Terms of Service

Budo Network is a community-driven communication platform that provides Internet Relay Chat (IRC), web-based chat, community websites, bots, voice communication, gaming integrations, and related online services.

Our goal is to provide a friendly, respectful, and secure environment for everyone.

You must be at least 13 years old, or meet the minimum legal age required in your country, to use our services.

If you are under the legal age of digital consent in your jurisdiction, you must have permission from a parent or legal guardian.

Users agree to use the Network responsibly and lawfully.

You may NOT:

• Harass, threaten, stalk, or abuse other users.
• Promote hate speech or discrimination.
• Flood, spam, or intentionally disrupt channels.
• Attempt to crash, exploit, or attack our servers.
• Distribute malware, viruses, phishing links, or harmful software.
• Share illegal material.
• Impersonate staff members or other users.
• Circumvent bans or network restrictions.
• Abuse bots, bridges, or automated services.
• Collect personal information about other users without permission.
• Use the Network for illegal activities.

Operators and administrators may determine whether behavior is disruptive even if it is not specifically listed above.

We encourage respectful discussion.

Users should:

• Treat others respectfully.
• Respect channel operators and network staff.
• Keep discussions appropriate for each channel.
• Use common sense and good judgment.

Disagreements are normal; harassment is not.

Users are responsible for the nicknames they choose.

The Network reserves the right to:

• Force rename inappropriate nicknames.
• Suspend or remove abusive accounts.
• Protect registered nicknames through network services.

Impersonating staff, organizations, or other users is prohibited.

Registered channels remain subject to Network policies.

The Network reserves the right to:

• Recover abandoned channels.
• Remove channels created solely for abuse.
• Intervene when necessary to protect the Network or community.

Channel founders are expected to manage their communities responsibly.

While we value user privacy, IRC is not a private communication platform.

Depending on the service being used, the Network may collect:

• Connection timestamps
• IP addresses
• Hostnames
• Nicknames
• Authentication records
• Channel activity
• Server logs

This information is used for:

• Security
• Abuse prevention
• Network diagnostics
• Service improvements

Private messages are not actively monitored; however, logs may be reviewed when investigating abuse, spam, security incidents, or legal requests.

Some services may log:

• Public channel messages
• Join and part events
• Nickname changes
• Network events
• Bot interactions

Certain channels may also maintain public chat history.

By using the Network, you acknowledge that messages sent in public channels may be logged and displayed through web interfaces or bridge services.

Budo Network operates various bridge services, including but not limited to:

• IRC ↔ Discord
• IRC ↔ Minecraft
• IRC ↔ Web Chat
• Other community integrations

Messages sent through these bridges may appear on multiple platforms simultaneously.

Users should assume that messages sent in bridged channels may be visible across all connected services.

Our automated bots provide moderation, games, notifications, and other community features.

Users may not:

• Abuse bot commands.
• Attempt to exploit bot vulnerabilities.
• Use automation to interfere with bot operation.

Bot features may change without prior notice.

Voice communication services are provided on an "as available" basis.

Users are expected to:

• Respect other participants.
• Avoid disruptive audio.
• Refrain from transmitting offensive or illegal content.

Voice privileges may be revoked for abuse.

Users must not attempt to:

• Gain unauthorized access to servers.
• Probe or scan our infrastructure.
• Exploit software vulnerabilities.
• Interfere with service availability.
• Perform denial-of-service attacks.

Such activities may result in permanent bans and may be reported to relevant authorities.

Although we strive for continuous availability, we cannot guarantee uninterrupted service.

Services may be unavailable due to:

• Maintenance
• Hardware failures
• Software updates
• Internet outages
• Security incidents
• Circumstances beyond our control

Network administrators and operators have final authority regarding:

• User conduct
• Channel disputes
• Network security
• Service availability

Staff decisions are made to protect the community and may include warnings, temporary restrictions, or permanent bans.

The Network may suspend or permanently terminate access without prior notice for violations of these Terms or actions that threaten the integrity, security, or community of the Network.

Repeated violations may result in permanent removal.

Users retain ownership of the content they create.

However, by posting publicly on the Network, you grant Budo Network a non-exclusive license to display, transmit, archive, and distribute that content solely for operating the service.

Do not upload or distribute copyrighted material without authorization.

All services are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE."

We make no guarantees regarding:

• Availability
• Reliability
• Accuracy
• Security
• Fitness for any particular purpose

Use the Network at your own risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Budo Network, its operators, volunteers, and administrators shall not be liable for:

• Loss of data
• Service interruptions
• Financial losses
• Indirect or consequential damages
• User-generated content
• Actions of third parties

These Terms may be updated periodically.

Continued use of the Network after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Questions regarding these Terms may be directed to the Network staff through:

• #help on Budo Network IRC
• The official Budo Network website
• Official Network administrators

Budo Network exists to promote respectful communication, learning, collaboration, gaming, and community building.

We welcome users from around the world and ask everyone to contribute toward maintaining a safe, friendly, and enjoyable environment.

Thank you for being part of the Budo Network community.