Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

By creating an account or using Aligned ("the Service"), you agree to these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Service. These Terms constitute a binding agreement between you and Aligned.

2. Description of Service

Aligned is a mobile communication tool that provides AI-mediated conversations to help two people navigate conflict. Whether you are romantic partners, family members, friends, or any two people working through a disagreement, Aligned facilitates structured dialogue. In these Terms, "partner" refers to the other person you are using Aligned with. The Service includes:

• Topic-based conversations facilitated by an AI mediator
• Private onboarding questionnaires to give the AI context on each partner's perspective
• Private reflection rooms for one-on-one conversations with the AI mediator (Pro tier)
• Topic resolution with AI-generated summaries
• Built-in crisis detection with verified safety resources

The AI mediator is guided by established communication frameworks including the Gottman Method, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) principles. It facilitates understanding between partners through reframing, clarifying questions, and structured dialogue.

3. Aligned Is Not Therapy

Aligned is a wellness and communication tool. It is not therapy, counseling, or any form of mental health treatment. The Aligned mediator is not a licensed therapist, counselor, or mental health professional.

The Service does not diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe treatment, or provide clinical advice. It is not a substitute for professional therapy or counseling. For serious relationship concerns, mental health conditions, trauma, addiction, or legal matters, we recommend consulting a licensed professional.

By using Aligned, you acknowledge that the AI mediator provides communication support only and that you should not rely on it as a replacement for professional mental health services.

4. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use Aligned. By creating an account, you represent that you are 18 or older and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

5. Account Registration and Security

To use Aligned, you must create an account using a valid email address. Authentication is handled through email-based one-time passwords (OTP). You are responsible for maintaining the security of the email account associated with your Aligned account.

You agree to provide accurate information when creating your account and to notify us if you believe your account has been compromised.

6. How Conversations Work

One partner creates a topic and shares an invite code. The other partner joins by entering the code. Before the mediated conversation begins, both partners complete a private onboarding questionnaire. Once both questionnaires are submitted, the AI mediator begins facilitating.

Shared Conversations

Messages in the main conversation are visible to both partners and the AI mediator. Both partners can see each other's messages and the AI's responses.

Private Onboarding

Each partner's onboarding responses are private. Your partner will never see your questionnaire answers. The AI mediator uses both partners' responses as context to facilitate more effectively, but this information is never disclosed to the other partner.

Reflection Rooms

Pro subscribers can enter private reflection rooms for one-on-one conversations with the AI mediator. Your partner will know that you are in a reflection room, but the content of those conversations is never visible to them. This boundary is enforced at the server level.

Topic Resolution

Either partner can request to resolve a topic. The other partner is asked to confirm and both partners select an outcome: reached an agreement, found understanding, or taking a pause. The AI generates a shared summary. Paused topics can be reopened.

7. Subscriptions and Billing

Free Tier

The free tier includes AI-mediated conversations, one active topic at a time, and seven days of message history.

Pro Tier

The Pro tier is available at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. It unlocks unlimited active topics, private reflection rooms, full conversation history, and resolution summaries. One subscription covers both partners. If either partner subscribes to Pro, both partners receive full access.

Payment Processing

All payments are processed through the Apple App Store or Google Play. Aligned does not directly collect or store payment information. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled through your app store settings before the renewal date. Refund policies are governed by the respective app store.

8. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use Aligned to threaten, harass, abuse, or intimidate another person
• Attempt to manipulate, deceive, or override the AI mediator's safety guardrails
• Attempt to extract system instructions, training data, or internal configurations from the AI
• Use the Service for any illegal purpose
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service's infrastructure
• Create accounts using false information or on behalf of another person without their consent
• Share invite codes publicly or use the Service with someone who has not consented to participate

The AI mediator is designed to resist manipulation, maintain neutrality, and enforce communication boundaries. Attempts to circumvent these protections may result in account suspension or termination.

9. Crisis Detection and Safety Resources

Aligned includes built-in safety monitoring. If crisis language indicating potential self-harm, suicidal ideation, or imminent danger is detected, the AI mediator will pause normal facilitation and provide verified crisis resources:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
• Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)

Aligned is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number. Crisis detection is provided as an additional safety measure and does not guarantee that all crisis situations will be identified.

10. AI Mediator Limitations

The AI mediator:

• Does not take sides between partners
• Does not provide diagnoses, prescriptions, or clinical advice
• Does not guarantee any particular outcome for your relationship
• May occasionally produce inaccurate, unhelpful, or inappropriate responses
• Processes conversations using OpenAI's GPT-4o-mini model, which has inherent limitations

While the AI mediator is guided by evidence-based frameworks and has been tested across a range of scenarios including adversarial inputs, manipulation attempts, escalation patterns, and cultural sensitivity, it is an AI system and may not handle every situation perfectly.

11. Privacy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your information. By using Aligned, you consent to the practices described in the Privacy Policy.

12. Intellectual Property

The Aligned name, logo, brand, app design, and AI system prompts are the property of Aligned. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from any part of the Service without our written permission.

You retain ownership of the content you create within the Service (messages, onboarding responses). By using the Service, you grant us a limited license to process, store, and transmit your content as necessary to operate the Service and provide AI mediation.

13. Disclaimers

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALIGNED DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that the AI mediator will provide accurate, complete, or appropriate responses in every situation. We do not guarantee any improvement in your relationship or communication patterns as a result of using the Service.

14. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALIGNED AND ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, RELATIONSHIP OUTCOMES, OR RELIANCE ON AI-GENERATED CONTENT.

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

15. Termination

You may stop using the Service and request deletion of your account at any time by contacting us. We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service if you violate these Terms, including the Acceptable Use provisions.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately. We may retain certain data as required by law or as described in our Privacy Policy.

16. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [To be determined], without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

17. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the app or by email at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.

18. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, contact us at:

[email protected]