terms of service

Last updated: May 11, 2026

These are the terms you agree to when you use komachat. They're short and written in plain English. We're not trying to slip anything past you.

If you don't agree to these terms, don't use the app.

1. The service

komachat is a manga-styled text messaging app for iPhone. It lets you exchange text messages with other komachat users; those messages render as manga panels using on-device tone analysis. The service is operated by Austin Self ("komachat," "we").

2. Your account

To use komachat you must:

1. Sign in with a valid Apple ID
2. Be at least 13 years old
3. Choose a unique handle and provide a display name
4. Comply with these terms

You're responsible for everything that happens under your account. Don't share access with anyone else. If you think someone's gained access to your account, email support@komachat.app.

3. Acceptable use

Don't use komachat to:

• Harass, threaten, dox, stalk, or intimidate any person
• Send unsolicited bulk messages or spam any user
• Send sexually explicit content involving minors, or any content that exploits minors in any way
• Send content that's illegal in your jurisdiction
• Impersonate another person in a deceptive way (parody is fine; identity theft isn't)
• Distribute malware, phishing links, or other malicious content
• Try to break into other users' accounts or attack our infrastructure
• Scrape, reverse engineer, or attempt to extract data from komachat at scale
• Use the service to coordinate violence or other unlawful real-world harm

We may suspend or terminate any account that we reasonably believe is violating these terms, with or without notice depending on severity.

4. Content ownership

The messages you send are yours. We don't claim ownership of your text or your conversations. The license you give us is narrow: just what we need to deliver the service to the recipients you choose.

The app's design, character art, code, brand, and trademarks are owned by us and protected by copyright and trademark law. You can use komachat as intended; you can't copy or republish our character art, code, or branding without permission.

5. Privacy

How we handle your data is covered in our Privacy Policy: see PRIVACY.md or the same content at the URL we publish it at.

6. Subscriptions and payments

komachat is currently free. If we add paid features in the future, you'll see the price clearly before you subscribe, and we'll respect Apple's standard subscription rules (cancel anytime, refunds handled by Apple).

7. Modifications to the service

The service is a work in progress. We might add features, change features, or remove features. We'll try to give meaningful notice for breaking changes. We don't guarantee uninterrupted service or any specific feature set.

8. Disclaimers

komachat is provided "as is" and "as available." We don't guarantee:

• That the service will be available when you want it
• That messages will always deliver instantly
• That the app will be free of bugs
• That your data won't be lost (please don't store anything irreplaceable here)
• That the service will be free of harassment from other users (we moderate but can't prevent everything)

We make no warranties beyond what's required by law in your jurisdiction.

9. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law: komachat (and the people who operate it) are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, or loss of data, arising out of your use of komachat. Our total liability for any claim related to the service is limited to the amount you paid us in the 12 months before the claim — which, since the app is free, is $0.

Some jurisdictions don't allow these limits. In those jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted.

10. Termination

You can stop using komachat at any time by deleting your account (see Privacy Policy for the deletion process). We can suspend or terminate your access for violations of these terms, after a notice or warning where appropriate.

When your account is terminated, your right to use the service ends immediately. Your data is removed per the retention timelines in the Privacy Policy.

11. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute that can't be resolved informally will be heard in the state or federal courts located in California.

12. Apple-specific terms

If you obtained komachat through the App Store:

• These terms are between you and us, not Apple. Apple is not responsible for komachat or its content.
• Apple has no obligation to provide support for komachat. Support requests go to us.
• If komachat fails to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple and Apple will refund the purchase price (if any). Apple has no further warranty obligations.
• Claims about komachat (product liability, legal/regulatory compliance, consumer protection) are our responsibility, not Apple's.
• If a third party claims komachat infringes their IP, we are responsible for the investigation, defense, and settlement.
• You confirm you're not located in a US-embargoed country and aren't on any US government denied-parties list.
• Apple is a third-party beneficiary of these terms and may enforce them against you.

13. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms occasionally. Material changes will be announced in-app before they take effect. The "Last updated" date will reflect the current version. Continued use after a change means you accept the new terms.

14. Contact

Questions about these terms: support@komachat.app