Effective Date: June 19, 2025

 

Welcome to Open Shadows (https://www.openshadows.org) (the “Site”). By accessing or using this Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Site.

 

1. Use of the Site

Open Shadows provides research, tools, multimedia, journalism, and content for public education, advocacy, and engagement. You may use the Site only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.

 

You agree not to:

• Use the Site or any content therein in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations.

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion or feature of the Site.

• Use the Site to transmit spam, malware, or other harmful code.

 

2. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of Open Shadows or its content providers and is protected by intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or publicly display any part of the Site without prior written consent, unless otherwise stated (e.g., where Creative Commons licenses apply).

 

3. User Submissions

If you submit information, feedback, or content to Open Shadows, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, and modify such content for the purpose of operating and promoting our mission.

 

4. Third-Party Links and Tools

The Site may contain links to third-party websites or tools. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of any third parties and encourage you to review their terms and policies before engaging.

 

5. Privacy

Your use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your data.

 

6. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and its content are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee that the Site will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that any defects will be corrected.

 

7. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Open Shadows and its affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of your use or inability to use the Site or its content.

 

8. Changes to the Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the Site after such changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

 

9. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

 

10. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at contact@openshadow.org.