Legal

Terms & Conditions

Please read these terms carefully before using TrailMates

Dragon Sphere LLC  ·  [email protected]  ·  Last Updated: April 2026

1Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using the TrailMates mobile application ("App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions ("Terms") and all policies incorporated herein, including our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Safety Guidelines. If you do not agree to all of these Terms, do not use the App.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Dragon Sphere LLC ("we," "us," "our," or "Company"). Your continued use of the App following any update to these Terms constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.


2Description of Service — Platform Only

⚠️ TrailMates is a technology platform only. We connect users who wish to participate in outdoor activities. We do not organize, supervise, lead, sponsor, endorse, or participate in any outdoor event listed on the App. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the conduct, character, or actions of any user, event host, or event attendee — before, during, or after any activity.

TrailMates allows users to create and join outdoor activity events, communicate with other users, share photos, and post trail condition reports. The Company acts solely as a neutral technology intermediary and is not a party to any agreement or interaction between users.


3Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use TrailMates. By creating an account you represent and warrant that you are 18 or older, have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms, and are not prohibited from using the App under any applicable law. Accounts created by minors will be terminated immediately upon discovery.


4No Background Checks or User Verification

🚨 IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ.

TrailMates does NOT conduct criminal background checks, sex offender registry checks, identity verification, or any other screening of users. We cannot and do not confirm that any user is who they claim to be.

By using the App you acknowledge and understand that you may be interacting with and meeting in person individuals whose backgrounds, identities, and intentions are unknown to us and to you.

You assume full responsibility for verifying the identity and suitability of any person you choose to meet through TrailMates. We strongly encourage you to read our Safety Guidelines before meeting any user in person.

Nothing on the App — including user reviews, event history, profile completeness, or any other feature — should be interpreted as a representation by TrailMates that any user is safe, trustworthy, or suitable to meet in person.


5User Accounts

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, current, and complete information when creating your account and to keep this information updated. You may not transfer your account to any other person.

Notify us immediately at [email protected] if you suspect unauthorized access to your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to maintain account security.


6Assumption of Risk — Outdoor Activities

⚠️ THIS SECTION LIMITS OUR LIABILITY — PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

Hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and other outdoor activities carry significant inherent risks including but not limited to:

  • Serious physical injury or death from falls, terrain, or physical exertion
  • Dangerous wildlife encounters including rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and bears
  • Severe or rapidly changing weather conditions
  • Heat stroke, dehydration, hypothermia, and altitude sickness
  • Getting lost or stranded in remote locations
  • Equipment failure
  • Flash floods, rockslides, and other natural hazards
  • Interactions with other trail users

By using TrailMates to find, create, or join any outdoor event, you expressly acknowledge these risks and voluntarily and knowingly assume all risk of injury, illness, disability, or death that may result from participating in any outdoor activity, whether or not that risk arises from the negligence of Dragon Sphere LLC, its officers, employees, or agents.

Dragon Sphere LLC does not organize, supervise, or participate in any outdoor event listed on the App. We have no control over trail conditions, weather, wildlife, the physical fitness or preparedness of users, or any other circumstance that may cause harm during an outdoor activity.


7Assumption of Risk — Meeting Strangers

🚨 THIS SECTION IS CRITICAL — READ BEFORE USING THE APP.

TrailMates facilitates connections between strangers for in-person outdoor activities. Meeting strangers in person — including in outdoor locations that may be remote, isolated, or without cell service — carries serious inherent risks, including but not limited to assault, sexual assault, robbery, stalking, harassment, and other criminal acts.

By using TrailMates you expressly acknowledge and assume all risks associated with meeting strangers through the App, including the risk of becoming a victim of a crime committed by another user.

Dragon Sphere LLC:

  • Does not screen, verify, or vouch for any user's identity, character, intentions, or criminal history
  • Cannot guarantee the safety of any in-person meeting arranged through the App
  • Is not responsible for the criminal acts, intentional misconduct, negligence, or any other actions of any user
  • Has no ability to monitor, supervise, or control in-person interactions between users
  • Does not provide security services of any kind

You are solely responsible for your own safety when meeting other users in person. We strongly encourage you to read and follow our Safety Guidelines before meeting any user for the first time. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. TrailMates cannot contact emergency services on your behalf.


8Prohibited Conduct

You agree that you will NOT use the App to engage in any of the following conduct. Violation may result in immediate permanent account termination and referral to law enforcement:

  • Physical assault, sexual assault, rape, or any form of physical violence against any person
  • Stalking, following, or surveilling any user without their knowledge or consent
  • Any form of sexual harassment or unwanted sexual contact
  • Harassing, bullying, threatening, intimidating, or coercing any user
  • Using the App to facilitate human trafficking, exploitation, or prostitution
  • Creating or distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — immediately reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and law enforcement
  • Doxxing — publishing another user's private personal information without their consent
  • Impersonating any person or entity or creating fake profiles
  • Posting false, misleading, or fraudulent event information
  • Using the App for any purpose that is illegal under applicable federal, state, or local law
  • Posting explicit, obscene, or sexually graphic content
  • Collecting other users' personal information without their knowledge or consent
  • Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the App or its systems
  • Using the App while intoxicated or impaired in any way that creates a safety risk to others

You acknowledge that the above-prohibited conduct may constitute criminal offenses under California and federal law and that Dragon Sphere LLC will cooperate fully with law enforcement investigations involving any user.


9Reporting Safety Concerns and Violations

TrailMates provides in-app reporting tools for users to flag unsafe behavior, harassment, assault, fake profiles, and other violations. You may also report concerns directly to us at [email protected].

We review reports and reserve the right to remove content, suspend, or permanently terminate any account that we determine, in our sole discretion, has violated these Terms or our Community Guidelines. We are not obligated to act on every report and do not guarantee that all reported content or users will be removed.

For incidents involving criminal conduct, we strongly encourage you to contact local law enforcement directly. Reporting to TrailMates is not a substitute for contacting emergency services or law enforcement.

Dragon Sphere LLC will cooperate with law enforcement requests for information regarding users suspected of criminal activity to the fullest extent permitted by law.


10User Content

You retain ownership of photos, messages, and other content you post on TrailMates. By posting content you grant Dragon Sphere LLC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute your content within the App for the purpose of operating the service.

You are solely responsible for all content you post. You represent that you have all necessary rights to post such content and that it does not violate any law or the rights of any third party. We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these Terms at our sole discretion without notice.


11Platform Immunity — Third Party Content and Conduct

TrailMates is an interactive computer service as defined under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230). We are not the publisher or speaker of any user-generated content posted on the App, and we are not liable for user-generated content under federal law.

Dragon Sphere LLC is not responsible for and expressly disclaims all liability for the actions, content, conduct, statements, or omissions of any user — whether on the App or in person. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Assault, sexual assault, or criminal conduct by any user
  • False or misleading information posted by any user
  • Injuries or death arising from any event organized by a user
  • Disputes between users
  • Any content posted by users that violates the rights of others

12Disclaimer of Warranties

The app and all content and services provided through it are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement.

Dragon Sphere LLC does not warrant that: (a) the app will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure; (b) any user information or content is accurate, complete, or reliable; (c) the app is free of viruses or other harmful components; (d) any outdoor event found through the app is safe; or (e) any user is who they represent themselves to be.

We make no representations about the safety, suitability, or character of any user. No oral or written information provided by Dragon Sphere LLC shall create any warranty not expressly stated in these terms.


13Limitation of Liability

⚠️ THIS SECTION SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITS OUR LIABILITY TO YOU. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Dragon Sphere LLC and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, and licensors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to:

  • Personal injury, physical harm, sexual assault, assault, rape, stalking, harassment, or death resulting from the actions of any user
  • Property damage or loss occurring during or in connection with any outdoor activity found through the App
  • Emotional distress, trauma, or psychological harm
  • Loss of data, revenue, profits, or business opportunities
  • Any damages arising from your reliance on any user-generated content
  • Any damages arising from your decision to meet another user in person

These limitations apply regardless of the theory of liability (negligence, strict liability, breach of contract, or otherwise) and even if Dragon Sphere LLC has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total cumulative liability to you for any claims arising from or related to your use of the App shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) or the amount you have paid to us in the past twelve months, whichever is greater.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.


14Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Dragon Sphere LLC and its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

  • Your use of or access to the App
  • Your violation of any provision of these Terms
  • Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
  • Your participation in any outdoor activity or in-person meeting arranged through the App
  • Your interactions with any other user, whether on the App or in person
  • Any content you post on the App
  • Any claim that your content or conduct caused harm to a third party
  • Your violation of our Community Guidelines or Safety Guidelines

15Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

⚠️ THIS SECTION AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

Agreement to Arbitrate. Except as provided below, you and Dragon Sphere LLC agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, the App, or your use of the App (including any in-person activity or interaction arising from use of the App) shall be resolved exclusively through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court.

Class Action Waiver. You and Dragon Sphere LLC agree that each may bring claims against the other only in your or its individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, consolidated, or representative action. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of class or representative proceeding.

Exceptions. Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court. Either party may seek emergency injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of a party's intellectual property or confidentiality rights.

Opt-Out. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to [email protected] within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include your name, email address, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration. Opting out does not affect any other provision of these Terms.

Arbitration Location and Fees. Arbitration shall take place in the State of California. Filing fees shall be allocated as set forth in the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules. Dragon Sphere LLC will not seek attorneys' fees in arbitration unless your claim is determined to be frivolous.


16Privacy

Your use of TrailMates is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the App you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.

California Residents: Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), you have the right to know what personal information we collect, request deletion of your personal information, and opt out of the sale of your personal information. We do not sell your personal information. To exercise your CCPA rights, contact us at support@trailmatesapp.com.



17Data Retention After Account Deletion

⚠️ Important — Your deletion request does not result in immediate permanent erasure of all data.

When you delete your TrailMates account, your public profile and content are removed from the App and are no longer visible to other users. However, Dragon Sphere LLC retains certain account data for a period of up to seven (7) years following deletion for the following legitimate purposes:

  • Safety and security: To investigate reports of assault, harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or other harmful conduct that may be reported after an account is deleted
  • Legal compliance: To comply with applicable law, regulation, court orders, subpoenas, or law enforcement requests
  • Fraud prevention: To detect and prevent the creation of new accounts by users who were banned or suspended for violating these Terms
  • Dispute resolution: To resolve disputes, enforce our Terms, and defend legal claims
  • Evidence preservation: To preserve evidence relevant to potential or pending legal proceedings

The data we retain after deletion may include your email address, account identifiers, IP address, device information, agreement history (including which version of our Terms you agreed to and when), activity history, and any reports filed by or against your account.

This retention practice is permitted under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other applicable privacy laws, which allow retention of personal information for security, legal compliance, and fraud prevention purposes notwithstanding a deletion request.

After the applicable retention period, your archived data will be permanently deleted unless we are required by law to retain it longer or it is subject to a pending legal hold.

If you have questions about our data retention practices, contact us at support@trailmatesapp.com.

18Community Guidelines and Safety Guidelines

Your use of TrailMates is also governed by our Community Guidelines and Safety Guidelines, both of which are incorporated into these Terms by reference. Violation of our Community Guidelines constitutes a violation of these Terms and may result in immediate account termination.


19Law Enforcement Cooperation

Dragon Sphere LLC will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies investigating criminal conduct involving TrailMates users. This includes providing user account information, communications, and other data in response to valid legal process including subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants.

We reserve the right to proactively report to law enforcement any user conduct that we reasonably believe constitutes a crime, including but not limited to assault, sexual assault, stalking, threats of violence, and child exploitation.

All reports of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) are immediately reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as required by federal law (18 U.S.C. § 2258A).


20Emergency Situations

🚨 TrailMates is NOT an emergency response service.

If you are in immediate danger or require emergency assistance, call 911 immediately. TrailMates cannot contact emergency services on your behalf, cannot monitor your location in real time, and cannot dispatch help in an emergency situation. Do not rely on the App in an emergency.

Dragon Sphere LLC is not liable for any injury, harm, or death resulting from your failure or inability to contact emergency services or from any delay in emergency response during any outdoor activity or in-person meeting arranged through the App.


21Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or permanently terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, for violation of these Terms, our Community Guidelines, or for any other reason at our sole discretion. Users found to have engaged in zero-tolerance violations — including assault, sexual assault, stalking, or criminal conduct — will be permanently banned with no right of appeal.

You may delete your account at any time from the Profile settings screen. Termination does not relieve you of obligations incurred prior to termination, including your indemnification obligations.


22Trail Conditions and Outdoor Safety Information

Trail condition reports, event descriptions, difficulty ratings, and other outdoor safety information on TrailMates is user-generated and may be inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete. Dragon Sphere LLC makes no representations about the accuracy of any trail information posted on the App.

Always verify trail conditions independently through official sources (USFS, NPS, CalFire) before any outdoor activity. Never rely solely on TrailMates for safety-critical information. Dragon Sphere LLC is not liable for any injury, harm, or death arising from reliance on user-generated trail condition information posted on the App.


23Governing Law

These Terms and any disputes arising from them are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. To the extent that any dispute is not subject to arbitration under Section 15, you agree to submit to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of California.


24Severability and Entire Agreement

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid under applicable law, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the Terms shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. The unenforceable provision shall be replaced with an enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent.

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Safety Guidelines, constitute the entire agreement between you and Dragon Sphere LLC regarding your use of the App and supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.


25Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes through the App or by email to the address associated with your account. Continued use of the App following notice of changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the App.


26Contact Us

For questions about these Terms, to report a safety concern, or to exercise any rights described herein, contact us at:

Dragon Sphere LLC — TrailMates

[email protected]

State of California