These terms of service ("Terms") govern your use of Pika ("the App", "the Service"), provided by Pika ("we", "us", "our"). By creating an account or using the App, you agree to these Terms. Please read them carefully — they matter.

1. Account Terms

You are responsible for your account. That means keeping your credentials safe, using a strong password, and enabling two-factor authentication if we offer it. We recommend not reusing passwords across services.

You must be at least 13 years old to create an account. If you are between 13 and 18, you represent that a parent or legal guardian has reviewed and agreed to these Terms on your behalf.

One person, one account. We don't permit account sharing. Each account belongs to an individual.

You're responsible for everything that happens under your account — whether that's your own actions or those of someone you've given access to. If there's a breach or unauthorized access, notify us immediately at contact@thepika.app.

2. Acceptable Use

When using Pika, you agree not to:

We reserve the right to investigate and, where appropriate, terminate accounts that violate these terms.

3. Content and Intellectual Property

Podcast content belongs to its creators. Pika aggregates and delivers podcast content published by third-party creators. We do not claim ownership of that content. Your rights to listen to or download an episode are governed by the publisher's own license terms.

Our stuff is ours. The Pika name, logo, app design, interface, and any original features or code are owned by us. You may not reproduce, copy, or distribute them without our express written permission.

Respect copyright. If you believe content available through the App infringes your copyright, contact us at contact@thepika.app with the details. We take DMCA notices seriously and will respond promptly.

4. Downloads and Offline Listening

We may allow you to download episodes for offline listening. Downloads are:

Downloaded content may be removed from your device if your subscription lapses or your account is terminated.

5. Free to Use

Pika is currently free to use. We will not sell your personal data to fund free access. If we introduce paid features in the future, we will update these Terms and notify you in advance.

6. Account Deletion

You can delete your account anytime from Account Settings. Your account and all associated data are deleted immediately and permanently. Backups are purged within 60 days. This cannot be undone — export anything you need before you delete.

7. Service Availability and Modifications

We work hard to keep Pika running reliably, but we can't promise it will be available 100% of the time. The Service is provided "as is" and "as available." We don't offer an uptime SLA.

We may modify, add, or remove features at any time. If we make a change that significantly reduces functionality you depend on, we'll try to provide advance notice.

We may also suspend the Service temporarily for maintenance. When possible, we'll schedule maintenance during off-peak hours and give you a heads-up.

8. Privacy and Data

Your use of Pika is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. The short version:

9. Security

We take reasonable and industry-standard measures to protect your data — including encryption in transit and at rest, regular backups, and access controls. However, no system is perfectly secure. You use the Service at your own risk, and we cannot guarantee that unauthorized parties will never gain access.

If you discover a security vulnerability, please disclose it responsibly by emailing contact@thepika.app before making it public.

10. Third-Party Services and Links

The App may integrate with or link to third-party services (e.g., podcast directories, payment processors). We are not responsible for the content, practices, or policies of those third parties. Use them at your own discretion.

11. API Access

If we provide an API, you may use it to build integrations for personal or authorized commercial use, subject to:

We may revoke API access for abuse or excessive usage without notice.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Pika is not liable to you or any third party for:

This applies whether or not we've been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total aggregate liability for any claims arising from these Terms or your use of the Service will not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or $50, whichever is greater.

13. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Pika and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your use of the Service, your content, or your violation of these Terms.

14. Abuse and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account, with or without notice, for:

If you believe your account was terminated in error, contact us at contact@thepika.app.

15. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of [STATE], United States, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any dispute not resolved through arbitration (see below) will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in [STATE].

Informal Resolution First

Before filing any formal claim, you agree to contact us at contact@thepika.app and give us 30 days to resolve the issue. Most disputes can be sorted out quickly and fairly this way. This informal step is a condition of bringing any formal claim.

Binding Arbitration

If we can't resolve a dispute informally, you and Pika agree to resolve it through binding individual arbitration rather than in court, except as noted below. Arbitration is less formal than a lawsuit, there is no judge or jury, and court review of an arbitration award is limited. The arbitration will be conducted under the rules of a recognised arbitration body and will take place in [STATE] or, at your option, by telephone or video.

Each party will bear its own costs unless the arbitrator determines that a claim was frivolous or brought in bad faith.

Class Action Waiver

You and Pika each waive the right to bring or participate in a class action, class-wide arbitration, or any other representative proceeding. All disputes must be brought in your individual capacity. If this waiver is found unenforceable for a particular claim, that claim must be brought in court and not in arbitration.

Small Claims Exception

Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court instead of arbitration, provided the claim qualifies and remains in that court.

Time Limit on Claims

Any claim arising from or relating to these Terms or the Service must be filed within one (1) year of the date you first knew or reasonably should have known of the basis for the claim. Claims not filed within this period are permanently barred.

Exceptions

Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking emergency injunctive or equitable relief from a court to prevent irreparable harm pending arbitration, or from bringing claims related to intellectual property infringement.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we'll notify you via email or a notice within the App at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Service after that date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

If you disagree with any changes, you may cancel your account before the new Terms take effect.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Pika regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements.

Questions?

If you have any questions about these Terms, we're happy to help.

Email us at contact@thepika.app

These Terms were derived from policies by 37signals and Automattic, both of whom publish their policies for adaptation. We're grateful for their commitment to transparent, plain-English legal documents.