Terms of Service

What you need to know.

Terms of Service for Chitchat AAC

Effective Date: January 1, 2025 Last Updated:January 1, 2025

Agreement to Terms

By downloading, installing, or using the Chitchat AAC mobile application (“App”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the App.

Description of Service

Core Functionality

Chitchat AAC is an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) application designed to:

Provide text-to-speech communication tools
Enable creation of custom communication boards
Support symbol-based and text-based communication
Offer voice customization and cloning features
Facilitate communication for individuals with speech disabilities

Target Users

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders
People with speech and language disabilities
Caregivers, therapists, and educators
Anyone requiring communication assistance

User Accounts and Registration

Account Creation

Optional Registration: Basic app functionality available without account creation
Enhanced Features: Some features may require account registration
Accurate Information: Users must provide accurate and complete information
Account Security: Users responsible for maintaining account security

Age Requirements

General Use: App designed for users of all ages
Parental Consent: Required for users under 13 in the United States
Educational Use: Compliant with educational institution requirements

Acceptable Use Policy

Permitted Uses

Personal Communication: Use for legitimate communication needs
Educational Purposes: Use in schools, therapy, and training environments
Caregiver Support: Assistance for individuals with communication needs
Accessibility: Enhancing communication accessibility

Prohibited Uses

Illegal Activities: Any use that violates local, state, or federal laws
Harassment: Creating content intended to harass or harm others
Inappropriate Content: Uploading offensive, explicit, or harmful material
System Abuse: Attempting to hack, reverse engineer, or disrupt the service
Commercial Misuse: Unauthorized commercial use or resale of the service

Content and Intellectual Property

User-Generated Content

Ownership: Users retain ownership of their custom content and communications
License Grant: Users grant us limited license to process and store their content
Responsibility: Users responsible for ensuring their content doesn’t infringe rights
Removal Rights: We reserve the right to remove inappropriate content

App Content and Trademarks

Our Property: App design, features, and default content are our intellectual property
Third-Party Content: Some symbols and images may be licensed from third parties
Trademark Usage: App name and logos are protected trademarks
Fair Use: Limited use permitted for accessibility and educational purposes

Symbol Libraries

Licensed Content: Symbol libraries used under appropriate licenses
Attribution: Proper attribution maintained for third-party symbols
Usage Rights: Users granted license to use symbols within the app

Privacy and Data Protection

Data Collection

Privacy Policy: Detailed information available in our Privacy Policy
Minimal Collection: We collect only necessary data for app functionality
User Control: Users can control data sharing and storage preferences
Local Storage: Most data stored locally on user devices

Voice Data

Processing: Voice recordings processed for text-to-speech customization
Security: Voice data encrypted and securely processed
Retention: Voice data retained only as long as necessary
Deletion: Users can delete voice data at any time

Accessibility and Compliance

Accessibility Standards

WCAG Compliance: App designed to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Platform Standards: Compliance with iOS and Android accessibility standards
Assistive Technology: Compatible with screen readers and other assistive devices
Continuous Improvement: Ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility

Regulatory Compliance

ADA Compliance: Designed to support Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
Educational Standards: Compliance with special education regulations
Healthcare Privacy: HIPAA considerations for healthcare environments

Service Availability and Modifications

Service Availability

Best Effort: We strive to maintain consistent service availability
Maintenance: Scheduled maintenance may temporarily interrupt service
No Guarantee: No guarantee of uninterrupted or error-free service
Offline Functionality: Core features available offline

Modifications to Service

Updates: Regular updates to improve functionality and security
Feature Changes: We may add, modify, or remove features
Notice: Material changes communicated through app notifications
Backward Compatibility: Reasonable efforts to maintain data compatibility

Fees and Payment

Current Pricing

Free Version: Core functionality available at no cost
Premium Features: Some advanced features may require payment
Subscription Model: Recurring subscriptions for premium services
Educational Discounts: Special pricing for educational institutions

Payment Terms

App Store Billing: Payments processed through device app stores
Refund Policy: Refunds subject to app store policies
Price Changes: Advance notice provided for subscription price changes
Taxes: Users responsible for applicable taxes

Limitation of Liability

Service Limitations

“As Is” Basis: Service provided without warranties of any kind
No Medical Advice: App not intended as medical device or treatment
User Responsibility: Users responsible for appropriate use and supervision
Third-Party Services: Not liable for third-party service failures

Liability Limits

Maximum Liability: Limited to amount paid for premium services
Consequential Damages: No liability for indirect or consequential damages
Emergency Situations: App not suitable for emergency communications
Professional Consultation: Recommend consulting healthcare professionals

Indemnification

User Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Chitchat AAC from claims arising from:

User’s violation of these Terms
User’s content or communications
User’s use of the service
Violation of third-party rights

Termination

User Termination

Voluntary: Users may stop using the service at any time
Account Deletion: Users can request account and data deletion
Data Export: Users can export their data before termination

Service Termination

Violation: We may terminate access for Terms violations
Notice: Reasonable notice provided when possible
Data Preservation: User data preserved for reasonable period after termination
Service Discontinuation: Right to discontinue service with advance notice

Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution

Contact First: Attempt to resolve disputes through direct communication
Support Channels: Multiple channels available for issue resolution
Good Faith: Commitment to good faith resolution efforts

Formal Procedures

Governing Law: Terms governed by laws of [Jurisdiction]
Arbitration: Binding arbitration for disputes exceeding $10,000
Class Action Waiver: Individual disputes only, no class actions
Venue: Specific venue requirements for legal proceedings

Accessibility Accommodations

Request Process

Accommodation Requests: Process for requesting additional accommodations
Response Time: Commitment to timely response to accommodation requests
Alternative Formats: Terms available in alternative formats upon request

International Users

Global Availability

Worldwide Access: App available in multiple countries
Local Laws: Users must comply with local laws and regulations
Language Support: Multiple language options available
Cultural Sensitivity: Respect for cultural communication differences

Updates to Terms

Notification Process

Material Changes: 30-day advance notice for significant changes
Acceptance: Continued use constitutes acceptance of updated Terms
Version History: Previous versions available upon request

Effective Date

Implementation: Changes effective on specified date
Grandfathering: Existing users may have transition period for major changes

Contact Information

General Inquiries

Email: support@chitchataac.com
Response Time: Within 48 hours for most inquiries
Accessibility Support: Dedicated support for accessibility issues

Legal Notices

Legal Email: legal@chitchataac.com
Mailing Address: [Physical Address]
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM EST

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Chitchat AAC regarding the use of the service.