Talking-Buddy App: General Terms and Conditions

Last updated: June 13, 2025

Disclaimer

Talking-Buddy™️ is a peer support platform designed to provide a judgment-free space for venting and emotional expression. It is not a substitute for professional therapy, medical treatment, or crisis intervention. Our listeners are not licensed therapists, counselors, or medical professionals and do not provide medical, financial, psychological, psychiatric or legal advice.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, thoughts of self-harm, or an emergency, please contact a licensed professional or emergency services in your area. Talking-Buddy™️ does not provide crisis intervention, medical diagnosis, or therapeutic treatment.

By using this service, you acknowledge and agree that Talking-Buddy™️ is for casual emotional support only and that you are solely responsible for your well-being and any decisions made based on your conversations within the platform.

1. Acceptance of Terms

The talking-buddy app (“App”) is owned and operated by AHAN Apps LLC, a Georgia USA limited liability company (“AHAN”) .By accessing or using the talking-buddy app (“App”), you agree to abide by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the App.

2. User Eligibility

AHAN does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If we learn at any time that we have been providing services to or have collected the information of a child under the age of 13 then we will immediately destroy this personal information unless we are legally obligated to retain such data. Please email us at privacy@talking-buddy.com if you believe that we have unintentionally provided services to or collected the information of a child under the age of 13.

If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records.

Children between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age must receive permission from a parent of legal guardian to access this website.

3. App Services

The App connects Callers (customers) with Talking-Buddies (independent service providers) to engage in audio and/or video calls for emotional support and communication. Talking-Buddies are human beings and independent service providers, and no licenses or training are required.

4. Payments and Fees

  1. All references to currency are to United States Dollars.
  2. Callers must pay a $5.00 fee for a five (5) minute call. Calls exceeding five (5) minutes will be subject to an additional $0.80 charge for each additional minute. Call times will be rounded up to the full minute. For instance, if the call duration is 25 min and 28 seconds, the caller will be charged for 26 minutes.
  3. All payments are processed through a third-party provider. AHAN Apps LLC does not have access to or retain any of a caller’s financial or payment information.
  4. Talking-Buddies are compensated per call.
  5. Payment schedules, rates, and other financial arrangements are managed through the App.
  6. Fees are not refundable.
  7. Withdrawal of funds from your account make not occur for up to fifteen (15) days.

5. Conduct Guidelines & Zero Tolerance Policy

By accessing or using the app, users agree to abide by the following conduct guidelines. These rules are in place to foster a respectful, safe, and supportive environment for all participants.

  1. User Agreement

    Your use of the App constitutes a binding agreement to these terms, forming part of the End User License Agreement (EULA). You acknowledge and agree that you are responsible for your conduct while using the App and that you will comply with all community rules and applicable laws.

  2. Zero Tolerance for Objectionable Content

    The app enforces a strict zero tolerance policy toward objectionable or abusive content. Users agree not to:

    1. Share, discuss, or display, without limitation, any form of nudity, profanity, sexually explicit, or otherwise inappropriate content.
    2. Use the App for harassment, abusive behavior, threats, or any harmful or illegal activities.
    3. Engage in discriminatory speech or behavior based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status.
    4. Impersonate any individual or entity or falsely claim affiliations.
    5. Encourage or facilitate actions that violate local, national, or international laws.
  3. User Reporting and Enforcement
    1. Users are encouraged to report any violations or inappropriate behavior through the in-app reporting feature. To initiate a report, users should navigate to their call history, tap the "Need Help?" button associated with the relevant call, and select an appropriate issue type. All reports are reviewed promptly by our support team. Based on the severity and validity of the report, actions may include temporary suspension, permanent account termination, or blocking access to the app. In cases involving severe violations, such as illegal activities, we reserve the right to escalate the matter to the appropriate legal authorities.
    2. Blocking Abusive Users: Users, including both Callers and Listeners ("Talking-Buddies"), may report inappropriate or concerning behavior using the in-app support feature. To initiate a report, users should navigate to their call history, tap the "Need Help?" button associated with the relevant call, and select "Block The User" as the issue type. Once a report is submitted, our support team will review the matter within 24 hours. If the report is deemed valid, we reserve the right to block the reported user (Caller or Listener) at the backend level. This action ensures that the blocked individual will no longer be matched or connected with the reporting user on the platform. Talking-Buddy™️ is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment. Abuse of the reporting or blocking system may lead to further investigation and potential suspension or termination of the offending user’s account.
  4. Acknowledgment Requirement

    Use of the App is strictly conditioned on user acknowledgment of and agreement to this Conduct Policy. By continuing to use the App, users reaffirm their acceptance of these terms.

Violation of these guidelines may lead to immediate suspension of the session and termination of the session and account without notice. No refunds will be issued in the event of termination of any session due to a violation of this provision.

6. Call Recording and Consent

Audio and video calls will be recorded. Consent is required from both parties before recording a video call. If either party denies video call recording, the call will proceed as an audio call only. Recorded calls may be used for Support Request resolution.

7. Third-Party Services

The App may share user information with third-party providers for payment processing, notifications which are necessary to operate and maintain the App.

8. Liability Limitations

The App does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of information shared by Talking-Buddies. Users hereby agree that the App is not liable for any damages arising from use of the services. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless AHAN Apps LLC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, suppliers and any third-party information providers to the Service from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, resulting from any violation of this Agreement (including negligent or wrongful conduct) by you or any other person accessing the Service.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the AHAN Apps LLC Parties from and against any and all third party claims alleged or asserted against any of them, and all related charges, damages and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) arising from or relating to: (1) any actual or alleged breach by you, an Affiliate or End User of any provisions of this Agreement; (2) any access to or use of the Services by you, an Affiliate or End User; (3) any actual or alleged violation by you, an Affiliate or End User of the intellectual property, privacy or other rights of a third party; and (4) any dispute between you and another party regarding ownership of or access to Your Data.

10. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at our discretion. Continued use of the App indicates acceptance of any modifications. Users are encouraged to review the Terms periodically.

11. Contact Information

For support, users must submit inquiries via the in-app support form.

12. Support Request Resolution

Support Requests may be submitted via the in-app support form. Recorded calls will serve as the primary evidence in case of Support Requests. Calls not recorded due to lack of consent will not be eligible for Support Request review.

13. Support Request Categories

To effectively categorize and segregate support requests for the talking-buddy app, the fullowing categories have been established:

  1. Call-Related Support Requests (Requires Call Recording for Resolution)

    2. These support requests specifically involve issues directly related to the interaction during a call. Call recordings will be the primary evidence for resolution.

    1. Content Support Requests: Allegations of, without limitation, inappropriate behavior, language, content shared during the call (e.g., harassment, threats, discriminatory remarks), Etc.
    2. Quality of Service: Complaints about the Talking-Buddy’s behavior, lack of engagement, or not meeting expectations.
    3. Unauthorized Recording or Privacy Concerns: Claims that a call was recorded without proper consent or concerns about data usage.
    4. Technical Issues During Call: Claims of dropped calls, poor audio/video quality, or issues caused by the platform affecting the session.

  2. Non-Call-Related Support Requests (Does Not Require Call Recording)

    3. These support requests involve matters unrelated to the content of the call and can be resolved without recordings.

    1. Billing and Payment Issues:
      1. Incorrect charges for calls.
      2. Refund requests or support requests over completed vs. canceled calls.
      3. Payment delays for Talking-Buddies.
    2. Account and Profile Management:
      1. Issues with account creation, suspension, or termination.
      2. Complaints about profile misrepresentation (e.g., Talking-Buddy not reflecting their actual qualifications).
    3. Privacy and Data Concerns:Issues related to data storage, sharing, or perceived breaches of confidentiality.
    4. App Functionality Issues:Bugs, crashes, or inability to access features like call initiation, preferences, or support forms.
    5. General Feedback or Inquiries:Suggestions for app improvement or inquiries about features.

  3. Escalated or Legal Support Requests

    4. These involve situations where informal resolution has failed or where legal intervention may be required:

    1. Severe Misconduct Allegations: Serious complaints such as fraud, exploitation, or safety threats.
    2. Jurisdictional Complaints:: Support Requests involving cross-border legal complexities.

14. Governing Law

  1. These Terms of Use are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without respect to its conflict of laws principles.
  2. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

15. Arbitration Clause and Class Action Waiver

  1. Users must submit a written notice of support request via the in-app support form before initiating arbitration, allowing both parties an opportunity for informal resolution.
  2. Arbitration Agreement: By using the talking-buddy app, you agree that any support requests, claims, or controversies arising out of or related to these Terms, your relationship with talking-buddy, or your use of the App will be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration. Arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or an equivalent arbitration body under its Consumer Arbitration Roles. This provision includes, but is not limited to, support requests involving breach of contract, torts, statutory claims, or any other matters related to the App.
    1. Arbitration Location and Jurisdiction: For users in the USA and Canada, arbitration will take place in the state of Georgia.
    2. Arbitration Fees: Each party will be responsible for their own legal fees and costs associated with arbitration, but the App will cover arbitration fees to the extent required by law.
    3. Waiver of Jury Trial: Both parties waive the right to a trial by jury in any support request.
  3. Class Action Waiver: You agree to resolve any support requests with talking-buddy on an individual basis only and waive the right to participate in any class, collective, or representative action against talking-buddy or its affiliates. No arbitration or proceeding will be combined with another without the prior written consent of all involved parties.
    1. Exceptions: This class action waiver does not apply to cases where such a waiver is prohibited by law. Users retain the right to bring individual claims in small claims court if they qualify.

By agreeing to these Terms, you acknowledge that you are waiving the right to participate in any form of class action or representative litigation.

Talking-Buddy App Community Standards for Safe and Ethical Conduct

The Talking-Buddy app is a platform designed to foster respectful, supportive, and safe interactions between Callers and Talking-Buddies. Our Community Standards ensure that all users contribute to a positive environment, promoting ethical conduct and maintaining the integrity of the platform. By using Talking-Buddy, you agree to abide by these standards.

1. Respect and Inclusivity

  1. Treat all users with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or preferences.
  2. Discrimination, harassment, or hate speech based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics is strictly prohibited.

2. Privacy and Confidentiality

  1. Do not share or request personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, or social media handles.
  2. Do not share or request personal financial information
  3. Conversations are confidential. Do not disclose or share the content of your interactions without explicit consent.
  4. Callers are strictly advised not to share personal health information (PHI) or sensitive medical details during conversations on the talking-buddy app. This includes but is not limited to:
    1. Medical diagnoses, treatment history, or prescribed medications
    2. Mental health evaluations or ongoing therapy information
    3. Details of hospital visits, medical reports, or lab results

      4. The talking-buddy app is not a healthcare service and does not employ licensed medical professionals. All interactions are intended solely for emotional expression and peer-based support.

      Call recordings are not used for clinical documentation and are retained only temporarily for support request resolution and quality of call evaluation. Users who share such information do so at their discretion. The Talking-Buddy app and AHAN Apps LLC assume no responsibility for the use or misinterpretation of such disclosures. All call recordings are retained for a maximum period of seven (7) days, unless they are associated with an active service request. Recordings linked to a service request shall be retained solely for the purpose of resolving that request and will be permanently deleted upon its resolution.

3. Appropriate Communication

  1. Prohibited Language and Content:
    1. No use of profanity, offensive language, or inappropriate remarks.
    2. Avoid making any comments or using words that are vulgar, sexually explicit, or disrespectful.
  2. NSFW Content:Sharing or discussing content that is sexually explicit, violent, graphic, or otherwise categorized as NSFW (Not Safe for Work) is strictly prohibited.
  3. Tone of Interaction:Maintain a respectful and constructive tone during all conversations.

4. Honesty and Integrity

  1. Be truthful about your intentions.
  2. Talking-Buddies must not misrepresent their skills or qualifications.
  3. Callers should provide accurate and clear information about their concerns or needs.

5. Consent for Recording

  1. Respect the platform's consent roles for call recording.
  2. Video call recordings require mutual agreement from both the Caller and Talking-Buddy. If either party declines recording, the call will switch to audio-only and will not recorded.

6. Safe and Ethical Use

  1. Illegal and Prohibited Activities:
    1. Do not use the platform for illegal activities, scams, or harmful behavior.
    2. Talking-Buddies must not provide financial, medical, legal, or professional advice.
  2. Exploitation: Do not exploit or manipulate vulnerable individuals.

7. Reporting Violations

  1. Report any breaches of these standards through the in-app support form.
  2. Do not make false or malicious reports.

8. Consequences for Violations

  1. Violations of these standards may result in warnings, account suspension, or permanent termination which would include blocking of the App.
  2. Severe breaches, such as illegal activities, may be reported to the relevant authorities.

9. Commitment to Improvement

We encourage feedback and suggestions to improve the app's community experience. By working together, we aim to maintain a supportive and positive platform for everyone.

By agreeing to these Terms, you acknowledge that you are waiving the right to participate in any form of class action or representative litigation.

10. DISCLAIMER

AHAN Apps LLC MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES AND/OR RELATED DOCUMENTATIONAHAN Apps LLC DOES NOT WARRANT THAT YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES WILL BE SECURE, TIMELY, ERROR-FREE OR UNINTERRUPTED, OR THAT THE SERVICES ARE OR WILL REMAIN UPDATED, COMPLETE OR CORRECT, OR THAT THE SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE SYSTEMS THAT MAKE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE INTERNET, OTHER TRANSMISSION NETWORKS, AND YOUR LOCAL NETWORK AND EQUIPMENT) WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR FREE FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 3. OF GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS, THE SERVICES AND ANY PRODUCTS AND THIRD-PARTY MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS AND SOLELY FOR YOUR USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS AGREEMENT. ALL DISCLAIMERS OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING IN THIS SECTION AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS AGREEMENT) ARE MADE ON BEHALF OF BOTH AHAN APPS LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, CONTRACTORS, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS (COLLECTIVELY, THE “AHAN APPS LLC PARTIES”).