Terms of Service

Last updated: May 6, 2025

1 – Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Hamvatan.org (the "Service") you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

2 – Accounts & Registration

  • Registration is restricted to individuals 18 years or older.
  • Users authenticate with a Firebase‑verified phone number and a confirmed email address; together these act as your unique account credentials.
  • You must maintain accurate account information and safeguard access to your phone/SMS codes and email.

3 – Business Listings

  • Listings are free for all legitimate businesses serving the Persian community in Toronto.
  • Paid Featured Placement places a listing above organic results.
  • Organic listings are sorted by total "likes" cast by other phone‑verified users.

4 – Editing & Removal

You may edit or delete your own listing after logging in. Deleted listings are soft‑deleted for 90 days, after which they are permanently purged (backups cycle out by 180 days).

5 – Disclaimer of Verification

While we verify each registrant's phone number at sign‑up, Hamvatan does not independently confirm the ongoing accuracy or legality of any listing. We are not responsible for subsequent changes to a business's website, services, or pricing. Please report incorrect or harmful content for prompt review.

6 – Content Licence

By submitting any text, images, logos, or other content ("User Content") you grant Hamvatan a world‑wide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free, sublicensable licence to host, display, reproduce, distribute and promote that User Content for the operation and marketing of the Service. You warrant that you have the rights necessary to grant this licence.

7 – Fees, Billing & Refunds (Featured Placement)

  • Fees are charged in advance, are non‑refundable, and exclusive of taxes.
  • Prices may change; we will give 30 days' notice via site banner or email before new prices apply.
  • Failure to pay may result in suspension or removal of the Featured Placement.

8 – User Conduct & Moderation

Content must comply with Canadian law and Persian‑cultural standards of respect. We review listings before publication and may remove content at our discretion if it is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, hateful, or otherwise harmful.

9 – Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hamvatan Media Corp. and its directors, officers, and employees from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your Listing or User Content; (b) your misuse of the Service; or (c) your breach of these Terms.

10 – Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Hamvatan's total liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the Service shall not exceed CAD $100 or the total amounts you paid us for Featured Placement in the 12 months preceding the claim, whichever is greater. Hamvatan shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.

11 – Data Sharing & Legal Requests

We do not share user data with third parties except:

  1. Service Providers (Firebase authentication, Google Analytics) acting on our instructions;
  2. Legal Authorities upon receipt of a valid subpoena, court order, or other lawful request.

12 – Cookies & Analytics

The Service uses Google Analytics and session, preference, and security cookies. Disabling cookies may impair functionality.

13 – Dispute Resolution (Ontario Arbitration Act)

Hamvatan may, at its sole discretion, require that any dispute be resolved either:

  • by binding arbitration under the Arbitration Act, 1991 (Ontario) and the rules of the ADR Institute of Canada (Ontario Chapter); or
  • before the courts of Ontario, Canada.

Each party irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the forum selected by Hamvatan.

14 – Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be posted on Hamvatan.org and may also be emailed. Continued use after posting constitutes acceptance.

15 – Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada.

16 – Contact

Email: hamvatan.toronto@gmail.com
Phone: +1 (647) 869‑0098