What Couchsurfing's terms say
Couchsurfing's terms of service and privacy policy have 37 rated points: 2 serious, 9 bad, 21 worth knowing and 5 good. 20 apply whenever you use the site, signed in or not; 17 only once you have an account.
Whenever you use Couchsurfing
Bad 8
You are forced into binding arbitration in case of disputes
This service forces users into binding arbitration in the case of disputes
Where it says this ↗Your personal data may be sold or otherwise transferred as part of a bankruptcy proceeding or other type of financial transaction
The service can sell or otherwise transfer your personal data as part of a bankruptcy proceeding or other type of financial transaction.
"Sharing of Information We do not share personal information about you with third parties except as follows: [...] In connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of company assets, financing or acquisition of all or a portion of our business to another company". The consensus on this thread is that this is standard practice, so does not merit negative points.
Where it says this ↗You shall not interfere with another person's enjoyment of the service
Users shall not interfere with another person's enjoyment of the service
"In addition, you agree not to:[...] c)[...]"
Where it says this ↗Third-party cookies are used for statistics
This service uses third-party cookies for statistics
Full Quote: "We may allow third parties to serve advertisements on our behalf across the Internet and to provide analytics services in relation to the use of our Services. These entities may use cookies, web beacons and other technologies to collect information about your use of the Services and other websites, including your IP address and information about your web browser and operating system, pages viewed, time spent on pages, links clicked and conversion information."
Where it says this ↗Some personal data may be kept for business interests or legal obligations
If you offer suggestions to the service, they become the owner of the ideas that you give them
You are tracked via web beacons, tracking pixels, browser fingerprinting, and/or device fingerprinting
Information is gathered about you through third parties
Worth knowing 10
This service does not condone any ideas contained in its user-generated contents
Where it says this ↗You agree not to use the service for illegal purposes
Users agree not to use the service for illegal purposes
Where it says this ↗Failure to enforce any provision of the Terms of Service does not constitute a waiver of such provision
Where it says this ↗You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold the service harmless in case of a claim related to your use of the service
Where it says this ↗Other rules, terms, conditions and/or guidelines may apply
You should follow the community guidelines
The community guidelines are here: http://www.couchsurfing.org/guidelines you agree to follow them.
Where it says this ↗You are prohibited from attempting to gain unauthorized access to other computer systems
This service prohibits users from attempting to gain unauthorized access to other computer systems
"You agree not to post, upload to, transmit, distribute, store, create or otherwise publish through the Services, Member Content that we believe, in our sole discretion:[...] i)[...]"
Where it says this ↗No warranty is made regarding an uninterrupted, timely, secure and/or error-free experience
The service provider makes no warranty regarding uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free service
Created by Docbot version v3
Where it says this ↗There is a date of the last update of the agreements
This service cannot be held responsible for disputes that you may have with other users
The service can stop being provided at any time
They may stop providing the service at any time
Good 2
Information is provided about how your personal data is used
The service provides information about how they intend to use your personal data
Where it says this ↗Information is provided about what kind of personal information is collected
If you have a Couchsurfing account
Serious 2
Specific content can be deleted without reason and may be removed without prior notice
The service can delete specific content without prior notice and without a reason
Where it says this ↗
Bad 1
A license is kept on user-generated content even after you close your account
Couchsurfing keeps the license on your content, even after you close your account
"21.7 Survival. Sections 4.4 (Release), 5 (Member Conduct and Content), 6 (Submissions), 10 (Trademarks), 12 (Third-Party Content), 15 (Member's Representations and Warranties), 16 (Disclaimer of Warranties), 17 (Limits on Liability), 18 (Indemnity), 20 (Disputes), and this Section 21 (Miscellaneous) shall survive any termination or expiration of these Terms." section 5 is the one that contains the license they get on your content.
Where it says this ↗
Worth knowing 11
You must create an account to use this service
Where it says this ↗The posting of pornographic content is prohibited
Prohibits the posting of pornographic content
"You agree not to post, upload to, transmit, distribute, store, create or otherwise publish through the Services, Member Content that we believe, in our sole discretion:[...] b)[...]"
Where it says this ↗Political discussions or campaining are prohibited
Prohibits political discussions or campaigning
"You agree not to post, upload to, transmit, distribute, store, create or otherwise publish through the Services, Member Content that we believe, in our sole discretion:[...] g)[...]"
Where it says this ↗You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and for the activities on your account
"By registering for an account, you further agree to[...] and (e)[...]"
Where it says this ↗Alternative accounts are not allowed
This service does not allow alternative accounts
Where it says this ↗You are prohibited from sending chain letters, junk mail, spam or any unsolicited messages
This service prohibits users sending chain letters, junk mail, spam or any unsolicited messages
Where it says this ↗You are prohibited from posting content which promotes violence or politically or religiously extremist values
Prohibits the posting of content which promotes or glorifies violence or politically or religiously extremist values.
"You agree not to post, upload to, transmit, distribute, store, create or otherwise publish through the Services, Member Content that we believe, in our sole discretion:[...] f)[...]"
Where it says this ↗You agree not to submit libelous, harassing or threatening content
Users agree not to submit libelous, harassing or threatening content
"You agree not to post, upload to, transmit, distribute, store, create or otherwise publish through the Services, Member Content that we believe, in our sole discretion:[...] c)[...]"
Where it says this ↗This service is only available to users over a certain age
This service is only available to users over 18 years old
Banned users are prohibited from creating a new account
You must report to the service any unauthorized use of your account or any breach of security
Good 3
You aren’t allowed to publicly post private messages
Prohibits public posting of private messages
"You agree not to post, upload to, transmit, distribute, store, create or otherwise publish through the Services, Member Content that we believe, in our sole discretion:[...] h)[...]"
Where it says this ↗You can opt out of receiving promotional communications
You can opt out of promotional communications
Where it says this ↗Your account may be suspended and/or terminated for breaching the Terms of Service
User accounts can be terminated after having been in breach of the Terms of Service repeatedly
The documents
- Privacy Policy ↗
- Terms of Service ↗
- Community Guidelines ↗ account holders
Ratings by ToS;DR volunteers; they can lag behind the current terms. Not legal advice.