may not use, copy, or distribute any of our intellectual property without written permission.

12. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of BearMate shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the laws of the State of California, excluding its conflict of law provisions.

13. Severability

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

14. Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer, constitute the entire agreement between you and BearMate regarding the use of the platform.

15. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Email: bearmateapp@gmail.com