The Short Version
These are the rules for using Unpublic's services. By using our website, newsletter, podcast, or services, you agree to these terms.
Here's what matters most:
- Be honest with us, we'll be honest with you
- Don't use our services for anything illegal or harmful
- We'll do our best work, but we can't guarantee specific outcomes
- You own your data, we own our methods
- If something goes wrong, we'll work it out
- Either of us can end this relationship, but we'll handle it professionally
If you don't agree with these terms, don't use our services.
1. Who We Are and What This Covers
Unpublic is a public benefit corporation based in Colorado. We provide privacy and security services to content creators and public figures.
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern:
- Your use of our website (unpublic.com)
- Your subscription to our newsletter
- Your subscription to our podcast
- Any services you purchase from us
- Any consultations or communications with us
Other documents you should read:
- Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle your data
- Individual service agreements may have additional terms specific to that service
When we say "you" or "your," we mean you, the person or entity using our services. When we say "we," "us," or "our," we mean Unpublic.
2. Using Our Website and Services
Basic Requirements
To use our services, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide accurate information when you sign up
- Not be prohibited from using our services under applicable law
- Comply with these Terms and all applicable laws
Account Security
If you create an account with us:
- You're responsible for keeping your login credentials secure
- You're responsible for all activity under your account
- Tell us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access
- Don't share your account with others
We're not liable for losses from unauthorized account access if you didn't take reasonable security precautions.
3. What You Can and Can't Do
You Can:
- Use our services for their intended purpose
- Share information about your experience with us
- Ask questions, give feedback, or request support
- Cancel your subscription or services according to our cancellation policy
You Can't:
- Use our services for illegal activities
- Provide false or misleading information
- Attempt to hack, disrupt, or overload our systems
- Use our services to harm others (ironic, we know)
- Scrape or data mine our website
- Impersonate us or misrepresent your relationship with us
- Use our methods, tools, or techniques to start a competing service
- Share proprietary information we provide to you with others
- Violate anyone else's privacy, intellectual property, or other rights
If you violate these terms, we may suspend or terminate your access to our services. We'll usually warn you first, but we reserve the right to terminate immediately for serious violations.
4. Our Services
What We Provide
We offer privacy and security services including (but not limited to):
- Vulnerability audits
- Privacy consulting
- Ongoing privacy and security monitoring
- Educational content, newsletters and podcasts
- Tools and resources for creator privacy
Services evolve: We may add, modify, or discontinue services. We'll notify you of major changes that affect services you've paid for.
What We Don't Promise
Here's the reality check:
We can't guarantee specific outcomes. Privacy and security work is about reducing risk, not eliminating it. We'll do our best work using proven methods, but we can't promise:
- That we'll find every piece of exposed information about you
- That removed information will never resurface
- That implementing our recommendations will prevent all threats
- That bad actors won't find new ways to discover information
We're consultants, not miracle workers. We provide expertise, analysis, and recommendations. The final decisions and implementations are yours.
We're not law enforcement anymore. We can advise you on security matters and help you document issues, but we're not investigators and we're not your lawyers.
Service Limitations
We work within legal boundaries. We won't:
- Break laws to get information
- Access systems without authorization
- Engage in hacking or other illegal activities
- Help you do anything illegal
We can't control third parties. When we request data removal from third-party sites or services, we can't force them to comply. We'll do our best to advocate for you, but they make their own decisions.
5. Payments and Refunds
Pricing
Our current pricing is available on our website. We reserve the right to change prices, but:
- Price changes won't affect existing contracts
- We'll give you notice before renewing at a new price
- You can cancel rather than accept the new price
Payment Terms
For services: Payment is due according to your service agreement (typically upfront or in installments).
For subscriptions: You'll be charged according to your billing cycle (monthly, annually, etc.) until you cancel.
Failed payments: If a payment fails, we'll notify you and may suspend your service until payment is received.
Refunds
Our refund policy:
- Newsletter subscriptions: Free, so nothing to refund
- Consultations: Refundable if we cancel or can't deliver the scheduled consultation
- Services: Outlined in your specific service agreement
Generally: If you're unhappy with our work, talk to us first. We'd rather make it right than argue about refunds.
After services are delivered: Once we've completed work (delivered a report, finished an audit, etc.), that work is non-refundable. You're paying for our time and expertise, not just a deliverable.
6. Intellectual Property
What You Own
Your data is yours. Any information you provide to us remains your property. Our Privacy Policy explains what we do with it.
Your content is yours. If you create content based on our recommendations or using our tools, you own it.
What We Own
Our methods and processes: The frameworks, methodologies, tools, and techniques we use are our intellectual property. You can't copy them to start a competing service.
Our content: Everything we create (website content, reports, frameworks, educational materials) is protected by copyright. You can't reproduce it without permission.
Your reports and deliverables: When we create reports or deliverables for you, you can use them for your own purposes, but you can't sell them or share them publicly without our permission.
What We Can Use
Anonymized insights: We may use anonymized, aggregate information from our work (like "X% of creators have this exposure") for research, marketing, or educational purposes. We won't identify you or share your specific situation.
Feedback you give us: If you provide feedback, suggestions, or ideas, we can use them to improve our services without compensating you.
7. Confidentiality
What We Keep Confidential
Client information is confidential. We won't disclose:
- That you're a client (unless you give us permission)
- Information you share with us during service delivery
- Results of audits or assessments
- Specific vulnerabilities we find
Exceptions: We may disclose information if:
- You give us explicit permission
- We're legally required to (see Privacy Policy)
- It's necessary to protect someone's safety
- It's already public information
What You Keep Confidential
Our methods are proprietary. During service delivery, we may share techniques, tools, or processes with you. These are confidential business information. You can't:
- Share them with competitors
- Use them to start a competing service
- Publish them without permission
Industry knowledge is fair game. General security and privacy best practices we discuss aren't confidential. You can share those concepts freely.
8. Disclaimers and Limitations
No Warranties
We provide services "as is." We don't make warranties about:
- Specific results you'll achieve
- Fitness for any particular purpose beyond what we explicitly promise
- Uninterrupted or error-free service
- Complete accuracy of all information
We stand behind our work: This doesn't mean we're careless. We'll use reasonable skill and care. But privacy and security work involves uncertainty, and we can't guarantee outcomes.
Limitation of Liability
If something goes wrong, our liability is limited to the amount you paid us for the specific service that caused the problem.
We're not liable for:
- Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
- Lost profits or business opportunities
- Data loss (assuming we've followed our security practices)
- Third-party actions or failures
- Your implementation of our recommendations
- Threats we couldn't reasonably detect or prevent
This doesn't apply if: We've been grossly negligent or engaged in intentional misconduct. We're not trying to dodge responsibility for serious screwups.
Your Responsibilities
You're responsible for:
- Implementing recommendations we provide
- Making your own risk assessments
- Securing your own accounts and systems
- Decisions you make based on our advice
- Complying with applicable laws
We're advisors, not decision-makers. You're ultimately responsible for your own privacy and security posture.
9. Termination
How You Can End This
Cancel anytime: You can cancel services or subscriptions according to the terms in your specific agreement.
For subscriptions: Cancel before your next billing date to avoid charges. We don't provide partial refunds for unused subscription time.
For service engagements: Cancellation terms are in your service agreement. Generally, you're responsible for payment for work already performed.
How We Can End This
We can terminate your access if:
- You violate these Terms
- You provide false information
- You use services for illegal purposes
- Your payment fails repeatedly
- You're abusive to our team
We'll usually give notice, but we reserve the right to terminate immediately for serious violations.
What happens after termination:
- You lose access to services and any deliverables not yet provided
- You still owe payment for services already rendered
- Confidentiality obligations continue
- We'll handle your data according to our Privacy Policy
10. Changes to These Terms
We can update these Terms. When we do:
- We'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top
- We'll notify you if changes are material (via email or website notice)
- Continued use of our services means you accept the new terms
You can reject changes by discontinuing use of our services. For paid services, you can complete your current term under the old terms, then choose not to renew.
11. Dispute Resolution
Try Talking First
Before filing any legal action, contact us. Most problems can be solved with a conversation. Email us at heythere@gounpublic.com and give us 30 days to work it out.
If That Doesn't Work
Governing law: These Terms are governed by Colorado law, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Jurisdiction: Any legal disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Colorado.
No class actions: You agree to resolve disputes individually, not as part of a class action or consolidated proceeding.
Exceptions
Nothing in these Terms prevents:
- Either party from seeking emergency injunctive relief
- You from reporting violations to appropriate government authorities
- Either party from bringing claims in small claims court
12. General Legal Stuff
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any service-specific agreements, constitute the entire agreement between us.
Severability
If any provision is found unenforceable, the rest of the Terms remain in effect.
No Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right doesn't waive that right.
Assignment
You can't transfer your rights under these Terms without our permission. We can assign our rights and obligations to a successor business.
Force Majeure
We're not liable for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control (natural disasters, pandemics, wars, government actions, etc.).
Survival
Sections that should survive termination (confidentiality, intellectual property, limitation of liability, etc.) continue to apply after these Terms end.
13. Contact
Questions about these Terms?
Email: heythere@gounpublic.com
Signal: @gounpublic.404
Mail: Unpublic PBC, 215 S Wadsworth Blvd Unit 400 #677, Denver, CO 80226
The Bottom Line
These terms exist to protect both of us. We're not trying to hide behind legalese, we genuinely want a straightforward professional relationship.
Our commitment: We'll do competent, ethical work using the best methods we know. We'll be honest about what we can and can't do. We'll protect your information like we protect our own.
What we need from you: Be honest with us. Use our services ethically. Pay for the work we do. Respect our confidentiality.
That's it. No tricks, no fine print gotchas. Just clear expectations for working together.
If something in here doesn't make sense or seems unreasonable, ask us about it before you agree. We'd rather clarify than surprise you later.
