Terms & Conditions

0. Definitions

• We/Us/Our: The owner/operator of Enigma Papers.
• User: Any person accessing the Platform, including Players and Builders.
• Player: A User who participates in puzzles.
• Builder: A User who creates, uploads, and/or publishes puzzle content.
• Content: All text, images, puzzles, hints, stages, solutions, code, audio, video, locations, and other materials on or linked via the Platform.
• Third-Party Services: External providers we rely on (e.g., hosting, analytics, payments).

1. General Terms

1.1 About the Platform

Enigma Papers is a global puzzle platform that enables Players to participate in puzzles and Builders to design and publish interactive content. We provide tools, hosting, and infrastructure but do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free operation.

1.2 Eligibility & Accounts

• You must be at least 13 years old (or the minimum legal age in your jurisdiction) to use the Platform. Users below the age of majority require parental/guardian consent.
• You are responsible for keeping your login credentials secure and for all activity under your account.
• You must provide accurate information and keep it up to date.

1.3 Acceptable Use

• Do not use the Platform for unlawful, harmful, or fraudulent activity.
• Do not reverse engineer, interfere with, disrupt, or attempt to bypass security, authentication, or rate-limiting controls.
• Do not upload malware or content that is defamatory, obscene, harassing, hateful, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful.
• Do not misuse or overload the Platform (e.g., scraping, spamming, DDoS).

1.4 Intellectual Property

Except for Builder-owned content (see Builder Terms), all Platform software, design, branding, and materials are our intellectual property or licensed to us. You receive a limited, revocable licence to access and use the Platform for its intended purpose. You may not copy, adapt, or distribute our IP without written permission.

1.5 User-Generated Content (UGC)

• You are responsible for your own content and must have all rights necessary to share it.
• You grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, process, reproduce, display, and distribute your content solely to operate and improve the Platform.
• We may moderate, remove, or disable content that violates these Terms or law.
• To report IP infringement, contact us with sufficient detail to locate and evaluate the content. We will act reasonably and promptly (DMCA-style process).

1.6 Third-Party Services

We may rely on third-party providers (e.g., hosting, CDN, analytics, maps, payment processors). We are not responsible for their availability, performance, or conduct. Your use of third-party services may be subject to their own terms and privacy policies.

1.7 Privacy, Cookies & Data Protection (GDPR/International)

• We collect and process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy (including cookies and similar technologies). Where required, we rely on lawful bases such as consent, contract, and legitimate interests.
• Users in the EEA/UK/other regions have rights of access, rectification, deletion, restriction, portability, and objection, subject to legal limits.
• We may transfer data internationally using appropriate safeguards (e.g., SCCs, UK IDTA, adequacy decisions).
• Some features rely on cookies/local storage (e.g., authentication, preferences, analytics). You can manage consent where required.
• We implement technical and organisational measures appropriate to risk; however, no system is perfectly secure.

1.8 Accessibility

We aim to support inclusive access and align with recognised accessibility guidelines. If you encounter barriers, please contact us; we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate.

1.9 Payments, Billing & Refunds

• Some features may be paid (now or in future). Prices, currencies, taxes, and billing periods will be disclosed at purchase time.
• Payments are processed by third-party processors. We do not store complete payment card details.
• Unless stated otherwise, all fees are non-refundable except where required by law. Any trial periods, renewals, and cancellations will be explained at the point of purchase.
• If a fee is not paid on time, we may suspend or terminate access to paid features.

1.10 AI-Assisted Features

• The Platform may include AI-assisted hints, evaluation, or content generation. AI outputs may be imperfect or inconsistent.
• AI content is provided “as is”; you should not rely on it for safety-critical decisions.
• We may use third-party AI providers; their terms and data practices may apply.

1.11 Service Changes, Suspension & Termination

• We may change, suspend, or discontinue any feature at any time.
• We may suspend or terminate accounts for breach, risk to the community, fraud, or legal reasons.
• We may update these Terms. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.

1.12 Warranties & Disclaimers

The Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

1.13 Limitation of Liability

• To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, data, goodwill, or business interruption.
• Our total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to the Platform shall not exceed the greater of: (a) the amount you paid to us in the 12 months before the claim; or (b) £100 (or local currency equivalent), unless local mandatory law requires more.
• Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

1.14 Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your breach of these Terms, your content, or your misuse of the Platform.

1.15 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of our operating country, without regard to conflict of laws. If you are a consumer in the EEA/UK or other jurisdictions with mandatory protections, you may have additional rights. Disputes shall be resolved by the competent courts of our operating country, unless mandatory local laws provide otherwise. Before filing, the parties will attempt good-faith informal resolution.

1.16 Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, internet failures, labour disputes, governmental actions, or third-party outages.

2. Player Terms

2.1 Gameplay & Assumption of Risk

Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. Some puzzles may involve physical activity or real-world locations. You are solely responsible for your safety, compliance with laws and property rules, and appropriate conduct in public spaces.

2.2 Availability, Progress & Performance

• We strive for uptime and correctness but do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free gameplay.
• Progress, scoring, and unlocks may be affected by device, network, time-zone settings, or Builder logic.
• If issues occur, we will act reasonably to correct them as soon as practicable.

2.3 Disclaimer of Consequential Loss

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for consequential or incidental losses arising from outages, bugs, scoring errors, or malfunctions, including travel costs, missed events, prizes, or lost opportunities.

2.4 Multiplayer, Groups & Data-Sharing

• Group play may share limited information (e.g., team name, progress, scores) with teammates and, where applicable, leaderboards.
• You can leave groups or adjust settings where provided. Group administrators (not us) may control team membership.

2.5 Device & Compatibility

You are responsible for having a compatible device, software, and internet connection. We are not responsible for carrier fees or data charges.

2.6 Prohibited Player Conduct

• No cheating, exploiting, or bypassing puzzle mechanics.
• No harassment of other Users or interference with their gameplay.
• No trespassing, unsafe behaviour, or violation of third-party rights.

3. Builder Terms

3.1 Responsibility for Content

• Builders are fully responsible for the puzzles, hints, stages, rules, prizes, and any real-world elements they create or reference.
• Content must be accurate, lawful, safe, and comply with applicable regulations (e.g., promotions, age restrictions, location permissions).
• Real-world elements must not endanger Players, encourage trespass, or require unlawful activity.

3.2 Testing, Safety & Compliance

• We provide tools (including algorithms and evaluators) “as is”. We make reasonable efforts for correctness, but you must test your puzzles thoroughly before publishing.
• If your puzzle includes time-critical or location-based elements, you must account for device variance, time-zones, and accessibility.
• Where you collect additional data from Players (e.g., prize fulfilment), you must comply with applicable data laws and provide your own disclosures where required.

3.3 Intellectual Property & Licence

• You retain ownership of your original content.
• You grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, cache, reproduce, display, operate, test, and distribute your content within the Platform and for promotional purposes of the Platform and your puzzle.
• You warrant that your content does not infringe third-party rights and that you have obtained all necessary permissions (e.g., images, music, trademarks, locations).

3.4 AI, Evaluators & External Tools

• AI-assisted evaluation or hinting may produce unexpected outcomes. You are responsible for validating correctness and fairness.
• If you reference external tools, APIs, or websites, you are responsible for their suitability, availability, and compliance, and for informing Players of any additional terms.

3.5 Liability & Indemnity

• We are not responsible for consequences arising from incorrect puzzle logic, unsafe designs, broken assumptions, or missing permissions.
• You agree to indemnify us for claims arising from your content, promotions, or conduct, including claims by Players or third parties.

3.6 Moderation & Removal

We may edit, restrict, or remove Builder content that violates these Terms, legal requirements, or community safety, or that risks Platform stability, with or without notice.