shiba.town Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("these Terms") set out the conditions under which the shiba.town Operations Office ("the Operator") provides the social networking service "shiba.town" (the "Service"), a service for sharing posts and connecting from the perspective of Shiba Inu dogs. By using the Service, users ("Users") agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Application

1. These Terms apply to all relationships between Users and the Operator in connection with the use of the Service.
2. Any rules published on the Service by the Operator (including the Content Policy and Privacy Policy) form part of these Terms.

2. Definitions

• Service: the web service provided by the Operator under the name "shiba.town," for posting and interacting from the perspective of Shiba Inu dogs.
• Account: the user information tied to an email address that a User creates in order to use the Service.
• Shiba Profile: profile information a User registers to represent a real or imagined individual Shiba Inu, whether living ("Resident") or one that has passed away due to illness, old age, or other causes and is being remembered through a memorial profile ("Memorial Resident").
• Posted Content: any text, images, or other information a User posts on the Service.

3. Registration

1. Anyone wishing to use the Service must agree to these Terms and apply for registration in the manner specified by the Operator. Registration is complete once the Operator approves the application.
2. The Service is available only to individuals aged 18 or older. Use by anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted.
3. The Operator may decline a registration application, without any obligation to disclose the reason, where the applicant:
   • has provided false information;
   • has previously violated these Terms; or
   • is otherwise deemed unsuitable by the Operator.

4. Managing Account Information

1. Users are responsible for appropriately managing their own login credentials (email address, password, etc.).
2. Users may not, under any circumstances, transfer or lend their account information to a third party.
3. The Operator bears no responsibility for damages arising from inadequate management of account information, misuse, or use by a third party; such responsibility lies with the User.

5. Prohibited Conduct

When using the Service, Users must not engage in, or attempt, any of the following, or any conduct the Operator determines to fall within the following. Please also review the separate Content Policy for further detail.

1. Acts that violate applicable law or public order and morals
2. Acts related to criminal activity
3. Infringing the intellectual property rights, rights of publicity, privacy, or other rights of the Operator, other Users, or third parties
4. Defaming, harassing, or otherwise causing disadvantage or harm to other Users or third parties
5. Placing an excessive load on the Service's network or systems
6. Acts that may interfere with the operation of the Service
7. Unauthorized access, or attempts thereof
8. Collecting or accumulating personal information about other Users
9. Using the Service for improper purposes
10. Impersonating another User, a third party, or the Operator
11. Regarding AI-powered features provided by the Operator (such as the translation feature and the AI Shiba Writer feature): using them excessively beyond their intended purpose, or submitting improper input in order to place undue load on the system or to intentionally elicit inappropriate output
12. Providing benefits to, or otherwise engaging with, antisocial forces
13. Any other conduct the Operator deems inappropriate

6. Handling of Posted Content

1. Copyright and other rights in Posted Content belong to the User who posted it. The Operator does not acquire any rights in Posted Content.
2. Users grant the Operator a royalty-free license to reproduce, display, transmit, translate, and otherwise use Posted Content (including through AI-based translation and voice-conversion processing) to the extent necessary to provide, maintain, improve, and promote the Service.
3. Users warrant that they hold the legitimate right to post their Posted Content, and must not post third-party copyrighted works, likenesses, or similar material without the rights holder's permission.
4. Where the Operator determines that Posted Content violates these Terms or the Content Policy, the Operator may remove it without prior notice.

7. AI Features

1. The Service uses the Claude API provided by Anthropic, PBC ("Anthropic") to power its translation feature and its Shiba-voice conversion feature (AI Shiba Writer).
2. When a User uses either of these features, the text the User enters is transmitted to Anthropic for processing. See the separate Privacy Policy for further detail.
3. These features are used at the User's own discretion. The Operator does not warrant the accuracy or appropriateness of any generated text. Whether to post generated text remains the User's own decision and responsibility.
4. To prevent abuse, the Operator may impose usage limits on these features.

8. The Memorial Shiba Feature

The Service includes a "Memorial Shiba" feature for remembering Shiba Inu dogs that have passed away. Please respect the purpose of this feature. Disrespectful conduct, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior directed at memorial Shiba profiles or related posts is strictly prohibited. Where a violation is confirmed, the Operator may remove the relevant content and/or suspend the offending account.

9. Reporting, Blocking, and Restrictions on Use

1. Users may report to the Operator any Posted Content or account they believe violates these Terms or the Content Policy.
2. Users may, at their own discretion, block other Users, which mutually restricts the display of posts between the blocking User and the blocked User.
3. Where a User violates any provision of these Terms, the Operator may, without prior notice, remove Posted Content, suspend the User's account, or take any other action the Operator deems necessary.
4. The Operator bears no responsibility for any damage a User incurs as a result of measures taken under this Article.

10. Account Deletion and Data Handling

1. Users may delete their account (withdraw from the Service) at any time, following the procedure specified by the Operator.
2. Once the deletion procedure is complete, the User's account information, Shiba Profiles, Posted Content, and other related data are deleted immediately and completely. Deleted data cannot be restored, so please proceed with care.
3. Before deleting their account, Users may download (export) the data the Service holds about them. See the Privacy Policy for details.
4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, records the Operator needs to retain, such as reports filed by other Users, are not subject to this Article.

11. Suspension of the Service

1. The Operator may suspend or interrupt all or part of the Service without prior notice to Users where any of the following applies:
   • maintenance, inspection, or updates to the Service's systems are being performed;
   • providing the Service has become difficult due to force majeure such as earthquake, lightning, fire, power outage, or other natural disaster;
   • a computer or communication line has stopped due to an accident; or
   • the Operator otherwise determines that providing the Service has become difficult.
2. The Operator bears no responsibility for any disadvantage or damage incurred by a User or third party as a result of the suspension or interruption of the Service.
3. The Operator may change, add to, or discontinue the content of the Service without prior notice to Users where the Operator deems it appropriate, and Users agree to this.

12. Disclaimer

1. The Service is provided "as is." The Operator makes no express or implied warranty that the Service is free of defects (including defects relating to safety, reliability, accuracy, completeness, validity, fitness for a particular purpose, or security, as well as errors, bugs, or rights infringement).
2. Except in cases of the Operator's willful misconduct or gross negligence, the Operator bears no responsibility for any damage a User incurs in connection with the Service.
3. The Operator bears no responsibility for any transaction, communication, or dispute arising between a User and another User or a third party in connection with the Service.
4. The Service is developed and operated by an individual as a small-scale service, and does not warrant continuous availability, permanent data retention, or any other particular level of service quality.

13. Changes to These Terms

The Operator may amend these Terms at any time without notice to Users, where the Operator deems it necessary. The amended Terms take effect once posted on the Service.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

1. These Terms are governed by the laws of Japan.
2. Any dispute arising in connection with the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Kyoto District Court, Japan, as the court of first instance.

15. Contact

Please direct any inquiries regarding these Terms to the following contact:

• Contact email: info@shiba.town

Effective date: October 1, 2026