Terms of Service

Key Points Summary ☂️

  • We’re a journaling platform with optional AI insights.
  • You must be 18+ (or have parent/guardian consent).
  • Your data is stored on our servers with regular backups (see Section 3).
  • You can turn off AI features at any time (see Section 2.1).
  • We use cookies and Google Analytics to improve our service (see Section 10).
  • You can request, correct, or delete your data at any time (see Section 11).
  • Our principal place of business is in Portland, Oregon (see Section 9).

This summary is just an overview. Please read the full Terms below for complete details.

Welcome to BHM (“Be Here Meow”) (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using our website, application, or services (collectively, the “Services”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”), all applicable laws and regulations, and you agree that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws. If you do not agree with any of these Terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing the Services. The materials contained in or accessed through the Services are protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

1. Eligibility

By accessing or using the Services, you represent and warrant that:

  • You are at least 18 years of age, or you have received your parent’s or guardian’s consent to use the Services.
  • The registration information you submit to us is true, accurate, and complete, and you will update it as needed.
  • You understand and accept the risk that your data, journal entries, or other materials may become lost, corrupted, or otherwise unavailable due to technical errors, maintenance, or other reasons beyond our control.
  • You agree to abide by these Terms and by our Privacy Policy.

2. Use of Services

BHM provides a platform that allows users to store personal journals and other content. You are solely responsible for the content you create, upload, or otherwise submit through the Services, as well as any decisions you make based on information provided by us.

2.1 AI Features and Disclaimers

We may offer artificial intelligence (“AI”) features such as insights or suggestions. These AI features:

  • Informational Purposes Only: AI-generated content is provided “as is” and is not a substitute for professional advice (e.g., legal, financial, medical, or mental health advice).
  • No Guarantees: We make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated outputs.
  • Limited Liability: We shall not be liable for damages or losses arising from actions taken (or not taken) based on AI-generated insights or suggestions.
  • Opt-Out: You can disable AI features in your account settings at any time, without affecting the backup or storage of your entries.

3. Data Storage & Backup

We utilize robust infrastructure providers, including Digital Ocean (for hosting) and Neon DB (for database management). Our backup procedures include:

  • Automated Database Backups: Neon DB automatically creates daily backups, retained for seven (7) days, allowing point-in-time recovery when needed.
  • Infrastructure Backups: We use Digital Ocean’s backup services for infrastructure components where configured.

We also offer the option to store entries in your browser’s local storage for performance and offline access. Any locally stored data will be synchronized with our servers once connectivity is restored.

While these measures help protect against data loss, no digital service can guarantee 100% data availability or integrity. We therefore encourage you to keep separate backup copies of any important content. You acknowledge and agree that BHM shall not be liable for any damage or loss of data due to technical issues, maintenance, cyberattacks, or other events beyond our reasonable control.

4. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Services are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, whether express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

We do not warrant that the Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or that any defects will be corrected. You assume the entire risk in using the Services.

5. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall BHM, its directors, employees, partners, suppliers, or affiliates be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to damages for loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill.

Your sole and exclusive remedy for dissatisfaction with the Services is to stop using them. Nothing in these Terms shall exclude or limit our liability where it would be unlawful to do so under applicable law (including EU consumer protection laws).

6. User Conduct & Content

You agree not to use the Services to post or distribute content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, abusive, or otherwise objectionable. We reserve the right (but not the obligation) to remove or block any content that, in our sole discretion, violates these Terms.

7. Account Termination & Data Retention/Deletion

Account Termination by You: You may request to deactivate or delete your account at any time by contacting us at [email protected] or using the account settings (if available).

Account Termination by Us: We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account for any violation of these Terms or other lawful reason, without prior notice or liability.

Data Retention: We generally retain user data as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Services. If you request deletion, we will remove or anonymize your data, unless we are required by law or legitimate business interests to retain it.

Data Deletion: Once deletion is initiated, it cannot be reversed. Certain data may remain in our backup systems for a limited time before being overwritten. We will not use or restore deleted data except as required by law.

8. Changes to These Terms

We may modify or replace these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will provide notice (e.g., via a prominent announcement on our website or by email, if available). Your continued use of the Services after any such changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

If you do not agree with the revised Terms, please discontinue use of the Services.

9. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by the laws of the State of Oregon, United States. Our principal place of business is in Portland, Oregon.

You agree that any dispute under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in Portland, Oregon. If you are a consumer in the European Economic Area (EEA), you may have additional rights or protections under your local laws. Nothing in these Terms limits your consumer rights under EU or national law.

10. Cookies & Analytics

We use cookies and similar technologies for essential site functionality and to understand how our Services are used. This includes the use of Google Analytics to gather usage statistics, which may involve data transfers outside the EEA (e.g., to the U.S.). Such transfers are protected by appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

You may configure your browser to reject cookies; however, doing so may affect certain site functions.

11. Privacy & GDPR Compliance

We process personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws. For information on how we collect, use, and protect your personal data, please review our Privacy Policy.

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data; object to or restrict the processing of your data; request a copy of your data; or withdraw consent to data processing. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [email protected].

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms or the Services, please contact us at [email protected].

By continuing to use or access BHM, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.