Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Essay Tutor! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our AI-powered exam writing practice platform operated by Essay Tutor ("we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using our service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access our service. These terms comply with applicable laws including COPPA, GDPR, and other privacy regulations.

2. Description of Service

Essay Tutor provides an AI-powered platform for exam writing practice and improvement, including:

• TOEFL integrated writing tasks and academic discussion prompts
• IELTS Task 1 (graphs, charts, letters) and Task 2 (essays) practice
• PTE writing components in computer-based format
• Timed writing sessions that simulate actual exam conditions
• AI-powered feedback aligned with official scoring rubrics
• Progress tracking across multiple exam formats
• Task-specific tips and writing improvement resources
• Personalized practice recommendations based on exam requirements

3. Eligibility and User Accounts

To use our service, you must meet certain eligibility requirements:

• You must be at least 13 years old to create an account
• If you are under 18, you must have parental or guardian consent
• If you are under 13, your parent or guardian must create and manage your account
• You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

4. Acceptable Use

When using our service, you agree to:

• Use the service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms
• Not submit content that is harmful, offensive, or violates others' rights
• Not attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' accounts
• Not use the service to cheat on actual exams or assessments
• Not share your account credentials with others
• Respect our intellectual property rights and those of other users
• Not interfere with or disrupt the service or servers connected to the service

5. User Content and Intellectual Property

Regarding content you create and submit:

• You retain ownership of writing tasks and content you create using our service
• You grant us a limited license to process your content to provide feedback and improve our service
• You represent that your content does not infringe on others' intellectual property rights
• We may use anonymized and aggregated data from user content to improve our AI models
• You can request deletion of your content at any time through your account settings
• Our service, including our AI technology and exam-specific educational content, is protected by intellectual property laws

6. AI-Powered Features and Limitations

Our AI-powered feedback system:

• Provides automated analysis and suggestions for writing improvement
• May not always be 100% accurate and should be used as a learning tool
• Is not a substitute for human instruction or professional writing advice
• Continuously improves but may occasionally produce unexpected results
• Processes your content securely and does not store individual essays for AI training without consent
• Should not be relied upon as the sole method for exam preparation

7. Privacy and Data Protection

We are committed to protecting your privacy:

• Your personal information is handled according to our Privacy Policy
• We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data
• We comply with COPPA, GDPR, and other applicable privacy regulations
• We do not sell your personal information to third parties
• You have rights regarding your personal data as outlined in our Privacy Policy
• Parents of users under 13 have additional rights and controls over their child's information

8. Payment Terms

For paid features and subscriptions:

• Payment is required in advance for subscription services
• All fees are non-refundable unless required by applicable law
• We may change our pricing with 30 days' notice to existing subscribers
• Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled before the renewal date
• You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings
• Refunds may be provided at our discretion or as required by law

9. Educational Use and Academic Integrity

Our service is designed for practice and learning:

• Use our feedback to improve your writing skills, not to complete actual assignments
• Do not submit AI-generated content as your own work in academic or professional settings
• Our service is for practice purposes and should complement, not replace, formal education
• Teachers and educational institutions may use our service with appropriate supervision
• We support academic integrity and encourage honest learning practices

10. Service Availability and Modifications

Regarding our service availability:

• We strive to maintain continuous service availability but cannot guarantee 100% uptime
• We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of our service with notice
• We may perform maintenance that temporarily affects service availability
• We reserve the right to limit usage to ensure fair access for all users
• We may update our features and functionality to improve the user experience

11. Termination

Either party may terminate the service relationship:

• You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or using account settings
• We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms
• Upon termination, your access to the service will cease
• We will handle your data according to our Privacy Policy and applicable laws
• Certain provisions of these Terms will survive termination

12. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

Please understand the following limitations:

• Our service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind
• We do not guarantee specific learning outcomes or exam score improvements
• Our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• You use our service at your own risk
• Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so these may not apply to you

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims arising from:

• Your use of our service in violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or third-party rights
• Content you submit that infringes on others' rights
• Your negligent or wrongful conduct

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Legal matters will be handled as follows:

• These Terms are governed by the laws of our operating jurisdiction
• Disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration where permitted by law
• You retain the right to seek relief in small claims court for qualifying disputes
• Class action lawsuits are waived to the extent permitted by law

15. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time:

• We will provide notice of material changes through email or platform notification
• Updated terms will be posted on our website with a new effective date
• Your continued use of the service after changes constitutes acceptance
• If you do not agree with changes, you should discontinue use of the service

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service:

• Email: support@essaytutor.app
• Response time: We will respond within 30 days
• Mailing address: Available upon request
• For privacy-related inquiries, use: support@essaytutor.app

17. Miscellaneous

Additional important provisions:

• If any provision of these Terms is found invalid, the remainder will remain in effect
• Our failure to enforce any provision does not waive our right to enforce it later
• These Terms constitute the entire agreement between us regarding the service
• You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our consent
• We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms