Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Ratemy. These Terms of Service ("Terms," "Agreement") govern your access to and use of the Ratemy platform, including our website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Service"), operated by Ratemy, Inc. ("Ratemy," "we," "our," or "us").

By accessing or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

Age Requirement: You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. Users under 18 should review these Terms with a parent or guardian. By using the Service, you represent that you meet these age requirements.

2. Description of Service

Ratemy is a multi-vertical professional review and reputation platform that enables users to:

• Discover and research professionals across various industries (managers, teachers, healthcare professionals, lawyers, realtors, and others)
• Submit, read, and respond to reviews of professionals
• Claim and manage professional profiles
• Access advanced features through paid subscriptions (analytics, AI coaching, enhanced visibility)
• Connect with professionals through verified LinkedIn integration
• Participate in skip-level review programs for organizational feedback

Consent-Based Model: Ratemy operates on a unique consent-based review model. Reviews submitted about professionals require approval from the professional before being published publicly. Professionals have the right to respond to, dispute, or request modifications to reviews. This model balances transparency with fairness.

The Service may be modified, updated, or discontinued at any time without notice. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any lawful reason.

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of the Service, you must create an account. When registering, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security of your password and account credentials
• Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

3.2 Account Types

Ratemy offers different account types:

• Reviewer Accounts: For users submitting reviews
• Professional Accounts: For professionals who have claimed their profiles
• Recruiter Accounts: For hiring managers and recruiters
• Enterprise Accounts: For organizations managing multiple professionals

3.3 Verification

We may require identity verification for certain features, including professional profile claims, premium features, or when posting reviews. Verification methods include LinkedIn integration, email confirmation, document uploads, or other reasonable means.

3.4 Account Termination by User

You may delete your account at any time through your Privacy Settings. Upon deletion, your personal information will be removed as described in our Privacy Policy, but reviews you have written may remain visible in anonymized form for transparency and to preserve information valuable to the community.

4. User Conduct and Prohibited Activities

4.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You are responsible for all content you post, upload, or transmit through the Service.

4.2 Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to:

• Post False Information: Submit fraudulent, misleading, or fabricated reviews
• Defame or Harass: Post defamatory, libelous, harassing, threatening, or abusive content
• Violate Privacy: Disclose private information about others without consent (PII, home addresses, phone numbers, etc.)
• Impersonate: Impersonate another person or misrepresent your affiliation
• Manipulate Reviews: Post fake reviews, pay for reviews, offer incentives for positive reviews, or engage in review brigading
• Spam: Post spam, promotional content, or unsolicited advertisements
• Infringe Rights: Violate intellectual property rights, copyrights, or trademarks
• Illegal Activity: Use the Service for any illegal purpose or to violate local, state, national, or international law
• Scrape or Mine Data: Use automated systems (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access the Service without permission
• Interfere with Service: Attempt to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to the Service or its systems
• Circumvent Restrictions: Bypass any access controls, rate limits, or technological measures
• Retaliate: Retaliate against reviewers for posting honest feedback

4.3 Content Moderation

Ratemy employs AI-powered moderation tools to screen content for prohibited activities, including:

• Personally Identifiable Information (PII) detection
• Toxicity and hate speech screening
• Spam and promotional content detection
• Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) detection and NCMEC reporting

We reserve the right to remove content, suspend accounts, or take other action if you violate these Terms, even if content passes initial automated screening.

5. Review Content and Consent Model

5.1 Review Submission

When you submit a review on Ratemy, you represent and warrant that:

• Your review is based on your genuine, first-hand experience with the professional
• All information in your review is truthful and accurate to the best of your knowledge
• Your review does not contain false, defamatory, or misleading statements
• You have not been compensated or incentivized to write the review
• Your review complies with these Terms and applicable law

5.2 Consent-Based Review Model

Ratemy operates on a consent-based review model that differs from traditional review platforms:

• Pending Status: When you submit a review, it enters a "pending" status and is not immediately visible to the public
• Professional Notification: The professional you reviewed receives a notification and has the opportunity to review the content
• Professional Options: Professionals may:
  • Approve the review (making it public)
  • Request modifications or clarifications
  • Respond publicly to the review
  • Dispute the review if they believe it violates Terms of Service
• Reviewer Rights: If a professional disputes your review, you may:
  • Provide additional evidence to support your claims
  • Un-anonymize yourself to demonstrate legitimacy
  • Appeal the decision through our dispute resolution process

5.3 Anonymity and De-Anonymization

Reviews may be submitted anonymously or with your name attached. If you choose anonymity:

• Your identity will not be displayed publicly on the review
• You may voluntarily de-anonymize your review at any time to add credibility
• We may be required to disclose your identity in response to valid legal process (subpoenas, court orders)
• Anonymity does not shield you from liability for false or defamatory statements

5.4 Review Editing and History

You may edit your review after submission. All edits are tracked in a public edit history to ensure transparency. Substantive changes to ratings or content will be visible to other users.

5.5 User Responsibility for Content

5.6 Defamation and Legal Liability

While Ratemy encourages honest feedback, defamatory statements are not protected:

• Defamation Defined: A false statement of fact (not opinion) that harms someone's reputation
• Truth as Defense: Truthful statements are generally protected, even if negative
• Opinion vs. Fact: Statements of opinion are typically protected ("I felt disrespected" vs. "He embezzled money")
• Burden of Proof: You may be required to prove the truth of factual claims if challenged in court

If you are unsure whether a statement is defamatory, err on the side of caution or consult legal counsel before posting.

6. Section 230 Disclaimer and Platform Liability

6.1 Ratemy's Role as a Platform

Ratemy is a platform that hosts user-generated content. We do not create, endorse, or verify the accuracy of reviews submitted by users. Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act:

• Ratemy is not liable for content posted by users
• Users are solely responsible for their own content
• Ratemy is not required to monitor or fact-check user submissions
• Ratemy may moderate content without losing Section 230 protection

6.2 No Warranty of Accuracy

Ratemy makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any reviews or user-generated content on the platform. Reviews reflect individual opinions and experiences, which may not be representative or verifiable.

6.3 Content Moderation Does Not Create Liability

Our decision to moderate, remove, or allow content does not make us liable for that content. We may:

• Remove content we believe violates these Terms
• Choose not to remove content that others find objectionable
• Make mistakes in moderation decisions without incurring liability

6.4 Reporting Violations

If you believe content on Ratemy violates these Terms, infringes your rights, or is unlawful, please report it through our Content Reporting system or contact legal@www.ratingapp.net. We will investigate and take appropriate action but are not obligated to remove content simply because it is negative or unfavorable.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Ratemy's Intellectual Property

The Service, including its design, features, text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, video content, and software, is owned by Ratemy or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of the Service without our express written permission. Unauthorized use may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws.

7.2 User Content License

When you post content (reviews, comments, photos, etc.) on Ratemy, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, transferable, and sublicensable license to:

• Use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and display your content on the Service
• Create derivative works and aggregate statistics from your content
• Distribute your content across different platforms and formats
• Sublicense your content to third parties for the purpose of operating the Service

You retain ownership of your content. This license is necessary for us to operate the Service and does not transfer ownership to us.

7.3 Content Removal

Even if you delete content or close your account, the license above continues for content that has been shared, copied, or integrated into the Service (e.g., reviews quoted in responses, aggregate statistics). We may retain archived copies for legal and backup purposes.

7.4 Trademark Policy

"Ratemy" and associated logos are trademarks of Ratemy, Inc. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written consent. All other trademarks mentioned on the Service belong to their respective owners.

8. DMCA Copyright Policy

Ratemy respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users to do the same. We respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA").

8.1 Filing a DMCA Takedown Notice

If you believe content on Ratemy infringes your copyright, send a written notice to our Designated Copyright Agent with the following information:

• Your physical or electronic signature
• Identification of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed
• Identification of the infringing material and its location on our Service (URL)
• Your contact information (address, phone number, email)
• A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner

8.2 Counter-Notification

If your content was removed due to a DMCA notice and you believe the removal was erroneous, you may file a counter-notification containing:

• Your physical or electronic signature
• Identification of the removed material and its prior location
• A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you have a good faith belief the material was removed due to mistake or misidentification
• Your contact information and consent to jurisdiction of the federal court in your district

8.3 Repeat Infringer Policy

Ratemy will terminate the accounts of users who are determined to be repeat copyright infringers.

9. Subscriptions and Payments

9.1 Paid Features

Certain features of the Service require payment of subscription fees, including:

• Professional Subscriptions: Enhanced profile visibility, analytics, and tools
• AI Leadership Coach: Access to AI-powered practice sessions and feedback
• Enterprise Features: Team management, custom branding, and advanced analytics

9.2 Billing and Renewals

Subscription fees are charged in advance on a recurring basis (monthly or annually). Your subscription automatically renews unless you cancel before the renewal date. You authorize us to charge your payment method for recurring fees.

9.3 Cancellation and Refunds

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. We do not provide refunds for partial billing periods, except as required by law or at our sole discretion.

9.4 Price Changes

We reserve the right to change subscription prices at any time. Price changes will be communicated at least 30 days in advance and will take effect on your next billing cycle. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of new pricing.

9.5 Payment Processing

Payments are processed by Stripe, Inc., a third-party payment processor. By providing payment information, you authorize us to share it with Stripe for payment processing. Ratemy does not store full credit card numbers on our servers.

10. Limitation of Liability

10.1 Service Provided "As Is"

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE," AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RATEMY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING:

• MERCHANTABILITY
• FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
• NON-INFRINGEMENT
• ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR COMPLETENESS OF CONTENT
• UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION

10.2 No Liability for User Content

RATEMY IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY USER-GENERATED CONTENT, INCLUDING REVIEWS, COMMENTS, OR RATINGS. WE DO NOT VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF USER SUBMISSIONS. YOU RELY ON USER CONTENT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

10.3 Limitation of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RATEMY AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
• LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
• DAMAGE TO REPUTATION OR GOODWILL
• DAMAGES ARISING FROM USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE
• DAMAGES ARISING FROM USER CONTENT OR THIRD-PARTY CONDUCT

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) $100 OR (B) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

10.4 Jurisdictional Limitations

Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion of certain warranties or limitation of liability for incidental or consequential damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ratemy, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, and service providers from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or regulation
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights
• Any content you submit, post, or transmit through the Service
• Any disputes between you and other users

Example: If a professional sues Ratemy because of a defamatory review you posted, you agree to cover our legal costs and any damages awarded.

This indemnification obligation survives termination of your account and these Terms.

12. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

12.1 Informal Dispute Resolution

Before initiating arbitration or litigation, you agree to first contact us at legal@www.ratingapp.net to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will attempt to resolve the dispute within 60 days.

12.2 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, you and Ratemy agree to resolve any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service through binding arbitration, except for disputes relating to intellectual property rights or small claims court matters (under $10,000).

Arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be held in San Francisco, California, or another mutually agreed location.

12.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND RATEMY AGREE THAT DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS ONLY.You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit, class arbitration, or representative action. Claims may not be joined or consolidated unless agreed to by both parties.

12.4 Exceptions

The following disputes are not subject to arbitration:

• Disputes relating to intellectual property infringement
• Small claims court actions (under $10,000)
• Injunctive relief for violations of intellectual property rights

12.5 Opt-Out

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement within 30 days of first accepting these Terms by sending written notice to legal@www.ratingapp.net with the subject line "Arbitration Opt-Out" and including your name, email, and statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

For any disputes not subject to arbitration, you and Ratemy consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in San Francisco County, California. You waive any objection to venue or inconvenient forum.

14. Termination and Account Suspension

14.1 Termination by Ratemy

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• Extended periods of inactivity
• At our sole discretion for any lawful reason

14.2 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to access and use the Service immediately ceases
• We may delete your account and content
• Subscriptions are non-refundable except as required by law
• Provisions of these Terms that should survive (indemnification, limitation of liability, dispute resolution) remain in effect

14.3 Appeals

If your account is suspended or terminated, you may appeal by contacting support@www.ratingapp.net with a detailed explanation. We will review appeals but are not obligated to reinstate accounts.

15. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• Notify you via email (to your registered email address) for material changes
• Display a prominent notice on the Service

Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Service and may close your account.

For material changes (e.g., arbitration provisions, payment terms), we will provide at least 30 days' notice before the changes take effect.

16. Miscellaneous

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any additional terms specific to certain features, constitute the entire agreement between you and Ratemy regarding the Service.

16.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision will be modified to reflect the parties' intent to the extent possible.

16.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it in the future.

16.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms to any successor or affiliate without restriction.

16.5 Force Majeure

Ratemy is not liable for any failure or delay in performance due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, labor disputes, or government actions.

16.6 Export Controls

The Service may be subject to U.S. export controls. You agree to comply with all applicable export and import laws and regulations.

16.7 Language

These Terms are written in English. Any translated versions are provided for convenience only. In the event of conflict, the English version prevails.

17. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about these Terms of Service, please contact us: