Terms of Service

About IndiBuddy

IndiBuddy ("Platform," "we," "us," or "our") is a brand of Quartrek LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in India ("Technology Owner"), and is operated in the United States by QuarTEQ LLC, a limited liability company registered in the State of Georgia, USA (11720 Amber Park Dr Ste 160, Alpharetta, GA 30009), under a technology license granted by Quartrek LLP. All underlying technology, software, and intellectual property rights in the Platform are owned by and reserved to Quartrek LLP. QuarTEQ LLC is the licensed US operator and the contracting entity for all US users and business subscribers. IndiBuddy is a community information and discovery platform built for the Indian diaspora in the United States. We provide easy accessibility to community resources including listings of Indian restaurants, temples, event halls, events, travel companion matching, a community marketplace, business advertising services, AI-assisted content distribution, and business review tools ("Review Plates").

IndiBuddy operates solely as an information and discovery system. We do not provide, endorse, verify, or guarantee any service, product, business, event, or individual listed or described on the Platform. We are not a party to any transaction, agreement, or interaction between users or between users and third parties.

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of indibuddy.com and any associated mobile or web applications. By accessing or using the Platform in any way, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

Legal Compliance

IndiBuddy complies with applicable US federal and state laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. For data handling details, please review our Privacy Policy.

Table of Contents

A1. Acceptance of Terms

By registering an account, browsing the Platform, posting content, or using any feature of IndiBuddy, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and QuarTEQ LLC.

If you are using the Platform on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have the authority to bind that organization to these Terms, and "you" refers to both you and that organization.

A2. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, post content, or use transactional features (marketplace, travel companion, business listings, Review Plates).
• Users aged 13–17 may browse public content only under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to these Terms on the minor's behalf. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. See our Privacy Policy for COPPA compliance details.
• You must reside in or have a legitimate connection to the United States to use community features.
• You must not be barred from receiving services under US law or any other applicable jurisdiction.

A3. User Accounts

• You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering and to keep it updated. Providing false, misleading, or incomplete information is a material breach of these Terms.
• You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account, whether or not authorized by you.
• You may not share your account, transfer it to another person, or create multiple accounts for the same individual or business entity.
• Notify us immediately at hello@indibuddy.com if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
• We reserve the right to refuse account registration or cancel existing accounts at our sole discretion, without notice or liability.

A4. Platform as Information System — No Liability

IndiBuddy is a community information and discovery system. Our role is limited to providing a searchable platform where community members and businesses can make themselves discoverable. We are not a service provider, marketplace operator, broker, employer, agent, or partner of any user or business listed on the Platform.

• We do not verify the identity, credentials, licenses, qualifications, or claims made by any user or business on the Platform.
• We do not conduct background checks on users, business owners, event organizers, or any other party.
• We are not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, legality, or reliability of any listing, review, event, product, or service posted on the Platform.
• IndiBuddy.com expressly disclaims all liability for any misconduct, fraud, misrepresentation, injury, loss, inappropriate behavior, misinformation, or any activity or harm caused by or between any users, businesses, or third parties on or through this Platform.
• All interactions, transactions, and engagements you enter into through the Platform are solely between you and the other party. You bear full responsibility for independently verifying the other party's identity, credentials, and suitability before engaging.
• When meeting other users in person, always meet in safe, public locations and inform a trusted person of your plans.

A5. Acceptable Use

You agree to use IndiBuddy only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You will not:

• Violate any applicable federal, state, local, or international law or regulation.
• Impersonate any person or entity, or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity.
• Engage in unauthorized scraping, crawling, data mining, or automated access of the Platform.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Platform, its servers, databases, or connected systems.
• Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Platform or its content.
• Transmit any malware, spyware, adware, ransomware, or other harmful or malicious code.
• Use the Platform to send unsolicited commercial communications (spam) via any channel.
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Platform.
• Use the Platform in any manner that could disable, overburden, damage, or impair it.
• Circumvent any security, access, or payment controls on the Platform.
• Use the Platform to solicit, recruit, or divert users to competing platforms or services.
• Collect or harvest personal data of other users without their explicit consent.

A6. Prohibited Content & Fraud Prevention

You may not post, upload, share, or transmit any content that:

• Is illegal, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading under US law.
• Promotes, facilitates, or involves illegal products or services.
• Depicts or promotes violence, hate speech, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
• Is sexually explicit, pornographic, or obscene.
• Infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, or other intellectual property rights of any party.
• Violates the privacy or publicity rights of any individual, including sharing personal information of others without consent.
• Constitutes harassment, bullying, threats, intimidation, or stalking.
• Spreads false information, medical misinformation, or disinformation.
• Is designed to solicit personal or financial information for fraudulent purposes (phishing, scams, social engineering).
• Duplicates or spam-posts listings to manipulate search results or visibility.
• Involves counterfeit goods, stolen property, fake documents, or items prohibited under US law.
• Constitutes fake reviews, paid reviews, or incentivized reviews not disclosed as such.
• Promotes get-rich-quick schemes, investment fraud, or unregistered financial solicitation.

We may remove any content that violates these standards at any time without prior notice and without liability to you. We reserve the right to report suspected fraudulent or illegal activity to appropriate law enforcement authorities.

A7. User-Generated Content & Licenses

"User Content" means any content you post, upload, share, or otherwise submit to the Platform, including text, photos, reviews, event listings, and marketplace items.

• You retain ownership of your User Content. By posting it, you grant QuarTEQ LLC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, display, and distribute your User Content in connection with operating, promoting, and improving the Platform — including in AI-powered features and on third-party platforms where IndiBuddy distributes content.
• You represent and warrant that you own or have the necessary rights to post your User Content and that it does not violate these Terms or any applicable law.
• You understand that User Content may be viewable by other users of the Platform and, in the case of public listings, by the general public and AI systems.
• We are not obligated to back up or store your User Content. You are solely responsible for maintaining backup copies.

DMCA Notice: If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, please send a written notice to legal@indibuddy.com with the information required under 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3). We will respond to valid DMCA takedown requests promptly.

A8. Review Plates — Community Reviews

"Review Plates" is IndiBuddy's community review feature that allows users to share experiences about businesses, restaurants, events, and services. By submitting a review:

• You represent that your review reflects your honest, first-hand experience. Fake, incentivized, or competitor-generated reviews are strictly prohibited and constitute fraud.
• You agree not to submit reviews for businesses or services in which you have a financial interest, ownership stake, or employment relationship without clearly disclosing that relationship.
• Reviews are the opinions of the individual reviewer and do not represent the views, endorsements, or positions of IndiBuddy or QuarTEQ LLC. IndiBuddy expressly disclaims all liability for the content, accuracy, or consequences of any review posted on the Platform.
• We reserve the right to remove, moderate, or decline to publish any review at our sole discretion without notice or liability. We do not guarantee that all reviews will be published.
• Businesses may respond to reviews through their Pro account. Responses must comply with all content standards in these Terms. Businesses may not threaten, harass, or retaliate against reviewers.
• IndiBuddy review scores and ratings are informational tools only and do not constitute an endorsement, certification, or guarantee of any business or service quality.

A9. Travel Companion & Community Features

IndiBuddy's Travel Companion feature ("/tc") allows users to connect with other NRIs for shared travel. By using this feature:

• You acknowledge that IndiBuddy does not screen, verify, or background-check travel companion profiles, references, or travel plans.
• You assume full and sole responsibility for your safety and any decisions made in connection with travel companion arrangements.
• You agree not to use the feature for solicitation, harassment, recruitment, or any illegal purpose.
• IndiBuddy expressly disclaims all liability for any injury, loss, theft, harm, or damages arising from travel companion connections made through the Platform.

Community messaging and direct messages are subject to these Terms. Do not share sensitive financial or personal information through in-Platform messaging. IndiBuddy is not responsible for any harm resulting from information shared in private messages.

A10. Intellectual Property

The Platform and its original content (excluding User Content), features, functionality, design, logos, software, and underlying technology are owned by Quartrek LLP (India) and licensed to QuarTEQ LLC for US operations. All rights are protected by US and international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws. Quartrek LLP reserves all technology rights globally.

• "IndiBuddy," the IndiBuddy logo, "Review Plates," and related marks are trademarks of Quartrek LLP. You may not use them without prior written consent from Quartrek LLP or its authorized licensee QuarTEQ LLC.
• You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any Platform content without explicit permission.
• We may display publicly sourced data (e.g., from Google Maps, Google Places) in accordance with applicable third-party terms of service. We are not responsible for the accuracy of such data.

A11. Third-Party Services & Links

The Platform integrates with and links to third-party services including Google (Maps, Sign-In, Analytics), Stripe (payments), Firebase, Cloudinary, AWS, OpenAI and other AI providers, and analytics tools. Your use of those services is governed by their respective terms and privacy policies. We are not responsible for the content, practices, accuracy, availability, or acts of any third-party service or platform.

External links on the Platform do not constitute endorsement of the linked sites or their content.

A12. Account Suspension & Termination

We reserve the right to suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe you have:

• Violated any provision of these Terms.
• Posted prohibited content or engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, or abusive activity.
• Received multiple substantiated complaints from other users.
• Attempted to circumvent Platform security, fees, or access controls.
• Submitted fake reviews, manipulated ratings, or engaged in review fraud.
• Engaged in conduct harmful to IndiBuddy, its users, or third parties.
• Provided false identity or payment information.

You may delete your own account at any time through your account settings. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. We may retain certain data as required by law or legitimate business purposes as described in our Privacy Policy.

All decisions regarding account suspension and termination are final unless otherwise required by applicable law.

A13. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

A14. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless QuarTEQ LLC and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your violation of these Terms; (b) your User Content; (c) your use of the Platform; (d) your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property or privacy rights; or (e) any fraud, misrepresentation, or illegal activity you engage in through the Platform.

A15. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved after 30 days, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in Fulton County, Georgia, USA, except that either party may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction for intellectual property infringement or unauthorized Platform access.

Class Action Waiver: You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action. If for any reason a claim proceeds in court, you and QuarTEQ LLC each waive any right to a jury trial.

A16. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email (to your registered address) or by a prominent notice on the Platform at least 14 days before taking effect, where reasonably practicable.

Your continued use of the Platform after the updated Terms take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the Platform.

A17. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or legal notices, contact us at:

B1. Who Is a Business / Pro User?

A Business / Pro User ("Advertiser") is any individual or organization that:

• Promotes products, services, or professional offerings through paid listings or features.
• Generates income (directly or indirectly) through their presence on the Platform.
• Uses a business name, logo, brand, or website in their profile or listings.
• Posts listings on a recurring or high-volume basis consistent with commercial activity.
• Uses IndiBuddy's SaaS tools including event management, AI content distribution, or Review Plates Pro features.

Examples include but are not limited to: Indian restaurants, event halls, temples, travel agencies, real estate professionals, immigration consultants, IT services, tutors, catering companies, photographers, wedding vendors, and healthcare professionals.

B2. Paid Plan Requirement

• All Advertisers must subscribe to an active IndiBuddy Pro or Business Listing plan to post business content, claim business profiles, manage events, access AI content distribution features, or use Review Plates Pro tools.
• Free listings are available only for individual community members using the Platform for personal (non-commercial) purposes and are subject to platform-defined limits that may change without notice.
• Using free features for commercial promotion constitutes a violation of these Terms and may result in content removal or account suspension.
• Plan pricing, features, and limits are displayed on the IndiBuddy pricing page and are subject to change with reasonable notice.

B3. Event Management SaaS

IndiBuddy Pro includes event management tools ("Event SaaS") that allow businesses to create, publish, manage, and promote events. By using Event SaaS features:

• You are solely responsible for the accuracy, legality, safety, and execution of any event you create or promote on the Platform. IndiBuddy provides tools only and bears no responsibility for event outcomes, attendance, cancellations, or refunds to event attendees.
• You must obtain all required permits, licenses, venue agreements, and insurance required by applicable law before promoting an event.
• If you collect ticket payments or registrations through the Platform or via linked payment tools, you are the merchant of record and solely responsible for all refunds, chargebacks, and attendee disputes.
• You agree not to use Event SaaS to promote fraudulent, fictitious, or misleading events. Discovery of such activity will result in immediate account termination without refund.
• IndiBuddy is not responsible for the cancellation, postponement, or modification of any event listed on the Platform, or for any loss suffered by users who rely on event information.
• Event data published on the Platform may be distributed to third-party platforms and AI systems as part of the service. By creating an event, you consent to this distribution.

B4. AI Platform Content Distribution

IndiBuddy Pro includes tools to distribute your business content (listings, events, menus, service descriptions) to third-party AI platforms, search engines, and digital directories ("AI Distribution"). By enabling AI Distribution:

• You grant QuarTEQ LLC the right to syndicate, format, and submit your business content to AI platforms, large language model directories, search engines, and community aggregators in any machine-readable format deemed appropriate.
• You represent that all content you provide for AI Distribution is accurate, lawful, and does not infringe any third-party rights. You are solely liable for any claims arising from inaccurate or unlawful content distributed on your behalf.
• IndiBuddy does not guarantee that content submitted to third-party AI platforms will be accepted, indexed, displayed, or maintained by those platforms. Third-party AI platforms operate under their own policies and may change their practices at any time.
• IndiBuddy is not responsible for how third-party AI systems interpret, present, modify, or use your distributed content.
• You understand that once content is distributed to third-party AI platforms, it may not be immediately removable. IndiBuddy will make commercially reasonable efforts to remove or update distributed content upon request, but cannot guarantee timely removal from third-party systems.
• You agree not to use AI Distribution to push misleading, fraudulent, or prohibited content. Misuse of this feature will result in immediate suspension and may be reported to affected AI platform operators.

B5. Ad Content Standards

All business listings and advertisements must:

• Accurately represent the business, services, or products offered.
• Include truthful pricing, hours of operation, and contact information.
• Be posted in the correct category and geographic location.
• Comply with all applicable US federal and state advertising laws, including FTC disclosure requirements for endorsements, testimonials, and sponsored content.
• Not make unsubstantiated claims, guarantees, or comparative statements.
• Not mislead users about the nature, quality, price, or availability of services.
• Not use fake reviews, fabricated testimonials, or AI-generated reviews presented as authentic user reviews.

We reserve the right to edit, reject, or remove any business listing or advertisement that does not meet these standards, without prior notice and without liability.

B6. Payments, Billing & Refunds

• All payments are processed securely through Stripe. By providing payment information, you authorize us to charge your payment method for all applicable fees. We do not store raw card numbers.
• All fees are stated in US Dollars (USD). You are responsible for any applicable taxes including state sales tax.
• Subscription plans renew automatically at the end of each billing cycle unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date through your account settings.
• All fees are non-refundable except where required by applicable law or as explicitly stated in a written agreement with QuarTEQ LLC. If you cancel mid-cycle, your access continues until the end of the paid period.
• We reserve the right to change pricing with at least 30 days' notice to active subscribers. Continued use after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the new pricing.
• Chargebacks or payment disputes filed through your bank or card issuer without first contacting us at hello@indibuddy.com may result in immediate account suspension pending resolution.
• We reserve the right to refuse service or cancel subscriptions if we suspect fraudulent payment activity or misuse of payment systems.

B7. Ad Placement & Visibility

• Ad placement and ranking depend on the selected plan, listing quality, and user relevance signals.
• Featured, sponsored, or boosted listings may rotate to ensure fair platform exposure.
• We do not guarantee a specific position, impression count, click-through rate, or ranking for any listing.
• We may adjust algorithms, category structures, or search logic at any time to improve the user experience.

B8. No Guarantee of Leads or Sales

IndiBuddy makes no guarantees regarding inquiries, leads, conversions, sales, event attendance, review volume, or any measurable business outcome. Payment covers access to Platform advertising features, SaaS tools, and visibility only. Performance depends on many factors outside our control, including market conditions and user behavior. IndiBuddy is not liable for any business loss arising from use or non-performance of the Platform.

B9. Prohibited Business Advertising

Advertisers may not promote:

• Illegal products or services under US federal or state law.
• Fraudulent, deceptive, or scam-related offers.
• Adult, sexual, or escort services of any kind.
• Hate speech, harassment, or discriminatory content.
• Counterfeit goods, fake documents, or impersonation schemes.
• Multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes or pyramid structures.
• Unlicensed professional services (e.g., unlicensed legal advice, unlicensed financial advice, or unlicensed medical services).
• Firearms, ammunition, or controlled substances.
• Unregistered investment or financial products.
• Visa, immigration, or legal services without proper licensure.

Violations will result in immediate removal of listings and may result in permanent account termination without refund.

B10. Fraud, Misuse & Abuse Prevention

To protect the integrity of the Platform and its users, the following constitutes misuse of Business / Pro features:

• Using IndiBuddy Pro or Event SaaS tools to conduct or facilitate financial fraud, identity theft, or scams targeting other users or businesses.
• Generating, purchasing, or soliciting fake reviews through Review Plates or any other mechanism.
• Submitting false, misleading, or fabricated business information for AI Distribution purposes.
• Using AI Distribution features to spam AI platforms, manipulate search results, or violate third-party platform policies.
• Impersonating another business, brand, or individual in any listing, event, or advertisement.
• Using the Platform to conduct phishing, social engineering, or to harvest user data.
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent suspensions, payment obligations, or feature limits.
• Manipulating or gaming IndiBuddy's review, ranking, or scoring systems.

We reserve the right to investigate suspected misuse, freeze account activity pending investigation, and report confirmed fraud to law enforcement. All costs of investigating and remediating misuse may be charged to the responsible account holder.

B11. One Account Per Business

• Each business entity is permitted one active Pro account.
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent limits, fees, or suspensions is prohibited.
• Account sharing between unrelated businesses or individuals is not permitted.
• Authorized employees or agents may manage a business account on behalf of the account holder, but the account holder remains fully responsible for all activity under that account.

B12. Influencer & Affiliate Program

IndiBuddy operates an Influencer and Affiliate Program subject to separate program terms. Key principles:

• Earnings are commission-based and tied to verified referral activity (link-based; no discount codes unless otherwise stated).
• Payouts are processed manually on a schedule defined in the program terms. Minimum payout thresholds apply.
• Influencers must clearly and conspicuously disclose their material connection to IndiBuddy in all sponsored or affiliate content, as required by FTC guidelines (16 CFR Part 255).
• Fraudulent referrals, click manipulation, self-referrals, or bot traffic will result in forfeiture of all earnings and immediate account termination.
• QuarTEQ LLC reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the program at any time with reasonable notice to active participants.

B13. Business Suspension & Termination

In addition to the general suspension provisions in Part A, we reserve the right to immediately suspend or terminate a business account and remove all associated listings if:

• Payment fails and is not remedied within 7 days.
• We receive credible evidence of fraud, misrepresentation, or consumer harm.
• The business is subject to regulatory action, license revocation, or legal proceedings that affect its ability to provide the advertised services.
• The account, its content, or its use of AI Distribution features materially damages IndiBuddy's reputation, third-party platform relationships, or community trust.
• The account is found to be engaging in review fraud, fake event promotion, or AI content manipulation.

All administrative decisions regarding business accounts are final. No refund will be issued for the remaining subscription period upon termination for cause.

B14. Limitation of Liability — Business Users

In addition to the limitations in Part A:

• Advertisers agree to indemnify QuarTEQ LLC against any claims, losses, or expenses arising from their advertisements, listed services, events, AI-distributed content, or interactions with users on the Platform.
• IndiBuddy is not liable for disputes between Advertisers and their customers or clients, whether or not the connection was made through the Platform or through AI Distribution.
• IndiBuddy does not act as an agent, broker, partner, or joint venturer of any Advertiser. Nothing in these Terms creates an employment or contractor relationship between IndiBuddy and any Advertiser.
• IndiBuddy is not responsible for how third-party AI platforms, search engines, or directories use, present, or modify content distributed on your behalf.

C1. DigiPlates Products & Orders

• DigiPlates are physical plexiglass display plates with adhesive backing that carry a printed QR code and, where offered, NFC tap capture. Scanning or tapping a plate opens a destination link such as a Google or Yelp review page, an Instagram profile, or a restaurant menu.
• DigiPlates are sold as a one-time purchase in US Dollars (USD) and are shipped to addresses in the United States only. We do not currently ship internationally.
• You are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address and for the accuracy of the destination link (review page URL, Instagram handle, menu URL) you supply for printing or configuration. Orders reprinted because of customer-supplied errors are treated as new purchases.
• All orders are subject to acceptance and availability. We may cancel and fully refund any order we are unable to fulfil, or where we suspect fraudulent payment activity.