PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF SERVICE CAREFULLY. THEY CONTAIN AN AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, REMEDIES, AND OBLIGATIONS. THE AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE REQUIRES (WITH LIMITED EXCEPTION) THAT YOU SUBMIT CLAIMS YOU HAVE AGAINST US TO BINDING AND FINAL ARBITRATION, AND FURTHER (1) YOU WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO PURSUE CLAIMS AGAINST TETHER ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND (2) YOU WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO SEEK RELIEF ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
These Terms of Service ("Terms," "Agreement") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Tether Inc. ("Tether," "we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of the Tether mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the "Service").
BY ACCESSING OR USING THE SERVICE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND OUR PRIVACY POLICY, INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SERVICE.
To use the Service, you must:
For Users Under 18: If you are between 13 and 18 years old, you represent that your parent or legal guardian has reviewed and agreed to these Terms on your behalf.
For Entity/Business Accounts: If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent and warrant you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms.
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will post the updated Terms in the app and on our website, update the "Last Updated" date, and notify you of material changes via in-app notification or email. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.
Your use of certain features may be subject to supplemental terms or our Community Guidelines, available at tetherup.app/guidelines, incorporated by reference. In the event of a conflict, the supplemental terms govern for that feature.
To use Tether, you must create an account by providing a valid phone number. Authentication is performed exclusively via one-time password (OTP) delivered by SMS ("Phone OTP"). We do not offer password-based authentication or social sign-in (OAuth). You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information.
By registering and providing your phone number, you expressly consent to receive SMS text messages from Tether and our SMS service provider (Telnyx), including:
You understand that:
Full SMS terms at tetherup.app/sms.
You are responsible for: (a) maintaining confidentiality of your authentication credentials; (b) all activities under your account; (c) restricting access to your devices; and (d) notifying us immediately of unauthorized access at [email protected]. We are not liable for any loss arising from your failure to maintain account security.
Each user may maintain only one personal Tether account. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent subscription limits, bans, or features is prohibited.
When you sign in on a device, we create a user-scoped device identifier by combining device hardware identifiers with your user ID via SHA-256 hashing. This ensures your data syncs only to your authenticated devices. You can manage linked devices in Settings > Devices.
By creating an account, you consent to receive all communications from Tether electronically, and agree that electronic agreements, notices, and disclosures satisfy any legal requirement that they be in writing. You may request paper copies by contacting [email protected].
Free Tier: Live sync, Activity Feed, device/Google/ Microsoft contact import, unlimited contacts (up to tier limit), circles (limited count), events (limited), privacy controls, data export, and duplicate detection — at no cost.
Tether+ ($2.99/month or $24.99/year): Everything in Free plus unlimited circles, large directory hosting, cloud backup, address autocomplete and validation, full CRM history, realtime sync, and power features (tags, network health).
Lifetime Plan ($99.99 one-time): All Tether+ features for the operational life of the Service. Limited Founders Edition (capped quantity). No recurring charges.
Lifetime Plan Limitations: The Lifetime Plan grants access to Tether+ features for as long as Tether Inc. operates the Service. In the event of dissolution, acquisition, or transfer, the successor will use commercially reasonable efforts to honor Lifetime Plan benefits for a minimum of twelve (12) months. After that period, the successor may convert holders to an equivalent paid tier at no additional cost, or offer a pro-rated refund. Tether will provide at least 90 days' advance notice.
Payments are processed through Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android) via RevenueCat. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled before the renewal date. We may change prices with at least 30 days' notice. If payment fails, your account may be downgraded to Free tier after 14 days.
Cancel any time through Settings > Subscription > Cancel, or email [email protected]. You retain access until the current billing period ends. We offer a 7-day money-back guarantee for first-time subscribers. Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days.
Downgrade: If you downgrade to Free, circles exceeding the Free tier limit become read-only and cloud backup is disabled. Your data is retained.
EU or UK consumers may withdraw from a purchase within 14 days without reason. Contact [email protected] before the end of the Cooling-Off Period. If you have already begun using paid features, we may deduct a proportionate amount.
Australia: Nothing in these Terms restricts rights that cannot be excluded under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
Free trials automatically convert to paid subscriptions unless canceled before trial end. Trials are limited to one per user.
Subscription fees exclude applicable taxes. You are responsible for any sales, use, VAT, GST, or other taxes.
You may use Tether to manage contacts, sync data, import contacts, join directories and circles, share information per your privacy settings, broadcast your updated contact card, and create and manage events — for personal or internal business purposes only.
Unless specifically authorized in writing, the Service is for your personal use only. You agree not to display, distribute, license, sell, resell, sublicense, or otherwise exploit the Service for commercial purposes. This includes building competing products or services.
No employee, contractor, agent, or affiliate of any competing platform is permitted to access the Service without express written permission from Tether.
BETA FEATURES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TETHER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO YOUR ACCESS AND USE OF BETA FEATURES. We may discontinue them at any time without notice.
Tether is committed to WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility, including screen reader compatibility, Dynamic Type, verified color contrast, keyboard navigation for iPad, and full dark mode.
You agree not to:
(a) Illegal Activities: Use the Service unlawfully, store illegal content (including CSAM), facilitate fraud, or violate others' rights.
(b) Scraping and Data Extraction: Scrape, harvest, or collect information from users; use bots, spiders, or scripts to extract data; aggregate data for sale or commercial use.
(c) Spam, Impersonation, and Abuse: Send spam, create fake profiles, impersonate others, upload malware, or attempt DoS attacks.
(d) Circumvention and Reverse Engineering: Bypass security features, reverse engineer the Service, exploit vulnerabilities, create multiple accounts, or share credentials.
(e) Inappropriate Content: Store or share defamatory, threatening, obscene, harassing, or hateful content; promote discrimination.
(f) Privacy Violations: Store data without authority, share private information without permission, misuse health or sensitive data.
(g) Interference: Disrupt the Service, impose unreasonable load, or interfere with other users.
(h) Automated and AI-Assisted Misuse: Use bots or AI tools to create accounts or interact at scale; use the Service to train ML models without written consent; aggregate data for resale.
(i) Misuse of Reporting Channels: Make fraudulent reports or submit false DMCA notices (see Section 9 for liability under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f)).
Violations may result in warning, suspension, termination, content removal, legal action, or liability for damages. We reserve the right to investigate and cooperate with law enforcement.
Tether allows users to create and join Shared Directories (e.g., school directories, neighborhood groups) and Shared Circles (collaborative contact groups).
Tether+ or Lifetime subscription is required. As administrator, you are responsible for setting guidelines, moderating membership, responding to complaints, and complying with applicable laws.
Your directory profile is visible to members per your privacy settings. You agree to provide accurate information, respect privacy, follow guidelines, and not scrape member data.
Tether may establish limits concerning use and storage, including maximum retention periods and storage space. Tether reserves the right to terminate inactive accounts and change these practices at any time.
You retain ownership of contributed information. You grant directory members a limited, non-exclusive license to view your shared information. Administrators may not sell, distribute, or commercially exploit member data.
You retain all rights to content you create, upload, or store ("Your Content"). By using Tether, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to store, process, transmit, back up, and display Your Content as needed to provide the Service. This license terminates when you delete Your Content or close your account (subject to backup retention of up to 90 days).
You represent that you own or have the necessary rights, your content does not violate third-party rights or laws, and you have obtained any consents required to store and share personal information about your contacts, including for co-hosted events.
You grant Tether a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, perpetual, and irrevocable license to use Your Content in connection with operating and promoting the Service. You also authorize Tether to derive statistical and usage data ("Usage Data") in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Any questions, comments, suggestions, or feedback ("Submissions") you provide are non-confidential. Tether may use Submissions for any purpose without acknowledgment or compensation.
The Service and its content (excluding Your Content) are owned by Tether and protected by copyright, trademark, and other IP laws. This includes the TETHER trademark (U.S. Serial No. 99740187).
You may not use Tether's name, logos, or trademarks without prior written consent. Nominative referential use (e.g., "I use Tether") does not constitute infringement.
Subject to these Terms, Tether grants you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to install and use the app for personal use.
Tether may contain links to third-party websites or services. Tether is not responsible for such third-party content or practices.
Our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, incorporated by reference.
By syncing your device contacts, you consent to our comparing contacts' verified phone numbers against other Tether users using privacy-preserving hashing techniques. When two users have each other's verified phone numbers saved, a connection may be automatically created ("Autoconnect"). You may remove any connection at any time and adjust sharing preferences in Settings > Privacy > Tier Defaults.
You represent and warrant that:
By storing health-related information, you represent that you have authority and consent to do so, acknowledge it is sensitive data subject to heightened protections, and agree to indemnify Tether from claims arising from unauthorized storage or sharing.
We automatically strip EXIF metadata (including GPS coordinates, device information, and timestamps) from uploaded photos before storage.
Tether uses machine learning for duplicate detection, circle auto-suggestion, and spam/fraud detection. These produce suggestions for your review. We do not use your contact data to train general-purpose AI models for sale or licensing.
If a person whose information you have stored submits a data subject request to us, we may forward it to you. You agree to cooperate and respond within required timeframes.
Tether is not responsible for the actions, content, or data of other users. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other users. If you have a dispute with another user, you release Tether, its officers, employees, agents, and successors from any claims arising out of such disputes.
Tether respects intellectual property rights and responds promptly to claims of infringement.
Submit DMCA notices to: [email protected] (Subject: "DMCA Takedown Notice"), or Tether Inc., Attn: Legal/Copyright, [Address to be provided].
Your notice must include:
Under 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who knowingly materially misrepresents that material is infringing may be subject to liability.
If you believe removed content was taken down by mistake, submit a counter-notice. Upon receipt of a valid counter-notice, we will reinstate content within 10–14 business days unless we receive notice of a legal action.
Tether has adopted a policy of terminating, in appropriate circumstances, the accounts of users who are repeat infringers.
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.
We are not responsible for the availability, reliability, or accuracy of third-party services (Google, Microsoft, payment processors), changes to their APIs, or their privacy practices.
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TETHER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, including loss of profits, revenue, data, or contact information.
OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED the greater of (a) the amount you paid to Tether in the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) $100 USD.
These limitations do not apply to our gross negligence, willful misconduct, death or personal injury, fraud, or liabilities that cannot be excluded under applicable law.
We are not liable for failure or delay due to acts of God, war, government actions, internet failures, third-party outages, cyberattacks, or pandemics.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tether, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives from claims arising from your violation of these Terms, your content, your failure to obtain consents, your role as a directory administrator, claims by data subjects, your use of health information, or your participation in the referral program.
We reserve the right to assume exclusive defense. You may not settle any claim without our prior written consent.
These Terms commence when you create your account and continue until terminated.
Delete your account through Settings > Account > Delete Account, or email [email protected].
We may suspend or terminate your account immediately for: breach of these Terms; legal or safety concerns; extended inactivity (12 months, with notice); payment issues; or fraudulent activity.
Your right to access the Service ceases immediately. Your content will be deleted per our retention schedule. No refund of prepaid fees upon termination for cause.
Sections 6 (Content Ownership), 7.3–7.4 (Data Obligations), 8 (User Disputes), 9 (DMCA), 10 (Disclaimers), 11 (Indemnification), 13 (Dispute Resolution), and 14 (General Provisions) survive termination.
Before filing a formal claim, contact us at [email protected] to attempt informal resolution.
If informal resolution fails, the party intending to pursue arbitration must send a written "Notice of Dispute" describing the claim and relief sought. Neither party may commence arbitration during the 60-day resolution period.
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.
You and Tether agree that any dispute will be resolved through binding individual arbitration rather than in court. Arbitration conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under Consumer Arbitration Rules. Location: New York, NY or another mutually agreed location. For claims of $10,000 or less, arbitration will be conducted on written submissions unless you request a hearing.
Small claims court actions, intellectual property disputes, and injunctive/equitable relief are NOT subject to arbitration.
YOU AND TETHER AGREE THAT DISPUTES WILL BE RESOLVED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS ONLY. YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING.
You may opt out by sending written notice to [email protected] within 30 days of creating your account, including your name, phone number, and a clear statement opting out.
Governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles. If arbitration does not apply, you submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in New York County, New York.
Any claim must be filed within one (1) year after the claim arose, or it will be permanently barred.
If you download Tether from the Apple App Store: (a) these Terms are between you and Tether, not Apple; (b) Apple has no obligation to provide support; (c) Apple is not responsible for claims related to the Service; (d) Tether (not Apple) is responsible for IP claims; (e) Apple and its subsidiaries are third-party beneficiaries; (f) you represent you are not in a U.S.-embargoed country; (g) you must comply with applicable third-party terms.
If you download Tether from Google Play: (a) these Terms are between you and Tether, not Google; (b) your use must comply with Google Play Terms of Service; (c) Google is only a distribution channel; (d) Tether, not Google, is responsible; (e) Google is a third-party beneficiary.
Tether may include open source components subject to their respective licenses, available upon request.
These Terms do not create third-party beneficiary rights except for Tether's affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents, and as expressly provided for Apple and Google in Sections 14.8–14.9.
BY CLICKING "I AGREE," CREATING AN ACCOUNT, OR USING THE SERVICE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE AND OUR PRIVACY POLICY.
You further acknowledge that you consent to electronic communications, agree to the arbitration and class action waiver, understand the limitations of liability, are at least 13 years old, and have the authority to enter into these Terms.
These Terms are effective as of April 15, 2026 and were last updated on April 15, 2026.