Terms of Service

By downloading, installing, or using the Root News mobile application ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.

Root News is an AI-powered news summarization and analysis service for iOS, available in two tiers:

Free Tier

• The daily front page and the Daily Scan across the topics you follow
• Category feeds with AI-generated summaries
• The built-in glossary, with inline explanations of terms
• The Globe map with country fact files

Root Pro (Premium Tier)

Everything in the free tier, plus:

• Ask Root: AI deep-dive presets on any story (The backstory, Both sides, Made simple, What to watch)
• Full story analysis: structured context and implications for the stories you read
• Audio briefs: morning and evening news briefs you can listen to
• Globe country briefings: full country briefings and country news
• Priority access to new features

Features included in each tier may change over time.

3.1 Creating an Account

• You can sign in with your Apple ID or with email
• Your account keeps your preferences, followed topics, and settings
• Your account allows account recovery and access across your devices

3.2 Account Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality of your account credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
• Provide accurate information when creating an account
• Use the Service only for personal, non-commercial purposes

3.3 Deleting Your Account

• You can delete your account at any time in Settings > Account. This permanently deletes your account and associated data immediately and cannot be undone.
• Deleting your account does not cancel an Apple subscription. To stop billing, cancel Root Pro in your Apple ID subscription settings.

4.1 Subscriptions

Root Pro is offered as auto-renewing monthly and annual subscriptions purchased through the Apple App Store. Prices are shown in the App Store before purchase, are set in your local currency, vary by country or region, and may change. Any price change is handled in line with Apple's policies. Free trials or introductory offers, where available, convert to a paid subscription unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the trial ends.

The free tier is available to all users without a subscription.

4.2 Payment Processing

• All payments are processed by Apple through the App Store
• Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period
• Apple's payment terms and conditions apply
• We do not store or process payment information directly

4.3 Cancellation and Refunds

• Cancel your subscription at any time in your Apple ID subscription settings
• Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period
• Deleting your Root News account does not cancel your subscription
• Refunds are subject to Apple's refund policy
• No partial refunds for unused portions of subscription periods

5.1 Ask Root

• Ask Root deep-dive presets (The backstory, Both sides, Made simple, What to watch) are AI-powered features available to Root Pro subscribers
• Usage limits may apply to ensure service quality
• Responses are generated by AI and may not always be fully accurate

5.2 Audio Briefs

• Morning and evening audio briefs summarize the news and are available to Root Pro subscribers
• Audio briefs are produced using AI text-to-speech

5.3 Globe Country Briefings

• Country fact files on the Globe are available to all users
• Full country briefings and country news are available to Root Pro subscribers

5.4 Usage Limit Adjustments

We reserve the right to adjust usage limits at any time to maintain service quality and ensure a fair experience for all users.

6.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You may:

• Access and read news summaries for personal use
• Customize your news preferences and settings
• Share news content through provided sharing features

6.2 Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Attempt to reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the app
• Use automated systems to access the Service
• Share your account credentials with others
• Use the Service for commercial purposes without authorization
• Attempt to circumvent security measures
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Attempt to circumvent subscription requirements or usage limits
• Use Ask Root to generate content for commercial purposes
• Perform automated or bulk querying of Ask Root

7.1 Our Content

• The Root News app, AI summaries, and user interface are owned by Root Labs OÜ
• Original news content remains the property of respective publishers
• Our AI-generated summaries are derivative works owned by Root Labs OÜ

7.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Service for personal purposes in accordance with these Terms.

7.3 Feedback

Any feedback, suggestions, or improvements you provide become our property and may be used without compensation.

Your privacy is important to us. Our data collection and use practices are detailed in our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

By using the Service, you consent to our collection and use of your information as described in the Privacy Policy.

9.1 News Sources

• We aggregate content from various third-party news sources
• We are not responsible for the accuracy of third-party content
• Original content remains subject to source publishers' terms

9.2 Apple Services

• App distribution through Apple App Store
• Payment processing through Apple's systems
• Apple's terms and conditions apply to these services

10.1 Service Availability

• We strive to provide continuous service availability
• Service may be temporarily unavailable due to maintenance or technical issues
• We do not guarantee uninterrupted access

10.2 Service Modifications

• We may modify, update, or discontinue features at any time
• Material changes will be communicated through the app or email
• Continued use constitutes acceptance of modifications

11.1 AI-Generated Content

• News summaries are generated using artificial intelligence
• AI summaries may contain inaccuracies or omissions
• Users should verify important information with original sources
• We are not liable for decisions made based on AI summaries

11.2 Ask Root Responses

• Ask Root responses are AI-generated and may not be fully accurate or complete
• Responses should not be relied upon as professional, legal, medical, or financial advice
• Users should independently verify any information obtained through Ask Root

11.3 Audio Briefs

• Audio briefs are AI-generated from the day's top stories and may contain inaccuracies
• Audio briefs are produced using AI-generated speech and may occasionally mispronounce names, places, or specialized terms

11.4 Neutrality and Bias

• We aim for balanced, neutral summaries in all AI-generated content
• AI may still reflect biases present in source material or training data
• We do not endorse any viewpoint, opinion, or position expressed in news content, summaries, or Ask Root responses

11.5 Country Information

• Globe fact files and country briefings are provided for general information and may be approximate or out of date
• Map boundaries, names, and groupings shown in the app do not imply any position on territorial or political matters

11.6 Content Updates

• News content is updated multiple times daily
• AI processing may cause brief delays in new content availability
• Some news sources may be temporarily unavailable

12.1 Service Disclaimer

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

12.2 Liability Limits

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE SERVICE IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

12.3 Excluded Damages

WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR DATA.

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

14.1 Termination by You

• You may stop using the Service at any time
• You can delete your account in Settings > Account. This permanently deletes your account and associated data immediately.
• Deleting your account does not cancel an Apple subscription. To stop billing, cancel Root Pro in your Apple ID subscription settings. A cancelled subscription ends at the close of the current billing period.

14.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your account or access to the Service if:

• You violate these Terms of Service
• You abuse or misuse the Service
• You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
• You attempt to circumvent subscription requirements or usage limits
• We are required to do so by law

14.3 Effect of Termination

• Access to the Service ends upon termination
• Data is deleted according to our Privacy Policy
• No refunds for any remaining subscription period, except where required by Apple's policies or applicable law

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes through:

• In-app notifications
• Email notifications (if email provided)
• Updated Terms posted on our website

Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of new Terms.

16.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Estonia, without regard to conflict of law principles.

16.2 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Estonia, except where prohibited by law.

16.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree to resolve disputes individually and waive the right to participate in class actions or collective proceedings.

Additional terms apply for users who download the app through Apple App Store:

• Apple is not responsible for the Service or these Terms
• Apple has no obligation to provide support for the Service
• Apple is not liable for any claims related to the Service
• In case of conflict, Apple's terms take precedence regarding app distribution

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

For questions about these Terms of Service, contact us:

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Root Labs OÜ regarding the Service.