Terms of Service
Effective Date: December 31, 2025
Welcome to Shortwave (the “Service”), operated by Shortwave Online (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). The Service is accessible at https://shortwave.cc and allows users to post audio recordings as “broadcasts” and record “replies” to create crowdsourced, threaded audio conversations that can be browsed and played in a linear format like a podcast.
By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (the “Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.
1. Acceptance of Terms
Your use of the Service constitutes your agreement to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your jurisdiction to use the Service. By using the Service, you represent that you meet this requirement.
3. Accounts
To use certain features, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate information and keep it updated. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access.
4. User Content
You retain ownership of the audio broadcasts, replies, and other content you post (“User Content”). By posting User Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, store, distribute, modify (for technical purposes), publicly perform, and display your User Content solely to provide and promote the Service.
You represent and warrant that:
- You own or have the necessary rights to post your User Content.
- Your User Content does not infringe any third-party rights, including copyrights, trademarks, privacy, or publicity rights.
- You will not upload, post, or distribute copyrighted material that is not your own without proper authorization.
We are not responsible for User Content and do not endorse it. You are solely responsible for your User Content.
5. Prohibited Content and Conduct
You agree not to use the Service to:
- Upload, post, or distribute content that is illegal under applicable federal, state, or local laws, including but not limited to child sexual abuse material, content promoting terrorism, or content that constitutes a criminal offense.
- Infringe on intellectual property rights, such as posting unauthorized copyrighted audio, trademarks, or proprietary information.
- Engage in or promote harmful activities, including hate speech (targeting individuals or groups based on protected characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability), harassment, bullying, threats of violence, or encouragement of self-harm.
- Distribute spam, unsolicited advertising, viruses, malware, or other harmful code.
- Impersonate others, misrepresent your affiliation, or collect personal data without consent.
- Interfere with the Service's operation, such as using automated scripts to overload the system or circumvent security measures.
We standardize prohibited content to focus on categories that are objectively illegal or deemed harmful by our content moderators based on clear violations of these Terms or applicable laws. We do not prohibit content based solely on subjective interpretations, such as differing opinions or tastes, unless it falls into the above categories.
6. Content Moderation and Enforcement
We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to monitor User Content and user activity on the Service. Our content moderators may review, remove, or restrict access to any User Content that violates these Terms, including prohibited content as outlined in Section 5.
We may also suspend or terminate your account, or take other disciplinary actions, for:
- Violations of these Terms or our content policies.
- Patterns of bad behavior, such as repeated content policy violations.
- Patterns of negative behavior deemed harmful by the community, including through user reports or feedback, as evaluated by our moderation team.
Our moderation team has the final say on all moderation decisions. By using the Service, you agree to abide by these decisions and acknowledge that they are made in our sole discretion to maintain a safe and compliant environment. We may, but are not required to, provide notice or explanations for moderation actions, except where required by law.
If you believe content has been removed in error, you may contact us at , but we are not obligated to reinstate it.
7. Intellectual Property
Respect the intellectual property of others. If you believe your copyright has been infringed, submit a notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to our designated agent at . We will respond to valid notices and may remove infringing content. Repeat infringers may have their accounts terminated.
8. Termination
We may terminate or suspend your access to the Service at any time, with or without cause, including for violations of these Terms. Upon termination, your license to use the Service ends, and we may delete your User Content. You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us.
9. Disclaimers
The Service is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. We do not guarantee the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Service, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Our total liability shall not exceed $100.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, losses, or damages arising from your use of the Service, your User Content, or your violation of these Terms.
12. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to conflict of law principles. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of the courts in Virginia for any disputes.
13. Arbitration Agreement
Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Virginia, administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. You waive any right to participate in class actions. Arbitration shall be on an individual basis only.
This arbitration agreement does not apply to claims for injunctive relief related to intellectual property infringement.
14. Miscellaneous
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect. Our failure to enforce any right does not waive it. You may not assign these Terms without our consent; we may assign them freely.
For questions, contact us at .
By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms.