Terms of Service

Last updated: July 2, 2026

Welcome to Ethos. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Ethos mobile application and the Ethos web application (together, the "App") operated by Ethos National ("Ethos," "we," "us," or "our"). By creating an account or using the App, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you participate in the Ethos program, your participation is also governed by the Participant Agreement, as described below.

Eligibility

The Ethos program and the App are open to men aged 18 and older. By creating an account you confirm that:

• you are a man at least 18 years of age. We collect your date of birth to confirm your age, and accounts may not be created by anyone under the age of 18; and
• you meet the requirements of the community type through which you are joining:
  • University — you are currently enrolled at a participating university;
  • Parish — you are participating through a participating parish or other ministry community and join using the parish code provided by that community;
  • Independent — you are joining or forming an independent group.

Misrepresenting your age, identity, or community affiliation is grounds for immediate account termination.

Your Account

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to provide accurate information when creating your account. If you join through the University community type, you must register using your valid university-issued email address (for example, a .edu address). If you join through the Parish community type, you must enter a valid parish code provided by your participating parish or ministry community. For all community types, we may verify your email address, phone number, identity, or community affiliation by other reasonable means. You must promptly notify us if you become aware of any unauthorized use of your account.

The Ethos Program and Participant Agreement

The App supports participation in the Ethos program. Your participation in the program itself — including small group meetings, accountability partnerships, and program events — is governed by the Participant Agreement, which you accept at signup and which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. If these Terms and the Participant Agreement conflict, the Participant Agreement controls with respect to program participation, and these Terms control with respect to your use of the App.

Group Leaders

If you apply to serve as a captain or board member, or if you create or lead an independent group, you may be required to accept an additional leader agreement and to comply with additional responsibilities communicated to you before or during your service in that role.

Sensitive Behavioral Data

The App collects sensitive self-reported behavioral data, including a required signup question about your prior pornography use and, if you opt in, personal habit tracking, streak records, and setback events. By using these features, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, storage, and processing of this data as described in our Privacy Policy. You may control what behavioral data is shared with your accountability partner and group members through the App's notification settings.

Acceptable Use

When using Ethos, you agree not to:

• Harass, bully, intimidate, or threaten other users.
• Share, disclose, or distribute another user's personal data, behavioral information, or confidential information outside the App.
• Use the App for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to other users' accounts or to the App's systems and infrastructure.
• Misrepresent your identity, age, university or community affiliation, or any information provided during registration or use of the App.
• Use automated scripts, bots, or other means to access or interact with the App.

Notifications

By creating an account, you agree to receive push notifications and email communications from Ethos, including account-related messages, group updates, reminders, and other notifications related to App functionality. You may manage your notification preferences within the App's settings.

SMS / Text Message Program

By verifying your mobile phone number during signup, you agree to receive text messages from Ethos National related to your account, specifically one-time verification codes sent when you sign up or sign in. We do not send marketing, promotional, or reminder texts. Other in-app activity, such as accountability group and meeting notifications, is delivered as push notifications, not SMS.

• Program name: Ethos National account notifications.
• Message frequency: You receive a one-time verification code each time you sign up or sign in. Ethos does not send marketing, promotional, or reminder texts.
• Message and data rates: Standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply. Ethos does not charge a separate fee for SMS messages.
• Opt out: Reply STOP to any Ethos text message to opt out of future SMS communications. After opting out, you will receive one final confirmation message. You will no longer receive SMS verification codes, which may prevent you from signing back in.
• Help: Reply HELP to any Ethos text message for assistance, or contact us at support@ethosnational.org.
• Carrier disclaimer: Carriers (including but not limited to AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
• Consent: Consent to receive SMS is not a condition of any purchase. You may withdraw consent at any time by replying STOP or by deleting your account in the App.

User Content

You retain ownership of any content you submit through the App, including feedback, questionnaire responses, and free-text entries. By submitting content, you grant Ethos a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, store, and process such content as necessary to operate and improve the App. You are solely responsible for the content you submit and represent that it does not violate the rights of any third party.

Data Collection and Privacy

Your use of the App is governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your information. By agreeing to these Terms, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy.

Account Termination

You may delete your account at any time through the App's settings or by any other method described in our Privacy Policy. Upon deletion, your account will be deactivated and your personal data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe that you have violated these Terms or engaged in conduct that is harmful to other users or to Ethos.

Intellectual Property

The App, including all content, features, design, and functionality, is owned by Ethos National and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any part of the App without our prior written consent.

Not Medical or Professional Advice

Ethos is a peer accountability tool and does not provide professional counseling, therapy, medical advice, or treatment of any kind. The App is not a substitute for professional help. If you are experiencing a crisis or need professional support, please contact a qualified professional or emergency services immediately. Ethos makes no representations or warranties regarding the effectiveness of its accountability features.

Disclaimer of Warranties

The App is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Ethos National does not warrant that the App will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Ethos National and its officers, directors, employees, agents, Campus Managers, board members, captains, and volunteers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of or inability to use the App, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profits, or damages resulting from reliance on any information obtained through the App. In no event shall our total liability to you exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ethos National and its officers, directors, employees, agents, Campus Managers, board members, captains, and volunteers from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to your use of the App, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another.

Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the App shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith informal negotiation. If the dispute cannot be resolved informally within thirty (30) days, either party may pursue resolution through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will be conducted in the county in which you reside or, at your election, remotely by videoconference. The parties' respective obligations to pay arbitration fees and costs will be governed by the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules. You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis and not as a class action or representative proceeding.

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Kent County, Michigan.

Severability

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

Modifications to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by updating the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, through in-app or email notification. Your continued use of the App after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, contact us at: