Hopout Terms of Use
Last Updated: April 24, 2025
Acceptance of Terms
By creating a hop.out (“Hopout”) account or otherwise accessing or using the Hopout mobile application (the “App”) and services (collectively, the “Service”), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms of Use” or “Terms”). If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not use Hopout. These Terms constitute a binding legal agreement between you and Hopout (the “Company,” “we,” or “us”). We may also offer a Privacy Policy (available in-app and on our website) that governs how we collect and use your information; by accepting these Terms, you acknowledge and agree to the Privacy Policy as well.
No Affiliation with Plymouth State University
Hopout is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Plymouth State University or any other college or university. Any university names or email domains (including “plymouth.edu”) are used solely to designate the intended user community (verified students) and for eligibility verification. The University is not responsible for the content or activities on Hopout. Likewise, Hopout does not represent itself as an official university service. All views, opinions, and content expressed within the App are solely those of the individual users and not of Plymouth State University.
Eligibility and Account Registration
Eligibility Requirements: The Service is intended for use by verified college students age 18 and older. By registering an account, you represent that you are at least 18 years old and have a university email address currently accepted by the app, namely Plymouth State University (or another approved educational institution) with a valid .edu email address. Each individual is allowed only one Hopout account, and you may not create an account for anyone other than yourself. Accounts are non-transferable.
Account Verification: You must sign up with a valid .eduemail and complete any verification steps (such as email confirmation) required by Hopout to confirm your student status. We reserve the right to reject, reclaim, or require changes to usernames or profiles that violate these Terms or if we cannot verify your eligibility.
Accurate Information: You agree to provide truthful, current, and complete information during registration and at all other times when using the Service. Impersonation is prohibited – you may not impersonate any person or organization or misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person or entity.
Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account login credentials. You must not share your password or let others access your account. You agree to notify us immediately at team@hopout.app of any unauthorized access or use of your account. Hopout will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to safeguard your account.
Third-Party Login Notice: Hopout uses email and password authentication only. We do not support “Sign in with Apple,” Google sign-in, Facebook login, or any other third-party authentication providers.
Account Deletion:
Users have full control over their account and may delete it at any time through the “…” menu on their profile screen. Account deletion is permanent and will remove all associated user data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
User Conduct and Community Guidelines
Hopout is a platform for social events and messaging in a college community. We are committed to keeping this community safe, respectful, and lawful. By using Hopout, you agree to the following conduct guidelines and acknowledge our zero-tolerance policy for objectionable content:
· Reporting Violations:
If you believe another user is violating these Terms or misrepresenting their identity, age, or student status, you may report them directly within the app or by contacting us at team@hopout.app. We take user reports seriously and will review all submissions promptly in accordance with our moderation policy.
Community Safety: We encourage positive and respectful interactions. If you are unsure whether something is appropriate, it probably isn’t. Remember that other users may have different backgrounds and sensitivities—always communicate and behave in a respectful manner. Any violation of these conduct rules may result in immediate removal of content, suspension or termination of your account, and/or reporting to appropriate authorities. Hopout has the right to take action without prior noticefor serious violations, especially regarding hate speech, harassment, or threats.
Monitoring, Moderation, and Enforcement
No Pre-Screening: Hopout is a user-driven community. While we use automated filters to detect certain offensive or restricted content when a user creates a plan, we do not pre-screen all User Content before it is posted. However, we reserve the right (but not the obligation)to monitor or review any content on the Service at any time. We may employ automated filters and/or manual moderation to detect violative content, but you should not assume that all inappropriate content will be caught or removed immediately. You understand that you might be exposed to content from other users that is inaccurate, objectionable, or violates our Terms, and you agree that your use of Hopout is at your own risk.
Our Rights to Remove Content: Hopout may remove, edit, or restrict access to any User Content for any reason, at our sole discretion. This includes content that we determine violates these Terms, is flagged by users as inappropriate, or is otherwise objectionable or unlawful. We are not required to provide you notice before removing content, but we may do so in some cases. We also reserve the right to disable or ban any user account that violates these Terms or engages in behavior that we deem harmful to the community, with or without prior warning. In accordance with our no-tolerance policy for serious violations (like hate speech or threats), such infractions can result in immediate account termination.
User Blocking: The Service provides features that allow you to block or mute other users. You are encouraged to use these features to manage your own experience (for example, to prevent an abusive user from contacting you). Blocked users may not be able to view your profile or interact with you as per app functionality. Do not attempt to circumvent blocking or other safety features; doing so is a violation of these Terms.
Our Actions on Violations: We may take a range of actions if you violate these Terms or engage in objectionable conduct, including: issuing warnings, removing content, temporary suspension of account privileges, or permanent account termination (“ejecting” the user from the Service). In severe cases or when required by law, we may report violative content or behavior to law enforcement or appropriate authorities. Hopout will endeavor to act promptly on reports of objectionable content or abuse – our team reviews user reports and content flags as quickly as practicable (within 24 hours of violations) and will remove content or ban users who violate these standards.
Reporting Abuse and Violations
Maintaining a safe community is a shared responsibility. If you see something, say something.
If you encounter any content or user behavior that you believe violates these Terms or is otherwise inappropriate or unsafe, you can report it in the following ways:
· In-App Reporting: Users can report inappropriate content or users directly in the app by tapping the “…” (more options) button on a user’s profile or a plan. This opens a reporting modal where users can describe the issue in detail. These reports are sent to the Hopout moderation team and are reviewed within 24 hours.
· Email Us: If an in-app option is unavailable or if the issue is urgent, users can also report abuse by emailing team@hopout.app. Please include as much detail as possible — such as usernames, screenshots, timestamps, and a description of the violation.
Hopout takes all reports seriously. Upon receiving a report, our team will evaluate the content or conduct against these Terms. If we find a violation, we will take swift and appropriate action, which may include removing content, warning the user, or permanently terminating the account. For privacy and safety reasons, we may not always disclose the specific outcome of a report, but rest assured that we actively monitor flagged content and moderate accordingly.
If a situation involves immediate danger or illegal activity (e.g., threats of violence or self-harm), please first contact local law enforcement, then notify us so we can take appropriate action on the platform.
App Store Compliance – User-Generated Content (UGC) Safeguards
To explicitly demonstrate compliance with Apple’s App Store Review Guideline 1.2, the following section affirms and expands upon our existing clauses: “User Conduct and Community Guidelines,” “Monitoring, Moderation, and Enforcement,” and “Reporting Abuse and Violations.” Hopout includes specific safeguards for user-generated content (UGC) that are actively enforced across the platform to maintain a safe, respectful, and lawful college community environment.
All users must accept Hopout’s Terms of Use during account registration before they can access the app. These Terms include a clear zero-tolerance policy prohibiting objectionable content such as hate speech, harassment, threats, obscene material, illegal activity, impersonation, spam, and malicious behavior. The Terms are linked directly at the time of registration and users cannot proceed without acknowledging them.
Hopout uses an automated filtering system to detect restricted language and inappropriate keywords during event creation. This system blocks or flags content before it can be posted and is routinely updated based on moderation reviews and user reports. Manual moderation is also enforced to review and remove content that violates platform rules.
To empower users in protecting their experience, Hopout provides a robust blocking feature. When a user blocks someone, the blocked person can no longer view their profile, event posts, or availability. The blocked user is prevented from initiating conversations, sending event invitations, or appearing in mutual searches or feeds. This feature ensures users have full control over who can contact or view their activity.
Every user profile and event post includes a “…” menu that contains a “Report” option. When used, the report is sent directly to our moderation queue with all relevant context, including the user ID, plan ID, and reason for the report. These reports are prioritized by our internal moderation team.
Additionally, users may delete their account at any time directly through the app. This can be done by tapping the “…” menu on their profile screen and selecting the delete option. If a user cannot access their account or prefers not to delete it in-app, they may also request deletion by emailing us at team@hopout.app. Account deletion permanently removes the user’s data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Hopout’s moderation team is committed to responding to all flagged content within 24 hours. If a violation is confirmed, the content is removed, and depending on the severity, the user may receive a warning, temporary suspension, or permanent ban. All incidents are logged internally for tracking and escalation if necessary.
In addition to these protections, users under the age of 18 are not permitted to create an account. Users over 21 are allowed to see and join events marked “21+.” Moderation actions are enforced without prior notice when serious violations are involved, such as hate speech or threats. All of these features and expectations are clearly communicated within the app and further detailed in the Terms of Use.
User Content and License
Your Content: Hopout allows you and other users to create, post, and share content, including event descriptions, text, photos, profiles, messages, and other materials (“User Content”). You retain ownership of any intellectual property rights in the User Content that you create and share on Hopout. We do not claim ownership of your posts or media.
Responsibility for Content: You are solely responsible for all User Content that you post, upload, or otherwise make available via the Service and for any consequences of sharing that content. This means any risk from posting your content (for example, if you share personal information or if your content violates someone else’s rights) is borne by you. You represent and warrant that your User Content complies with these Terms and that you have all necessary rights to submit it to the Service (for example, that you created it yourself, or have permission from the owner). Images uploaded by users are stored in Firebase Storage and may be cached or backed up in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Hopout does not access or use these images for any purpose outside of the app experience or moderation if reported.
License to Hopout: By posting or transmitting User Content on Hopout, you grant Hopout a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up license (with the right to sublicense) to use, host, store, copy, reproduce, modify (for technical purposes, e.g. making sure content displays correctly on various devices), publish, publicly perform, publicly display, and distribute such content on or through the Service for the purpose of operating, developing, providing, and promoting the Service. This license is necessary for us to transmit and display your content across the platform (for example, so we can show your posts to other users, or use a screenshot of the app that might incidentally include your content when marketing Hopout). This license is non-exclusive, so you are free to use your content elsewhere; it is royalty-free and transferable, meaning we can use it without paying you and can transfer these rights if, for example, Hopout is acquired or needs to sublicense to trusted partners solely to provide the service.
Content Visibility and Removal: User Content you share on public areas of Hopout (such as event listings or group posts viewable to the campus community) may be visible to other users of the Service. Even if you later delete content or terminate your account, some of your content may persist in backup copies for a reasonable period or may remain in shared or re-posted content by other users (Hopout will not continue to display your removed content on the platform, but we cannot control content that was already shared by others). You understand that we are not obligated to backup any User Content, and User Content may be deleted or become unavailable without notice. Always keep copies of important information on your own device or storage.
Copyright and DMCA Policy
Hopout respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users to do the same. It is our policy to respond to clear notices of alleged copyright infringement in compliance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other applicable laws.
Reporting Copyright Infringement: If you believe that any content on Hopout infringes your copyright (or the copyright of someone you represent), please send a written notification to our designated copyright agent at team@hopout.appwith the subject line “DMCA Takedown Request.” Your notice must include the following information (as required by 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3)):
Once a proper DMCA notice is received, Hopout will review the claim and, if valid, will expeditiously remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing content. We will also make a good-faith attempt to contact the user who posted the content with information about the removal and instructions for how to file a counter-notification if they believe the removal was mistaken.
Counter-Notification: If you are a user and you believe your content was removed or disabled in error due to a mistake or misidentification in a DMCA notice, you may submit a counter-notification to team@hopout.app. Your counter-notification should include: (a) identification of the content that was removed and its location before removal; (b) a statement under penalty of perjury that you have a good-faith belief the content was removed by mistake or misidentification; (c) your consent to the jurisdiction of the Federal District Court for the district in which your address is located (or Plymouth, New Hampshire if your address is outside the USA), and agreement to accept service of process from the person who sent the original DMCA notice; and (d) your physical or electronic signature. If we receive a valid counter-notification, we may restore the content in question, unless the original complainant notifies us that they have filed a court action seeking to prevent the user from engaging in the infringing activity.
Repeat Infringers: In accordance with the DMCA and other applicable laws, Hopout has a policy of terminating, in appropriate circumstances, users who are deemed to be repeat infringers. If a user repeatedly posts infringing material, their account will be subject to termination.
Please note that knowingly submitting a false claim or counter-notice could make you liable for damages. If you’re not sure whether content on Hopout infringes your rights, you may want to consult an attorney before filing a DMCA notice.
User Interactions and In-Person Events
Hopout facilitates communication and event organizing among students, but we do not supervise or control what happens outside the digital platform. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users, whether online or in person. This includes communications through chats or groups, meeting up for events, or any kind of in-person gatherings that originate from connections made on Hopout.
In-Person Events: If you use Hopout to create, share, or RSVP to social events, you understand that Hopout is not the organizer or host of those events (users are). We do not vet or supervise the venues, hosts, or participants of any in-person event. Participation in events advertised on Hopout is at your own risk. You should exercise appropriate caution and common sense, just as you would when attending any event with people you do not know well. Hopout disclaims all liabilityfor any personal injury, property damage, harm, or disputes that arise at or because of an event organized through the Service.
No Background Checks: Except for verifying a user’s student email domain for eligibility, Hopout generally does not conduct criminal background checks or screenings of our users. Hopout does not guarantee that any user is who they claim to be or that user interactions will be safe or meet your expectations. Please take precautions when interacting with others, especially if meeting in person (such as meeting in public places, informing a friend of your plans, etc.).
No Monitoring of Private Communications:Hopout does not read your private messages or group chats as a matter of course. We do not guarantee any confidentiality for communications made through the Service (except as stated in our Privacy Policy). However, if a user reports abusive behavior in messages or we become aware of a violation in private communications, we reserve the right to investigate and take action.
If you have a dispute with another user, you release Hopout (and our officers, directors, employees, and agents) from any and all claims, demands, and damages of every kind arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes. However, we still encourage you to report any misbehavior so we can keep the community safe and, at our discretion, we may intervene or take action on the platform (such as removing a user) if we deem it necessary.
Disclaimers of Warranties
Use at Your Own Risk: Hopout provides the Service to you on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis, without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Your use of Hopout is at your sole risk. While we strive to provide a great experience, we do not guarantee that the Service will meet your requirements or expectations, that it will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free, or that the information or content obtained through the Service will be accurate or reliable.
No Warranty: To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Hopout and its affiliates, suppliers, partners, and agents disclaim all warranties and conditions, express or implied, regarding the Service and any software, content, or services provided, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, and any warranties arising out of course of dealing or usage of trade. We make no warranty that the Service will be free from viruses or other harmful components, or that any defects or errors will be corrected.
Not Professional Advice: Any information (for example, event suggestions, advice in forums, or campus tips) that may be available on Hopout is for general informational purposes only and is not professional advice. We do not endorse any opinions expressed by users. You should independently verify information before relying on it, and any decisions or actions you take based on information on Hopout are your sole responsibility.
Third-Party Content: Hopout may contain links to third-party websites or resources, or content uploaded by users that links to or references third parties. Hopout is not responsible or liable for the availability or accuracy of such outside content, nor for the related content, products, or services. Accessing third-party links or materials is at your own risk, and you understand that these Terms and our Privacy Policy do not apply to any third-party sites or services.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, in no event will Hopout or its parent company, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, partners, or licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages(including without limitation loss of profits, revenue, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses) arising out of or in connection with your access to, or use of, or inability to access or use, the Service, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), statute, or any other legal theory, and whether or not Hopout has been informed of the possibility of such damage.
Limitation on Direct Damages: To the extent that liability cannot be disclaimed entirely, you agree that Hopout’s total liability to you for any claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Service is limited to the greater of: (a) the amount you paid to us for the Service in the 12 months preceding the claim (if any), or (b) USD $100.This means that if, for example, you sue us for any reason, the most you can recover from us is $100, even if you suffered losses that far exceed that amount.
Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages or implied warranties, so the above limitations or exclusions may not fully apply to you. In such jurisdictions, our liability will be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
Release: You agree not to hold Hopout responsible for the actions, content, information, or data of third parties or other users. You release us (and our officers, directors, employees, and agents) from any claims and damages, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with any claim you have against any third parties or other users. If you are a California resident, you waive California Civil Code §1542 (which says: “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in their favor at the time of executing the release…”).
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Hopout, its parent company, affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal costs) that arise out of or relate to:
Hopout reserves the right, at your expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you (meaning we may choose to handle a legal claim against us that involves you, and if we do, you will cooperate with us and still owe us indemnification). You agree not to settle any such matter without the prior written consent of Hopout. We will use reasonable efforts to notify you of any claim or demand that is subject to your indemnification obligation as soon as we become aware of it.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms, and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with these Terms or your use of the Service, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire, United States, without giving effect to any conflict of law principles that would result in the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.
If you reside in the United States, you agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of Hopout shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New Hampshire. You and Hopout both consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts and waive any objection on grounds of inconvenient forum. If you reside outside of the United States, you agree that any dispute shall still be submitted to the courts in New Hampshire, unless otherwise required by applicable consumer protection laws.
Local Laws: While Hopout is aimed at Plymouth State University students (in New Hampshire), it may be accessible to users in other jurisdictions. If you use the Service from other states or countries, you are responsible for compliance with local laws. Hopout makes no representation that the Service is appropriate or available in any particular location.
Changes to These Terms
Hopout may modify or update these Terms of Use from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, the law, or for other reasons. If we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated Terms in the app and/or on our website and updating the “Last Updated” date at the top. In some cases, we may also notify you via email or in-app notification. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.
Any changes will be effective upon posting the revised version of the Terms (or such later effective date as indicated at the time of posting). By continuing to use the Service after any changes become effective, you agree to be bound by the updated Terms. If you do not agree to any revised Terms, you must stop using Hopout and, if desired, delete your account.
Miscellaneous
Entire Agreement: These Terms (and any terms or policies incorporated by reference, including the Privacy Policy) constitute the entire agreement between you and Hopout regarding the Service. They supersede any prior agreements or communications (whether oral or written) between you and us relating to the Service. Any additional or different terms in any email or other communication from you are void and will not be binding on Hopout.
Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed severable from these Terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions. The unenforceable part will be interpreted so as to reflect the original intentions of the parties (to the extent allowed by law), and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
No Waiver: Our failure or delay in exercising any right, power, or privilege under these Terms (such as failing to act immediately on a violation by you) shall not operate as a waiver of that right or any other provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Hopout.
Assignment: You may not assign or transfer any of your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Any attempt by you to assign in violation of the foregoing is null and void. Hopout may freely assign or transfer these Terms (in whole or in part) as part of a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or by operation of law, or to any affiliate, and you consent to such assignment. These Terms will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors, and permitted assigns.
No Third-Party Beneficiaries: These Terms do not confer any rights, remedies, or benefits upon any person other than you and Hopout, except for any indemnified parties as stated in the Indemnification section, who are express third-party beneficiaries of the indemnification provided.
Relationship of Parties: You and Hopout are independent contractors. These Terms do not create any agency, partnership, joint venture, employment, or franchise relationship. You have no authority to make any promises or commitments on behalf of Hopout, and we promise not to do so on your behalf.
Headings and Interpretation: Section headings in these Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. Words like “including” or “for example” shall be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms or the Service, please contact us at team@hopout.app. You can also reach out to this email to report any violations or seek help related to the community guidelines.
By using Hopout, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms of Use, accept them, and agree to abide by them. Thank you for helping keep Hopout a safe and enjoyable community for Plymouth State University students!
Copyright © 2025 Hopout LLC - All Rights Reserved.
tap once. hopout
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.