TickSweep Terms of Use

Last Updated: August 16, 2026

Effective Date: August 16, 2026

These Terms of Use ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and TickSweep.com ("TickSweep," "we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of the TickSweep mobile application (iOS and Android), website, and all related services (collectively, the "Service" or "App").

By creating an account, downloading, installing, or using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

1. Eligibility and Account Registration

1.1 Age Requirement

You must be at least 13 years of age (or the minimum age of digital consent in your jurisdiction) to use the Service. Users between 13 and 18 must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian. The Service is not directed to children under 13 and does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

1.2 Account

You must provide accurate, complete, and current information when registering for an account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately at support@ticksweep.com if you suspect unauthorized access.

2. Description of the Service

TickSweep provides the following features:

Guided Tick Checks: Voice-guided, hands-free tick-inspection walkthroughs with optional torch/raking-light mode and real-time AI camera scanning for tick detection.
AI Species Identification: Upload a photo of a tick for AI-assisted species identification using a vision/LLM model.
Community Tick Sighting Reports: Submit tick sightings with GPS location and photos, which are displayed on a public heat map.
Educational Content: Information about tick species, bite prevention, and tick removal.
Affiliate Marketplace: A curated marketplace featuring affiliate links to third-party products and services (e.g., tick prevention products, veterinary services).
Pro Subscriptions: A paid subscription tier ("TickSweep Pro" or "Pro") providing enhanced features and increased AI scan usage.
Newsletter: An optional email newsletter with tick-related news and tips.

3. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

Use the Service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable law.
Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent tick sighting reports or photos.
Upload photos that contain the faces of identifiable persons without their consent.
Attempt to reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise extract source code or AI models from the Service.
Interfere with or disrupt the Service, servers, or networks, including by transmitting malware, spam, or excessive requests.
Scrape, crawl, or systematically extract data from the Service, including the heat map or educational content.
Use the Service to harm, harass, or discriminate against any individual or group.
Bypass or attempt to bypass AI scan usage limits or subscription restrictions.
Submit content that infringes the intellectual property rights of others.
Use the Service in any manner that could damage, disable, or impair the Service.

4. AI Features — Disclaimers and Limitations

4.1 Real-Time AI Camera Scanning

The real-time AI camera scanning feature analyzes your device's camera feed to detect the potential presence of ticks. This feature is assistive only and may produce false positives (identifying a non-tick object as a tick) or false negatives (failing to detect an actual tick). You remain solely responsible for conducting a thorough tick check. Do not rely exclusively on AI scanning.

4.2 AI Species Identification

AI species identification from uploaded photos is based on a probabilistic model and may be incorrect. Species identification is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, veterinary advice, or a diagnostic tool. See the Medical & Veterinary Disclaimer for full details.

4.3 No Guarantee of Accuracy

We do not guarantee that AI features will be accurate, reliable, or available at all times. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue AI features at any time without notice.

5. Tick Sighting Reports and the Heat Map

5.1 User-Generated Content

When you submit a tick sighting report, including GPS coordinates, photos, and metadata (species, host, body zone, date), you grant TickSweep a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, display, and distribute that content for the purposes of operating, improving, and promoting the Service, including displaying it on the public heat map and incorporating it into aggregated/de-identified data sets (see Section 6).

5.2 Public Visibility

By submitting a tick sighting report, you acknowledge and agree that:

Your report (including approximate location and uploaded photos) may be publicly visible on the heat map.
Your report data may be used in aggregated, de-identified form for research, public health, or commercial purposes (see Section 6).
You are responsible for the content you submit and must have the right to share it.
You should not submit reports or photos that reveal sensitive personal information or that depict identifiable persons without consent.

5.3 Content Moderation

We reserve the right to review, edit, remove, or reject any submitted content at our discretion, without notice, including content that violates these Terms, is inaccurate, or is otherwise objectionable.

6. Data Licensing and Commercial Use of Tick Surveillance Data

6.1 License to Use Sighting Data

By submitting tick sighting reports, you acknowledge that TickSweep may aggregate, de-identify, and license, sell, or share the resulting data sets with third parties, including but not limited to universities, research institutions, public health agencies, and commercial entities.

6.2 De-Identification

TickSweep will use reasonable efforts to de-identify data before sharing it with third parties, in accordance with accepted statistical and technical standards. De-identified data is not subject to individual privacy rights requests (e.g., deletion) under most applicable laws.

6.3 No Compensation

You will not receive any compensation, royalty, or other payment for tick sighting reports or for the use of aggregated/de-identified data derived from your reports. Your submission of sighting reports is voluntary and gratuitous.

6.4 Privacy Controls

You may opt out of having your data included in licensed or shared data sets by adjusting your privacy settings in the App (Settings > Privacy > Data Sharing) or by contacting us at support@ticksweep.com. Opting out will affect only future reports; previously submitted data that has already been de-identified and shared cannot be recalled.

7. Pro Subscriptions and Automatic Renewal

7.1 Subscription Plans

TickSweep offers a paid subscription tier ("Pro") that provides enhanced features and increased AI scan usage. Free users have limited AI scan usage. Pro subscription plans and pricing are displayed within the App at the time of purchase.

7.2 Automatic Renewal (ROSCA and State Law Compliance)

By purchasing a Pro subscription, you acknowledge and agree to the following automatic renewal terms:

Clear Disclosure of Terms: Your Pro subscription will automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle (monthly or annually, as selected) unless you cancel before the renewal date. The renewal price, billing cycle, and all material terms of the subscription are disclosed in the App at the point of purchase before you enter payment information.
Express Affirmative Consent: By completing the purchase, you provide express affirmative consent to the automatic renewal terms described herein and in the purchase flow.
Acknowledgement: After completing your purchase, you will receive an acknowledgement (via email or in-app notification) containing the renewal terms, cancellation instructions, and a copy of these subscription terms.
Billing: Your subscription will be charged to the payment method you provided through our third-party payment provider (TickSweep Payment Provider). By subscribing, you authorize us and our payment provider to charge the recurring subscription fee until you cancel.
Price Changes: If we change the subscription price, we will notify you at least 30 days before the new price takes effect. You may cancel before the price change takes effect. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the new price.
Cancellation: You may cancel your Pro subscription at any time through:
- In-App: Settings > Subscription > Cancel Subscription
- App Store / Google Play: Through your respective app store subscription management settings
- Email: support@ticksweep.com
Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. You will retain access to Pro features until the end of the period for which you have already paid. No partial refunds are provided for unused time within a billing cycle, except where required by law.
Free Trial (if applicable): If we offer a free trial, your subscription will automatically convert to a paid subscription at the end of the trial period unless you cancel before the trial ends. You will be notified of the trial terms and conversion date before the trial begins.

7.3 Refund Policy

Subscription payments are generally non-refundable, except as required by law or as stated in the applicable app store's refund policy. If you believe you have been charged in error, contact us at support@ticksweep.com within 30 days of the charge.

7.4 Compliance with App Store Policies

For subscriptions purchased through Apple's App Store or Google Play, the respective platform's terms and refund policies also apply. Apple and Google may handle billing, cancellations, and refunds for subscriptions processed through their platforms.

8. Affiliate Marketplace and FTC Disclosure

8.1 Affiliate Relationships

The TickSweep App includes a marketplace/store featuring links to third-party products and services, including tick prevention products, removal tools, and veterinary services. Some or all of these links are affiliate links. This means that if you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, TickSweep may earn a commission or referral fee from the seller, at no additional cost to you.

8.2 FTC Disclosure

In accordance with the FTC's Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (16 CFR Part 255), we disclose that:

Affiliate Disclosure: TickSweep participates in affiliate marketing programs. Some links in the App are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. This does not affect the price you pay. We only recommend products and services we believe may be of value to our users, but we make no warranties about third-party products or services.

8.3 No Endorsement or Warranty

Inclusion of a product or service in the marketplace does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of quality. We are not a party to transactions between you and third-party sellers. Third-party products and services are governed by their own terms, warranties, and return policies. We are not responsible for any issues arising from third-party purchases.

9. Newsletter

If you sign up for our newsletter, we will use your email address to send you tick-related news, tips, and promotional content. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any newsletter email or by contacting support@ticksweep.com. We will process your unsubscribe request promptly.

10. Intellectual Property

10.1 TickSweep Content

The Service, including the App design, educational content, guided check scripts, AI models, heat map, logos, and all software, is owned by TickSweep.com and is protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from the Service without our express written permission, except as permitted by law.

10.2 User Content License

You retain ownership of the content you submit (tick sighting reports, photos, metadata). By submitting content, you grant us the license described in Section 5.1. You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to submit your content and that it does not infringe the rights of any third party.

10.3 Educational Content

Educational content provided in the App is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice. See the Medical & Veterinary Disclaimer.

11. Disclaimers

11.1 General Disclaimer

The Service is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or that defects will be corrected.

11.2 Medical and Veterinary Disclaimer

The Service, including AI tick scanning, AI species identification, and educational content, is not a medical device, does not provide medical advice, and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider or veterinarian. See the full Medical & Veterinary Disclaimer.

11.3 No Professional Advice

Nothing in the Service constitutes professional advice of any kind, including medical, veterinary, legal, or financial advice.

12. Limitation of Liability

12.1 General Limitation

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall TickSweep.com, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, or licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising out of or related to your use of the Service, whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), or any other legal theory, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

12.2 Liability Cap

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total aggregate liability for any claim arising out of or related to the Service shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the amounts you have paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) USD $50.

12.3 Jurisdictional Exceptions

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TickSweep.com, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or in connection with:

Your use of the Service;
Your violation of these Terms;
Your violation of any law or the rights of any third party;
Content you submit, including tick sighting reports and uploaded photos.

14. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Service at any time, with or without cause or notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms or for any other reason. Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately. Pro subscription fees paid are non-refundable upon termination for cause.

You may delete your account at any time through Settings > Account > Delete Account. Upon deletion, we will remove your personal information subject to our retention policy and legal obligations (see our Privacy Policy, Section 8).

15. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

15.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or related to them shall be governed by the laws of Ohio, USA, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.

15.2 Binding Arbitration

Except for disputes that may be resolved in small claims court, any dispute or claim arising out of or related to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its rules. The arbitration shall be conducted in Ohio. The arbitrator's decision is final and binding. Judgment may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

15.3 Class Action Waiver

You and TickSweep agree that any arbitration or court proceeding shall be conducted on an individual basis only, and not as a class action or consolidated proceeding.

15.4 Exceptions

You may bring a claim in small claims court if it qualifies. You may also seek injunctive relief in court for intellectual property infringement.

15.5 Notice of Dispute

Before initiating arbitration, you must provide written notice of the dispute to TickSweep.com, TickSweep.com, Ohio, USA, or support@ticksweep.com, with a description of the claim and desired resolution. We will do the same. We will attempt to resolve the dispute within 60 days.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the App or via email at least 30 days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Service and may cancel your subscription.

17. Third-Party Services and Links

The Service contains links to third-party websites, products, and services that we do not control. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third parties. Accessing third-party services is at your own risk.

18. Accessibility

We strive to make the Service accessible to all users. If you have accessibility concerns, contact us at support@ticksweep.com.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Medical & Veterinary Disclaimer, constitute the entire agreement between you and TickSweep regarding the use of the Service.

21. Contact

TickSweep.com TickSweep.com, Ohio, USA Email: support@ticksweep.com Phone: N/A

By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read these Terms, understand them, and agree to be bound by them.