Important: No Background Checks. TSL does not conduct criminal background checks or comprehensive identity checks on users. See Section 3.
1) Acceptance of Terms
These Terms of Use (the “Terms”) govern your access to and use of The Sapphic Library ("TSL") websites, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the “Service”). By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
2) Eligibility (18+)
You must be at least 18 years old.
You represent that you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.
You must not have been convicted of any offense that would make your use of a dating service unlawful in your jurisdiction.
Where prohibited by law, you may not use the Service.
3) Our Role & No Background Checks
TSL provides an online platform that enables adults to discover and connect with one another. We are not a matchmaking agency and we do not guarantee matches, outcomes, or the conduct of any user.
No Background Checks: TSL does not conduct criminal background checks, sex offender registry checks, or comprehensive identity verification on users. We may perform limited checks such as email confirmation, IP/device checks, manual moderator review, or jurisdiction‑specific age/identity verification. These measures are not a guarantee of user identity or safety.
Some jurisdictions (including certain U.S. states) require this disclosure: TSL does not conduct criminal background checks on users.
4) Safety Disclaimer
We prioritize community safety through rules and moderation, but we cannot control user behavior. You are solely responsible for your interactions on and off the Service. Use common‑sense precautions when meeting or communicating with others, such as meeting in public places, informing a friend of your plans, and ceasing contact if something feels unsafe.
No Guarantee: TSL does not guarantee the identity, intentions, safety, or compatibility of any user, nor that the Service will be free of scammers, fake accounts, or abusive behavior.
Accuracy: You will provide accurate information and keep it updated.
One account: You will not maintain multiple accounts or share your account.
Security: You are responsible for safeguarding your credentials and for all activity under your account.
Moderation tools: We may require additional verification (e.g., selfie code photo) to address fraud or safety risks. Failure to complete verification may limit or suspend your access.
6) Community Standards
To maintain a respectful environment, you agree you will not:
Harass, threaten, dox, or bully users; or promote hate or violence.
Impersonate any person or entity, or misrepresent your identity or intentions.
Post or share unlawful, non‑consensual, exploitative, or pornographic content; or content involving minors.
Solicit money or goods, run scams, or engage in commercial advertising without our written permission.
Scrape, harvest, or misuse data; or attempt to compromise the Service.
Circumvent blocks, bans, or geo‑restrictions.
We may remove content or accounts that violate these standards or that we believe pose risk to users or TSL.
7) Your Content & License
You retain ownership of content you submit to the Service (“User Content”). To operate and improve the Service, you grant TSL a non‑exclusive, worldwide, royalty‑free license to host, store, reproduce, modify (for formatting), publicly display, and distribute your User Content within the Service. This license ends when you remove your content or your account, except to the extent copies are retained for backup, moderation, or legal compliance.
You represent that you have all rights necessary to post your User Content and that it does not infringe the rights of others.
8) Prohibited Uses
Illegal activity, including exploitation, trafficking, or solicitation of minors.
Automated use (bots, scripts) or interference with the Service’s normal function.
Reverse engineering or attempting to access non‑public areas of the Service.
Data mining or collection of information about others without consent.
9) Verification & Regional Notices
9.1 UK Age Verification
For users in the United Kingdom, we may implement age‑verification measures to comply with applicable UK requirements. If requested, you agree to complete age verification; failure to do so may result in access limits or account closure.
9.2 Additional Verification for Specific Jurisdictions
For certain higher‑risk regions or where required by law, we may request additional profile verification (for example, a selfie photo with a handwritten code). This is solely for platform safety and compliance; it is not a criminal background check.
9.3 U.S. State Notices
Some U.S. states require the following disclosure: TSL does not conduct criminal background checks on users. Users should take appropriate precautions when interacting with others.
9.4 U.S. Compliance Notices
For users located in the United States:
No Criminal Background Checks: TSL does not conduct criminal background checks or sex offender registry searches on users.
Section 230 Notice: Under U.S. law (47 U.S.C. § 230), online services are generally not responsible for user‑generated content. Users are solely responsible for their conduct on and off the Service.
Consumer Protection: TSL makes no guarantees about the identity, intentions, safety, or compatibility of users. We urge all members to take reasonable precautions when meeting others.
Privacy Rights: U.S. users may have additional rights under state privacy laws (e.g., California’s CCPA/CPRA). See our Privacy Policy for details.
10) Fees & Paid Features
The Service may offer free and paid features. We will disclose prices, terms, and any auto‑renewal details at purchase. Unless required by law, fees are non‑refundable. You can cancel auto‑renewing subscriptions at any time within your account or the applicable app store settings; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.
11) Third‑Party Services
The Service may link to or integrate with third‑party sites, services, or app stores. We are not responsible for third‑party content, terms, or privacy practices. Your use of third‑party services is at your own risk and may be governed by separate terms.
We may remove content, restrict features, or suspend/terminate accounts to protect users or TSL, or to comply with law.
We may cooperate with law enforcement when we believe it is necessary to protect users or comply with legal process.
13) Term & Termination
These Terms remain in effect while you use the Service. You may stop using the Service at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access, with or without notice, for any violation of these Terms, risk to users, non‑payment, or as required by law. Upon termination, certain provisions (including Your Content & License, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, and Governing Law) will survive.
14) Disclaimers
The Service is provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, including without limitation warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non‑infringement, availability, or reliability. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error‑free, or that any matches or outcomes will occur.
15) Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, TSL and its owners, directors, employees, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages; loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses; or for personal injury or emotional distress arising out of or relating to your use of (or inability to use) the Service, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), statute, or any other legal theory, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
In all cases, TSL’s aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Service will be limited to the greater of (a) the amount you paid to TSL for the Service in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) $100 CAD.
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations of liability; in those cases, the foregoing limitations shall apply to the fullest extent permitted by law.
16) Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless TSL and its owners, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your use of the Service; (b) your User Content; (c) your violation of these Terms; or (d) your violation of any rights of a third party or any law.
17) Governing Law & Venue
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada, without regard to conflict‑of‑laws rules. You agree to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the provincial and federal courts located in Calgary, Alberta for any dispute not subject to other dispute‑resolution terms required by applicable consumer law.
18) Copyright/IP Complaints
If you believe content on the Service infringes your rights, please email legal@thesapphiclibrary.com with: (1) your contact details, (2) a description and location/URL of the material, (3) a statement that you have a good‑faith belief that use is not authorized, and (4) a statement, under penalty of perjury, that your notice is accurate and that you are the rights holder or authorized to act on the rights holder’s behalf.
In Canada, notices may be processed under the Notice‑and‑Notice regime. If you are in the U.S., your notice may be treated consistent with DMCA principles.
19) Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. If changes are material, we will provide reasonable notice (e.g., by posting an update or sending an email). Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
