Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

1.1 Information We Collect

1.2 How We Use Information

We use information to:

• Provide the Service (accounts, listings, requests, matching, messaging).
• Improve safety and reduce abuse (moderation, fraud detection, spam prevention).
• Send operational messages (verification, security alerts, match notifications you request).
• Improve and maintain the Service (including debugging, analytics, and feature development).
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms of Use.

1.3 How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information in limited ways:

• With other users: your listings/requests are public (or public after moderation, if enabled). Your messages are visible only to you and the recipients in that thread. Your profile visibility depends on your settings and what you choose to share.
• With service providers: hosting, storage, email delivery, analytics, and security vendors that help us run the Service (under confidentiality obligations).
• With legal/safety authorities: if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of users and the Service.
• Business changes: if the Service is reorganized, rebranded, or transferred, user data may be transferred as part of that change (subject to this policy).

1.4 Public Content and Indexing

Listings, requests, Shoe Stories, and certain profile elements may be public. Others may share public content, appear in search engines, and be copied outside the platform. If you do not want something public, do not post it publicly.

1.5 Data Retention

We keep information for as long as needed to operate the Service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our terms. You can delete certain content or close your account, but some information may be retained for safety, fraud prevention, and legal compliance (for example, records of reports or abusive behavior).

1.6 Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect information. No online service can guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials secure.

1.7 Your Choices and Rights

Depending on your location, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or object to the processing of your personal information. You can also opt out of non-essential emails.

California residents may have rights under the CCPA/CPRA (such as access, deletion, and correction). We do not sell personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising as defined by California law.

To make a privacy request, contact us at: support@solemates.ai. We need to verify your identity before we can process your requests.

1.8 Children

Solemates.ai is intended for people aged 13+ (or older where required by law). If you are under 18, use the Service only with a parent/guardian's involvement. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

1.9 International Users

If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information may be processed in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate.

1.10 Changes to This Privacy Policy

If we change this Privacy Policy, we will update the "Last Updated" date. If changes are material, we may provide additional notice.

1.11 Contact

Privacy questions: support@solemates.ai

2.1 What Solemates.ai Is (and Is Not)

Solemates.ai is a peer-to-peer network where users:

• Search for single shoes or split pairs.
• Create listings (offer shoes) and requests (need shoes).
• Match with other users.
• Communicate through on-platform messaging to coordinate a handoff, shipping, shipping reimbursement, swap, or private sale.

Solemates.ai is not a party to your transaction. We do not own, inspect, store, ship, deliver, authenticate, or guarantee any shoes. We do not process payments between users. Any exchange, shipping fee, reimbursement, donation, or private sale is arranged directly between users (or between a user and a partner organization).

2.2 Mission-First Status (Not Yet a Nonprofit)

Solemates.ai is currently operated as a mission-first community service. It is not currently designated as a nonprofit organization or a public benefit company. We may choose to pursue a nonprofit, public benefit, or other formal structure in the future. If we do so, we will publish updates to the Service. Regardless of legal structure, the Service remains peer-to-peer, and users are responsible for their exchanges.

2.3 Eligibility and Accounts

You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service (and older where required). You are responsible for your account activity and for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. You agree to provide accurate information and to keep it up to date.

2.4 User Content: Listings, Requests, Shoe Stories, Photos, Messages

You are responsible for all content you post or send through the Service ("User Content"), including listings, requests, Shoe Stories, photos, profile info, and messages. You represent that you have the rights to post your User Content and that it is accurate and not misleading.

You grant Solemates.ai a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, display, and distribute your User Content as needed to operate, promote, and improve the Service (for example, showing your listing publicly, creating share cards, or displaying your Shoe Story on a listing page).

2.5 Community Rules (The Big "Don't Be Weird" List)

You agree not to:

• Post false, misleading, or deceptive listings/requests (wrong side, size, condition, brand, price, or terms).
• Harass, threaten, discriminate, stalk, or abuse another user.
• Send spam, scams, phishing attempts, or unsolicited promotions.
• Solicit sensitive personal information from other users (social security numbers, banking logins, etc.).
• Use the Service for illegal activity or to list prohibited items.
• Scrape, harvest, or collect user data without permission.
• Attempt to bypass security, access other users' accounts, or interfere with platform operations.
• Impersonate any person or organization, including Solemates.ai.
• Post content that infringes someone else's intellectual property rights.

2.6 Safety Tips (Strongly Recommended)

Solemates.ai is peer-to-peer. Use common sense and protect yourself:

• Keep communication on the platform so it can be reviewed if a report is filed.
• Confirm side/size/condition in writing before exchanging money or shipping.
• Use tracked shipping when possible and keep receipts.
• Do not send money to strangers without verifying details; avoid unusual payment requests.
• Meet in a safe public place for local handoffs; bring a friend when possible.
• If anything feels off, stop and report it.

2.7 Exchanges, Shipping, Fees, and Private Sales

Users may arrange exchanges in different ways (donation, shipping-only, swap, or private sale). Any agreement is strictly between the users involved. You are solely responsible for:

• Inspecting and evaluating the item and its condition.
• Negotiating and documenting the terms (price, shipping costs, reimbursement, timelines).
• Paying any fees, postage, customs, taxes, or related costs.
• Packaging and shipping items safely.
• Complying with all applicable laws for your exchange.

2.8 No Warranties; Platform Provided "As Is"

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SOLEMATES.AI DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE.

2.9 No Guarantee of Matches; No Guarantee of Listings

We do not guarantee that you will find a match, receive a response, complete an exchange, receive an item, or receive an item that meets your expectations. We do not guarantee the truthfulness, accuracy, or completeness of any listing, request, Shoe Story, message, or user profile.

2.10 Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SOLEMATES.AI AND ITS CREATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE.

WITHOUT LIMITING THE ABOVE, SOLEMATES.AI WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR: (A) MISLEADING OR INACCURATE LISTINGS/REQUESTS; (B) USER COMMUNICATIONS OR CONDUCT; (C) FAILED OR DISPUTED EXCHANGES; (D) SHIPPING DELAYS, LOST PACKAGES, OR DELIVERY FAILURES; (E) ITEM CONDITION, AUTHENTICITY, OR FITNESS; (F) ANY PRIVATE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT OR REIMBURSEMENT BETWEEN USERS; OR (G) ANY INJURY, LOSS, OR DAMAGE ARISING FROM AN EXCHANGE OR MEETING.

IF LIABILITY CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM WILL NOT EXCEED $100 USD OR THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO SOLEMATES.AI IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. (NOTE: MANY USERS PAY $0.)

2.11 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Solemates.ai and its creators/administrators from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: your use of the Service, your User Content, your exchange with another user, or your violation of these Terms.

2.12 Moderation, Enforcement, and Takedowns

We may (but are not required to) review, moderate, remove, restrict, or disable access to content or accounts for any reason, including suspected violations of these Terms or safety concerns. We are not responsible for moderating or not moderating.

2.13 Termination

You may stop using the Service at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access if you violate these Terms, pose a risk to others, or misuse the Service.

2.14 Intellectual Property

Solemates.ai and its logos, design, software, and content (excluding User Content) are owned by Solemates.ai or its licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, lease, reverse engineer, or create derivative works from the Service except as permitted by law.

2.15 Third-Party Links and Services

The Service may link to third-party sites (for example, Buy Me a Coffee links, shipping carriers, or partner sites). We do not control those services and are not responsible for their content, policies, or actions. Use them at your own risk.

2.16 Disputes Between Users

Solemates.ai is not responsible for resolving disputes between users. If you have a dispute, try to resolve it directly with the other user. You may report abuse, fraud, or policy violations through the Service so we can take moderation action (for example, restricting accounts).

2.17 Governing Law; Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. Any legal action related to these Terms must be brought in the state or federal courts located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, unless applicable law requires otherwise.

2.18 Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we do, we will update the "Last Updated" date and may provide additional notice for material changes. By continuing to use the Service after the changes take effect, you agree to the updated Terms.

2.19 Contact

Solemates questions: support@solemates.ai