Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using ShutterCoach ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.

These Terms apply to:

• All users of the ShutterCoach iOS app
• All users of the ShutterCoach Chrome extension
• All features, including free and paid access levels
• Any updates, patches, or new versions of the Service
• Our website and related services

We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

2. Description of Service

ShutterCoach provides:

• AI-powered photo critiques: Analysis of your photographs across composition, lighting, exposure, color, storytelling, and technical quality
• Educational feedback: Personalized suggestions to help improve your photography skills
• Progress tracking: Streak tracking, achievements, and skill progression
• Follow-up chat: Interactive conversation about your photos and feedback

AI Disclaimer

All feedback is generated by artificial intelligence (AI) systems via OpenRouter. While we strive for accuracy and helpfulness, AI-generated critiques are educational in nature and should not be considered professional photography advice. The AI may occasionally make mistakes or provide suggestions that don't align with your artistic vision. Always use your own judgment.

3. User Accounts and Eligibility

Accounts

ShutterCoach offers account creation (via Clerk) on both the iOS app and Chrome extension. Accounts enable cross-device sync of your critiques, streaks, DNA profile, and progress data. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials.

Age Requirements

• You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service
• Users under 18 should have parental permission
• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13

Device Responsibility

You are responsible for all activity on your device related to the Service. Keep your device secure and don't share access with others if you have purchased lifetime access.

4. Purchases and Payments

Free Access

iOS App: ShutterCoach offers a 5-day free trial with full access to every feature. The trial begins when you first install the app. After the trial, paid features are no longer available unless you purchase lifetime access.

Chrome Extension: The Chrome extension offers a permanent free tier with daily usage limits. There is no time-based trial for the extension. Purchasing lifetime access removes all limits.

Lifetime Purchase

ShutterCoach offers a one-time purchase of $9.99 USD that unlocks all features permanently. This is not a subscription — there are no recurring charges, and your purchase is valid forever.

• iOS App: Processed through the Apple App Store as a non-consumable in-app purchase.
• Chrome Extension: Processed through Stripe as a one-time payment.

Your purchase is tied to your ShutterCoach account, so access carries across devices when you sign in.

Refunds

iOS: All refunds are handled by Apple according to their refund policy. To request a refund, visit reportaproblem.apple.com.

Chrome Extension: For refund requests, email support@shuttercoach.app.

5. Acceptable Use Policy

You agree NOT to submit photos that contain:

• Child exploitation or abuse material (CSAM) — strictly prohibited
• Non-consensual intimate images
• Illegal content or evidence of illegal activities
• Violent, graphic, or disturbing content
• Hate speech or discriminatory content
• Spam or commercial advertising
• Malware, viruses, or malicious code
• Content that infringes on others' intellectual property rights

Violation of this policy may result in immediate termination of your access without refund. We may report illegal activity to law enforcement.

6. Intellectual Property

Your Content

You retain all rights to your photos. By using the Service, you grant us a limited, non-exclusive license to process your photos solely for the purpose of providing AI-generated feedback. This license terminates when processing is complete (photos are deleted from our servers immediately after analysis).

Our Content

ShutterCoach, including the Service, branding, and AI-generated content, is owned by ShutterCoach. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute the Service
• Reverse engineer or decompile the Service
• Use our trademarks without permission
• Claim AI-generated feedback as your professional advice to others

AI-Generated Feedback

The AI-generated critiques are provided for your personal educational use. You may share feedback about your own photos, but you may not commercially redistribute bulk feedback or create derivative products from our AI output.

7. Privacy and Data

Your privacy is important to us. Key points:

• Photos are not stored on our servers after processing
• Critique history, streaks, and progress data are synced to our servers when you are signed in, enabling cross-device access
• GPS location data is stripped before processing
• We collect minimal, anonymous analytics
• You can delete your account and all server-side data at any time

For complete details, please review our Privacy Policy.

8. Disclaimers and Limitations

Service "As Is"

ShutterCoach is provided "as is" and "as available" 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.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ShutterCoach shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
• Loss of data, profits, or business opportunities
• Damages exceeding the amount you paid for the Service in the past 12 months
• Any issues arising from third-party services (OpenRouter, Apple, etc.)

Photography Disclaimer

ShutterCoach is not responsible for:

• Photography results or improvements based on AI feedback
• Professional outcomes or commercial success
• Damage to equipment or photos taken based on App suggestions
• Any negative consequences from following AI-generated advice

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless ShutterCoach, its affiliates, and partners from any claims, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights (copyright, privacy, etc.)
• Photos you submit that infringe on others' rights

10. Termination

Termination by You

You may stop using the Service at any time by:

• Deleting the app from your device or removing the Chrome extension
• Deleting your local data through the app or extension settings
• Deleting your account via Settings → Account → Delete Account (removes all server-side data)

Termination by Us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Service:

• If you violate these Terms or our Acceptable Use Policy
• If we detect fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
• If required by law or legal process
• If we discontinue the Service (with reasonable notice)

Termination for cause (violations) will result in immediate loss of access without refund. We will provide notice where legally required.

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service immediately ceases
• Your purchase will not be refunded (subject to Apple's or Stripe's refund policies, as applicable)
• You may delete local data through the app or extension settings before uninstalling
• We have no obligation to retain or provide your local data

11. Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect:

• Changes to our services or features
• Legal or regulatory requirements
• Security or operational improvements

Notice of Changes

When we update these Terms:

• We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
• We will notify you through the Service if changes are material
• Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance

If you do not agree to updated Terms, you should stop using the Service.

12. Governing Law and Disputes

Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Dispute Resolution

Before filing a legal claim, you agree to attempt to resolve disputes informally by contacting us at support@shuttercoach.app. We will work in good faith to resolve disputes within 60 days.

Arbitration Agreement

If informal resolution fails, any disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration rather than in court, except:

• Small claims court disputes (up to jurisdictional limit)
• Intellectual property disputes
• Claims for injunctive relief

Arbitration will be conducted by JAMS under their rules. You and ShutterCoach each waive the right to a jury trial and to participate in class actions.

Jurisdiction

For disputes not subject to arbitration, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in San Francisco County, California.

13. Platform-Specific Terms

Apple App Store (iOS)

If you access ShutterCoach through the Apple App Store, you acknowledge that:

• These Terms are between you and ShutterCoach (not Apple)
• Apple has no obligation to provide support or maintenance
• Apple is not responsible for the Service or its content
• Apple is not liable for any claims related to the Service
• You will comply with all applicable third-party terms (e.g., wireless data agreements)
• Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms

In the event of any failure to conform to warranties, you may notify Apple for a refund. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Apple has no other warranty obligation.

Chrome Web Store (Chrome Extension)

If you access ShutterCoach through the Chrome Web Store, you acknowledge that:

• These Terms are between you and ShutterCoach (not Google)
• Google has no obligation to provide support or maintenance for the extension
• You will comply with Google's Chrome Web Store Terms of Service
• Payments for the Chrome extension are processed by Stripe, not Google

14. General Provisions

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ShutterCoach regarding the Service.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or our right to enforce it later.

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction (e.g., in connection with a merger or acquisition).

Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, strikes, network outages, or acts of government.

15. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms or need support:

• Email: support@shuttercoach.app
• Response time: We aim to respond within 48 hours

For legal notices or disputes, include "Legal Notice" in your email subject line.