Terms and Conditions

1. Definitions

WowBuddies ("WowBuddies", "we", "us", or "our") operates an online platform accessible at www.wowbuddies.com (the "Platform") that facilitates paid one-on-one video conversation sessions between registered users ("Users") and verified independent providers ("Buddies"). WowBuddies is a conversational companionship platform — it is not a medical, therapeutic, legal, financial, or crisis service. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") form a legally binding agreement between you and WowBuddies. They apply to all visitors, registered Users, and registered Buddies. Where specific provisions apply only to Users or only to Buddies, this is stated explicitly. Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy and, where applicable, the Buddy Code of Conduct and Payment Policy, all of which are incorporated into these Terms by reference.

2. Definitions

In these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• "Platform" means the WowBuddies website, mobile application, and all related services operated at www.wowbuddies.com.
• "User" means any individual who registers on the Platform for the purpose of booking and attending sessions with a Buddy.
• "Buddy" means any individual who registers on the Platform as an independent contractor to provide paid companionship conversation sessions to Users.
• "Session" means a scheduled or instant one-on-one video conversation between a User and a Buddy conducted through the Platform.
• "Content" means any text, images, video, audio, or other material submitted to or displayed on the Platform.
• "Booking" means a confirmed reservation by a User for a Session with a specific Buddy at a scheduled time.
• "Payment Policy" means the WowBuddies Payment Policy governing session fees, Buddy earnings, commissions, and payouts, as updated from time to time.
• "Code of Conduct" means the WowBuddies Buddy Code of Conduct setting out the professional standards required of all Buddies, as updated from time to time.

3. Eligibility

To register and use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement.
• Not be prohibited from using the Platform under applicable law in your jurisdiction.
• Provide accurate, complete, and current registration information.

By registering, you represent and warrant that you meet all of the above eligibility requirements. WowBuddies reserves the right to verify your eligibility at any time and to suspend or terminate accounts where eligibility requirements are not met.

The WowBuddies Platform is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. If we become aware that an account has been created by or on behalf of a minor, we will take prompt steps to close that account.

4. Account Registration and Security

4.1 Registration

To access the full features of the Platform, you must register for an account. When registering, you agree to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information and to keep your account information current at all times. Providing false or misleading information is a breach of these Terms and may result in immediate account suspension.

4.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to:

• Choose a strong, unique password and not share it with any third party.
• Notify us immediately at [email protected] if you suspect any unauthorized access to or use of your account.
• Ensure that you log out of your account at the end of each session, particularly when using shared or public devices.

WowBuddies is not liable for any loss, damage, or harm resulting from your failure to comply with these security obligations. We reserve the right to disable any account or credentials where we reasonably believe a security breach has occurred.

4.3 Account Per Person

Each individual may only maintain one active account on the Platform. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent a suspension, ban, or other platform restriction is strictly prohibited and constitutes a serious breach of these Terms.

4.4 Buddy Profile Verification

Buddies are required to complete a profile verification process before being permitted to offer Sessions. This may include submission of identity documentation and completion of mandatory onboarding training. WowBuddies reserves the right to reject, suspend, or remove any Buddy profile that does not meet our verification standards or that contains inaccurate, misleading, or inappropriate content.

5. Nature of the Platform and Its Limitations

WowBuddies is a companionship conversation platform. It is not a healthcare, mental health, crisis intervention, legal, financial, or emergency service. Users and Buddies must understand and accept the following limitations:

• Buddies are not medical professionals, therapists, counselors, psychologists, financial advisors, or legal advisors, and must not represent themselves as such.
• Sessions are not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice.
• WowBuddies does not provide crisis support. If a User is experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, they should contact the relevant emergency services (such as 911 in the United States, 999 in the United Kingdom, or their local equivalent) immediately.
• Buddies are independent contractors, not employees or agents of WowBuddies. WowBuddies facilitates the connection between Users and Buddies but is not a party to the conversational relationship between them.

In recognition of User classified as vulnerable adults, we apply heightened standards of conduct to Buddies and heightened protections to Users throughout these Terms and our associated policies.

6. Sessions and Bookings

6.1 Booking a Session

Users may book Sessions with Buddies based on the availability set by each Buddy. Sessions are confirmed upon receipt of payment at the time of booking. All bookings are subject to our Payment Policy.

6.2 Session Conduct

All Sessions must take place exclusively within the WowBuddies Platform. By participating in a Session, both Users and Buddies agree to:

• Join the Session punctually at the scheduled time.
• Be present, attentive, and respectful throughout the Session.
• Communicate in a courteous, inclusive, and appropriate manner.
• Not record, screenshot, or capture any Session content in any form, by any means.
• Not share personal contact information or encourage communication outside the Platform.
• Not engage in any conduct that is abusive, discriminatory, sexually explicit, threatening, or otherwise harmful.
• Not solicit or offer professional advice (medical, legal, financial, or therapeutic) during a Session.

6.3 Instant Calls

Where a Buddy has enabled the live calls feature on their dashboard, Users may initiate an instant, unscheduled call with that Buddy when they are shown as available. Instant calls are subject to the same conduct standards as scheduled Sessions.

6.4 No-Shows and Late Attendance

If a User fails to attend a booked Session, the session fee will not be refunded except as may be required by applicable consumer protection law. If a Buddy fails to attend a confirmed Session without prior notification, the matter will be treated as a potential Code of Conduct violation and reviewed accordingly.

Buddies who accumulate a pattern of missed, late or canceled Sessions may be subject to suspension, reduced platform visibility, or removal from the Platform, as set out in the Code of Conduct.

6.5 Session Duration and Extension

Sessions are scheduled for the duration agreed at the time of booking. Calls must not be extended beyond the scheduled time unless the Platform explicitly allows for and facilitates such extension. Buddies must not pressure or encourage Users to extend Sessions beyond the scheduled duration. Users must also not pressure or encourage Buddies to extend Sessions beyond the scheduled duration.

6.6 Technical Issues

WowBuddies will make reasonable efforts to maintain a stable and reliable platform for all Sessions. However, we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation. If you experience a technical issue during a Session, please report it to [email protected]. We will review technical issues on a case-by-case basis and may, at our discretion, offer remedies such as session credits or rescheduling.

7. Payments, Fees, and Refunds

7.1 User Payments

Session fees are displayed in USD at the time of booking and reflect the hourly rate set by the individual Buddy plus a standard platform fee. All payments are processed securely through Stripe, our third-party payment processor. By completing a booking, you authorize WowBuddies to charge the applicable session fee to your nominated payment method.

A standard platform fee of $3.00 USD is charged on all bookings. Stripe processing fees on inbound User payments are absorbed by WowBuddies and are not passed on to Users.

7.2 Buddy Earnings and Commission

Buddies set their own hourly rate within the bounds permitted by WowBuddies. WowBuddies charges a standard commission of 25% on each completed Session. Payouts are processed on a biweekly schedule, subject to a minimum payout threshold of $10.00 USD. Full details of how Buddy earnings, commissions, payout methods, and payment holds are handled are set out in the Payment Policy.

7.3 Cancellations and Refunds

All session fees are non-refundable except as required by applicable consumer protection law in your jurisdiction. If you believe you are entitled to a refund under applicable law, please contact [email protected] within 7 days of the relevant session. We review all refund requests and will respond within 10 business days.

WowBuddies reserves the right to issue session credits or other remedies at its discretion in cases of verified platform technical failure.

7.4 Billing Accuracy

You agree to provide accurate and current billing information and to promptly update your payment method if it expires or changes. WowBuddies is not responsible for any failed payments resulting from inaccurate billing information provided by you.

7.5 Disputes

Payment disputes must be raised in the first instance with WowBuddies at [email protected]. We aim to resolve all payment disputes within 10 business days. During an active dispute, WowBuddies may place a hold on relevant Buddy earnings in accordance with the Payment Policy. Initiating a chargeback with your card issuer without first contacting WowBuddies may result in suspension of your account.

7.6 Taxes

Users are responsible for any applicable taxes on their purchases in accordance with the laws of their jurisdiction. Buddies, as independent contractors, are solely responsible for understanding and fulfilling their own tax obligations in their country of residence. WowBuddies does not withhold tax on Buddy earnings unless required to do so by applicable law.

8. User Content

8.1 Ownership and License

You retain ownership of any content you submit or display on the Platform, including profile information, images, and introduction videos ("User Content"). By submitting User Content to the Platform, you grant WowBuddies a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable license to use, host, reproduce, display, and distribute such content solely for the purposes of operating and promoting the Platform.

This license does not grant WowBuddies the right to sell your content to third parties or use it in ways unrelated to the Platform without your consent.

8.2 Content Standards

You represent and warrant that all User Content you submit:

• Is accurate, truthful, and not misleading.
• Does not infringe any third-party intellectual property, privacy, or other rights.
• Does not contain material that is defamatory, obscene, sexually explicit, discriminatory, threatening, or otherwise unlawful.
• Does not misrepresent your qualifications, credentials, or identity.
• Complies with all applicable laws and these Terms.

WowBuddies reserves the right to remove or modify any User Content that violates these standards, without prior notice.

9. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is strictly prohibited for all Users and Buddies and may result in immediate suspension or permanent removal from the Platform, forfeiture of earnings, and where applicable, referral to law enforcement:

9.1 Financial Exploitation and Fraud

• Soliciting, accepting, or offering money, gifts, tips, donations, loans, or financial favors from or to any User or Buddy outside the Platform's authorized payment system.
• Requesting, collecting, or storing a User's financial information, including bank details, credit card numbers, PINs, or passwords.
• Attempting to influence a User's financial decisions, estate planning, will, or beneficiary designations.
• Promoting investments, charitable causes, fundraising initiatives, or any financial product or opportunity during or in connection with a Session.
• Engaging in deception, impersonation, or fraud in any form.

WowBuddies is acutely aware that its User base may include elderly individuals who may be particularly vulnerable to financial exploitation. Any Buddy found to have engaged in any form of financial exploitation of a User will be immediately and permanently removed from the Platform, will forfeit all pending earnings, and the matter will be referred to the relevant authorities if applicable.

9.2 Sexual and Romantic Misconduct

• Initiating, encouraging, or engaging in romantic, flirtatious, or sexually explicit conversation or conduct during any Session.
• Sending or requesting sexually explicit material of any kind through or in connection with the Platform.

9.3 Abuse, Harassment, and Discrimination

• Using abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or offensive language toward any other User, Buddy, or WowBuddies team member.
• Engaging in any form of harassment, bullying, intimidation, or stalking.
• Dismissing, mocking, or belittling a User's personal beliefs, cultural identity, or lived experiences.

9.4 Off-Platform Contact and Circumvention

• Sharing personal contact details — including phone numbers, email addresses, or social media handles — with a User or Buddy for the purpose of continuing a relationship outside the Platform.
• Attempting to establish, continue, or deepen a relationship with a User or Buddy outside the Platform.
• Promoting or advertising external products, services, or personal ventures during or in connection with a Session.
• Attempting to circumvent the Platform's booking or payment systems.

9.5 Privacy and Recording Violations

• Recording, screenshotting, or capturing any Session content by any means, without express written authorization from WowBuddies.
• Sharing, publishing, or distributing information about a User or Buddy outside the Platform.
• Discussing or referencing Users or Buddies on social media or external platforms.

9.6 Misrepresentation and Unlawful Conduct

• Misrepresenting your identity, qualifications, professional status, or affiliations.
• Providing medical, therapeutic, legal, or financial advice or representing yourself as qualified to do so.
• Using the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable law or regulation.

10. Safety Obligations and Vulnerable User Protections

The safety and well-being of all Platform participants is a paramount concern for WowBuddies.

10.1 Buddy Safety Obligations

Buddies must immediately report to WowBuddies through the Platform's designated reporting mechanism if a User discloses or expresses:

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
• Intentions or threats to harm others.
• Situations involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Buddies must not attempt to independently manage, resolve, or respond to safety emergencies. Buddies must not promise confidentiality in any situation involving a safety disclosure. Where an immediate risk to life is identified, Buddies should encourage the User to contact emergency services and should end the Session and report the matter to WowBuddies without delay.

10.2 Ending a Session for Safety Reasons

Any participant — User or Buddy — has the right to end a Session immediately if they feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or if conduct during the Session crosses the boundaries set out in these Terms or the Code of Conduct. No justification or explanation is required. Any such incident must be reported through the Platform.

10.3 Emotional Dependency

Buddies must not position themselves as someone a User "needs" or encourage a User's reliance on their relationship beyond healthy companionship. Buddies must not discourage Users from maintaining relationships with family, carers, friends, or other support networks. Healthy companionship respects independence and balance.

10.4 Reporting

All participants are encouraged to report conduct they believe violates these Terms or the Code of Conduct through the Platform's reporting tools. Reports are reviewed confidantially by the WowBuddies team. WowBuddies will not penalize any participant for making a good-faith report of a genuine concern. False or malicious reports constitute a breach of these Terms.

11. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, WowBuddies and its licensors own all intellectual property rights in the Platform and its content, including but not limited to the WowBuddies name and logo, website design, software, text, graphics, and other materials ("Platform Content"). All rights are reserved.

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, WowBuddies grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes. You agree not to:

• Reproduce, copy, distribute, or commercially exploit any Platform Content without our prior written consent.
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code of any Platform software.
• Use the WowBuddies name, logo, or branding in any way that implies endorsement or affiliation without our prior written consent.
• Use automated tools, bots, or scrapers to access or extract data from the Platform without our prior written consent.

12. Privacy

Your use of the Platform is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. The Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your personal data, and what rights you have in relation to it. By using the Platform, you consent to the data practices described in our Privacy Policy.

All Buddies are additionally bound by strict confidentiality obligations in respect of User information encountered during Sessions, as set out in the Privacy Policy and the Code of Conduct. Breach of these obligations may result in immediate removal from the Platform and referral to relevant authorities.

13. Suspension and Termination

13.1 Termination by You

You may close your account at any time by contacting [email protected]. Upon account closure, any confirmed upcoming bookings will be canceled, and any outstanding Buddy earnings will be processed in the ordinary course of the next payout cycle, subject to any active disputes or holds.

13.2 Suspension or Termination by WowBuddies

WowBuddies reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate your account at any time, with or without prior notice, in any of the following circumstances:

• You have breached any provision of these Terms, the Code of Conduct, the Payment Policy, or any other platform policy.
• You have engaged in conduct that is harmful to a User, Buddy, or the Platform community.
• Your account shows signs of fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful activity.
• A regulatory authority or law enforcement agency has directed us to take action in relation to your account.

Violations will be assessed according to their nature and severity. The Code of Conduct sets out categories of minor, serious, and critical violations and the associated penalties. In cases involving safety of a User or serious misconduct, WowBuddies may take immediate action without prior notice.

13.3 Consequences of Termination

Upon termination of your account:

• Your right to access and use the Platform ceases immediately.
• In the case of a Buddy, earnings forfeiture may apply as set out in the Code of Conduct and Payment Policy.
• Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination — including intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution — will continue to apply.

14. Disclaimers

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the WowBuddies Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

WowBuddies does not warrant that:

• The Platform will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free.
• Any defects or errors will be corrected.
• The Platform or the servers that make it available are free of viruses or other harmful components.
• Any Buddy profile information, including stated interests and background, is accurate or complete.

WowBuddies is not responsible for the conduct, content, or actions of any User or Buddy during or outside of a Session. Buddies are independent contractors and WowBuddies does not supervise or control the content of individual Sessions beyond the standards set out in these Terms and the Code of Conduct.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, WowBuddies and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and licensors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of data, loss of goodwill, or business interruption, arising out of or in connection with:

• Your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the Platform.
• Any conduct or content of any User or Buddy on the Platform.
• Any Session, whether or not completed.
• Unauthorized access to or use of our servers or any personal information stored therein.
• Any technical errors, interruptions, or failures of the Platform.

Where liability cannot be excluded by law, our total liability to you in respect of any claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms or the Platform shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total amount paid by you for the Session giving rise to the claim in the preceding 12 months, or (b) USD $100.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by applicable law.

16. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless WowBuddies and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, contractors, and licensors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• Your access to or use of the Platform.
• Your violation of any provision of these Terms.
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation.
• Any User Content you submit to the Platform.
• Any dispute between you and another User or Buddy.

WowBuddies reserves the right to assume exclusive control of the defence of any claim for which you are obligated to indemnify us, and you agree to cooperate fully with our defence of that claim.

17. Changes to These Terms

WowBuddies reserves the right to update or amend these Terms at any time to reflect changes in our platform, applicable law, or business practices. Where changes are material, we will notify you by email and/or by a prominent notice on the Platform at least 14 days before the changes take effect. The updated Terms will display the revised effective date.

Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any updated Terms constitutes your acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree with any changes, you should cease using the Platform and may request closure of your account.

18. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which WowBuddies is incorporated, without regard to conflict of law principles.

In the event of a dispute, we encourage you to contact us first at [email protected] so that we can attempt to resolve the matter informally. We will make reasonable efforts to resolve disputes within 14 days of receiving written notice.

Nothing in this clause prevents either party from seeking emergency or interim injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction where necessary to protect their rights or interests.

Note for Users in specific jurisdictions: If you are located in a jurisdiction with mandatory consumer protection or dispute resolution laws that provide rights in addition to or different from those described here — including any right to bring a claim in your local courts or before a local regulatory authority — those rights are not affected by these Terms. WowBuddies will comply with all applicable mandatory consumer protection requirements.

19. General Provisions

19.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, the Payment Policy, and the Buddy Code of Conduct (where applicable), constitute the entire agreement between you and WowBuddies in relation to your use of the Platform and supersede all prior or contemporaneous understandings.

19.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

19.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of WowBuddies.

19.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. WowBuddies may assign or transfer its rights and obligations under these Terms without restriction, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

19.5 Force Majeure

WowBuddies shall not be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, or telecommunications infrastructure failures.

20. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding these Terms or your use of the Platform, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wowbuddies.com

We aim to respond to all formal inquiries within 5 business days.