Terms of Service for ColPath

Welcome to ColPath! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the ColPath mobile application ("App"), developed and operated by Ashrith Padi (contact: appteams.ops@gmail.com). By accessing or using ColPath, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the App.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using ColPath, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and ColPath.

2. Description of Service

ColPath is a free college planning service that helps students:

• Search and explore colleges and universities
• View college information including majors, locations, and details
• Find colleges near their location using map-based features
• Track their college search history and preferences
• Manage application deadlines and reminders

Important: ColPath is provided as a free service with no subscription fees, in-app purchases, or hidden costs.

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Registration

To use ColPath, you must create an account by providing:

• A valid email address
• Authentication via Firebase Authentication

You are assigned a unique Firebase UUID to manage your account securely.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breaches

3.3 Account Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use ColPath. If you are under 18, you represent that you have parental or guardian consent to use the App.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use ColPath only for lawful purposes. You must NOT:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on the intellectual property rights of others
• Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or malicious code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or other users' accounts
• Use automated scripts, bots, or scrapers to access the App
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the App
• Misuse location services or provide false location information
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Spam, harass, or abuse other users or our support team

5. Location Services and Data Collection

ColPath uses location services (Mapbox Maps) to provide location-based features. By using the App, you consent to:

• Collection of your geographic location data
• Display of your location on maps
• Location-based college recommendations

You can disable location services in your device settings, but this may limit certain features of the App.

6. Third-Party Services

ColPath integrates with the following third-party services:

• Firebase Authentication: For user account management
• Cloud Firestore: For data storage
• Firebase Crashlytics: For crash reporting and app stability
• Mapbox Maps: For map display and location services

Your use of these services is subject to their respective terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the practices of these third-party services.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 ColPath's Rights

All content, features, and functionality of ColPath, including but not limited to:

• Software code, design, and architecture
• Text, graphics, logos, and images
• Trademarks and service marks

are owned by ColPath or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

7.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the App for personal, non-commercial purposes in accordance with these Terms.

8. Content and Data Accuracy

You should:

• Verify all college information directly with the institutions
• Consult official college websites for admission requirements and deadlines
• Not rely solely on ColPath for college application decisions

9. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of ColPath is also governed by our Privacy Policy. We collect and process:

• Email address for account management
• Firebase UUID as a unique identifier
• Location data for map-based features
• Usage data for app improvement
• Crash reports via Firebase Crashlytics

We do not collect or store any sensitive personal data such as financial information, health data, or government IDs.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 "AS IS" Service

ColPath is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Warranties of merchantability
• Fitness for a particular purpose
• Non-infringement
• Uninterrupted or error-free service

10.2 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ColPath and its developers shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, data, or use
• Business interruption or lost opportunities
• Errors or omissions in college information
• Actions or decisions made based on information from the App

10.3 Maximum Liability

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of ColPath shall not exceed $100 USD or the amount paid by you to use the service (which is $0, as ColPath is free).

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ColPath and its developers from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the App
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another party
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations

12. Service Modifications and Termination

12.1 Right to Modify

We reserve the right to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the App at any time
• Update features, functionality, or content
• Change these Terms with notice to users

12.2 Account Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account if:

• You violate these Terms
• You engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• We are required to do so by law

You may delete your account at any time through the App settings. Upon termination, your data will be deleted within 30 days.

13. Changes to Terms of Service

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify you through in-app notifications
• Send an email to your registered address

Your continued use of ColPath after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

14.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where the developer is located, without regard to conflict of law principles.

14.2 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of ColPath shall be resolved through:

1. Good faith negotiation between the parties
2. Mediation, if negotiation fails
3. Binding arbitration or small claims court

15. Miscellaneous Provisions

15.1 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

15.2 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ColPath regarding the use of the App.

15.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

© 2025 ColPath. All rights reserved.
By using ColPath, you agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.