Terms of Service and User Behavior Agreement

[Dice]

Terms of Service and User Behavior Agreement
Effective Date: 15 March 2020

Welcome! This forum is an independently operated platform owned and managed by residents of Colonial Forge in Stafford County. It is not affiliated with the Community Owners Association (COA) and exists to foster open, community-driven discussions. By accessing or using this forum, you agree to abide by the following Terms of Service, User Behavior Guidelines, and applicable laws. Failure to comply may result in warnings, restrictions, or permanent removal from the platform.

1. Legal Compliance
All users of this forum must adhere to U.S. Federal laws, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Stafford County regulations.

a. U.S. Federal Laws:

1. Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230): This site is free of liability for user-generated content but requires compliance with laws on obscene or illegal content. Any content violating federal law shall be reported upon identification.
2. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030): Users accessing this site shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access, hack, or conduct malicious actions against this platform or its users.
3. CAN-SPAM Act (15 U.S.C. § 7701): Users are prohibited from sending spam or fraudulent emails using this forum.

b. Commonwealth of Virginia Laws:

1. Virginia Computer Crimes Act (§ 18.2-152.1 et seq.): Users are prohibited from using this site to perform cyberstalking, harassment, or distribute malware.
2. Defamation Laws (§ 8.01-45): Prohibits false or defamatory statements made against individuals or organizations.
3. Unlawful Dissemination of Images (§ 18.2-386.2): Prohibits posting obscene or unlawful images without consent.

c. Stafford County Regulations:

• Users must comply with all applicable local ordinances, particularly those involving online safety and privacy.

By using this platform, you acknowledge your responsibility to abide by these laws and agree to the consequences of violations.

[Dice]

User Behavior Guidelines
To maintain a lawful, respectful, and productive forum, all users must adhere to the following guidelines:

a. General Conduct:

• Treat all members with respect and dignity.
• Harassment, threats, or abusive behavior directed at individuals or groups are strictly prohibited.

b. Content Standards:

• Permitted Content: This forum supports First Amendment rights and allows lawful speech, including controversial or vulgar language, provided it complies with applicable laws and forum rules.
• Prohibited Content:
  1. Spam or Advertising: Unsolicited advertisements, irrelevant links, or duplicate content.
  2. Fraud or Scams: Any attempts to deceive or exploit users.
  3. Advocacy of Violence or Harm: Content that incites or threatens violence or harm.
  4. Illegal Activities: Posts promoting or discussing unlawful actions.
  5. Privacy Violations: Sharing sensitive or private information without explicit consent.

c. Privacy and Security:

• Do not share another member's personal information (e.g., addresses, phone numbers) without consent, per Virginia Privacy Laws and general privacy rights under U.S. law.
• Any attempt to hack, compromise, or disrupt the forum is a violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030).

d. Account Use:

• Each user is responsible for maintaining the security of their account credentials. Impersonating others is prohibited.

e. Reporting Violations:

• If you encounter a post that violates these guidelines, report it using the icon in the corner of the post. Abuse of the reporting system will result in penalties.

3. Content Ownership and Moderation

• Content posted on this forum remains the property of the original author, but the forum reserves the right to display, distribute, and archive it.
• Moderators and administrators may remove or edit content that violates these terms, applicable laws, or community standards.

4. Disclaimer
This forum is a privately operated platform and is not affiliated with the Community Owners Association (COA). Sable Cloak owns and manages the forum independently. All user-generated content is the responsibility of the individual posters, and the forum disclaims liability for such content.

5. Enforcement and Penalties
Violations of these terms will result in the following:

1. Warning: Users will receive a warning for minor violations.
2. Temporary Suspension: For repeated or more serious violations, users may face temporary restrictions.
3. Permanent Ban: Severe or repeated violations will result in permanent removal from the platform.

6. Amendments
These terms may be updated periodically. Continued use of the forum after updates indicates your acceptance of the revised terms.