Terms of Service

These Terms govern your use of Rate-A-Bench (the “Service”), a community app for discovering, rating, and sharing public benches. By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and our Community Guidelines. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

1. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use Rate-A-Bench. By creating an account you confirm that you meet this age requirement and that the information you provide is accurate.

2. Your account

You are responsible for activity that happens under your account and for keeping your credentials secure. You can delete your account at any time from Settings → Account; deletion is permanent and removes the content you created.

3. User content

You retain ownership of the benches, photos, ratings, check-ins, thoughts, and comments you submit (“User Content”). By submitting User Content you grant Rate-A-Bench a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, display, and distribute that content within the Service. You represent that you have the right to grant this licence and that your User Content does not infringe anyone’s rights.

4. Acceptable use

Rate-A-Bench has zero tolerance for objectionable content or abusive behaviour. You agree to follow our Community Guidelines, which prohibit (without limitation) harassment, hate speech, sexual content, child sexual abuse and exploitation, violence, illegal activity, spam, and submissions of benches at incorrect locations or with misleading information.

5. Reporting, blocking, and enforcement

Every piece of user-generated content in the app can be reported, and any user can be blocked from the affected user’s profile. We commit to reviewing reports and taking appropriate action — including removing content and terminating accounts — within 24 hours of becoming aware of a violation. Reports involving suspected child sexual abuse material are escalated immediately and reported to the U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) where required by law.

We may remove content, suspend, or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or our Community Guidelines, with or without notice.

6. Location data and bench accuracy

Benches submitted to Rate-A-Bench appear on a public map. Only submit benches that exist on public land or where the property owner has granted public access, and only at their actual location. We may remove benches that are inaccurate, fictional, or on private property without permission.

7. Service availability

The Service is provided “as is” and may change, be suspended, or be discontinued at any time. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Rate-A-Bench disclaims all warranties and is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service.

8. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated in the app and may require you to accept the updated Terms before continuing to use the Service.

9. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at hello@rateabench.com.