Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using FocusPal (the "Service"), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service. These Terms and Conditions are operated by Pacific Cedar Studios ("Company," "we," "our," or "us").

2. Description of Service

FocusPal is an AI-powered focus application that helps users manage their digital habits through intelligent app blocking, negotiation features, and productivity analytics. The Service uses artificial intelligence to provide personalized focus assistance and may include premium features available through subscription.

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To use certain features of the Service, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information to keep it accurate, current, and complete.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account.

3.3 Age Requirement

You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. If you are between 13 and 18 years old, you represent that you have your parent's or guardian's permission to use the Service.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree not to use the Service to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe upon the rights of others
• Transmit harmful, offensive, or inappropriate content
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
• Use the Service for any commercial purpose without permission
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the application
• Create derivative works based on the Service
• Use automated scripts or bots to access the Service

5. AI and Content Disclaimer

5.1 AI Responses and Limitations

FocusPal uses artificial intelligence to provide responses, recommendations, and automated decision-making. While we strive for accuracy, AI responses may not always be perfect, appropriate, or applicable to your specific situation. You acknowledge and agree that:

• AI systems may produce inaccurate, incomplete, or biased outputs
• AI-generated content may reflect limitations in training data
• You should not rely solely on AI recommendations for important decisions
• AI decisions may be inconsistent or unpredictable
• We cannot guarantee the reliability or suitability of AI outputs for any particular purpose

5.2 No Professional Advice

The Service does not provide medical, psychological, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Any information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not replace consultation with qualified professionals.

5.3 AI Training and Algorithmic Bias

Our AI systems are trained on data that may contain biases, errors, or limitations. We cannot guarantee that AI outputs will be free from bias or that they will be appropriate for all users or situations. You understand that algorithmic decision-making systems may have inherent limitations and biases.

5.4 User Responsibility

You are solely responsible for evaluating the accuracy, reliability, and appropriateness of any AI-generated content or recommendations before acting upon them. Pacific Cedar Studios disclaims all liability for any decisions made based on AI outputs.

6. Subscription and Payment Terms

6.1 Free and Premium Features

The Service may offer both free and premium features. Premium features require a paid subscription and are subject to the pricing and billing terms displayed in the application.

6.2 Billing and Cancellation

• Subscriptions are automatically renewed unless cancelled
• You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings
• Refunds are subject to our refund policy and applicable law
• Price changes will be communicated with advance notice

6.3 Payment Processing

Payments are processed by third-party payment processors. You agree to their terms and conditions regarding payment processing.

7. Intellectual Property Rights

7.1 Our Rights

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Pacific Cedar Studios and are protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

7.2 Your Content

You retain ownership of content you submit to the Service. By submitting content, you grant us a license to use, modify, and display such content in connection with the Service.

7.3 Feedback

Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide may be used by us without restriction or compensation to you.

8. Privacy and Data

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use the Service. By using the Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

9. Service Availability and Modifications

9.1 Availability

We strive to provide consistent service availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Service may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance, updates, or technical issues.

9.2 Modifications

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service or any part thereof at any time with or without notice. We may also modify these Terms at any time by posting updated Terms.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

10.1 Service "As Is"

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

10.2 Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Pacific Cedar Studios be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including without limitation, loss of profits, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses, regardless of whether arising from:

• AI-generated content, recommendations, or decisions
• Errors, biases, or limitations in AI algorithms
• Reliance on automated decision-making systems
• Any other aspect of the Service

10.3 Maximum Liability

Our total liability to you for all claims arising from or relating to the Service shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the twelve months preceding the claim.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Pacific Cedar Studios and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses arising out of or in any way connected with your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

12. Termination

12.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us or through the account settings in the application.

12.2 Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice, if you breach these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion.

12.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately. All provisions that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, and limitations of liability.

13. Device Permissions and System Access

13.1 Required Permissions

FocusPal requires certain device permissions to function properly, including but not limited to:

• Application monitoring and blocking capabilities
• Notification access for focus session alerts and app reminders

13.2 Consent to Access

By installing and using FocusPal, you explicitly consent to granting these permissions. You may revoke these permissions at any time, but doing so may limit or disable core functionality of the Service.

13.3 Data Collection from System Access

We collect device usage data, app activity patterns, and system interactions solely for the purpose of providing focus management services. This data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws.

14. Data Storage and Cross-Border Transfer

14.1 Data Storage Location

While Pacific Cedar Studios is based in Canada, user data collected through the Service is stored and processed on servers located in the United States. By using the Service, you consent to the transfer, storage, and processing of your data in the United States.

14.2 Cross-Border Data Protection

We implement appropriate safeguards to protect your personal information during cross-border transfers, including:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Compliance with applicable Canadian and US privacy laws
• Contractual protections with third-party service providers
• Regular security assessments and audits

14.3 Your Rights

You retain rights under Canadian privacy laws, including PIPEDA, regardless of where your data is stored. You may request access, correction, or deletion of your personal information as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

15. AI Risks and Limitations

15.1 Inherent AI Risks

You acknowledge and accept the following inherent risks associated with AI technology:

• Unpredictability: AI systems may behave in unexpected ways or produce outputs that are difficult to predict or explain
• Hallucinations: AI may generate false, misleading, or fabricated information that appears credible
• Context Misunderstanding: AI may misinterpret context, nuance, or intent in user interactions
• Bias and Discrimination: AI systems may exhibit biases present in training data or algorithms
• Security Vulnerabilities: AI systems may be subject to adversarial attacks or prompt injection
• Data Dependencies: AI performance is limited by the quality and scope of training data

15.2 No Warranties for AI Components

We provide no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, reliability, or performance of AI-powered features. You use AI features entirely at your own risk.

16. AI Decision-Making and Transparency

16.1 AI-Powered Features

FocusPal uses artificial intelligence to make decisions about app blocking, focus session management, and negotiation responses. Our AI systems analyze your context, and requests to provide personalized focus assistance.

16.2 Decision Transparency

You have the right to understand how AI decisions affecting your access to apps and services are made. The AI considers factors such as:

• Your stated focus goals and session parameters
• Historical usage patterns and productivity metrics
• The context and reasoning provided in negotiation requests
• Time-based restrictions and reward earning progress

17. Minors and Parental Guidance

17.1 Age Requirements

Users must be at least 13 years old to create an account. Users between 13-17 should have parental permission before using the Service.

17.2 Parental Guidance Recommended

We encourage parents to review and discuss the Service with their teens to ensure appropriate use of AI chat features and focus management tools.

18. Export Controls and Technology Compliance

18.1 Export Control Compliance

FocusPal operates across Canada and the United States and complies with all applicable export control laws and regulations, including the Canadian Export and Import Controls Act and US Export Administration Regulations.

18.2 Technology Transfer

Our AI technology and algorithms are subject to export control restrictions. You agree not to:

• Export, re-export, or transfer the technology to prohibited countries or entities
• Provide access to the Service to individuals on government watch lists
• Use the Service in violation of any applicable sanctions or trade restrictions

18.3 User Representations

By using the Service, you represent that you are not located in, or a resident or national of, any country subject to comprehensive sanctions, and that you are not on any government watch list or prohibited party list.

19. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

19.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Canada and British Columbia, where Pacific Cedar Studios is incorporated. For users located in the United States, certain provisions may be subject to applicable US federal and state laws.

19.2 Jurisdiction

The courts of Canada shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising from these Terms, except where prohibited by law. US users may pursue disputes in accordance with their local jurisdiction where mandatory under applicable law.

19.3 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration where permitted by law. Users in jurisdictions where class action waivers are prohibited retain their right to participate in class action lawsuits.

20. Changes and Amendments

20.1 Right to Modify

We reserve the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time at our sole discretion. We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of material changes through the Service, email notifications, or by posting an updated version with a new "Last updated" date.

20.2 Effective Date of Changes

Changes to these Terms will become effective immediately upon posting the updated Terms on our website, unless we specify a different effective date. Your continued use of the Service after changes become effective constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

20.3 Notification Methods

We may notify you of significant changes through:

• In-app notifications or messages
• Email to your registered account email address
• Prominent notices on our website or within the Service

20.4 Your Options

If you do not agree with any changes to these Terms, you may terminate your account and discontinue use of the Service. Your continued use after the effective date of any changes means you accept and agree to the updated Terms.

21. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms will otherwise remain in full force and effect and enforceable.

22. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

By using FocusPal, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.