Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using PostcardsToCongress.org (the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, you may not use the Service. We reserve the right to update these terms at any time.

2. Description of Service

The Service provides a platform for users to type digital messages that are subsequently printed on physical postcards and mailed via the United States Postal Service (USPS) to selected political representatives. We act solely as an intermediary between the services necessary to print your message and mail your postcard.

3. User Content and Legal Responsibility

You retain all ownership rights to the text you submit. However, you are solely and legally responsible for the content of your messages.

By using the Service, you explicitly agree that you will NOT submit content that:

• Is unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, or deceptive.
• Contains threats of physical violence or harm against any individual or group.
• Violates the Terms of Service of our printing partner (Lob.com) or payment processor (Stripe).
• Constitutes fraud or impersonates any person or entity.

4. Content Moderation & Refusal of Service

We utilize automated moderation systems (including OpenAI) to screen messages for severe policy violations prior to printing. However, we do not actively monitor or endorse the content of user-generated mail. We reserve the right to refuse service, cancel orders, or block users at our sole discretion, with or without notice, if we believe the content violates these Terms or poses a risk to the Service.

5. Indemnification (Your Liability)

Please read this section carefully.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless PostcardsToCongress.org, its founders, affiliates, and partners (including Lob and Stripe) from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that arise from or relate to your use of the Service, your violation of these Terms, or the specific content of any postcard you cause to be printed and mailed through the Service.

6. Delivery & Refunds

Once a payment is processed and the postcard data is transmitted to our printing facility, the order cannot be canceled, edited, or refunded. We rely on the USPS for final delivery. Delivery timeframes (typically 4-6 business days) are estimates, not guarantees. We are not responsible for mail that is delayed, lost, or rejected by congressional mail screening facilities.

7. Limitation of Liability

The Service is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE." We disclaim all warranties, express or implied. In no event shall our total liability to you for all damages exceed the amount you paid for the specific postcard order in dispute.

8. Public Nature of Mail & Privacy

The entire goal of this platform is to make your voice heard! Because of that, it is important to remember that physical postcards are, by nature, public documents.

By using the Service, you understand and agree that there is no expectation of privacy regarding the contents of your postcard. Your message, along with your name and return address, will be printed exposed on a physical card. It will be handled and potentially read by our printing partners, USPS postal workers, mailroom screeners, and congressional staff. Your postcard proof will also, at least temorarily, be available publicly to you, but also anyone who can guess the session id.