Terms of Service

Welcome to GradEcho, a forum dedicated to graduate admissions discussions. By accessing or using our website, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please review these terms carefully.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By using GradEcho, you signify your agreement to these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you should not use or access GradEcho. Your continued use of GradEcho signifies your acceptance of any changes to these terms.

2. Content and Conduct

2.1 User Responsibilities

Posting Content: You are responsible for the content you post.

Ensure that your posts are accurate, not misleading, and do not infringe on the rights of others.

You must not post false, defamatory, abusive, or illegal material.

2.2 Prohibited Actions

Defamation and Harassment: Do not post content that defames, harasses, or violates the legal rights of others.

Inappropriate Content: Avoid posting or distributing defamatory, obscene, or unlawful materials.

Intellectual Property Violations: Do not upload files protected by intellectual property laws without proper rights or consents.

Malicious Software: Refrain from uploading files that contain viruses or could harm others’ computers.

Attribution and Legal Notices: Do not delete author attributions or legal notices in uploaded files. Ensure the integrity of the content you share.

False Representation: Avoid falsifying the origin of uploaded files. Be transparent about the source of your content.

Unauthorized Advertising: Do not engage in unauthorized advertising, conducting surveys, or forwarding chain letters without permission.

3. Account Management

3.1 Account Deletion

Request Process: You can request the deletion of your account at any time. This request should be made through the appropriate channels provided by GradEcho.

Removal of Personal Information: Upon a deletion request, we will remove your personal information from our records. However, your messages and posts will remain on the site.

Timeframe: Account removal can take up to 60 days due to our volunteer operation. We appreciate your patience during this process.

3.2 Account Deactivation

Effects of Deactivation: Account deactivation will remove your ability to post new content and your personal information from your profile. However, your existing messages and posts will remain on the site.

Reactivation: If you wish to reactivate your account in the future, you may need to go through the registration process again.

4. Use of Discussion Forums

Relevance: Users must use the discussion forums for proper and relevant communication related to graduate admissions discussions. Ensure that your contributions are on-topic and add value to the discussion.

5. Public Nature of Forums

Acknowledgment: Users acknowledge that forums are public spaces, and postings are not endorsed by GradEcho or its Secretariat. Be mindful that your posts are visible to a wide audience.

6. Moderation and Content Removal

Rights of the Secretariat: The Secretariat reserves the right to remove any content from the forums without notice and for any reason. This includes content that violates our terms or community guidelines.

7. Limitation of Liability

GradEcho and its affiliates will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages resulting from the use or inability to use GradEcho, including but not limited to reliance on information obtained on GradEcho.

8. Changes to Terms of Service

GradEcho reserves the right to modify these terms of service at any time without prior notice. Your continued use of GradEcho after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new terms.

9. Governing Law

These terms of service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which GradEcho operates.

10. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about these terms of service, please contact us at support@gradecho.com.

By using GradEcho, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms of service. Your participation in the GradEcho community signifies your commitment to maintaining a respectful and constructive environment for all users. Thank you for being a part of GradEcho.