Version 3 — July 7, 2026
This Participant Agreement supplements and should be read alongside our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which govern your use of the Ethos app and are incorporated here by reference. By checking the acknowledgment box at signup, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to all three documents.
Ethos is a peer-led small-group brotherhood and accountability program for men who want freedom from unwanted pornography use. The program is offered through university campuses, parishes and ministry communities, and independent groups, and is facilitated by volunteer peer leaders — not licensed professionals.
Confidentiality: What happens in your Ethos group stays in your Ethos group. This is a foundational expectation of the program and every member is expected to honor it. While Ethos reinforces this standard throughout the program, we cannot legally guarantee that every participant will comply. Each participant is individually responsible for their own conduct.
Participation is entirely voluntary.
Ethos is not a licensed mental health, counseling, medical, or therapeutic service of any kind. No person involved in the program — including Ethos staff, Campus Managers, board members, or group captains — is acting as a licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, social worker, or mental health professional. Nothing shared, discussed, or suggested in the program constitutes professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, suicidal ideation, or any situation requiring professional intervention, contact a licensed mental health professional, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988), or emergency services (911) immediately; university students may also contact their campus counseling center. Ethos is not equipped to provide crisis support.
Group captains, board members, and all other program volunteers are not licensed professionals. Ethos National is not responsible for professional, clinical, legal, or medical advice independently offered by volunteers.
By enrolling, I understand that participation in Ethos involves:
These are the expectations of the program. Ethos may limit or discontinue participation for members who are unwilling to engage with these expectations. I am enrolling voluntarily and understand what participation involves.
Ethos is not equipped to address disclosures involving threats of harm, abuse of others, exploitation, illegal sexual conduct, or other matters requiring professional, legal, or emergency intervention.
Ethos is built on trust, and we take your privacy seriously. Here is exactly what is and is not visible within the program:
What remains private: Your pornography and masturbation streak data — including streak lengths, setback events, related behavioral tracking, and the setback-frequency information you provide at signup — is not ordinarily surfaced to or used by group members, captains, board members, or Ethos staff for individual monitoring purposes. These streaks are never shared with anyone unless you explicitly choose to share a specific habit with your accountability partner in the App, and you can stop sharing at any time. It is stored securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
What your group and captain can see: Your captain and group members can see the rate at which you are completing your three commitments — whether you are showing up to group, making your daily accountability calls, and engaging with the curriculum. This is the accountability layer the program is built on, and it exists to support you, not to judge you.
What behavioral streak data is for: Your streak and setback data is primarily intended for your own personal tracking. It is distinct from your participation metrics, which reflect your commitment completion rates and are visible to your group as described above.
This is consistent with the full data practices described in our Privacy Policy and your app settings.
I understand that participation in peer-led group discussions about sensitive personal topics — including pornography use, sexual behavior, relationships, and personal history — carries inherent emotional, psychological, and interpersonal risks. I voluntarily assume all such risks, understanding that Ethos cannot control the conduct of other participants and cannot guarantee any particular outcome from my participation.
Participants are expected to treat group disclosures as confidential, though Ethos cannot guarantee that all participants will maintain confidentiality. Participants agree not to share another participant's personal disclosures outside the group without that participant's explicit consent. Reporting a safety concern about any participant or leader to Ethos National is never a violation of this confidentiality expectation.
Nothing in this Agreement prevents Ethos personnel or volunteers from disclosing information when reasonably necessary to prevent imminent harm to any person or when required by applicable law.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless Ethos National, its officers, directors, employees, Campus Managers, board members, group captains, and volunteers (collectively, "Released Parties") from any and all claims, damages, losses, and expenses of any kind arising out of or related to:
This release applies to claims based on ordinary negligence. It does not release the Released Parties from liability for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Ethos makes no guarantee about the results of participation. Growth and change are personal processes. Outcomes vary by individual and are not the responsibility of Ethos National.
My participation is entirely voluntary. I may withdraw at any time. Ethos National likewise reserves the right to limit or discontinue any participant's involvement at its discretion.
The Ethos program is open to men aged 18 and older. By enrolling, I confirm that I am at least 18 years of age. Participation by anyone under 18 is not permitted. If this representation is false, I accept full responsibility for any consequences arising from my misrepresentation.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan. For dispute resolution terms, see our Terms of Service. Electronic acceptance constitutes a legally binding agreement. A timestamped record of your acceptance is retained by Ethos National. When this document is updated, a new version number and date will be issued.
Ethos National
995 N Pontiac Trail, P.O. Box 111
Walled Lake, MI 48390
Email: support@ethosnational.org