Terms of Service
Building a respectful, inclusive community for Indians worldwide
Welcome to IndiaAbroad.org
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of IndiaAbroad.org and our community platform at hub.indiaabroad.org (collectively, the "Services"). By using our Services, you agree to these Terms.
Our Mission
IndiaAbroad.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and empowering the global Indian diaspora. We facilitate meaningful connections while preserving cultural heritage and fostering community growth across 195+ countries.
Acceptance of Terms
By Using Our Services, You Agree To:
- • Be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy
- • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
- • Respect the rights and dignity of all community members
- • Use our Services only for lawful purposes
- • Provide accurate and truthful information
Important Notice
If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Services. Your continued use of our Services constitutes acceptance of any updates to these Terms.
Eligibility
Age Requirements
- • You must be at least 18 years old
- • If you are under 18, you may not use our Services
- • We may verify your age at any time
- • Parental consent does not override age restrictions
Community Focus
- • Our Services are designed for Indians living abroad
- • We welcome supporters of our mission regardless of background
- • You must have legal capacity to enter into agreements
- • Corporate accounts require proper authorization
Account Registration and Security
Account Creation
Required Information:
- • Valid email address
- • Full name
- • Country of residence
- • Secure password
Optional Information:
- • Professional background
- • Interests and hobbies
- • Profile photo
- • Regional preferences
Account Security Responsibilities
Your Responsibilities
- • Keep your password secure and confidential
- • Use a strong, unique password
- • Log out from shared or public devices
- • Report suspicious activity immediately
- • Keep your contact information current
Our Responsibilities
- • Implement industry-standard security measures
- • Monitor for suspicious activity
- • Provide secure password reset procedures
- • Notify you of security incidents
- • Maintain secure data storage
Community Guidelines
Building a Respectful Community
Our community thrives on mutual respect, cultural celebration, and supportive connections. These guidelines help maintain a positive environment for all members.
✓ Encouraged Behavior
- • Share experiences and cultural insights
- • Offer support and encouragement
- • Ask questions and seek advice
- • Celebrate achievements and milestones
- • Connect with others in your region
- • Share resources and opportunities
✓ Respectful Communication
- • Use inclusive and welcoming language
- • Respect diverse perspectives and backgrounds
- • Engage in constructive discussions
- • Practice empathy and understanding
- • Honor cultural differences
- • Support community members
✗ Prohibited Behavior
- • Harassment, bullying, or intimidation
- • Discriminatory or hateful content
- • Spam, scams, or fraudulent activities
- • Sharing false or misleading information
- • Violating others' privacy
- • Commercial solicitation without permission
✗ Serious Violations
- • Threats or incitement to violence
- • Illegal activities or content
- • Impersonation or identity theft
- • Sharing explicit or inappropriate content
- • Attempting to hack or disrupt services
- • Creating multiple accounts to evade restrictions
Content and Intellectual Property
Your Content Rights
• You retain ownership of content you create and share
• You grant us a license to display and distribute your content on our platform
• You can delete your content at any time
• You are responsible for ensuring you have rights to share content
Our Content and Trademarks
Protected Materials
- • IndiaAbroad.org name and logo
- • Website design and layout
- • Original articles and resources
- • Software and platform features
Permitted Use
- • Personal, non-commercial use
- • Sharing links to our content
- • Brief excerpts with attribution
- • Educational and research purposes
Copyright Infringement
We respect intellectual property rights and expect our users to do the same. If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please contact us at [email protected] with:
- • Description of the copyrighted work
- • Location of the infringing material
- • Your contact information
- • Statement of good faith belief
- • Electronic signature
Donations and Financial Terms
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status
IndiaAbroad.org is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Donation Processing:
- • Secure third-party payment processors
- • Immediate confirmation and receipts
- • Annual tax documentation
Refund Policy:
- • Refunds available within 30 days
- • Contact support for refund requests
- • Processing may take 5-10 business days
Use of Donations
Remaining 5% covers essential administrative costs. Full financial reports available on our transparency page.
Service Availability and Modifications
Service Availability
- • We strive for 99.9% uptime but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service
- • Scheduled maintenance will be announced in advance
- • Emergency maintenance may occur without notice
- • Some features may be temporarily unavailable
Service Modifications
- • We may update, modify, or discontinue features
- • Major changes will be communicated to users
- • We reserve the right to suspend services for violations
- • Beta features may be removed without notice
Privacy and Data Protection
Your Privacy Matters
Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using our Services, you also agree to our Privacy Policy.
Key Privacy Commitments
- • We never sell your personal information
- • You control your privacy settings
- • We use industry-standard security measures
- • You can request data deletion at any time
Data Rights
- • Access your personal information
- • Correct inaccurate data
- • Download your data
- • Control communication preferences
Disclaimers and Limitations
Service Disclaimer
Our Services are provided "as is" and "as available." While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, we make no warranties about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of information shared by community members.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, IndiaAbroad.org shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our Services.
This includes but is not limited to damages for loss of profits, data, or other intangible losses, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Third-Party Content and Links
User-Generated Content:
- • We do not endorse user opinions
- • Users are responsible for their content
- • We moderate but cannot review all content
External Links:
- • We are not responsible for external websites
- • Third-party terms and policies apply
- • Links do not imply endorsement
Account Termination
Voluntary Termination
- • You may delete your account at any time
- • Contact support for assistance with account deletion
- • Some information may be retained for legal compliance
- • Donations are non-refundable after account deletion
Involuntary Termination
- • We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations
- • Serious violations may result in immediate termination
- • We will provide notice when possible
- • Appeals process available for disputed terminations
Effect of Termination
Upon Termination:
- • Your access to Services will cease
- • Your content may be removed
- • These Terms remain in effect for past activities
Data Retention:
- • Some data retained for legal compliance
- • Financial records kept per regulations
- • Anonymous usage data may be retained
Governing Law and Disputes
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and the state where IndiaAbroad.org is incorporated, without regard to conflict of law principles.
For international users, local laws may also apply to your use of our Services.
Dispute Resolution
1. Direct Communication
We encourage resolving disputes through direct communication. Contact us at [email protected].
2. Mediation
If direct communication fails, we prefer mediation through a mutually agreed mediator.
3. Arbitration
Binding arbitration may be required for certain disputes, as detailed in our full legal terms.
Changes to These Terms
How We Update Our Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our Services, legal requirements, or business practices.
Notification Process
- • Email notification to registered users
- • Prominent notice on our website
- • 30-day notice period for material changes
- • Summary of key changes provided
Your Options
- • Review changes during notice period
- • Contact us with questions or concerns
- • Discontinue use if you disagree
- • Continued use constitutes acceptance
Contact Us
Questions About These Terms?
We're here to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a member of our global community.
IndiaAbroad.org
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
EIN: [To be provided]
[Address to be provided]