By using HEY YO!, you agree to follow these rules and our full terms below.
1. Acceptance of Terms
Welcome to HEY YO! These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and HEY YO! Inc. ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") regarding your use of the HEY YO! chat platform and related services (collectively, the "Service").
⚠️ Important Legal Agreement
By accessing or using HEY YO!, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our Service.
Who Can Use HEY YO!
Age Requirement: You must be at least 13 years old to use our Service
Parental Consent: Users under 18 must have parental or guardian consent
Legal Capacity: You must have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
Compliance: You must comply with all applicable laws in your jurisdiction
Agreement Updates
These Terms may be updated from time to time. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms. We will notify you of significant changes through:
Email notification (if you have provided an email address)
In-app notifications
Website announcements
Updated "Last Modified" date at the top of these Terms
2. Service Description
HEY YO! is a real-time chat platform that connects users worldwide for meaningful conversations. Our Service includes various features designed to facilitate safe, enjoyable communication.
Core Features
💬
Chat Features
• Real-time messaging
• Group conversations
• Private messaging
• Emoji and reactions
• File sharing (images, documents)
• Voice messages
🛡️
Safety Features
• Content moderation
• User reporting system
• Blocking and muting
• Age-appropriate matching
• End-to-end encryption
• Privacy controls
Service Availability
We strive to provide continuous service availability, but we cannot guarantee uninterrupted access. The Service may be temporarily unavailable due to:
Scheduled Maintenance: Regular updates and improvements
Technical Issues: Server problems, network outages, or software bugs
Force Majeure: Natural disasters, government actions, or other uncontrollable events
Security Measures: Temporary shutdowns to address security threats
🔄 Service Evolution
HEY YO! is continuously evolving. We may add new features, modify existing ones, or discontinue certain functionalities. We'll provide reasonable notice for significant changes that affect core functionality.
Third-Party Integrations
Our Service may integrate with third-party services (social media platforms, payment processors, analytics tools). Your use of these integrations is subject to their respective terms of service and privacy policies. We are not responsible for third-party services or their content.
3. User Accounts
To access certain features of HEY YO!, you may need to create a user account. You are responsible for maintaining the security and accuracy of your account information.
Account Registration
✅ Required Information
• Username (chosen by you)
• Age verification
• Agreement to Terms and Privacy Policy
• Basic safety acknowledgment
📧 Optional Information
• Email address (for account recovery)
• Profile picture
• Bio or description
• Interests and preferences
Account Responsibilities
By creating an account, you agree to:
Provide Accurate Information: All information must be truthful and current
Maintain Security: Keep your account credentials secure and confidential
Single Account: Maintain only one account per person
Report Compromises: Immediately notify us of any unauthorized access
Update Information: Keep your account information current and accurate
🚫 Prohibited Account Activities
The following activities are strictly prohibited:
• Creating multiple accounts to evade bans or restrictions
• Sharing account credentials with others
• Impersonating other individuals or entities
• Using automated tools to create or manage accounts
• Selling, transferring, or lending your account
Account Suspension and Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or engage in harmful behavior. Account actions may include:
⚠️ Warning
First-time minor violations may result in a warning and educational resources.
⏸️ Temporary Suspension
Repeated violations or moderate offenses may result in temporary account suspension (1-30 days).
🚫 Permanent Termination
Severe violations, illegal activities, or repeated offenses may result in permanent account termination.
4. Acceptable Use Policy
HEY YO! is committed to providing a safe, respectful environment for all users. This Acceptable Use Policy outlines the standards of behavior expected from all community members.
Community Standards
✅ Encouraged Behavior
• Treat others with respect and kindness
• Engage in meaningful conversations
• Report inappropriate behavior
• Help create a welcoming environment
• Respect privacy and boundaries
• Use appropriate language
❌ Prohibited Behavior
• Harassment, bullying, or intimidation
• Hate speech or discrimination
• Sharing inappropriate content
• Spamming or excessive messaging
• Impersonation or deception
• Illegal activities or content
Prohibited Content
The following types of content are strictly prohibited on HEY YO!:
🔞 Adult Content
• Sexually explicit material
• Nudity or suggestive content
• Adult services or solicitation
⚖️ Illegal Content
• Illegal drugs or substances
• Weapons or dangerous items
• Fraud or scam activities
• Copyright infringement
🛡️ Harmful Content
• Violence or threats
• Self-harm or suicide content
• Hate speech or discrimination
• Doxxing or privacy violations
Reporting and Enforcement
We rely on our community to help maintain a safe environment. If you encounter inappropriate behavior or content:
Report Immediately: Use the in-app reporting tools
Block Users: Block users who make you uncomfortable
Provide Details: Include specific information about violations
Follow Up: We'll investigate all reports within 24 hours
🤝 Community Partnership
We work together with our users to maintain a positive environment. Your reports help us identify and address issues quickly. We appreciate your partnership in keeping HEY YO! safe for everyone.
5. Content & Intellectual Property Rights
This section clarifies the ownership and usage rights for content shared on HEY YO!, including user-generated content and our platform's intellectual property.
Your Content Rights
✅ You Own Your Content
You retain full ownership of all content you create and share on HEY YO!, including messages, images, files, and other materials. We do not claim ownership of your personal content.
License to Use Your Content
By sharing content on HEY YO!, you grant us a limited license to:
Display and Transmit: Show your content to other users as intended
Store and Process: Keep your content on our servers for service delivery
Moderate Content: Review content for safety and policy compliance
Backup and Restore: Create backups to prevent data loss
🔒 What We DON'T Do
• Sell your content to third parties
• Use your content for advertising
• Share your private messages publicly
• Claim ownership of your creations
• Use your content beyond service needs
✅ Your Control
• Delete your content anytime
• Control who sees your content
• Export your data
• Revoke permissions by deleting
• Report misuse of your content
HEY YO! Intellectual Property
The HEY YO! platform, including its design, features, code, and branding, is protected by intellectual property laws. This includes:
Trademarks: HEY YO! name, logo, and branding elements
Copyrights: Software code, design elements, and documentation
Patents: Unique features and technological innovations
Trade Secrets: Proprietary algorithms and business methods
Respecting Others' Rights
You must respect the intellectual property rights of others when using HEY YO!:
📸 Images and Media
Only share images you own or have permission to use. Don't share copyrighted images without authorization.
🎵 Music and Audio
Respect music copyrights. Don't share copyrighted audio files or use them in voice messages without permission.
📝 Text and Writing
Don't copy and paste large amounts of text from copyrighted sources. Give credit when sharing quotes or excerpts.
⚖️ DMCA Compliance
We comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed:
• Email: dmca@heyyo.in
• Include: Description of copyrighted work
• Provide: Location of infringing content
• Confirm: Good faith belief of infringement
6. Privacy & Data Protection
Your privacy is fundamental to how we operate HEY YO!. This section works in conjunction with our detailed Privacy Policy to explain how we handle your personal information.
🔗 Complete Privacy Information
For comprehensive details about our privacy practices, please read our full Privacy Policy, which covers:
We believe in automatic data deletion to protect your privacy:
Chat Messages: Automatically deleted after 30 days of inactivity
Account Data: Kept while your account is active
Analytics Data: Anonymized and aggregated only
Safety Reports: Kept for investigation and legal compliance
Your Privacy Rights
You have significant control over your personal information:
Access & Control
• View all your data
• Correct inaccurate information
• Delete specific content
• Export your information
Privacy Controls
• Restrict data processing
• Object to certain uses
• Withdraw consent
• File privacy complaints
7. Disclaimers & Limitations of Liability
While we strive to provide a safe and reliable service, it's important to understand the limitations of our liability and the disclaimers that apply to your use of HEY YO!.
⚠️ Important Legal Notice
These disclaimers and limitations are essential parts of our agreement. Please read them carefully as they affect your legal rights and remedies.
Service Disclaimers
"AS IS" Service
HEY YO! is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee that the service will be:
• Uninterrupted or error-free
• Free from viruses or harmful components
• Completely secure from unauthorized access
• Available at all times
User-Generated Content
We are not responsible for content created by users, including:
• Accuracy or reliability of user messages
• Offensive or inappropriate content
• Copyright or trademark infringement
• Harmful or illegal material
Third-Party Services
We are not liable for third-party services or content, including:
• External websites or links
• Payment processor issues
• Social media integrations
• Analytics or advertising services
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, HEY YO! and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, and licensors shall not be liable for:
❌ Excluded Damages
• Indirect or consequential damages
• Loss of profits or revenue
• Loss of data or information
• Business interruption
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages
💰 Damage Cap
Our total liability for any claims related to HEY YO! is limited to the greater of:
• $100 USD
• Amount you paid us in the last 12 months
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HEY YO! from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:
Your Use: Your use or misuse of the Service
Your Content: Content you post or share on the platform
Terms Violation: Your violation of these Terms or applicable laws
Third-Party Rights: Your infringement of others' intellectual property or privacy rights
🏛️ Jurisdictional Variations
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations of liability. In such cases, our liability will be limited to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. These disclaimers do not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.
8. Termination
Either you or HEY YO! may terminate your access to the Service under certain circumstances. This section explains the termination process and its effects.
Termination by You
You may terminate your account and stop using HEY YO! at any time:
🚪 How to Leave
• Delete your account in settings
• Contact support for assistance
• Simply stop using the service
• Request data deletion
📦 Data Export
• Download your data before leaving
• Export chat history
• Save important conversations
• 30-day grace period for recovery
Termination by HEY YO!
We may suspend or terminate your account in the following situations:
⚠️ Terms Violation
Violation of these Terms or our community guidelines may result in:
• Warning and educational resources
• Temporary suspension (1-30 days)
• Permanent account termination
🚫 Immediate Termination
Immediate termination may occur for:
• Illegal activities or content
• Severe harassment or threats
• Repeated policy violations
• Security threats or hacking attempts
🔧 Service Changes
We may terminate the service for:
• Business reasons or restructuring
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Technical or security issues
• End of service life
Effects of Termination
When your account is terminated (by you or us):
Immediate Effects
• Loss of access to your account
• Inability to send/receive messages
• Profile becomes inaccessible
• Premium features discontinued
Data Handling
• 30-day grace period for recovery
• Data deletion after grace period
• Some data retained for legal compliance
• Anonymized analytics may remain
🔄 Account Recovery
If your account was terminated by mistake or you want to return:
• Contact support within 30 days
• Provide account verification
• Explain the circumstances
• We'll review and respond within 48 hours
Survival of Terms
Certain provisions of these Terms will survive termination, including intellectual property rights, disclaimers, limitations of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution clauses.
9. Dispute Resolution
We hope to resolve any disputes amicably, but this section outlines the formal process for handling legal disagreements between you and HEY YO!.
Informal Resolution First
Before pursuing formal legal action, we encourage you to contact us directly to resolve any issues:
📞 Contact Information
General Support:
Email: support@heyyo.in
Response: Within 24 hours
Legal Issues:
Email: legal@heyyo.in
Response: Within 48 hours
Required Information: Please include your username, description of the issue, desired resolution, and any relevant documentation.
Binding Arbitration
If informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration rather than court litigation:
⚖️ Arbitration Rules
• Administered by American Arbitration Association (AAA)
• Conducted under AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules
• Single arbitrator selected by mutual agreement
• Decision is final and binding
💰 Cost Allocation
• HEY YO! pays arbitration fees for claims under $10,000
• Each party pays their own attorney fees
• Arbitrator may award attorney fees to prevailing party
• No class action or representative proceedings
📍 Location and Process
• Conducted in your state of residence (US users)
• Virtual hearings available
• Expedited process for claims under $25,000
• 30-day notice required before filing
Exceptions to Arbitration
The following disputes are not subject to arbitration and may be brought in court:
Intellectual Property: Claims related to intellectual property infringement
Small Claims: Disputes within small claims court jurisdiction
Injunctive Relief: Requests for emergency injunctive or equitable relief
Government Actions: Enforcement actions by government agencies
🚫 Class Action Waiver
You agree that disputes will be resolved individually, not as part of a class action, collective action, or representative proceeding. This waiver applies to both arbitration and court proceedings.
International Users
For users outside the United States:
EU Users: May bring disputes in their local courts under EU consumer protection laws
UK Users: Disputes subject to UK jurisdiction and consumer rights
Other Jurisdictions: Local consumer protection laws may apply
Alternative Dispute Resolution: We participate in relevant ADR schemes where required
10. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
This section establishes which laws apply to these Terms and where legal disputes will be resolved, taking into account the international nature of our service.
Primary Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.
🇺🇸 US Jurisdiction
• Delaware state law applies
• Federal courts in Delaware for non-arbitrable disputes
• US consumer protection laws
• Federal regulations (FTC, FCC, etc.)
🌍 International Considerations
• Local consumer protection laws may apply
• GDPR for EU users
• PIPEDA for Canadian users
• Other applicable privacy laws
Regional Variations
While Delaware law governs these Terms, certain regional laws may also apply:
🇪🇺 European Union
EU users benefit from additional protections:
• GDPR data protection rights
• EU consumer protection directives
• Right to bring disputes in local courts
• Unfair contract terms regulations
🇨🇦 Canada
Canadian users are protected by:
• PIPEDA privacy legislation
• Provincial consumer protection acts
• Competition Act provisions
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
UK users are covered by:
• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act
• Consumer Rights Act 2015
• Unfair Contract Terms Act
• Online Safety Act provisions
⚖️ Conflict Resolution
When local laws conflict with these Terms:
• Mandatory local consumer protections take precedence
• Privacy laws are applied cumulatively (highest protection wins)
• Delaware law applies to commercial and operational matters
• Courts will determine applicable law based on specific circumstances
Venue for Legal Proceedings
For disputes not subject to arbitration:
US Users: Federal or state courts in Delaware
EU Users: May choose local courts under EU consumer protection rules
Other International Users: Delaware courts, unless local law provides otherwise
Small Claims: Local small claims courts where permitted
11. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our service, legal requirements, or business practices. We're committed to keeping you informed about any changes.
How We Notify You
📧
Email Notice
For significant changes affecting your rights
🔔
In-App Alert
Prominent notification when you use the service
🌐
Website Banner
Notice on our website and legal pages
Types of Changes
✅ Minor Updates
Clarifications, typo fixes, or formatting improvements
Notice: Updated "Last Modified" date only
⚠️ Moderate Changes
New features, updated policies, or expanded explanations
Notice: In-app notification and website banner
🚨 Major Changes
Significant changes to your rights, obligations, or dispute resolution
Notice: 30-day advance notice via email, in-app, and website
📅 Effective Date
Changes become effective:
• Minor Changes: Immediately upon posting
• Moderate Changes: 7 days after notification
• Major Changes: 30 days after notification
• Legal Requirements: As required by law
Your Options
When we make changes to these Terms, you have several options:
✅ Accept Changes
• Continue using HEY YO! normally
• Automatic acceptance by continued use
• Access to all new features and improvements
• Full protection under updated terms
❌ Reject Changes
• Delete your account before effective date
• Export your data first
• Contact support with concerns
• Seek legal advice if needed
Version History
We maintain a record of significant changes to these Terms:
December 15, 2024: Current version - Enhanced dispute resolution, updated privacy integration
September 1, 2024: Added international user provisions, expanded acceptable use policy
June 15, 2024: Initial Terms of Service published
12. Legal Contact Information
If you have questions about these Terms or need to contact us for legal matters, here's how to reach the appropriate team.