Vellum Terms of Service

Last updated: [Insert Date]

DRAFT — placeholders in [brackets] must be completed, and this document reviewed by a qualified solicitor, before publication. This is a starting point, not legal advice.

1. Acceptance of These Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of Vellum, a private, invitation-only social club application (the "Service"), operated by [Legal Entity Name] ("Vellum", "we", "us"). By registering for or using the Service, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use Vellum. By registering, you confirm that you are 18 or older, that the information you provide is accurate, and that you are not prohibited from using the Service under applicable law. Access to Vellum is by invitation only; we reserve the right to decline or revoke access at our discretion, including where eligibility cannot be confirmed.

3. Your Account

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us promptly at [Support Email] if you suspect unauthorised access. You agree to provide accurate information and to keep it up to date.

4. Identity Verification

Vellum offers a lightweight identity verification process based on a self-submitted photograph and honesty attestations. This process is intended as a good-faith trust signal and does not constitute a comprehensive background or identity check. A "Verified" badge indicates only that a member has completed this process, not that their identity has been independently confirmed by a third party. We may revoke verified status at our discretion, including where a report or review suggests the attestations were inaccurate.

5. Membership Tiers and Referrals

Vellum may offer different membership tiers with different features or privileges. Any current tiers are offered free of charge unless otherwise stated; we reserve the right to introduce paid tiers or features in the future with reasonable notice to members. Our referral program allows members to invite others and earn recognition (such as Ambassador status); we may modify or discontinue this program at any time.

6. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

• Use the Service if you are under 18 years of age.
• Impersonate any person or misrepresent your identity, age, or affiliation.
• Upload, share, or transmit any content that is unlawful, including any content depicting or sexualising minors, which is strictly prohibited and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
• Harass, threaten, stalk, or abuse other members.
• Share another member's private content, messages, or personal information without their consent.
• Attempt to circumvent invitation controls, privacy settings, or moderation systems.
• Use automated means (bots, scrapers) to access or interact with the Service.
• Use the Service for any commercial solicitation not expressly permitted by us.

7. Content You Post

You retain ownership of content you post to Vellum, including profile information, photos, and messages ("Your Content"). By posting Your Content, you grant us a limited, non-exclusive licence to host, store, and display it as necessary to operate the Service and in accordance with your privacy settings. You are solely responsible for Your Content and confirm you have the right to share it.

8. Media Vault

Vellum provides a private media storage feature ("Media Vault") allowing members to store and selectively share photos with connections. New uploads to the Media Vault may be temporarily disabled from time to time, including while we implement additional content-safety infrastructure such as automated scanning for known and suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Previously uploaded media and existing shares are not affected by such a suspension. We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these Terms.

9. Messaging and Communities

Messaging is available between connected members and is subject to these Terms and our moderation policies, including block and report functionality. Communities and events may be subject to additional rules set by community organisers or Vellum, including capacity limits and tier-based access.

10. Privacy

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share your personal information, including the privacy controls available to you (such as incognito mode, profile visibility settings, and private albums). By using the Service, you agree to the practices described in our Privacy Policy.

11. Reporting, Moderation, and Enforcement

We use a combination of automated flagging and administrative review to help maintain trust and safety. We may investigate reports, restrict features, suspend, or permanently remove any account that violates these Terms, at our sole discretion and without prior notice where we reasonably believe this is necessary to protect the safety of the Service or its members. Certain serious violations, including content involving the sexual exploitation of minors, will be reported to law enforcement and relevant authorities such as NCMEC, regardless of any other action taken.

12. Intellectual Property

The Vellum name, logo, and Service (excluding Your Content) are the property of [Legal Entity Name] and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or distribute any part of the Service without our prior written consent.

13. Termination

You may stop using the Service and request account deletion at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at our discretion, including for violation of these Terms, at any time and without liability, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

14. Disclaimers

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, to the maximum extent permitted by law. We do not guarantee that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or completely secure, and we do not vouch for the identity, intentions, or conduct of any member, notwithstanding our verification and moderation features.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, [Legal Entity Name] shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of data, arising from your use of the Service. [This section requires careful drafting by qualified counsel and may need to reflect statutory rights that cannot be excluded in your jurisdiction, particularly for consumers.]

16. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless [Legal Entity Name] from any claims, damages, or expenses arising out of your use of the Service, Your Content, or your violation of these Terms, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

17. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction — e.g. England and Wales], without regard to conflict-of-laws principles. [To be finalised with legal counsel, including choice of dispute resolution forum and any consumer-protection considerations for members based in other jurisdictions.]

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will indicate the date of the latest revision at the top of this document and, where changes are material, provide reasonable notice to members.

19. Contact Us

Questions about these Terms can be sent to [Support Email].