Terms of Service

Effective Date: March 4, 2026 · Last Updated: March 4, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, or using the Echoa application ("App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the App.

Echoa is operated by Echoa Social Team ("we," "our," or "us").

2. Service Description

Echoa is a social application that combines metaphor card drawing, AI-powered reflection, and personality-based matching. The App enables users to:

• Draw from a deck of 88 metaphor cards and share personal interpretations.
• Receive AI-generated resonance responses based on their interpretations.
• Be matched with other users based on psychological dimension compatibility.
• Engage in one-on-one conversations with matched users.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old (or 16 in the European Economic Area) to use Echoa. By using the App, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement.

4. Account Registration

• You must provide a valid phone number to create an account.
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account.
• You agree to provide accurate and complete profile information.
• You may not create multiple accounts or use another person's account.

5. User Conduct

When using Echoa, you agree to:

• Be respectful: Treat other users with kindness and respect in all interactions.
• Be authentic: Share genuine interpretations and engage in honest communication.
• Be responsible: Use the App in a manner consistent with its purpose of self-exploration and meaningful connection.

You agree NOT to:

• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or bully other users.
• Share content that is hateful, discriminatory, violent, sexually explicit, or otherwise offensive.
• Impersonate another person or misrepresent your identity.
• Use the App for commercial solicitation, spam, or advertising.
• Attempt to manipulate the matching algorithm or abuse the card system.
• Collect or harvest other users' personal information.
• Use automated systems, bots, or scripts to interact with the App.
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the App.
• Circumvent or disable any security features of the App.

6. Content Guidelines

Echoa is designed for thoughtful self-expression and respectful interaction. All content you create, including card projections and chat messages, must comply with the following:

• No hate speech, discrimination, or content promoting harm.
• No sexually explicit or pornographic content.
• No promotion of illegal activities.
• No sharing of other users' private information.
• No spam, commercial content, or unsolicited promotions.

We reserve the right to remove content and suspend or terminate accounts that violate these guidelines.

7. AI-Generated Content Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: Echoa uses artificial intelligence (the Anthropic Claude API) to generate resonance responses based on your card projections. Please understand the following:

• AI-generated responses are intended for self-reflection and personal exploration only.
• AI-generated content does not constitute professional psychological, medical, or therapeutic advice.
• AI-generated content should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health services.
• If you are experiencing psychological distress or a mental health crisis, please contact a qualified mental health professional or your local emergency services.
• AI responses are generated algorithmically and may not always be accurate, appropriate, or relevant to your specific situation.
• We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any AI-generated content.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Intellectual Property

The App, including its design, metaphor card artwork, algorithms, text, graphics, logos, and software, is owned by Echoa Social Team and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works based on our intellectual property without prior written consent.

8.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of the content you create on Echoa (projections, messages, profile information). By submitting content to Echoa, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, process, and store your content solely for the purpose of operating and improving the App. This license terminates when you delete your account.

9. Matching and Social Features

• Matching is based on algorithmic analysis of psychological dimensions derived from card interactions. We do not guarantee the quality, compatibility, or safety of any match.
• You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users. Exercise caution and good judgment when communicating with matches.
• We are not responsible for the conduct of any user, whether online or offline.

10. Privacy

Your use of Echoa is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. Please review the Privacy Policy carefully.

11. Termination

• You may delete your account at any time through the App settings.
• We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, at our sole discretion.
• Upon termination, your right to use the App ceases immediately. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (including intellectual property, disclaimers, and limitations of liability) will continue to apply.

12. Disclaimers

THE APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that:

• The App will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
• The results obtained from the App will be accurate or reliable.
• Any defects in the App will be corrected.

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ECHOA SOCIAL TEAM SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF PROFITS, OR PERSONAL INJURY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE APP.

Our total aggregate liability for any claims arising from or related to these Terms or the App shall not exceed the amount you paid to us (if any) in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Echoa Social Team, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of the App or violation of these Terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, without regard to conflict of law principles.

16. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the App shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If negotiation fails, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the applicable arbitration body in our jurisdiction.

17. Changes to These Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated through the App or via email at least 14 days before they take effect. Your continued use of the App after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

19. Contact Us

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

Email: echoahelp@proton.me
Developer: Echoa Social Team