Terms of Service

Welcome to Chowrasta — a platform for Indians abroad to connect via country and city communities, events, marketplace, and housing. These Terms govern your use of our iOS app and website. By accessing or using Chowrasta you agree to these Terms.

1. Services

Chowrasta provides: (a) country-wide and city-local community spaces for Indians abroad; (b) events discovery and hosting; (c) a peer-to-peer marketplace (e.g., food, clothes, rides, services, classifieds); and (d) housing and roommates discovery. We may add, modify, or remove features at any time.

2. Acceptance & Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old and able to form a binding contract. The services are not available to persons under 18.
• You are responsible for your account, credentials, and all activity under it.
• Provide accurate information and keep it updated.
• Usernames & identity: You may use your real name or a pseudonymous username. Do not impersonate others, misrepresent your affiliation, or claim names intended to deceive. We may reclaim usernames that violate policy or infringe rights.
• We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms or applicable laws.

Continued use after Terms updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. You must comply with applicable laws of your country of residence and use.

3. iOS App Store Compliance

• Distribution: Available via the Apple App Store; updates are delivered through the App Store.
• Guidelines: We comply with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines and Human Interface Guidelines.
• Permissions: We request only necessary iOS permissions with clear purpose strings and user consent.
• Payments: Digital features use Apple In‑App Purchase where required; subscriptions are managed by Apple.

Account deletion: you can request deletion from within the app (More tab → Delete Account at the bottom) or by emailing contact@chowrasta.app. Deleting an account is irreversible and removes profile data after a brief safety hold.

3. Community Use

• Be respectful. No harassment, hate speech, threats, or illegal activity.
• No misinformation, spam, scams, or deceptive behavior.
• Follow local laws and cultural norms for your country/city communities.
• We may moderate, remove, or restrict content or users at our discretion.

3A. User‑Generated Content (UGC) & Moderation

Because Chowrasta hosts UGC (posts, listings, chats), we follow Apple's App Store Review Guidelines for UGC apps. We provide:

• In‑app reporting for objectionable content and users; reports are reviewed promptly.
• Block/mute controls to avoid unwanted contact.
• Automated and manual filters to reduce spam, scams, and illegal content.
• Clear community rules users must accept before posting.
• Contact for takedowns: contact@chowrasta.app.
• Enforcement: removal of content and suspension/ban for violations or repeat offenses.
• Cooperation with lawful requests from authorities where required.

Blocking & muting. You can block or mute any user. Blocking prevents direct messages and replies; muted users' content is de‑emphasized or hidden where supported. Abuse of these tools (e.g., to evade moderation) may result in limits to your account.

Report buttons. Every post, event page, marketplace listing, and housing/roommate listing includes a Report option to flag policy violations directly to our team.

Moderation SLA. We triage reports and aim to respond within 24–72 hours. Imminent harm or child‑safety matters are prioritized and escalated immediately, and may be reported to authorities as required by law.

Objectionable content is prohibited, including hate speech, harassment, explicit sexual content, facilitation of weapons/drugs, self‑harm promotion, or content that violates law, per Apple's Safety guidelines.

4. Marketplace

• Peer-to-peer listings are posted by users. Chowrasta does not own, verify, or guarantee listings.
• Prohibited items: illegal goods, weapons, regulated drugs/medicines, counterfeit items, unsafe food, recalled items, adult/obscene content, endangered wildlife, or anything restricted by law.
• Food safety: sellers are responsible for compliance with local food and labeling laws; buyers assume all risk.
• Rides/help: Chowrasta is not a transportation provider. All arrangements are private between users.
• No money transactions on Chowrasta: We do not process or facilitate payments, escrow, or refunds for marketplace listings. All exchanges of money, if any, are arranged directly and off‑platform between users.
• Payments, taxes, permits, and refunds are the responsibility of the buyer and seller unless expressly stated.

5. Events

• Events may be created by users or partners. Chowrasta is not the organizer unless stated.
• Attend at your own risk. Verify venue policies, safety, and local regulations.
• No money transactions on Chowrasta: We do not sell tickets or process event payments. Any ticketing or fees are handled by organizers or third‑party services, not within Chowrasta.
• Refunds and cancellations are governed by the event organizer's policy.

6. Housing & Roommates

• Listings are user-generated. Chowrasta is not a broker, agent, or property manager.
• Comply with fair housing, anti-discrimination, and tenancy laws in your jurisdiction.
• Conduct your own viewings, background checks, and due diligence.
• No money transactions on Chowrasta: We do not handle deposits, rent, or any payments. Any exchange of funds is strictly between parties and off‑platform.

7. User Content & Licenses

• You retain ownership of your content. You grant Chowrasta a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, display, and distribute it to operate the services.
• Do not upload content you do not have rights to, or that infringes IP or privacy rights.
• We may remove content that violates these Terms or the law.

8. Safety Disclaimers

Chowrasta does not screen users, verify identities, or guarantee outcomes. Interactions are at your own risk. Use common-sense safety practices (meet in public places, verify identities, use secure payments, and follow local guidance).

4. In‑App Purchases & Fees

If the app offers paid features, purchases may be processed by Apple (iOS) or other processors. Prices may include taxes and fees as required. All sales follow the platform's refund policies.

5. Data & Privacy

• We collect only necessary data to operate core features. We do not sell personal data.
• Users can access, correct, export, or delete their data by contacting contact@chowrasta.app.
• Marketing notifications are opt‑in; you can opt out in Settings at any time.
• Location, camera, photos, contacts, or microphone access (if used) is requested with purpose strings and can be revoked in device settings. Location is used to show nearby communities, events, and housing.
• We use platform‑provided review prompts; no custom review dialogs.

6. Apple Requirements (iOS)

• Your use of the iOS app is governed by Apple's Standard EULA for Licensed Applications: Apple Standard EULA.
• Apple is not responsible for support, warranties, claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses regarding the iOS app.
• Apple and its subsidiaries are third‑party beneficiaries of these Terms with the right to enforce them against you (to the extent relating to the iOS app).
• Apps with UGC must include reporting, blocking, filtering, and prompt moderation. We implement these controls as described above.
• Digital features sold in the app use Apple In‑App Purchase where required. Physical goods/services may be transacted off‑platform by users.

See Apple's App Store Review Guidelines for additional platform requirements we follow: App Store Review Guidelines.

7. Intellectual Property

Chowrasta, our logos, and trademarks are owned by us or our licensors. Do not use them without permission.

8. Privacy

Your use is also governed by our Privacy Policy. If unavailable, contact us at contact@chowrasta.app to request a copy.

9. Security

We use industry measures to protect data in transit and at rest where supported, conduct periodic reviews, and limit access to authorized personnel.

10. Service Availability

We strive for high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted service. Maintenance or factors beyond our control may impact availability.

11. User Interactions & Transactions

Interactions and transactions occur directly between users. Chowrasta does not process payments, provide escrow, sell tickets, or handle housing deposits/fees. We do not mediate disputes. Use secure payment methods off‑platform and meet in public places.

12. Content Disclaimer

User‑generated content reflects the views of their authors, not Chowrasta. We do not endorse user opinions.

13. Warranty Disclaimer

Services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Chowrasta is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses.

15. Indemnity

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Chowrasta and its affiliates from claims arising out of your use of the services or violation of these Terms.

16. Account Termination & Appeals

We may suspend or terminate access at any time, including for violations or legal requirements.

You may delete your account via More tab → Delete Account (bottom) or by emailing contact@chowrasta.app. Submit appeals of enforcement actions within 7 business days with relevant context.

17. Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms are governed by applicable laws where Chowrasta operates. Disputes will be resolved in the courts or forums of that location unless required otherwise by mandatory law.

18. Updates & Changes

We may update these Terms to reflect legal or operational changes. Material updates will be communicated in‑app; continued use after updates constitutes acceptance.

19. Company & Contact

Service Provider: Flintime Inc.

Address: 254 Chapman Rd, Ste 208 #20381, Newark, Delaware 19702, US

Email: contact@chowrasta.app · Website: https://chowrasta.app