SPEAK - Terms of Services

Last updated in January 2022

1 - This Agreement

2 - Your account

3 - Language groups and events policies

4 - Usage and content policies: rules for using the SPEAK Platform

When you join and use the SPEAK platform, you agree to follow some basic rules. These rules are described in these Terms of Service, including the related policies and guidelines discussed below.

1 - This Agreement

SPEAK enables you and other members to join online and offline language groups and events as buddies, participants, organizers or attendees. The terms “SPEAK,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Share Your World, Lda.. We use the terms “you” and “your” to mean any person using our Platform. We use the expression “SPEAK platform” or “Platform” to mean any website, application, or service offered by SPEAK, including content we offser and electronic communications we send. We provide our Platform to you subject to these Terms of Service. We use the terms “Terms of Service” and “Agreement” interchangeably to mean this document together with our Usage and Content Policies, Language Groups and Events Policies, Privacy and cookies Policy and Protection Policy.

Your use of the Platform means that you agree to this Agreement. If you do not or are unable to agree to this Agreement, do not use our Platform.

2 - Your account

a. Eligibility. The SPEAK platform is available to anyone who is at least 18 years old.

b. Modification, Suspension, and Termination of Your Account. We may modify, suspend, or terminate your account or access to the Platform if, in our sole discretion, we determine that you have violated this Agreement, including any of the policies or guidelines that are part of this Agreement, that it is in the best interest of the SPEAK community, or to protect our brand or Platform.

c. Account Information and Security. When you register, you provide us with some basic information, including an email address and a password. Also, you agree to maintain the security and confidentiality of your password. You alone are responsible for anything that happens from your failure to maintain that security and confidentiality, such as by sharing your account credentials with others. If someone is using your password or accessing your account without your permission, email us at info@speak.social. By using the Platform, you declare that the information provided by you is accurate, complete, and true, and undertake to inform SHARE YOUR WORLD, LDA (SYW) in the event of any changes.

By using the Platform you also authorize the processing of your personal data, by SYW under the law, as a part of the project SPEAK, bearing in mind the management purposes of SPEAK activities, as described in detail in the Privacy and Cookies Policy. Under the law, as the holder of personal data in question, you are guaranteed the right of access, rectification and elimination of your personal data in the framework of this database. You can contact info@speak.social to access, rectify or delete my personal data.

By using the Platform, you also authorize the use and reproduction of photos taken of you during SPEAK activities for the purposes of promotional materials.

3 - Language groups and events policies

a. SYW is responsible for the creation and management of language groups, including the identification, recruitment and support of buddies; as well as for the creation of SPEAK teaching methodology and materials.

b. The provision of information about the space in which language groups will be held as well as the management of sessions, and schedules for each year shall be set by SYW and communicated to participants upon enrollment or within 3 working days before the beginning of the language group.

c. SYW is responsible for defining the schedule of SPEAK language groups and may change it during the course of the language group, in which case participants will be informed by email and / or by their buddy.

d. In order to estimate the social impact of the project, an impact assessment will be performed by SYW periodically to optimize its functioning and thus promote the resolution of the identified social problem.

e. At the end of the language group, participants will have access to their SPEAK CV. This document will be a record of the participant’s time spent at SPEAK which outlines the language groups they attended and/or led. This document will not have official recognition in terms of certification of language or teaching skills, and it can be downloaded from your profile page.

f. The language groups last 18 hours divided into 12 sessions over 1 or 2 months. They may be changed by SYW, having only an obligation to inform participants via e-mail.

g. There are no mandatory costs for participants to use the SPEAK platform. However, they can contribute with symbolic donations to support the development of the SPEAK platform and mobile app, the learning materials and the management of the language groups.

h. Participants can ask for their money back until 48 hours before the start of the group.

i. If the language group has less than 4 participants it may be canceled, and in this case, the participant will be informed by email and the participant may be placed in another language group of the SPEAK platform.

j. Participants must respect the buddies, the team, and the community in general. If the participant does not share the SPEAK values and/or is disrespectful in any way (including but not limited to, a lack of respect towards buddies and other members of the community, contacting participants without their consent, or misuse of the platform/means of communication), they will be excluded from the platform without receiving a refund for the cost of the applications they might have made.

k. Participants must respect and carefully use the space and all materials that are located in the room where the language groups or events are happening.

l. SPEAK buddies are selected by SYW due to their competence and motivation. Since buddies will be performing on a voluntary basis, SYW cannot entirely ensure the quality of the sessions or control the contents/themes given by the buddies in session.

m. In the case that participants do not attend two consecutive sessions, the group will be canceled and the participants will be informed through the discussion group. Our buddies give their own time and resources for us and so we should respect their efforts.

n. Events will be organized periodically at a further determined location in which users may voluntarily participate.

4 - Usage and content policies: rules for using the SPEAK Platform

Connecting people is what SPEAK is all about - however, there is content and behaviors that we cannot allow on our platform due to safety, legal, or ethical reasons. If SPEAK determines that the content that you posted or the usage that you are making of the SPEAK platform goes against any of the following instructions, we may remove your post and/or profile at our sole discretion.

Be real: fake accounts & impersonation

SPEAK profiles are intended to represent real people. User profiles must be honest and authentic. Creating fake accounts, malicious accounts, or accounts meant to impersonate another person, is prohibited on the SPEAK platform.
Be respectful and don't Spam
Respecting people's personal choices, and personal boundaries is essential to creating safe and trusting relationships. Be respectful in interactions with people and in content posted on the platform. SPEAK monitors and restricts behaviors that are dishonest, undermine the integrity of the platform, violate personal boundaries, or serve to intentionally upset people. Content posted in Discussion groups that is irrelevant, impersonal, unsolicited, promotional, or repetitive is considered spam.

Act with integrity: do not manipulate or exploit

Any attempt to use someone's insecurities or vulnerabilities for personal gain is considered manipulation or exploitation and is prohibited. We also don't allow content that exposes users to deceptive or harmful financial products and services. For the purposes of this policy, we consider financial products and services to be those related to the management or investment of money and cryptocurrencies, including personalized advice.

Be Kind

Bullying, harassment, exploitation, and acts of hate undermine community building in safe spaces where people can trust one another. SPEAK enforces against behaviors that are threatening, intentionally malicious, or personally harmful--physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Harassment and bullying are not allowed in SPEAK. SPEAK will honor requests to remove content from the SPEAK platform that publicly shames or degrades a private individual and will expel members that have such behavior during language groups and events.
We don't allow content that lacks reasonable sensitivity towards or capitalize on a natural disaster, atrocity, conflict, death, or other tragic events.
Sexual Content and Nudity
Pornography is not allowed on the SPEAK platform. Publicly shared photos and text must be appropriate for general audiences. Nude or sexual photos or texts are not allowed. SPEAK prohibits users who use SPEAK to propose for sex, or to promote or engage in prostitution.

Child Endangerment

SPEAK has a zero-tolerance policy regarding child pornography or anything that exploits minors. Content that sexualizes minors is subject to immediate removal from the Platform, including but not limited to content that promotes pedophilia or inappropriate interaction targeted at a minor (e.g. groping or caressing); and the uploader will be banned. If we become aware of content with child sexual abuse imagery, we will report it to the appropriate authorities.

Shocking, disturbing, and violent content

Content with excessive violence, blood, and gore; content that depicts or encourages harmful and dangerous activities is prohibited. We also don’t allow content that promotes negative body or self-image including content that depicts for entertainment purposes plastic surgery, weight loss, and other cosmetic adjustments to a person's physical appearance. In addition, using the SPEAK platform to promote, facilitate, or organize violent, criminal, or non-consensual actions that endanger anyone, others or one-self, physically, mentally or emotionally, is prohibited.

Respect Privacy: Don't Post Other People's Private Information

Posting other people's private information without their explicit consent is prohibited. Users should always be mindful of privacy and use discretion when sharing any private content that belongs to themselves or to other members. For example, phone numbers, social security numbers, addresses, financial information, passwords, and government identification are considered private information.

Real-Money Gambling, Games, and Contests

We don't allow content or services that facilitate online gambling, including, but not limited to, online casinos, sports betting and lotteries, and games of skill that offer prizes of cash or other real-world value.

Hate Speech and Supremacy

We don't allow content that promotes violence or incites hatred against individuals or groups based on beliefs, race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or any other characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization.

Dangerous Products

We don't allow content that intends to sell or provides instructions for the manufacture of explosives, firearms, ammunition, or certain firearms accessories.

Unapproved Substances and illegal activities

We don't allow content that intends to sell marijuana or marijuana products, tobacco (including e-cigarettes and vape pens), or alcohol, or encourages the illegal or inappropriate use of marijuana, alcohol, or tobacco. We don’t allow content that promotes any illegal activities.

Copyright and IP

We respect the intellectual property rights of others. Posting content that violates another party's intellectual property rights is prohibited.
In addition, we strongly encourage you to report any objectionable User-Generated Content or behavior according to SPEAK’s terms of use. You can either contact the team at info@speak.social or fill out this anonymous form.