Terms of Service

1. Eligibility & Strict Age Gating

This document is a legally binding contract between you and the platform operator, Hestarion Technologies Private Limited ("Cove", operating https://covechat.app). By executing a liveness challenge, accessing matches, or transmitting payloads, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age and possess the full legal capacity to enter into this agreement.

Cove maintains an absolute zero-tolerance policy regarding minor access. Access by individuals under the age of 18 is strictly prohibited. Any violation of this age gate will result in the immediate and permanent termination of all associated profile states, forfeiture of billing credentials, and a permanent cryptographic blacklist of the physical device's hardware fingerprint in our global database.

2. The Vouch Protocol & Joint Accountability

While registration is open to all users, you can establish reputational trust on the network by consuming a unique Vouch Token generated by an active member. This creates a permanent, non-repudiable cryptographic relationship between the voucher and the invitee.

Under the platform's collective policing model, if you choose to vouch for another user, you accept accountability for their conduct. If your invitee is exiled for severe security infractions, metadata spoofing, or safety violations, the system's reputation protocols execute immediately. You contractually consent to an automatic, non-refundable Automated Standing Reduction Penalty (deducting 30 points) from your personal Sanctuary Standing.

3. Zero Tolerance User-Generated Content (UGC) Policy

To maintain a secure sanctuary and comply with Apple App Store Review Guidelines (Section 1.2) and Google Play Developer Program Policies regarding User-Generated Content (UGC), Cove enforces a zero-tolerance policy against objectionable, abusive, or illegal user-generated content.

You are strictly prohibited from transmitting, posting, or sharing:

• Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or child exploitation content.
• Non-Consensual Sexual Content (NCSC) or deepfake sexual images.
• Extortion, blackmail, online harassment, or targeted hate speech.
• Narcotics trafficking, illegal commerce, or violent threats.

Reports are handled deterministically via our Automated Security Thresholds (evaluating user reports). Upon the receipt of verified safety violations, the system triggers an immediate permanent account ban, a reputation forfeiture (docking 1000 Standing points), and enforces a permanent Cryptographic Hardware Exclusion (preventing any future registration from the banned physical hardware).

Cove reserves the absolute right to forward illegal content and hardware fingerprint records directly to competent law enforcement agencies, including the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal of India (NCRB) and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

4. Screen Capture & Anti-Surveillance Covenants

Cove is designed for ephemeral, private matches. You agree that attempting to intercept, capture, record, or photograph any visual interface on Cove is a direct breach of this contract.

Cove employs advanced client-side protections to deter screen capture and recording. However, you acknowledge that no software can block all capture methods (such as photographing the screen with a second physical device). Attempts to record, capture, or photograph content violate our social contract. Verified screenshot reports from other nodes will result in immediate Standing deductions. If your Standing rating drops below 40, your matchmaking access is suspended, and match previews are restricted to a maximum 1-second graphical peek limit.

5. Premium Services & Sovereign Pass Subscriptions

Cove offers premium features, such as the Sovereign Pass, which can be purchased on a recurring subscription basis.

6. Limitation of Liability & Disclaimers

Cove is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without any express or implied warranties. Cove acts solely as a secure data transmission network and is not responsible for real-world interactions, dating outcomes, or disputes between users.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Cove's total aggregate liability for any claims arising out of this agreement shall be strictly capped at the total subscription fees paid by you in the preceding 12 months, or ₹5,000 INR (whichever is greater). You agree to fully indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Cove, its directors, and employees from any third-party claims, real-world disputes, damages, or losses resulting from your use of the platform or violation of platform rules.

7. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by, interpreted, and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of India, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these Terms, including the existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach, or termination thereof, shall be referred to and finally resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (as amended from time to time).

The seat and venue of the arbitration shall strictly be Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The tribunal shall consist of a sole arbitrator appointed mutually by the parties. The language of the arbitration shall be English. The courts of Mumbai shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any court proceedings arising out of or in connection with such arbitration.