TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Cloud of Witnesses

Last Updated: September 2025

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing or using the Cloud of Witnesses website and platform ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Service.

2. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE

Cloud of Witnesses is a digital platform that allows users to share personal faith testimonies, connect stories through spiritual influences, and preserve Christian heritage for future generations. The Service includes website functionality, story submission tools, and community features.

3. USER ACCOUNTS AND REGISTRATION

3.1 Account Creation

To submit testimonies or access certain features, you must create an account by providing accurate and complete information.

3.2 Account Responsibility

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

3.3 Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use this Service. Users under 18 must have parental consent.

4. CONTENT AND USER SUBMISSIONS

4.1 Your Content

When you submit testimonies, stories, or other content ("User Content"), you retain ownership of your intellectual property rights. However, you grant Cloud of Witnesses a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your User Content for the purposes of operating and promoting the Service.

4.2 Content Standards

User Content must:

• Be truthful and authentic

• Respect the dignity of all individuals mentioned

• Comply with applicable laws

• Not contain offensive, defamatory, or inappropriate material

• Not infringe on others' intellectual property rights

4.3 Content Moderation

We reserve the right to review, edit, or remove User Content that violates these Terms or our community standards.

4.4 Linked Individuals

4.4.1 Permission and Consent

By submitting content that references other individuals, you represent that:

• You have obtained appropriate permission to share their influence in your testimony, or such sharing constitutes fair commentary on their public spiritual role

• For living individuals, you have made reasonable efforts to inform them of your intention to reference their spiritual influence

• For deceased individuals, you are sharing information respectfully and in good faith

4.4.2 Accuracy and Respect

You agree that all references to other individuals:

• Are truthful to the best of your knowledge and recollection

• Are presented respectfully and not to harm their reputation

• Focus on their positive spiritual influence rather than personal details unrelated to faith

• Do not disclose private or sensitive information without explicit consent

4.4.3 Contact and Verification

You understand and agree that:

• Cloud of Witnesses may contact referenced individuals to invite them to create their own testimonies

• Referenced individuals may be asked to verify or provide additional context about their spiritual influence

• Referenced individuals have the right to request corrections to factual inaccuracies about their role in your story

• Living individuals may request to be removed from public display of your testimony if they object to the reference

4.4.4 Sensitive Situations

Special care must be taken when referencing:

• Individuals who have experienced public scandals or controversies

• Former spiritual leaders who left ministry under difficult circumstances

• People with whom you have had subsequent relationship difficulties

• Anyone who has explicitly asked not to be mentioned in public testimonies

4.4.5 Children and Minors

When referencing minors (under 18) in your testimony:

• Focus only on their spiritual influence or your influence on them

• Do not share identifying details beyond first names

• Obtain parental consent before sharing stories involving specific children

• Avoid sharing information that could compromise their privacy or safety

4.4.6 Right to Response

Referenced individuals have the right to:

• Request factual corrections to their portrayal in your testimony

• Provide their own context or perspective on the spiritual influence described

• Create their own testimony that may present a different perspective on shared experiences

• Request removal from public display if they have reasonable objections

4.4.7 Our Role and Responsibilities

Cloud of Witnesses will:

• Provide a process for individuals to request corrections or removal

• Remove or edit content when we receive credible complaints about factual inaccuracies

• Not adjudicate disputes about different perspectives on the same spiritual relationship

5. PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

6. ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

You agree NOT to:

• Use the Service for any unlawful purpose

• Submit false, misleading, or defamatory content

• Harass, threaten, or harm other users

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems

• Use automated tools to scrape or download content

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

7.1 Our Property

The Service, including its design, functionality, and original content, is owned by Cloud of Witnesses and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

7.2 User Content

Users retain ownership of their submitted testimonies but grant us necessary licenses to operate the Service as described in Section 4.1.

8. DISCLAIMERS

8.1 Service Availability

We strive to maintain service availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind.

8.2 User Content

We do not endorse or verify the accuracy of User Content. Testimonies reflect individual experiences and opinions.

8.3 Third-Party Links

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content or practices of these external sites.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Cloud of Witnesses shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Service.

10. DONATIONS AND FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS

10.1 Donations

Donations to Cloud of Witnesses are processed through third-party payment processors. All donations are final and non-refundable unless required by law.

10.2 Tax Deductibility

Cloud of Witnesses is organized as a nonprofit corporation. Tax deductibility of donations depends on our 501(c)(3) status and applicable tax laws. Consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility.

11. TERMINATION

11.1 By You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using account deletion features.

11.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or for other legitimate business reasons.

11.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Service ends, though submitted content may remain on the platform unless you request deletion.

12. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Washington State, without regard to conflict of law principles.

12.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Washington State.

12.3 Informal Resolution

Before filing any legal action, parties agree to attempt informal resolution by contacting us at hello@cloudofwitnesses.co.

13. GENERAL PROVISIONS

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Cloud of Witnesses.

13.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force.

13.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of future enforcement.

13.4 Assignment

You may not assign your rights under these Terms. We may assign our rights to any successor organization.

14. UPDATES TO TERMS

We may modify these Terms at any time. Significant changes will be communicated through the Service or by email. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

15. CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about these Terms, please email us at hello@cloudofwitnesses.co.