Terms & Conditions

📜 1. Introduction & Acceptance

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of PacMate, a travel companion Android app developed by Ram. By downloading, installing, or using PacMate you agree to be bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, do not use the app. You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account.

📄 2. License Grant

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, Ram grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to download and use PacMate on your Android device solely for your personal, non-commercial travel purposes.

The PacMate app is licensed to you, not sold. This licence does not transfer any ownership rights. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or create derivative works of the app or its content
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble the app
• Sub-licence, sell, rent, or otherwise transfer the app to any third party
• Remove or alter any proprietary notices or labels on the app

🎒 3. About PacMate

PacMate is a free travel companion application for Android. It helps backpackers and travellers manage trips, budgets, packing lists, and discover hidden gems. The following features are available in the current version:

PacMate is available globally and free to download. For details on how we handle your data, see our Privacy Policy.

👤 4. Eligibility & User Accounts

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher).
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
• You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
• You must provide accurate information during signup. PacMate may suspend accounts that use false or misleading information.
• You may not share your account with others or create multiple accounts for the purpose of circumventing any restriction.
• Notify us immediately at support@pacmate.app if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.

📋 5. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use PacMate only for lawful purposes and in compliance with these Terms.

Violation of the acceptable use policy may result in immediate account suspension without notice.

📸 6. User-Generated Content

When you submit a Hidden Gem (place name, description, photos, location), you grant PacMate a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to display and share that content within the app for other users to discover.

• You confirm that any content you upload is your own or you have the right to share it.
• You confirm that any gem you post is a real place you have genuinely visited or know to exist.
• You must not upload photos that contain other people without their consent, or that are offensive, sexually explicit, or illegal.
• We reserve the right to remove user-generated content that violates these Terms at any time without notice.

🔌 7. Third-Party Services & APIs

PacMate integrates several third-party services:

• Google Firebase — authentication, database, storage, notifications
• Gemini API (Google) — AI itinerary generation (Route Planner feature)
• Google Maps & Places API — maps display and destination search
• Open-Meteo — free weather data (no account required)
• ExchangeRate-API — currency conversion rates

These services are governed by their own terms and privacy policies. PacMate is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or actions of any third-party service.

The AI itinerary generated by the Route Planner is produced by Gemini AI and is provided for informational purposes only. See Section 8 for liability disclaimers.

⚠️ 8. Disclaimer of Liability

PacMate is a planning and information tool. We are not a travel agent, tour operator, insurance provider, or emergency service. By using PacMate, you acknowledge:

• Travel decisions: All travel decisions, including destinations, accommodation, transport, and activities, are solely your responsibility. PacMate provides information to assist your planning, not professional travel advice.
• AI-generated itineraries: Route Planner itineraries are generated by AI. They may contain inaccuracies, outdated information, or suggestions unsuitable for your specific situation. Always verify independently before acting.
• Hidden Gems accuracy: Gem content is user-contributed. We cannot guarantee the accuracy, safety, legality, or current status of any listed location. Visit any location at your own risk.
• Budget data: Budget calculations and currency conversions are estimates based on live exchange rates. Actual costs may vary.
• Lost items, delays, accidents, or injuries: PacMate is not liable for any loss, damage, injury, delay, or inconvenience arising from your travels, regardless of whether you used our app to plan them.
• App availability: We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access to PacMate. The app may be updated, suspended, or discontinued at any time.
• Internet & data charges: You are responsible for your mobile data usage. Offline features work without data; map and AI features require a connection.

🚫 9. No Warranty

PacMate is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without any warranty of any kind, express or implied. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Ram expressly disclaims all warranties, including but not limited to:

• Implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement
• Warranties that the app will meet your requirements or expectations
• Warranties that data (AI itineraries, exchange rates, weather, gem content) will be accurate, complete, or current
• Warranties that the app will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free

©️ 10. Intellectual Property

• The PacMate app, its name, logo, design, code, and original content are the exclusive intellectual property of Ram.
• All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved by Ram.
• You may not copy, reproduce, republish, distribute, or create derivative works from any part of PacMate without prior written consent from Ram.
• Third-party trademarks (Google, Firebase, Gemini) remain the property of their respective owners.

🔐 11. Account Termination

You may delete your account at any time from within the app.

We reserve the right to suspend or permanently terminate your account without notice if you:

• Violate any provision of these Terms
• Post false, abusive, illegal, or harmful content
• Attempt to breach the security of the app or its services
• Engage in any activity that damages PacMate or its users

Upon termination, your licence to use the app is revoked immediately. Your personal data will be deleted in accordance with our Privacy Policy. User-generated content (hidden gems) may remain visible until manually removed.

🔄 12. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. The updated version will be posted in the app and on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Continued use of PacMate after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

For material changes, we will notify you via an in-app notification. If you do not agree with the revised Terms, you must stop using PacMate and delete your account.

⚖️ 13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the use of PacMate shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of India.

Users are responsible for complying with all local laws and regulations in their own country or jurisdiction. PacMate makes no representation that the app is appropriate or legal for use in all locations.

📧 14. Contact Us & Grievance Officer

For questions about these Terms or any concerns about PacMate, please contact us:

• App: PacMate
• Developer: Ram
• Email: support@pacmate.app
• Jurisdiction: India

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDPA), the Grievance Officer for PacMate is:

• Name: Ram
• Designation: Grievance Officer, PacMate
• Email: support@pacmate.app
• Response Time: Within 30 days of receipt of the grievance