Terms & Conditions

Our terms of service and user agreement

Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, accessing, or using panchayath, you agree to these Terms and Conditions and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the platform. We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in law or our services. We will notify users of any major changes (via app notification or email), and the updated Terms will always be published here with an "Last Updated" date. Continuing to use panchayath after changes means you accept the new Terms.

2. Eligibility

  • Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to use panchayath. Users under 18 ("minors") may only use the platform under parental/guardian supervision and with verifiable consent of a parent or legal guardian. We comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act's requirements for minors – if we learn we have collected personal data from a child without proper consent, we will remove it. We do not allow children under 13 to register at all.

  • Residency: panchayath is intended for users in India, as it is a hyperlocal Indian community network. By joining, you confirm that you are an Indian resident or otherwise subject to Indian jurisdiction.

  • One Account Per Person: You agree to create only one account for yourself (unless we explicitly allow or provide for multiple accounts). You also agree to provide truthful, accurate information during sign-up (like your name and valid contact information). Misrepresenting your identity or impersonating others is strictly prohibited.

  • Account Security: You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential. Do not share your password or OTP with others. If you suspect unauthorized access to your account, notify us immediately. We may suspend or terminate accounts that appear compromised or are used in violation of these Terms.

3. User Roles and Responsibilities

panchayath offers role-based features and expects each type of user to uphold certain responsibilities:

3.1 Regular Users (Community Members):

Regular users are the backbone of the panchayath community – posting local updates, participating in discussions, and connecting with neighbors. As a regular user, you agree to:

  • Provide Basic Info: At minimum, maintain a profile with your name (or a community-appropriate display name) and your general location (city/neighborhood). This helps ensure interactions are local and authentic. You may optionally add a profile photo and other details – any info you provide should be truthful and not misleading.

  • Abide by Community Standards: Follow the content and conduct rules in Section 4 below. Be respectful in your interactions. Do not engage in harassment, discrimination, or any unlawful activity on the platform.

  • No Misuse of Platform: Do not use panchayath for any commercial solicitation (unless you become a registered Service Provider), spamming users, or political campaigning that violates any election laws. Personal sharing and discussion is fine, but any organized misuse (like spreading propaganda, chain messages, or scams) is forbidden.

  • Local Focus: Use the platform in the spirit intended – hyperlocal community engagement. While you can discuss broader topics, remember that panchayath is not a place for mass advertising or global campaigns. Posts that are off-topic or not relevant to any local community may be moderated.

  • Privacy Respect: If you share photos or information about others, ensure you have their consent (especially for private individuals, not public events). Protect others' privacy just as you expect yours to be protected.

3.2 Verified Volunteers:

Volunteers are users who take on an active civic role in their communities via panchayath. They help moderate content, fact-check information, assist neighbors in need, and escalate issues to authorities or the CGO if needed. Becoming a Verified Volunteer is optional and subject to an application and vetting process. As a volunteer, you agree to:

  • Complete Verification: You will provide any additional information needed for volunteer verification, such as a government-issued ID (for KYC) and any references or background info. We verify volunteers to ensure safety and trust since you might handle sensitive issues or content. All such data will be handled per our Privacy Policy.

  • Undergo Training: You will participate in any orientation or training modules provided (via the app or otherwise) to understand panchayath's values, community guidelines, how to identify fake news or problematic content, and how to respond to local issues. We may offer periodic training updates or materials; you should make a good-faith effort to stay informed.

  • Act Ethically and Impartially: As a volunteer, you might be looked up to by other users. You must not abuse any special status or tools given to you. This means: do not show favoritism, do not engage in political or religious bias when moderating or helping, and do not use your volunteer privileges to harass or threaten others. Remain polite and objective.

  • Content Moderation: Volunteers may have the ability to flag content, review reported posts, or mediate disputes in the community. If you have such capabilities, you agree to use them only per the guidelines. You will not delete or hide content just because you disagree with an opinion – only act if it clearly violates rules. When in doubt, you will escalate to a Community Moderator or the CGO rather than take drastic action yourself.

  • Community Assistance: You are encouraged to help with community queries (for example, if someone asks for help with a local issue, you may guide them), assist in organizing community drives or events via the platform, and generally be a positive influencer. Any offline volunteering or meet-ups you partake in are at your own discretion and risk – please always follow local laws and personal safety.

  • Rewards and Recognition: Volunteers may receive badges, public recognition, or other incentives on the platform. These should be accepted in the spirit given. They are not paid employment and do not make you an agent of the Company, but they signal trust. You should use such status to foster goodwill, not for personal gain.

Violation of volunteer guidelines can result in losing volunteer status or even account termination, depending on severity. We deeply appreciate our volunteers, but the trust of the community is paramount. 💙

3.3 Service Providers:

Service providers use panchayath to offer local services or list business information (for example, a neighborhood grocery store, a plumber, a tutor, an NGO offering community services, etc.). If you register as a Service Provider, you agree to additional terms:

  • Accurate Information: You must provide truthful and up-to-date information about your services. This includes your business/name, contact details, what services or products you offer, prices or fees (if applicable), and any relevant qualifications or licenses (if required by law for your field). Misrepresentation (false advertising, fake reviews, etc.) is strictly prohibited and can lead to removal.

  • Verification: We may require certain service providers to verify their identity or credentials (for instance, GST registration for a business, or an ID for an individual service provider). By signing up as a Service Provider, you agree to provide such documents and information. We will mark verified providers for user assurance. If you fail to provide required verification, we may label your profile as "unverified" or limit your activities.

  • Quality and Compliance: You are responsible for the quality and safety of the services you provide to users. You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in your domain (e.g., if you are a food seller, you must follow FSSAI rules; if you are an electrician, you must have appropriate certifications if law requires, etc.). The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and related e-commerce rules apply to you – ensure you follow fair business practices, such as honoring warranties, providing refunds/replacements as per law, and not engaging in unfair or restrictive trade practices.

  • No Spamming or Cold-contact: You may only contact users who have expressed interest in your services (for example, they sent you a request or have followed your business profile). Harvesting user data from panchayath to spam or cold-call is prohibited. Any messages or posts you make should be relevant and non-intrusive (e.g., posting a public notice about a community workshop you offer is fine; mass messaging every user in a city is not).

  • Transactions and Payments: If transactions (payments) are facilitated through the platform (or via linked third-party payment gateways), you agree to follow the designated process. You will transparently communicate any terms of sale to the customer. While panchayath may assist in payment facilitation, the contract of sale/service is strictly between you and the user. panchayath is not liable for issues arising from a transaction between users and service providers, but we will try to assist in dispute resolution if needed.

  • Content and Advertising: Any content you post as a service provider (service listings, promotional posts, event announcements, etc.) must also follow the community guidelines (no illegal content, hate, etc.). Additionally, you must ensure that your advertising or promotional content is not misleading. If you post images (say of a product or project), they should be your own or you should have rights to them. Do not use panchayath to advertise external services unrelated to local community needs.

  • Data Privacy (Customers): If you obtain any personal information of users through panchayath (e.g., a user's phone number or address when they contact you for service), you are considered a data fiduciary for that information under law. You must protect that information, use it only for the purpose it was given (fulfilling the user's request), and not retain it longer than necessary. You cannot reuse it for marketing without the user's explicit consent. In other words, respect users' privacy just as we respect yours.

If you, as a service provider, are found violating these terms or engaging in fraud/scams, we may remove your listings, label you as untrusted, or suspend/terminate your account. Users should exercise due diligence as well, but we aim to keep the marketplace trustworthy.

3.4 Community Moderators and Supervisors:

We may designate certain experienced volunteers or hire staff to act as Community Moderators. Their role is to supervise platform activity, enforce rules, and mentor volunteers. If you are a Moderator (or in any supervisory role) on panchayath, you agree to:

  • Enforce Fairly: Treat all users equally when enforcing rules. Base actions on content/conduct, not personal sentiments towards a user or group.

  • Due Process: Follow the moderation protocol we establish. For example, give warnings for minor first-time offenses, use temporary content removal or suspensions appropriately, and document reasons for any major action (e.g., account bans). Users should generally be informed of what rule they violated.

  • Privacy of Reports: Handle user reports and grievances confidentially. Moderators may have access to reported content and user info for investigation – this must not be leaked or discussed externally.

  • Collaborate with CGO: Work under the guidance of the Chief Grievance Officer. If certain cases require escalation (e.g., complex legal issues, threats of self-harm, etc.), promptly forward those to the CGO and/or appropriate authorities as per our policies. Moderators should not personally handle issues beyond their training or authority.

  • No Corruption: Do not solicit or accept any form of compensation or favors from users in exchange for favorable treatment. For example, a moderator must never ask a user for money or perks to "ignore" a violation or to boost someone's content. Any attempt at bribery by users should be reported.

  • Community Guidance: Moderators might also serve as guides in the community – answering users' questions about how to use panchayath, clarifying these Terms to users, etc. Please do so patiently and help maintain a welcoming atmosphere.

Our moderators are crucial for a safe environment. Moderators who violate trust will be removed from their role and possibly from the platform, depending on severity. All actions by moderators are subject to review by the CGO to ensure accountability.

3.5 Chief Grievance Officer (CGO):

Though the CGO is a role held by a designated individual in the panchayath team (not a typical "user"), we mention it here so users know what to expect. The CGO's responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing compliance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 and other laws.

  • Receiving and addressing user grievances/complaints. This official is available via the contact provided in this document. The CGO will acknowledge complaints within 24 hours and resolve them within 15 days, providing explanation of actions taken (or why no action was taken, if applicable).

  • Acting as the point of contact for law enforcement or government orders. For example, if we receive a court order to remove certain content, the CGO ensures we comply.

  • Preparing transparency reports if required (e.g., if panchayath becomes a significant social media intermediary, the law requires periodic reports of grievances handled and content removed).

  • Guiding the moderation team and volunteers in difficult cases and making final decisions on content takedowns or user bans when there is doubt.

  • Escalating any unresolved or critical issues to appropriate regulatory bodies (for instance, if a user is not satisfied with our resolution, they can seek remedy via the upcoming Data Protection Board or courts, and the CGO would assist in those processes as needed).

The CGO is essentially the "head moderator and ombudsperson" of the platform. Users can reach out to the CGO directly for any serious concerns (contact info is at the top and bottom of this document). We are required by law to have this role for your protection, and we've embraced it fully to ensure panchayath stays accountable.

4. Community Guidelines: User Conduct and Prohibited Content

We want panchayath to be a safe, positive, and law-abiding community space. By using the platform, you agree NOT to engage in any of the following activities or post/share any content that falls into these prohibited categories:

  • Unlawful Content: Do not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, or share anything that is illegal or prohibited under Indian law. This includes content that "belongs to another person and to which you have no right", or which violates any law for the time being in force. If you don't have rights to a piece of content (text, image, video, etc.), don't post it.

  • Pornography and Obscenity: Absolutely no pornography, sexually explicit material, or indecent content. Content that depicts nudity, sexual acts, or is sexually exploitative (especially of minors) is banned. Also, anything that outrages the modesty of a person or is lascivious or appeals to prurient interest (in plain terms: lewd or indecent content) is disallowed. Images or videos of an individual's private parts or sexual activities shared without consent (like revenge porn or leaked content) will be removed within 24 hours of a complaint and could lead to reporting to authorities.

  • Child Abuse Material: Any material depicting sexual abuse of children or otherwise exploiting children is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with immediately. We will also report such content to law enforcement as required.

  • Harassment and Hate: Do not harass, bully, or threaten other users. Content that insults or is intended to harass someone on the basis of gender, religion, caste, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, or any identity is forbidden. Hate speech – meaning attacks or incitement of violence against a protected group – will be removed. Slurs or pejorative language used in a derogatory way can be considered harassment. Healthy debate is welcome, but know the line between critique and abuse.

  • Privacy Violation: Do not post someone's personal information (phone number, address, financial info, etc.) without their consent. This includes "doxxing" or exposing someone's identity who prefers to remain anonymous. Also, no content that invades another's bodily privacy (e.g., images taken of someone in private spaces without consent). Respect everyone's privacy.

  • Defamatory or Libelous Content: Avoid posting false statements that could harm a person's or organization's reputation. If you're alleging something about someone, be sure it's factual and you have evidence. Otherwise, you could be liable for defamation. We may remove content that appears defamatory to protect users from legal harm, especially if we receive a complaint from the affected person.

  • False Information and Misinformation: Do not deliberately spread false or misleading information that could be perceived as fact and cause harm. This includes fake news, doctored images presented as real, or rumors that could incite panic or hatred. We encourage users to verify facts (our volunteers may assist with this). Content that is "patently false and untrue, and is written or published in any form, with the intent to mislead or harass a person, entity or agency for financial gain or to cause any injury" is explicitly banned. In short: don't mislead people. Satire or obvious jokes should be clearly identified to avoid confusion.

  • Impersonation and Deception: Do not impersonate any person or organization. Creating parody accounts is not allowed unless clearly labeled as parody and not harmful. You may not pretend to be another user, a celebrity, a government official, or any person you are not. Also, do not mislead others by falsely stating or implying any affiliation, endorsement, or partnership with any person or entity if it's not true.

  • Spam and Malicious Content: No spamming the platform with repetitive or irrelevant messages. Chain letters, pyramid schemes, or bulk unsolicited messages are prohibited. Also, posting links or files that contain viruses, malware, spyware, or any code that could harm devices or steal data is strictly forbidden. Do not use automated scripts or bots to scrape data or post content without authorization.

  • Violence and Terrorism: Do not post content that glorifies violence, extremism, or terrorism. Direct threats of violence toward anyone are banned. You also cannot use panchayath to facilitate criminal activities. Content supporting terrorist organizations or violent extremist groups will be removed and may be reported to authorities.

  • National Security and Unity: Content that "threatens the unity, integrity, defense, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign states, or public order" is prohibited. This includes incitement to communal violence, secessionist propaganda, or terrorism. Also, content that might be legal but is intentionally used to stir public disorder may be reviewed and moderated to prevent real-world harm.

  • Encouraging Illegal Activities: You may not use the platform to promote or facilitate the sale of illegal goods or services (drugs, illicit weapons, etc.), or to encourage money laundering or gambling that's not legally permitted. Discussion about laws or advocating policy changes is fine, but actively coordinating criminal enterprises is obviously not allowed.

  • Intellectual Property Infringement: Only post content you have the right to post. Do not share copyrighted material (music, videos, articles, images) that you don't own or have permission to use. Likewise, respect trademarks and other IP rights. If you use someone else's content under fair use or another exception, make sure it truly qualifies. We respond to copyright takedown requests – repeated infringement by a user can lead to account termination. If you believe your content was used by someone on panchayath without permission, you can file a complaint (see Grievance section) and we will address it.

  • Miscellaneous Unlawful or Unethical Content: This is a catch-all – basically, if it's prohibited by any law in India (for example, contempt of court, which means you can't post things that are clearly in violation of a court's order/gag order; or violating someone's Intellectual Property Rights as noted; or content that is considered obscene under the IT Act standards), it's not allowed here. When in doubt, err on the side of caution or ask a moderator.

Your Responsibilities: You are responsible for all content you post and activity under your account. If you violate these rules, we may take action ranging from content removal to account suspension or termination. We may also report serious violations to law enforcement (and in some cases are legally obligated to do so). We aim to be fair: unless the violation is very severe or clear-cut, we will typically warn you first and give you a chance to correct your behavior. But for egregious breaches (like child abuse material or terror-related content), expect immediate removal and escalation.

We also expect ethical behavior: In addition to the strict "illegal content" rules above, remember to keep conversations civil. Debate issues, not personalities. Help new users. Build a community you would love to be part of. That's the spirit of panchayath.

5. Content Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Your Content – Your Rights: You retain the ownership and intellectual property rights of any original content that you post on panchayath. For example, if you write a post or upload a photo you took, it remains yours. We do not claim ownership over it. However, by posting content on panchayath, you grant us a license to use that content strictly for operating and improving the service. This means:

  • We have your permission to store, display, reproduce, distribute, and adapt (e.g., resize, reformat, or transcribe) your content on our platform as needed to provide the service. For instance, we might compress an image you upload to optimize it for mobile viewing, or use the Sarvam API to transcribe an audio clip you post so others can read captions.

  • This license is non-exclusive (you can post your content elsewhere too), royalty-free (we don't owe you money for using it on our service), and worldwide (users can see it wherever our platform is accessible, though we primarily operate in India).

  • The license is limited to service purposes – for example, we might use a user's public post as part of a promotional screenshot of the app (to show what a feed looks like) or feature a great community post in a blog. We will not sell your content to third parties or use it beyond the context of promoting or running panchayath without further consent.

  • If you delete your content or your account, this license will generally end after a reasonable period needed to fully remove the content from backups and caches. (Note: Removal might not be immediate from all distributed systems, but we'll do so as soon as possible.) Also, if your content has been reshared by others, that's beyond our control – the license you gave us doesn't cover other users using your content except via our platform's normal sharing features.

5.2 Our Content and IP: The panchayath platform itself (excluding user content) contains intellectual property owned by us or licensed to us. This includes the app and website design, the panchayath name and logo, our slogans, the software code, and any content we provide (like any editorial content, educational material for volunteers, icons, graphics, etc.). These are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. You agree not to copy, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from our intellectual property without explicit permission. For example, you can't create a clone app using our design, or use our "panchayath" logo for your own service. If you want to reference something (like writing an article about panchayath), you can use our name, but not in a way that confuses people into thinking you represent us.

5.3 User-to-User Content Use: If you are using another user's content (for example, you want to share someone's photo or text outside the platform), get their permission. Just because it's on panchayath doesn't mean it's free for the taking. We encourage sharing via the platform's built-in features (like reposting or sharing a link to a panchayath post), which will credit the original creator. Do not download someone's video and upload it elsewhere as your own. Respect copyright and authorship.

5.4 DMCA/IP Complaints: Although we operate under Indian law, we respect global IP norms. If you believe content on panchayath infringes your intellectual property (copyright, trademark, etc.), you can send us a takedown notice at our Grievance contact. We will acknowledge it quickly and investigate. Please include necessary details (your ownership proof, the infringing content link, what you request). We may remove or disable the content while reviewing. Similarly, if your content was removed due to an IP complaint and you believe it was wrong (fair use or you had rights), you can send a counter-notice. We'll follow applicable laws (IT Act and rules, and even DMCA guidance for international content) in resolving these.

5.5 Feedback: If you provide us with any suggestions or feedback about panchayath (say you send an idea for a feature, or report an issue), note that we may use it without any obligation to compensate you. You hereby grant us a free, perpetual license to use any feedback or ideas you volunteer, to improve our services. We appreciate feedback, but please understand we likely are working on similar ideas internally. You won't claim intellectual property rights on improvements we make that coincidentally resemble your suggestions.

6. Privacy and Data Use

Your privacy is extremely important to us. By using the platform, you also agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy (see Section 9 below) which details what data we collect and how we handle it. Key points:

  • We will collect and process your personal data only as necessary and lawful.

  • We will secure your data and not share it without proper basis (consent, legal requirement, etc.).

  • You have rights over your data (access, correction, deletion, etc.).

  • We will be transparent about any third-party processing (like the Sarvam transcription service or analytics).

  • By using certain features, you consent to related data processing (e.g., if you use voice notes, you consent to us sending that audio to Sarvam API for transcription). If you withdraw consent for such processing, we'll stop those features for you.

Please refer to the Privacy Policy section for full details. If you do not agree with our data practices, do not use the platform. We comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, so you can trust that we handle data in a manner that is fair, transparent, and accountable.

7. Platform Rights and Responsibilities

This section outlines what rights panchayath (the Company) has in operating the service, and some disclaimers of liability:

7.1 Our Right to Moderate and Manage Content: We reserve the right to remove or restrict access to any content on panchayath that violates these Terms or applicable laws, or for any other reason necessary to protect the safety of users or the public. While we are an "intermediary" that primarily hosts user content, we actively moderate as allowed under law to enforce our guidelines. Removal or moderation actions can be taken by automated filters, community volunteers, or our staff. We also may take down content if required by a legal order (court order, or notice by government as per Section 79 of IT Act). We are not required to provide a platform for any specific piece of content – if you believe your content was wrongfully removed, you can file a grievance and we will review fairly.

7.2 Our Right to Suspend or Terminate Accounts: In line with Rule 3(1)(j) of the Intermediary Rules, if a user does not comply with these Terms, Privacy Policy or any applicable law, we have the right to terminate their access or remove their content immediately in cases of serious violation, or after due warning in less severe cases. This could be a temporary suspension or a permanent ban depending on the situation. We also may terminate accounts that are inactive for an extended period or if we discontinue the platform. If your account is terminated, you may lose access to content, messages, and any privileges. If you believe your account was terminated in error, you can contact us to appeal.

7.3 Intermediary Status & No Editorial Liability: panchayath is a platform/intermediary as defined under the IT Act. We do not pre-screen or guarantee the accuracy or quality of user-generated content. Thus, we are not liable for what users post, say, or do on the platform, provided we are following due diligence (such as having these terms, a grievance mechanism, etc.). However, to maintain a healthy community, we do moderate and remove content that violates our policies or law once we become aware of it. In legal terms, we claim "safe harbor" under Section 79 of the IT Act – meaning we are not publisher of user content – but we take our duty to takedown unlawful content seriously when notified.

7.4 Service Quality and Continuity: We strive to keep panchayath up and running smoothly, but we do not guarantee that the service will be uninterrupted or error-free. Being an online and app-based service, there may be occasional downtimes, bugs, or maintenance breaks. We reserve the right to modify, update, or discontinue certain features. We will try to notify users of major changes or outages (for example, scheduled maintenance). However, we aren't liable for any loss or inconvenience you may suffer due to service interruptions or any bugs. It's provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis without warranties of any kind.

7.5 Third-Party Content and Links: Users or service providers might post links to third-party websites or content. We might also integrate third-party APIs (like maps, payment gateways, or the Sarvam transcription). We do not control or endorse outside content or services. If you follow a third-party link, you do so at your own risk. Our Privacy Policy covers what happens when third-party integrations are used (e.g., data shared with Sarvam or a payment partner). But generally, any third-party site/app will have its own terms and privacy policy – panchayath isn't responsible for their content or practices.

7.6 Location-Based Services: panchayath relies on location info to deliver hyperlocal content. By using location-based features, you understand that: (a) we will collect and use your location data as per the Privacy Policy; (b) location data might not be 100% accurate (for instance, GPS or network data can have errors); (c) if you choose to share location in a post or with a service provider, that's at your discretion and risk. We'll do our best to show you relevant community posts and alerts based on location, but we can't guarantee that every local event or hazard will be captured.

7.7 Changes to Features: We are constantly evolving. We might add new features (for example, a new chat function, a neighborhood marketplace, etc.) or remove existing ones if they aren't working out. These Terms cover all features of the platform, new or old. If any new feature significantly changes how we use data or the nature of the service, we'll update the Terms/Privacy accordingly and notify you.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event shall panchayath (the Company, its officers, employees, agents, partners, or affiliates) be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of (or inability to use) the platform. This includes, for example, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, data, or other intangible losses, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from use of panchayath is limited to the amount (if any) you have paid us in the last 12 months for a particular service (for most users, this is ₹0 since the app is free). We are not liable for the conduct, whether online or offline, of any user or third-party using panchayath.

However, nothing in these Terms is intended to limit your rights as a consumer under Indian law. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain liability exclusions. Our liability will be the minimum permitted by law. Also, this limitation does not override any statutory remedy you have (for example, under the Consumer Protection Act, if applicable, or any data protection law for violation of data fiduciary duties). But note that as an intermediary, our role in content is limited as described.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless panchayath and its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from any claim, demand, losses or damages (including legal fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your content or your use of the service; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any law or regulation or rights of a third party.

In simple terms, if your actions cause harm or legal issues, you may need to cover our costs. We will notify you of any such claim and cooperate reasonably, at your expense, in defending it. You may not settle any claim that involves a financial obligation or admission of guilt on our part without our written consent.

10. Grievance Redressal Mechanism

We have established a grievance redressal mechanism in compliance with the IT Intermediary Rules, 2021. If you have any complaints or concerns regarding content on the platform or wish to report a violation of these Terms or the Privacy Policy, please use one of the following methods:

  • In-App Report: Most content (posts, comments, profiles) will have a "Report" option. Use this to send a direct report to our moderation team. You can choose the reason (e.g., harassment, misinformation, etc.) and provide details. This is often the fastest way to get a response on content issues.

  • Email: You can write to our Chief Grievance Officer at [[email protected]] with your complaint. Please include your name, contact info, the details of your grievance, any relevant content URLs or descriptions, and the resolution you seek.

  • Physical Mail: If needed, you may send a written complaint to: Chief Grievance Officer, [Postal Address]. (Email is preferred for speed.)

Process:

  1. Acknowledgment (Within 24 hours): We will acknowledge receipt of your grievance within 24 hours, as mandated by law. If you used the in-app report, you'll get an in-app confirmation; if by email, we'll reply; if by post, we'll try to contact you via given info.

  2. Review: The complaint will be reviewed by the CGO or an appropriate team member. They may reach out to you for additional information if needed (especially if the complaint is unclear or missing details).

  3. Resolution (Within 15 days): We aim to resolve and dispose of the complaint within 15 days of receipt. Resolution might mean removing the reported content, banning an offending user, restoring content if it was wrongly taken down, or providing an explanation if we decide not to take action. For data-related requests (like a request to delete your data), resolution might be fulfillment of the request.

  4. Communication: We will inform you of the outcome. If we removed content or took action, we'll say so. If we didn't, we will explain why (for example, "upon investigation, the content did not violate our guidelines/law"). If your issue is about your personal data or privacy, our team or DPO-equivalent will address it specifically.

  5. Escalation: If you are not satisfied with the resolution, you can escalate by replying to the communication or explicitly requesting escalation. Escalations may be reviewed by a higher official or committee internally. Additionally, under the law, if still unsatisfied, you have the right to seek further remedies – such as approaching the government's Grievance Appellate Committee (if established) or eventually the courts or Data Protection Board of India for data issues.

We want to resolve things amicably and efficiently. The grievance mechanism is there to ensure users have their voices heard. We also periodically analyze grievances to improve our policies and responses.

Special Cases: As per law, certain types of content complaints (like those involving sexual exposure, impersonation, etc., as described earlier) will be acted on within 24 hours for content removal. Even if we remove such content fast, you can still follow up through the grievance process for any further support (like dealing with the user who posted it).

Chief Grievance Officer Details: (Reiterated) Name: [Name] Email: [[email protected]] Contact Address: [Office Address, City, State, PIN, India] Working Hours: [e.g., Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm (IST)] – Emergencies will still be handled as required, 24x7.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms (and any issues arising from them) are governed by the laws of India. This includes, without limitation, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the rules and regulations framed thereunder, and other applicable laws of India.

If any dispute arises between you and panchayath regarding your use of the service or these Terms:

  • We encourage you to first contact us directly to seek an informal resolution (most issues can be resolved via the grievance process or customer support).

  • If we cannot resolve informally, and if the matter is a legal dispute, it shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts located in [e.g., Bengaluru, Karnataka, India] (unless otherwise required by any applicable local law in your jurisdiction – since we only operate in India, we expect Indian jurisdiction to apply).

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution: We may consider arbitration or mediation for dispute resolution if both parties agree. In such case, it would likely be under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, with the venue in [City], and conducted in English. The arbitrator's award would be binding and could be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. However, this is not mandatory unless we mutually decide it.

Because panchayath is a free service for most users and provided as a community platform, we also reserve the right, if you have violated these Terms, to seek injunctive relief or other equitable remedies in court to prevent ongoing misconduct (like if you are scraping data or launching attacks, we might go to court to stop you).

12. Miscellaneous

  • Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable by a court, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the rest of the Terms will remain in full effect. (For example, if a court says our liability cap is not enforceable to a certain consumer, it doesn't void the whole agreement – just that part is adjusted per law.)

  • No Waiver: If we don't immediately act on a violation of these Terms by you or others, it doesn't mean we are waiving our rights. Any waiver of rights would be explicitly provided in writing.

  • Assignment: You may not transfer or assign your account or any rights/obligations under these Terms without our consent. We can transfer our rights/obligations to another party (for example, if the company operating panchayath changes or is acquired) but we will ensure your rights are not affected and will notify you if that happens.

  • Entire Agreement: These Terms, including the Privacy Policy and any other guidelines referenced (like community standards, if any, though most are integrated here), constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding your use of panchayath. They supersede any prior agreements or communications (whether oral or written) regarding the subject matter.

  • Headings: The section titles (like "Governing Law" etc.) are for convenience only and have no legal effect.

  • Relationship: Using panchayath does not make you an employee, agent, or legal representative of panchayath. You are participating as an independent individual. Volunteers and moderators are helpers, not employees. There is no joint venture or partnership created by mere use of the platform.

  • Force Majeure: We are not liable for any failure to perform due to causes beyond our reasonable control, such as natural disasters, acts of God, war, terrorism, civil disturbances, strikes, fires, pandemics, government restrictions, or disruptions in utility or communications.

  • Contact for Legal Notices: Besides the Grievance Officer, for any legal notices to panchayath (e.g., lawsuits, formal legal correspondence), please use the address: [Legal Department Address, if different, otherwise same as CGO address]. Mark the envelope/email subject as "Legal Notice".