Acceptable Use Policy

Last Updated: January 17, 2026

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs your use of Home Meal App's platform, services, and associated systems. This policy applies to all users including Buyers, Sellers, Drivers, and Admin users.

1. Purpose

This AUP is designed to:

• Protect all users from abuse and harm
• Maintain Platform integrity and security
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations
• Preserve quality and trust in our marketplace
• Define acceptable and prohibited uses

Violations may result in account suspension, termination, legal action, or reporting to law enforcement.

2. Acceptable Use

2.1 Permitted Activities

You may use the Platform to:

• Buyers: Browse, search, order, and pay for meals
• Sellers: List, sell, prepare, and deliver home-cooked meals
• Drivers: Accept and deliver meal orders
• All Users: Communicate about orders, rate experiences, provide feedback
• Use features as intended and documented
• Access your account data and transaction history
• Contact customer support for assistance
• Share experiences on social media (with respect for others' privacy)

2.2 Commercial Use

Permitted:

• Sellers may operate food businesses through the Platform
• Drivers may earn income through deliveries
• Catering for events and corporate orders
• Subscription-based Seller plans

Not Permitted:

• Reselling Platform access
• Using Platform data for competing services
• Scraping or harvesting user data
• Bulk automated transactions
• Commercial use not related to food marketplace

3. Prohibited Activities

3.1 Illegal Activities

You may not use the Platform to:

• Violate any local, state, national, or international law
• Engage in fraud, theft, or financial crimes
• Facilitate money laundering or terrorist financing
• Sell or distribute illegal substances
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Engage in human trafficking or exploitation
• Violate food safety or business licensing laws
• Evade taxes or launder money through fake transactions
• Commit identity theft or impersonation

Consequences: Immediate account termination, cooperation with law enforcement, legal action.

3.2 Fraudulent Conduct

Prohibited Fraud:

• Providing false identity or payment information
• Using stolen credit cards or payment methods
• Claiming food wasn't delivered when it was
• Reporting false order issues for refunds
• Creating fake accounts to manipulate ratings
• Chargeback abuse or payment disputes in bad faith
• Artificially inflating reviews or ratings
• Claiming allergic reactions falsely for compensation
• Seller bait-and-switch (listing one meal, delivering another)
• Driver theft of orders or partial consumption

Consequences: Permanent ban, collections for fraudulent refunds, legal prosecution.

3.3 Abuse and Harassment

You may not:

• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or bully any user
• Send unwanted sexual or romantic messages
• Stalk or doxx users (share private information)
• Discriminate based on protected characteristics
• Use hate speech, slurs, or derogatory language
• Post violent or graphic content
• Engage in revenge actions (mass negative reviews)
• Contact users off-platform for harassment
• Threaten physical harm or violence
• Make false accusations to harm reputation

Consequences: Suspension or permanent ban, potential law enforcement referral.

3.4 Account Abuse

Prohibited Actions:

• Creating multiple accounts to evade bans
• Sharing account credentials with others
• Selling or transferring accounts
• Using fake or stolen identities
• Creating accounts for others (except authorized business representatives)
• Automating account creation
• Using accounts for purposes other than intended

Consequences: All related accounts terminated, IP bans if necessary.

3.5 Technical Abuse

You may not:

• Hack, breach, or compromise Platform security
• Introduce viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Conduct denial-of-service (DoS) attacks
• Scrape or crawl the Platform without permission
• Reverse engineer Platform code or algorithms
• Circumvent access controls or security measures
• Exploit bugs or vulnerabilities for gain
• Interfere with Platform infrastructure
• Use bots, scripts, or automation (except approved integrations)
• Access unauthorized areas or data

Consequences: Immediate termination, legal action for damages, criminal referral.

3.6 Content Violations

Prohibited Content:

• Copyright or trademark infringement
• Stolen or unauthorized photos
• Misleading or false information
• Sexually explicit or pornographic content
• Violent or graphic imagery
• Child endangerment content
• Spam or irrelevant content
• Phishing links or scams
• Malicious downloads or attachments

Consequences: Content removal, account warning or suspension.

3.7 Payment and Financial Abuse

Prohibited:

• Using Platform to launder money
• Structuring transactions to evade reporting
• Creating fake transactions for tax fraud
• Using stolen payment methods
• Disputing valid charges
• Exploiting promotional codes improperly
• Price manipulation or fixing with other users
• Creating artificial demand or scarcity

Consequences: Account termination, cooperation with financial authorities, legal action.

3.8 Food Safety Violations (Sellers)

Prohibited:

• Preparing food in unsanitary conditions
• Using expired or spoiled ingredients
• Failing to disclose allergens
• Ignoring local health regulations
• Serving food when ill with contagious disease
• Improper food storage or temperature control
• Cross-contamination of allergens
• Mislabeling dietary categories (vegan, kosher, etc.)

Consequences: Immediate suspension, notification to health authorities, permanent ban.

3.9 Delivery Violations (Drivers)

Prohibited:

• Driving under influence of drugs or alcohol
• Stealing or consuming customer orders
• Opening sealed food containers
• Tampering with food
• Falsely marking deliveries as complete
• Bringing unauthorized passengers
• Harassment of Buyers or Sellers
• Driving recklessly or dangerously

Consequences: Immediate deactivation, possible legal action, law enforcement referral.

3.10 Marketplace Manipulation

Prohibited:

• Fake reviews or ratings (positive or negative)
• Review manipulation services
• Coordinating with others to manipulate rankings
• Self-reviewing under fake accounts
• Offering incentives for positive reviews
• Threatening negative reviews for benefits
• Gaming algorithms or search results
• Artificially inflating metrics

Consequences: Removal of fake content, account penalties, possible termination.

4. Specific Use Cases

4.1 Sellers

Acceptable:

• Selling home-cooked meals you personally prepare
• Operating small food business from licensed kitchen
• Accepting orders during your posted availability
• Using your own original photos
• Promoting your listings on social media

Unacceptable:

• Reselling restaurant food as homemade
• Operating without required licenses
• Accepting orders you can't fulfill
• Using misleading photos
• Harassing Buyers who leave negative reviews

4.2 Buyers

Acceptable:

• Ordering meals for personal consumption
• Sharing orders with household/guests
• Leaving honest reviews
• Reporting legitimate issues
• Asking about ingredients and preparation

Unacceptable:

• Ordering with no intent to pay
• Stealing food (claiming not delivered)
• Abusing refund system
• Harassing Sellers or Drivers
• Competitive spying (ordering to copy recipes)

4.3 Drivers

Acceptable:

• Accepting deliveries you can complete
• Communicating delays to Buyers
• Following traffic laws
• Using insulated bags
• Reporting legitimate issues

Unacceptable:

• Cherry-picking only high-paying orders then mass declining others
• Stealing or consuming orders
• Demanding additional payment outside app
• Driving unsafely to hit time targets
• Harassing customers at delivery

5. Data Use Restrictions

5.1 Prohibited Data Use

You may not:

• Scrape user data, listings, or reviews
• Build competing databases or services
• Use Platform data for marketing unrelated products
• Share or sell user data obtained through Platform
• Use automated tools to collect data
• Access data you're not authorized to view
• Use data for purposes not disclosed in Privacy Policy

Exceptions:

• Personal data export for your own records
• Publicly available information (e.g., public business listings)

5.2 API and Integration Use

If granted API access, you must:

• Follow API terms and documentation
• Respect rate limits
• Protect API credentials
• Use data only for approved purposes
• Delete data if required
• Comply with all Platform policies

Violations may result in API access revocation and account termination.

6. Communication Standards

6.1 Acceptable Communication

You may:

• Send order-related messages
• Ask questions about meals or delivery
• Provide delivery instructions
• Report issues professionally
• Respond to customer support inquiries

6.2 Prohibited Communication

You may not:

• Send spam or unsolicited ads
• Share contact info to move transactions off-platform
• Send abusive or threatening messages
• Repeatedly message after being asked to stop
• Impersonate others
• Send phishing or scam messages
• Use profanity or hate speech

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Respecting IP Rights

You must:

• Only upload content you own or have rights to use
• Respect Platform trademarks and branding
• Not copy or reproduce Platform code
• Obtain permission before using others' recipes or photos
• Credit sources when appropriate

7.2 Reporting IP Violations

If you believe your intellectual property rights are violated:

• Email: legal@home-meal.website
• Provide: Description of work, proof of ownership, location of violation
• DMCA Process: See our DMCA policy for copyright claims

8. Enforcement

8.1 Monitoring

We may monitor Platform use through:

• Automated systems (fraud detection, content filtering)
• User reports
• Manual reviews
• Audits and investigations
• Third-party reports

8.2 Actions We May Take

Depending on severity:

• Warning: Notice of violation, educational message
• Content Removal: Delete violating content
• Feature Restriction: Limit messaging, reviews, or other features
• Temporary Suspension: 7-30 days based on violation
• Permanent Ban: Account termination for severe or repeated violations
• Legal Action: Pursue damages for harm caused
• Law Enforcement: Report illegal activity to authorities

8.3 Investigation

During investigation:

• Account may be suspended
• Access to funds may be paused
• Communication with involved parties
• Review of evidence and history
• Decision communicated within 5-7 business days typically

8.4 Appeals

You may appeal actions:

• Within 14 days of decision
• Email: appeals@home-meal.website
• Provide explanation and evidence
• One appeal per action
• Decision within 7 business days

8.5 No Circumvention

Attempting to circumvent enforcement:

• Creating new accounts after ban
• Using VPNs or proxies to hide identity
• Having others create accounts for you

Result: Permanent ban of all accounts, potential legal action.

9. Third-Party Conduct

9.1 Your Responsibility

You are responsible for:

• Actions of anyone using your account
• Employees or representatives (for business accounts)
• Content posted from your account
• Orders placed and payments made

9.2 Authorized Use Only

• Do not allow others to use your account
• Business accounts: Only authorized employees
• Maintain security of credentials

10. Cooperation with Investigations

10.1 Platform Investigations

You agree to:

• Respond to inquiries about violations
• Provide requested information and evidence
• Cooperate with investigation process
• Not interfere with investigations

10.2 Law Enforcement

We cooperate with law enforcement:

• Respond to valid legal requests
• Provide information as required by law
• Report suspected illegal activity
• Preserve evidence for investigations

We may disclose information without notice if required by law or to prevent harm.

11. Modification and Termination

11.1 Changes to AUP

We may modify this AUP at any time:

• Changes effective upon posting
• Material changes communicated via email
• Continued use constitutes acceptance
• Review periodically for updates

11.2 Termination Rights

We reserve the right to:

• Terminate any account at any time
• Refuse service to anyone
• Modify or discontinue Platform features
• Change policies and terms

You may terminate your account anytime by contacting support.

12. Reporting Violations

12.1 How to Report

In-App:

• Use "Report" button on profiles, messages, or listings
• Select violation category
• Provide details and evidence

Email:

• violations@home-meal.website
• Include: Username, description, evidence (screenshots, links)

Phone:

• +1 (555) 123-4567
• For urgent safety concerns

12.2 What to Report

Report any:

• Illegal activity
• Harassment or threats
• Fraud or scams
• Food safety violations
• Intellectual property infringement
• Technical attacks
• Terms violations
• Suspicious behavior

12.3 False Reports

Do not make false reports:

• Malicious false reports are violations
• May result in your account penalty
• Wastes resources and harms innocent users

13. Disclaimer

13.1 No Guarantee

We do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• Complete security from all attacks
• Detection of all violations
• Specific outcomes from reports

13.2 User Responsibility

You are responsible for:

• Your own conduct and content
• Compliance with this AUP
• Protecting your account security
• Following all applicable laws

14. Contact

For questions about this Acceptable Use Policy:

Email: legal@home-meal.website Subject: "AUP Inquiry"

Mail: Home Meal App - Legal Department [Your Address]

Phone: +1 (555) 123-4567

By using Home Meal App, you agree to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy. Violations may result in account termination, legal action, or criminal referral.

Help us maintain a safe, trustworthy community by reporting violations and using the Platform responsibly.

Effective Date: January 17, 2026 Version: 1.0