Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using Represent ("the Service"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Represent regarding your use of our civic engagement platform.

2. Description of Service

Represent is a civic engagement platform that helps citizens stay informed about government activities, track legislation, and communicate with their elected representatives. Our Service includes:

• Legislative tracking and analysis
• Representative voting records and contact information
• Communication tools for contacting officials
• Personalized political insights and recommendations
• Election information and reminders

3. Eligibility and Account Registration

3.1 Age Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account and use our Service. By registering, you represent that you meet this age requirement.

3.2 Account Information

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when creating your account and to keep this information updated. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

3.3 One Account Per Person

Each individual may maintain only one account. Creating multiple accounts may result in suspension or termination of all associated accounts.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

4.1 Permitted Uses

You may use our Service to:

• Access information about legislation and representatives
• Send respectful communications to elected officials
• Track your civic engagement activities
• Participate in democratic processes

4.2 Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or activity
• Send threatening, harassing, or abusive messages to representatives
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Distribute spam, malware, or other harmful content
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Use automated tools to scrape or harvest data
• Share false or misleading political information
• Engage in activities that could disrupt or harm the Service

5. User-Generated Content

5.1 Your Content

You retain ownership of content you create or submit through our Service, including messages to representatives and profile information. However, you grant us a limited license to process and transmit this content as necessary to provide our Service.

5.2 Content Standards

All content must be:

• Truthful and not misleading
• Respectful and civil in tone
• Relevant to political or civic matters
• Free from illegal or harmful content

6. Communication with Representatives

6.1 Facilitation Service

Our Service facilitates communication between you and your elected representatives. We are not responsible for representatives' responses or lack thereof.

6.2 Message Standards

Messages sent through our platform must be respectful, constructive, and relevant to political or policy matters. We reserve the right to refuse to transmit messages that violate our community standards.

7. Privacy and Data Use

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using our Service, you also agree to our Privacy Policy.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Content

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of Represent and its licensors. This includes our software, databases, designs, and trademarks.

8.2 Government Data

Political data, voting records, and official information are derived from public government sources and remain in the public domain.

9. Service Availability

We strive to maintain reliable service but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We may temporarily suspend or restrict access for maintenance, updates, or due to circumstances beyond our control.

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of our Service with reasonable notice when possible.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations

10.1 Information Accuracy

While we strive for accuracy, political information changes frequently. We do not guarantee the completeness or timeliness of all information and are not responsible for decisions made based on information provided through our Service.

10.2 No Political Endorsements

Represent does not endorse any political candidates, parties, or specific policy positions. Our Service is designed to be non-partisan and informational.

10.3 Service Limitations

Our Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Represent shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or use, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

12. Account Termination

12.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using account deletion tools in your settings.

12.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, engage in harmful activities, or for other legitimate business reasons. We will provide reasonable notice when possible.

13. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state in which our business is incorporated, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service will be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except that you may pursue claims in small claims court if they qualify.

14. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify users of material changes by email or through prominent notices on our Service. Your continued use after changes indicates acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. Contact Information

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

16. Severability

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