Privacy Policy
Effective Date: July 24, 2025
Last Updated: January 28, 2026
1. Introduction
Welcome to AbroadSocial ("we," "our," or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, use our mobile application, or engage with our services (collectively, the "Service"). Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about our data practices.
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of our Service. By using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.
This Privacy Policy is incorporated into and forms part of our Terms of Service. Capitalized terms not defined in this Privacy Policy have the meanings given in our Terms of Service.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Personal Information You Provide
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
- Register for an account: Name, email address, username, university affiliation, study abroad city, and profile information
- Create your profile: Profile photos, bio, academic information, location preferences, social media links, and other optional profile details
- Verify your student status: University email address, enrollment documentation
- Create events: Event details, location, date and time, descriptions, photos, attendance limitations
- Communicate with us: Contact information and messages when you reach out for support or feedback
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you access or use our Service, we automatically collect certain information about your device and usage patterns:
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type and version, screen resolution, device identifiers
- Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click paths, features used, search queries, interaction patterns
- Performance Data: Error logs, crash reports, performance metrics, response times
2.2.1 Mobile Tracking Technologies and SDKs
When you use our mobile application, we collect additional information through tracking technologies and software development kits (SDKs):
- Device Identifiers: Unique device identifiers and app instance IDs
- Push Tokens: Device tokens for push notification delivery
- Crash Logs: Crash reports and diagnostic information to improve app stability
- Performance Metrics: App performance data, load times, and technical metrics
- Analytics SDKs: Sentry for crash reporting and performance monitoring
- These technologies are used for product analytics, performance monitoring, and service improvement, not for targeted advertising
2.3 Location Information
Location data collection and usage:
- Precise Location: GPS coordinates are collected only when you explicitly grant permission through your device settings. Precise location is optional and permission-based. You can disable precise location sharing at any time through your device settings or in-app controls
- Approximate Location: We may derive approximate, city-level location from your IP address for content personalization and security purposes
- Location Preferences: Study abroad cities, preferred event locations, and travel plans you choose to share in your profile
- Location History: We store location history for user app purposes (e.g., displaying your location on a map, enabling location-based features)
- Real-Time Location: We store real-time location data for app purposes (e.g., displaying your location on a map). Location data is retained as necessary to provide the Service and for safety, security, and legal compliance
- You can control location sharing through your device permissions (e.g., "while using app" or "always") and in-app settings. You can disable location sharing at any time
- Location information can reveal sensitive information about where you live, work, or spend time. Please use caution when sharing location data
2.4 Social and Communication Data
- Social Connections: Friend lists, connection requests, blocked users, interaction history
- Messages: Direct messages, event discussions, group communications
- Content: Posts, comments, photos, event reviews, reported content
2.5 Messaging and Message Retention
We process message content to deliver messaging services between users. Messages are stored on our servers to provide the Service. We do not view or access message content unless required for safety reasons—for example, when a message is reported and we need to investigate.
- Messages are encrypted in transit and at rest for security
- If a message is reported or flagged for safety concerns, we may retain copies of the message and related records for longer periods to support safety investigations, enforcement actions, appeals, and legal compliance
- Moderation systems may access message content to detect policy violations and ensure platform safety
- Messages are visible to participants in the conversation, except as needed for safety, support, and legal compliance, and may be subject to automated and human review for safety purposes
2.6 Payment and Subscription Information
- Billing Information: Payment method details (processed securely by our payment processors)
- Transaction History: Subscription payments and premium feature purchases
- Financial Data: Currency preferences, billing address
2.7 Content Moderation and Safety Processing Data
To help maintain a safe community, we may collect and generate additional information when we review user-generated content for safety, trust, and policy compliance, including:
- Moderation signals and outcomes: classifier results, risk scores, labels, and enforcement actions (for example removed, restricted, queued for review)
- Context for review: relevant content excerpts, content type, report reason, timestamps, and account identifiers
- Appeal and resolution records: appeal submissions, reviewer notes, and final decisions
3. How We Use Your Information
3.1 Service Provision and Improvement
- Provide, operate, and maintain our Service and all its features
- Personalize your experience with relevant content, events, and connections
- Facilitate social connections between students and local communities
- Enable event creation, discovery, and attendance management
- Provide location-based services and recommendations
3.2 Communication and Support
- Send important service announcements, updates, and security notifications
- Respond to your inquiries, provide customer support, and resolve issues
- Send promotional communications about new features (with your consent)
- Facilitate communication between users through our messaging system
3.3 Safety and Security
- Verify user identity and prevent fraudulent accounts
- Monitor for and prevent spam, abuse, and harmful content
- Investigate and respond to reported safety concerns
- Provide safety features like blocking, reporting, and location sharing controls
- Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests
3.4 Analytics and Research
- Analyze usage patterns to improve our Service and develop new features (product analytics and performance monitoring only)
- Conduct research on study abroad trends and student needs (aggregated data only)
- Generate insights to help educational institutions and businesses serve students better
- We do not use analytics for targeted advertising or cross-context behavioral advertising
3.5 Business Operations
- Process payments and manage subscriptions
- Manage business partnerships and integrations
- Comply with tax, accounting, and regulatory requirements
- Protect our rights and enforce our Terms of Service
3.6 Content Moderation and AI Processing
To maintain a safe community environment, we use automated content moderation systems including third-party AI services, combined with human review.
OpenAI API Moderation
We use OpenAI's Moderation endpoint to automatically review user-generated text content (posts, comments, and messages) for potential policy violations including:
- Harassment and hate speech
- Violence and threats
- Sexual content
- Self-harm content
- Spam and scams
How this works:
- Text content you submit (posts, comments, and messages) is sent to OpenAI's moderation endpoint for analysis
- Note: We review text content only; image content may be subject to separate moderation processes
- OpenAI returns classification results and/or scores used to help detect potential policy violations
- Flagged content may be automatically filtered, restricted, or queued for human review
- Content moderation involves both automated systems and human reviewers
- We retain moderation logs to improve safety, prevent repeat abuse, handle appeals, and comply with legal obligations
- We retain moderation logs and related records as described in Section 9 (Data Retention and Deletion)
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR/UK GDPR)
For users in the European Union and United Kingdom, we process your personal information based on the following legal bases:
- Contractual Necessity: Processing necessary to provide our Service under our Terms of Service
- Legitimate Interests: Improving our Service, preventing fraud, ensuring security
- Consent: Marketing communications, optional features, precise location data
- Legal Compliance: Responding to legal requests, tax obligations, safety requirements
Your Rights:
- You can withdraw consent at any time through your account settings or by contacting us
- You have the right to object to processing based on legitimate interests
- You can exercise your privacy rights as described in Section 7.3
International Transfers:
- We use Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission to safeguard international data transfers
- These safeguards ensure your personal data receives adequate protection when transferred outside the EU/UK
5. Information Sharing and Disclosure
5.1 No Targeted Advertising, No Selling, No Sharing for Behavioral Advertising
We do not run targeted advertisements on our Service. We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. Your personal data is not a product we sell or trade.
5.2 What Other Users Can See
When you use our Service, certain information is visible to other registered users:
- Profile Information: Your profile picture, name, university affiliation, study abroad city, and other profile fields you choose to make visible are visible to registered users
- Event Details: Public events are visible to all registered users. Private events are visible only to invited attendees. You control whether your events are public or private
- Location Sharing: Location information is shared only with users you choose (e.g., friends, event attendees) based on your privacy settings. You can disable location sharing at any time through device settings or in-app controls
- Messages: Direct messages are visible only to participants in the conversation, except as needed for safety, support, and legal compliance. Messages may be subject to automated and human moderation for safety purposes
- You can control the visibility of your profile information, events, and location sharing through your account settings
5.3 Service Providers and Partners
We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our Service:
- Cloud Infrastructure: Secure database and authentication services
- Payment Processing: Apple Pay and secure payment processing for in-app purchases
- Mapping Services: Mapbox for location and mapping features
- Communication Tools: Email and SMS service providers for notifications
- Analytics: Service providers for usage analytics and performance monitoring
- Safety and Moderation: Third-party providers (including OpenAI) to support automated content moderation and platform safety
5.4 User-Directed Sharing
- Information you choose to share publicly in your profile
- Profile Pictures: Your profile picture is visible to all registered users of the platform
- Event information when you create or attend public events
- Messages and content you share with other users
- Location information when you enable location sharing features
5.5 Legal and Safety Requirements
- When required by law, court order, or government request
- To protect the safety of our users or the public
- To investigate fraud, security breaches, or violations of our Terms
- To protect our legal rights and property
5.6 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business, your personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.
6. Data Security and Protection
6.1 Security Measures
- Encryption: Data encrypted in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols
- Access Controls: Strict employee access controls and authentication requirements
- Infrastructure Security: Secure cloud infrastructure with regular security audits
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security threats and unusual activity
- Regular Updates: Frequent security updates and vulnerability assessments
6.2 Your Security Responsibilities
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication
- Keep your account information current and secure
- Report suspicious activity or security concerns immediately
- Log out of shared devices and secure your mobile device
6.3 Data Breach Procedures
In the unlikely event of a data security incident, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities as required by applicable law, typically within 72 hours of discovery.
7. Your Privacy Rights and Choices
7.1 Account Management
- Access: View and download your personal information through your account settings
- Update: Modify your profile, preferences, and account information at any time
- Delete: Delete your account and request removal of your personal data
- Export: Download a copy of your data in a portable format
7.2 Privacy Controls
- Profile Visibility: Control who can see your profile and personal information
- Location Sharing: Enable or disable location features and real-time location sharing
- Communication Preferences: Choose what notifications you receive and how
- Event Privacy: Set events as public or private and control attendee visibility
7.3 Regional Privacy Rights
GDPR Rights (EU Users)
- Right to access your personal data and receive a copy
- Right to rectify inaccurate or incomplete personal data
- Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten") under certain circumstances
- Right to restrict processing of your personal data
- Right to data portability
- Right to object to processing and withdraw consent
CCPA/CPRA Rights (California Users)
- Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
- Right to delete personal information (with certain exceptions)
- Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (not applicable as we do not sell personal information)
- Right to opt-out of sharing personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising (not applicable as we do not engage in such sharing)
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising these rights
- We do not sell personal information and do not share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
8.1 Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential Cookies: Required for basic Service functionality and security
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Service
- Functional Cookies: Enable enhanced functionality and personalization
8.2 Managing Cookies
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Service.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at support@abroadsocial.com.
Terms of Service
Effective Date: July 24, 2025
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing, browsing, or using AbroadSocial ("the Platform," "we," "our," or "us"), including any of our websites, mobile applications, services, features, content, or applications offered from time to time by AbroadSocial in connection therewith (collectively, the "Service"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you are not authorized to use the Service. We may modify these Terms at any time, and such modifications will be effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Service following any modifications indicates your acceptance of the new Terms.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and AbroadSocial, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, United States ("Company," "we," "us," or "our").
2. Definitions
- "Account" means your user account on the Platform, whether individual or business.
- "Content" means any information, text, graphics, photos, videos, audio files, or other materials posted, uploaded, or shared on the Platform.
- "Event" means any social gathering, activity, or experience created, posted, or promoted through the Platform.
- "User Content" means all Content that users post, upload, publish, submit, or transmit through the Service.
- "Business Account" means accounts registered by businesses, organizations, or commercial entities.
3. Description of Service
AbroadSocial is a comprehensive social networking platform designed to connect students studying abroad with local communities, events, and businesses. Our Service provides:
- Social Networking: Profile creation, friend connections, messaging, and social interaction features
- Event Discovery & Management: Event creation, discovery, RSVP functionality, and attendance tracking
- Location-Based Services: Interactive maps, location sharing, and proximity-based recommendations
- Business Integration: Business profiles, event promotion, and commercial engagement tools
- Safety Features: User reporting, blocking, content moderation, and safety resources
- Premium Services: Subscription-based enhanced features and exclusive content access
The Service is primarily intended for students studying abroad, local students, and businesses in international education markets. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Service at any time.
4. User Accounts and Registration
4.1 Eligibility
- You must be at least 18 years old to use our Service
- We may request proof of age at any time. If you are under 18 years old, we will terminate your account and delete your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law
- You must be currently enrolled as a University/College student or be a recent graduate (within 5 years) for student accounts
- Business accounts must represent legitimate business entities
- You must have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms in your jurisdiction
4.2 Account Information
- You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
- You must maintain and promptly update your account information to keep it accurate and complete
- You must verify your university enrollment through our verification process
- Business accounts must provide valid business registration and contact information
4.3 Account Security
- You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
- You must use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication when available
- You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account
- You may not share your account credentials or allow others to access your account
4.4 Account Restrictions
- You may only create one personal account; multiple accounts are prohibited
- You may not transfer, sell, or assign your account to another person
- Accounts that have been terminated may not be re-registered without our explicit permission
- Attempting to evade account restrictions, suspensions, or bans by creating new accounts is strictly prohibited and may result in permanent termination
5. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities
5.1 General Conduct
You agree to use the Service in a manner that is lawful, respectful, and in accordance with these Terms. You are responsible for all activity that occurs through your account.
5.2 Prohibited Content
You agree not to post, share, or transmit Content that:
- Is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, or invasive of privacy
- Promotes discrimination, bigotry, racism, hatred, harassment, or harm against any individual or group
- Contains nudity, sexually explicit material, or content inappropriate for minors
- Promotes illegal drugs, violence, or dangerous activities
- Contains spam, commercial advertisements, or unsolicited promotional content
- Violates intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, or trade secrets
- Contains false or misleading information, including fake news or misinformation
5.3 Prohibited Behavior
You agree not to:
- Impersonate any person, entity, or misrepresent your identity or affiliation
- Stalk, harass, threaten, or harm other users
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to other accounts, computer systems, or networks
- Use the Service for any commercial purpose without our explicit written consent
- Collect or harvest personal information about other users without consent
- Distribute viruses, malware, or other harmful computer code
- Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers connected to the Service
- Engage in fraud, phishing, or deceptive practices
- Solicit money, payment information, or financial details from other users through deceptive means
- Harvest or attempt to harvest payment information, credit card numbers, or other sensitive financial data
- Promote or facilitate off-platform payment scams, including requests for money transfers, gift cards, or other forms of payment outside the Platform
5.4 Event-Specific Conduct
- Event creators are responsible for ensuring their events comply with local laws and regulations
- You may not create events that promote illegal activities or violate these Terms
- False event information or "no-show" events may result in account suspension
- You must respect event attendance limits and RSVP requirements
5.5 Events and In-Person Interactions
- We do not verify the identity, background, or credentials of users, event hosts, venues, or event details
- You attend events and meet other users in person at your own risk
- In-person interactions carry inherent risks, and you assume all responsibility for your safety and well-being
- You must use good judgment and exercise caution when attending events or meeting other users in person
- We are not responsible for any harm, loss, or damage that may occur as a result of your participation in events or in-person interactions facilitated through the Platform
6. Content Ownership and License
6.1 Your Content
You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights in the Content you post to the Service. However, by posting Content, you grant AbroadSocial a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform your Content in connection with the Service and AbroadSocial's business operations.
By posting Content, you represent and warrant that: (a) you own or have the necessary rights, licenses, consents, and permissions to post such Content and grant the license described above; (b) your Content does not violate any applicable laws or regulations; (c) your Content does not violate any intellectual property rights, privacy rights, publicity rights, or other rights of any third party; and (d) your Content is accurate and not misleading.
6.2 Platform Content
The Service and all materials therein, including but not limited to software, images, text, graphics, logos, patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, photographs, audio, videos, music, and all intellectual property rights related thereto, are the exclusive property of AbroadSocial and its licensors.
6.3 Content Moderation and Enforcement
- We reserve the right to review, moderate, and remove Content that violates these Terms
- Content moderation may be performed by automated systems and human reviewers
- We are not obligated to monitor Content but may do so at our discretion
- Users may report inappropriate Content through our reporting system
- We may, at our sole discretion, restrict the visibility of Content, limit access to features, remove Content, suspend accounts, or permanently terminate accounts for violations of these Terms
- Attempting to evade moderation, restrictions, or account actions through any means, including creating new accounts, is strictly prohibited
7. Privacy and Data Protection
7.1 Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information. By using the Service, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.
7.2 Location Data
- The Service uses location data to provide location-based features and services
- You control location sharing through your device permissions (e.g., "while using app" or "always") and in-app settings
- You may choose between precise and approximate location sharing where available
- You can control who sees your location through audience controls (e.g., friends, connections, or public)
- Location data may be used for safety features, event recommendations, and analytics
- Location information can reveal sensitive information about you, including where you live, work, or spend time. Please use caution when sharing location data
- The Service is not an emergency service. Location sharing is not intended for emergency situations, and we do not provide emergency response services
- Location accuracy depends on your device, network connectivity, and third-party services, and may not always be accurate or available
7.3 Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal data. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Business Accounts and Commercial Use
8.1 Business Account Requirements
- Business accounts must represent legitimate business entities with proper registration
- Businesses must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in their jurisdiction
- Business information must be accurate, complete, and regularly updated
- Additional verification documents may be required for business account approval
8.2 Commercial Activities
- Commercial promotion is only permitted through approved business accounts
- Business accounts may create and promote events, subject to platform guidelines
- All commercial content must be clearly identified as such
- Businesses are responsible for compliance with advertising laws and regulations
8.3 Business Account Subscriptions
Business accounts may be subject to subscription fees for enhanced features. Subscription terms, pricing, and billing are governed by separate subscription agreements and our payment terms.
9. Payments and Subscriptions
9.1 Subscription Services
- Premium features may be available through paid subscription plans
- Subscription fees are charged in advance on a recurring basis
- All fees are non-refundable except as expressly stated or required by law
- We may change subscription pricing with 30 days advance notice
9.2 Payment Processing
- Payments are processed by third-party payment processors
- You must provide accurate and complete payment information
- You authorize automatic charging of your payment method for recurring subscriptions
9.3 Cancellation and Refunds
- You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings
- Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period
- No refunds for partial subscription periods unless required by applicable law
9.4 Apple In-App Purchases
- If you purchase subscriptions through the Apple App Store using Apple In-App Purchase (IAP), billing and cancellation are managed through your Apple ID account settings
- Refunds for Apple IAP subscriptions are handled by Apple in accordance with Apple's refund policies, except where required by applicable law
10. Safety and Security Features
10.1 User Safety
- We provide tools for users to report inappropriate behavior or content
- Users may block other users to prevent unwanted contact
- Safety resources and guidelines are available through our platform
- We cooperate with law enforcement when required by legal process
10.2 Content Reporting
- Users can report Content that violates these Terms or applicable laws
- Reports are reviewed by our moderation team in accordance with our policies
- False or malicious reports may result in account restrictions
10.3 Account Actions
- We may take various actions against accounts that violate these Terms
- Actions may include warnings, content removal, temporary suspension, or permanent termination
- Serious violations may result in immediate account termination without prior notice
11. Third-Party Services and Integration
11.1 Third-Party Services
- The Service may integrate with third-party services such as mapping providers and social media platforms
- Third-party services are governed by their own terms of service and privacy policies
- We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or content of third-party services
11.2 External Links
The Service may contain links to external websites or resources. We do not endorse and are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or resources.
11.3 App Store Additional Terms
- If you download or access the Service through the Apple App Store, the following additional terms apply
- Apple is not a party to these Terms and has no obligation to provide maintenance or support for the Service
- Apple is not responsible for any product claims, consumer protection claims, or intellectual property claims related to the Service
- Apple is a third-party beneficiary of these Terms and may enforce these Terms against you
- To the extent these Terms conflict with the Apple App Store Terms of Service, these Terms shall govern
12. Intellectual Property
12.1 Platform Rights
The Service and all materials therein, including but not limited to software, images, text, graphics, logos, patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, photographs, audio, videos, music, and all intellectual property rights related thereto, are the exclusive property of AbroadSocial and its licensors. The Service is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.
12.2 Limited License
Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to access and use the Service for your personal, non-commercial use.
12.3 DMCA Policy
We respect intellectual property rights and respond to valid DMCA takedown notices. If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please send a notice to our designated DMCA agent:
- DMCA Agent: support@abroadsocial.com
- Your notice must include the information required by the DMCA, including identification of the copyrighted work, description of the infringing material, your contact information, a statement of good faith, and a statement of accuracy
- We maintain a repeat infringer policy and may terminate accounts of users who repeatedly infringe copyrights
13. Termination
13.1 Termination by You
- You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings
- Upon termination, your access to the Service will cease immediately
- Some information may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes
13.2 Termination by Us
- We may terminate or suspend your account immediately for any violation of these Terms
- We may terminate accounts for inactivity after reasonable notice
- We may discontinue the Service at any time with reasonable notice
13.3 Effect of Termination
- Upon termination, all licenses granted to you will cease immediately
- Provisions that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect
- You remain liable for all charges incurred before termination
14. Disclaimers and Warranties
14.1 Service Disclaimers
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
14.2 User Content Disclaimers
- We do not endorse, warrant, or guarantee any User Content
- Users are solely responsible for their interactions with other users
- We do not verify the identity or background of users
14.3 Technical Disclaimers
- We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure
- Technical issues, maintenance, and updates may temporarily affect Service availability
- Location-based features depend on third-party services and may not always be accurate
15. Limitation of Liability
15.1 General Limitations
IN NO EVENT SHALL ABROADSOCIAL, ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE.
15.2 Maximum Liability
OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF $100 OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.
15.3 Jurisdictional Variations
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you to the extent prohibited by applicable law.
16. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless AbroadSocial, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:
- Your violation of these Terms or applicable laws
- Your use of the Service or interaction with other users
- Your Content or any violation of intellectual property rights
- Any events you create, organize, or attend through the Platform
17. Dispute Resolution
17.1 Governing Law
These Terms and your use of the Service are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.
17.2 Arbitration
Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the American Arbitration Association's Commercial Arbitration Rules, except as provided below. The arbitration shall take place in Delaware, United States.
- Small Claims Court Carveout: Either party may bring a claim in small claims court in Delaware, United States, if the claim qualifies for small claims court jurisdiction
- Injunctive Relief Carveout: Either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in court for claims related to intellectual property rights, security, fraud, or abuse, without first submitting to arbitration
- Opt-Out Right: You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to support@abroadsocial.com or to our mailing address (if provided) within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. If you opt out, disputes will be resolved in court as provided in Section 17.1
- Where prohibited by applicable law, this arbitration provision may not apply to you
17.3 Class Action Waiver
You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.
18. Communications Consent
- By using the Service, you consent to receive operational communications from us via email, push notifications, or in-app messages
- These communications may include account-related information, security alerts, administrative notices, and service updates
- You may opt out of marketing communications where required by applicable law, but you may not opt out of essential operational communications
19. Feedback License
If you provide us with any feedback, suggestions, ideas, or other submissions regarding the Service, you grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, and otherwise exploit such feedback for any purpose, without compensation or attribution to you.
20. Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance under these Terms that is due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, government actions, internet or telecommunications failures, or other force majeure events.
21. Changes to Terms
- We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time
- Material changes will be communicated with at least 30 days advance notice
- Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of new Terms
- If you disagree with changes, you may terminate your account
22. General Provisions
19.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published by us on the Service, constitute the entire agreement between you and AbroadSocial concerning the Service.
19.2 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
19.3 Waiver
No waiver of any term or condition of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term.
19.4 Assignment
You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.
23. Contact Information
General Inquiries: support@abroadsocial.com
For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us through our Contact Us page or send an email to the appropriate address listed above.
Community Guidelines
Building a Safe Community Together
AbroadSocial is a platform where students from around the world come together to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections. These guidelines help ensure our community remains welcoming, safe, and inclusive for everyone. By using our platform, including our iOS app, you agree to follow these guidelines.
Last Updated: January 2026
Be Respectful
Treat all community members with kindness and respect
- Use inclusive and welcoming language
- Respect different viewpoints and experiences
- Be constructive in your feedback and discussions
- Avoid harassment, discrimination, or hate speech
Foster Community
Help create a supportive environment for all students
- Welcome new members to the community
- Share knowledge and help others when possible
- Participate actively in events and discussions
- Report inappropriate behavior to moderators
Stay Safe
Protect yourself and others in the community
- Never share personal information like addresses or phone numbers
- Meet in public places for initial in-person meetings
- Trust your instincts and report suspicious behavior
- Use AbroadSocial's built-in messaging before moving to external platforms
Prohibited Content
Content and behavior that is not allowed on AbroadSocial
- Spam, promotional content, or unauthorized commercial activities
- Fake profiles, impersonation, or misrepresentation of identity
- Sharing of illegal, harmful, violent, or inappropriate content
- Harassment, bullying, hate speech, or discrimination of any kind
- Sexually explicit content, nudity, or adult material
- Coordinating activities that violate local laws or regulations
- Fraud, scams, phishing attempts, or deceptive practices
- Soliciting money, payment information, or financial details
- Sharing personal information of others without consent
- Copyright infringement or intellectual property violations
Age Requirements
AbroadSocial is designed for users aged 18 and older
- You must be at least 18 years old to use our platform
- We may request proof of age at any time
- Accounts found to be under 18 will be terminated immediately
- Users must be currently enrolled as a University/College student or be a recent graduate (within 5 years) for student accounts
Mobile App Guidelines
Guidelines specific to using our iOS and mobile applications
- Respect device permissions and only grant access when necessary
- Location sharing is optional—you control who can see your location
- Push notifications can be managed in your device settings
- Do not attempt to modify, reverse engineer, or hack the app
- Report any bugs or security concerns through official channels
- In-app purchases and subscriptions are subject to Apple's terms and our Terms of Service
- Do not use automated tools, bots, or scripts to interact with the app
Location Sharing & Events Safety
Important safety considerations for location-based features and in-person events
- Location sharing is completely optional—you can disable it at any time
- Only share your location with people you trust
- Location information can reveal sensitive information—use caution
- We do not verify event hosts, venues, or attendees—attend at your own risk
- Always meet in public places for initial in-person meetings
- Inform friends or family about your plans when meeting someone new
- Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, leave and report it
- Do not share your exact address or private location details publicly
- Report suspicious events or users immediately
Messaging Guidelines
Rules for direct messaging and communication on the platform
- Direct messages are private between participants. We respect your privacy and do not routinely monitor message content. However, we may review messages when they are reported for policy violations, safety concerns, or when required by law
- Do not send unsolicited messages or spam
- Respect others' boundaries and respond appropriately to requests to stop messaging
- Do not use messaging to harass, threaten, or intimidate others
- Report inappropriate messages using the in-app reporting feature
- Do not share payment information, passwords, or sensitive data through messages
Content Moderation
How we maintain a safe community through content review
- All content is subject to automated and human review
- We use AI-powered moderation tools to detect policy violations
- Flagged content may be automatically removed or queued for human review
- Moderation decisions are made to protect community safety
- You can appeal moderation decisions through our support channels
- Repeated violations may result in account restrictions or termination
Account Security
Protect your account and the community
- Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication when available
- Do not share your account credentials with anyone
- Only create one account per person—multiple accounts are prohibited
- Do not attempt to evade account restrictions or bans by creating new accounts
- Report unauthorized access to your account immediately
- Keep your account information accurate and up-to-date
Enforcement & Consequences
What happens when guidelines are violated
- Violations may result in warnings, content removal, or account restrictions
- Serious violations can lead to immediate account suspension or termination
- We may restrict access to certain features for repeated violations
- Attempts to evade enforcement actions are strictly prohibited
- We reserve the right to take action at our discretion to protect the community
- Legal violations may be reported to appropriate authorities
Reporting Violations
How to report inappropriate behavior or content
- Use the in-app reporting feature to flag content or users
- Abroad Admins act on objectionable content reports within 24 hours by removing the content and removing the user who provided the offending content
- Reports are reviewed by our moderation team
- False or malicious reports may result in account restrictions
- For urgent safety concerns, contact support immediately
- You can block users to prevent unwanted contact
- All reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly
Questions or Concerns?
If you have questions about these guidelines or need to report a violation, please contact us:
Email: support@abroadsocial.com
