1. Acceptance
By downloading, installing, or using NearCircle ("the app", "the service"), you agree to these Terms of Service. If you don't agree, don't use the app — and please let us know why, because we're still learning.
2. Your Account
NearCircle uses Sign in with Apple for account creation. You're responsible for keeping your device and Apple ID secure. If someone else uses your device and joins a circle in your name, that's on you.
You must be at least 13 years old, or have a parent/guardian manage the account on your behalf. Parents are responsible for their children's activity in the app.
3. Subscriptions
Paid tiers (Plus, Family) are offered as auto-renewing subscriptions through the Apple App Store. Pricing is shown in-app before you subscribe. Apple handles all payment processing — we don't see your card details.
Your subscription renews automatically at the end of each billing period unless you cancel at least 24 hours before renewal. We won't charge you anything beyond the published price without your explicit consent.
4. Cancellation & Refunds
You can cancel any time from your iPhone's Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you keep access until then.
Refunds are handled by Apple under their published refund policy. We're happy to support any refund request you make to Apple.
5. Acceptable Use
Don't use NearCircle to:
- Stalk, harass, or coerce another person
- Track someone without their informed consent (every person in a circle must opt in)
- Reverse-engineer, scrape, or automate the app
- Impersonate another person
- Break any law in your jurisdiction
Accounts used for stalking or coercive control will be terminated without refund. Safety is the whole point.
6. Data
Our handling of your data is described in the Privacy Policy, which is part of these terms. In short: we encrypt what we can, keep only what we need, and never sell anything.
7. Intellectual Property
NearCircle, the app, logo, wordmark, and associated designs are owned by us. You get a personal, non-transferable license to use the app for its intended purpose. You can't sell, sublicense, or republish our stuff.
8. Limitation of Liability
NearCircle is provided "as is". We work hard to make it reliable, but GPS is imperfect, networks go down, and phones die. Don't use NearCircle as your only line of defense in a life-threatening situation — always call emergency services first.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability to you is limited to what you've paid us in the past 12 months.
9. Changes
We may update these terms from time to time. If we make a material change, we'll tell you in-app and by email (when you've given us one). Your continued use of the app after changes means you accept them.
10. Termination
You can stop using NearCircle at any time by deleting the app and your account from Settings → Privacy Dashboard. We may terminate your account for violations of these terms, fraud, or abuse — we'll tell you why and give you a way to export your data first.
11. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which NearCircle is incorporated. Final jurisdiction language is pending legal review.
12. Contact
Questions, concerns, legal notices? Email office@nearcircle.net. We read every message.