Terms of Service

Last updated: January 2025

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, or using the Urban Scout mobile application, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our services.

2. Description of Service

Urban Scout is a mobile application that provides city exploration services including:

• Interactive city maps and points of interest
• Audio guides and cultural content
• Exclusive deals and promotions at local establishments
• Premium subscription tiers with enhanced features
• Treasure hunt gameplay: Location-based challenges that require GPS-enabled photo verification to discover points of interest, complete challenges, and earn rewards
• GPS coordinate extraction: Automated extraction of location data from image metadata (EXIF data) to verify treasure hunt discoveries and ensure authentic gameplay
• Location-based scoring: Real-time verification of your discoveries using GPS coordinates to provide accurate scoring and progress tracking

2.1 Treasure Hunt Requirements

To fully participate in Urban Scout's treasure hunt features, you must:

• Enable location services on your device
• Grant permission for the app to access image metadata (READ_MEDIA_IMAGES permission on Android)
• Take photos with GPS location data enabled, or select images that contain embedded GPS coordinates
• Ensure your device camera captures location data in image EXIF metadata

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Creation

You may be required to create an account to access certain features. You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and complete information
• Maintaining the security of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account

3.2 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if you violate these terms or engage in prohibited activities.

4. Subscription Services

4.1 Premium Tiers

Urban Scout offers premium subscription tiers (Challenger and Detective) with additional features and benefits.

4.2 Payment and Billing

• Subscriptions are billed monthly unless otherwise specified
• Payments are processed through third-party payment providers
• All fees are non-refundable unless required by law
• Prices may change with 30 days notice

4.3 Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time. Cancellation will take effect at the end of your current billing period.

5. User Conduct

You agree not to:

• Use the service for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• Violate any laws in your jurisdiction
• Transmit any harmful or malicious content
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with or disrupt the service
• Create fake accounts or impersonate others

5.1 GPS Data and Treasure Hunt Responsibilities

When participating in treasure hunt activities, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Location accuracy: You are responsible for ensuring your device's GPS and camera settings capture accurate location data in image metadata
• Fair play: You will not manipulate, fake, or tamper with GPS coordinates in images to gain unfair advantages in treasure hunt challenges
• Privacy compliance: You will only upload images you have the right to use and that do not violate others' privacy when taken in public spaces
• Safety first: You will prioritize personal safety over treasure hunt completion and will not trespass or engage in dangerous activities to obtain GPS coordinates
• Data accuracy: You understand that treasure hunt scoring and validation depend on accurate GPS coordinates extracted from your images
• Technical limitations: You acknowledge that some images may not contain GPS data, which may affect your ability to complete certain challenges

5.2 Location-Based Features Disclaimer

Urban Scout's treasure hunt features rely on:

• GPS coordinates embedded in image EXIF data by your device
• Your device's camera and location services working properly
• Network connectivity for coordinate verification
• READ_MEDIA_IMAGES permission to access image metadata

We cannot guarantee treasure hunt functionality if these requirements are not met or if your images lack embedded GPS coordinates.

6. Content and Intellectual Property

6.1 Our Content

All content provided through Urban Scout, including audio guides, maps, and promotional materials, is owned by us or our licensors and protected by intellectual property laws.

6.2 User Content

Any content you submit through the app remains your property, but you grant us a license to use, modify, and distribute it in connection with our services.

7. Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your information.

8. Third-Party Services

Our app may integrate with third-party services (payment processors, map providers, etc.). We are not responsible for the availability or functionality of these third-party services.

9. Disclaimers

Urban Scout is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• Accuracy of location or business information
• Availability of exclusive deals or promotions
• Compatibility with all devices
• GPS coordinate extraction accuracy: We cannot guarantee that GPS coordinates will be successfully extracted from all images, as this depends on your device settings, camera capabilities, and image metadata
• Treasure hunt completion: Some challenges may be impossible to complete if images lack embedded GPS coordinates or if location services are disabled
• Location data reliability: GPS coordinates extracted from images depend on your device's accuracy and may be affected by environmental factors, device limitations, or privacy settings
• Android permission compatibility: Proper functioning of READ_MEDIA_IMAGES permission across all Android versions and device manufacturers

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Urban Scout shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the service.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Urban Scout from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the service or violation of these terms.

12. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. We will notify users of significant changes through the app or by email. Continued use of the service constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

13. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where Urban Scout is headquartered, without regard to conflict of law principles.

14. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at:

• Email: legal@urban-scout.app
• Website: urban-scout.app