HiddenBites

Terms of Service

Welcome to HiddenBites. By downloading or using the HiddenBites app ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). Please read them carefully before using the app.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account or using the HiddenBites app, you confirm that you are at least 13 years old and agree to these Terms. If you are under 18, you confirm that you have parental or guardian consent to use the Service.

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Your Account

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity under your account.
• You may only create one account. Creating multiple accounts is prohibited.
• You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering.
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

3. User-Generated Content

HiddenBites allows users to submit spots, photos, reviews, and other content ("User Content"). By submitting content, you:

• Confirm that you own or have the rights to the content you submit.
• Grant HiddenBites a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to display, distribute, and promote your content within the Service.
• Understand that your content may be visible to other users of the app.
• Agree that your content complies with our Community Guidelines.

4. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Service to:

• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent content.
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users.
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Service or its infrastructure.
• Scrape, crawl, or extract data from the Service without our written permission.
• Use the Service for commercial advertising without our prior consent.
• Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Service.

5. Content Moderation

We actively moderate content submitted to HiddenBites. Our team reviews all spot submissions before publication. Reported content is reviewed within 24 hours. We reserve the right to remove any content and take action against any account that violates these Terms or our Community Guidelines — including issuing warnings, restricting access, or permanently banning accounts.

6. Account Deletion

You may delete your account at any time through the app (Profile → Delete account). Upon deletion, your personal data and submitted content will be removed from our systems within 30 days. Some data may be retained where required by law.

7. Intellectual Property

The HiddenBites app, including its design, logo, code, and branding, is owned by HiddenBites and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

User Content remains yours. By submitting it, you grant us the limited licence described in Section 3.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components. Spot information is submitted by users and we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, HiddenBites shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Service — including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profits, or personal injury.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless HiddenBites and its team from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your use of the Service, your User Content, or your violation of these Terms.

11. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, for any reason including violation of these Terms. You may also terminate your account at any time by deleting it through the app.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved through good-faith negotiation before any formal proceedings.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes through the app or by email. Continued use of the Service after such notice constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

Community Guidelines

HiddenBites is a community built around discovering and sharing hidden food spots. To keep the platform trustworthy, safe, and fun for everyone, all users are expected to follow these guidelines. By using the app, you agree to abide by these rules.

1. Submit Real, Accurate Spots

HiddenBites is only as good as the spots its community contributes. Every submission must be genuine.

• Only submit spots that actually exist and that you have personally visited or have reliable knowledge of.
• Provide accurate names, locations, and descriptions. Do not mislead other users.
• Do not submit duplicate spots. Check if a spot already exists before adding a new one.
• Do not submit fake, fictional, or joke locations.

2. Keep Content Relevant and High Quality

• Photos must show the actual spot, food, or location — not unrelated images.
• Descriptions should be helpful, clear, and in good faith. Avoid vague or one-word entries.
• Do not submit commercial advertisements or promotional content for a business you own or represent without disclosure.
• Spam submissions — including mass-posting identical or near-identical content — are not allowed.

3. Be Respectful

HiddenBites is a diverse community. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

• Do not post hateful, discriminatory, or offensive content based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic.
• Do not harass, bully, threaten, or intimidate other users — in reviews, comments, or any other form of interaction.
• Constructive criticism is welcome; personal attacks are not.

4. Write Honest Reviews

• Reviews must reflect your genuine experience. Do not write fake positive reviews for spots you own or are affiliated with.
• Do not write fake negative reviews to harm a competitor or another user.
• Do not offer or accept payment, gifts, or other incentives in exchange for reviews.

5. Protect Privacy

• Do not post personal information about other people — including addresses, phone numbers, or photos — without their explicit consent.
• Do not use HiddenBites to stalk, track, or surveil any individual.
• Respect the privacy of businesses and their staff when writing reviews.

6. No Illegal or Harmful Content

The following content is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal and may lead to a permanent ban:

• Content that promotes, glorifies, or facilitates illegal activity.
• Content depicting or encouraging violence, self-harm, or dangerous behavior.
• Sexually explicit or adult content of any kind.
• Content that exploits or endangers minors in any way.
• Malware, phishing links, or any attempt to compromise user security.

7. Use Your Account Responsibly

• You may only operate one account. Creating multiple accounts to evade a ban or manipulate the platform is prohibited.
• Do not share your account credentials with others.
• Do not attempt to exploit, hack, or abuse the platform in any way.
• Impersonating another user, public figure, or HiddenBites staff is not allowed.

8. Reporting Violations

If you see content or behavior that violates these guidelines, please use the in-app report feature. Our moderation team reviews all reports and will take appropriate action. Do not take matters into your own hands — report and let the team handle it.

False or malicious reports made in bad faith may themselves be subject to enforcement action.

Enforcement

Our moderation team reviews reported content and accounts. Depending on the nature and severity of a violation, we may take the following actions:

• Warning — a formal notice for minor or first-time violations.
• Content removal — the offending spot, photo, or review is deleted.
• Temporary suspension — your account is restricted for a defined period.
• Permanent ban — your account is permanently disabled for serious or repeated violations.

We reserve the right to take action at our discretion to maintain the integrity and safety of the HiddenBites community.

Appeals

If you believe an action was taken against your account in error, you may contact us to appeal. We will review the case and respond as promptly as possible.