Terms of Service

Last updated: 29 March 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using OpenLetter ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Service. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and OpenLetter.

2. The Service

OpenLetter is a platform for creating, publishing, and collecting signatures on open letters. The Service is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service at any time without notice.

3. User Accounts

You must provide a valid email address to create an account. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account. You must not create accounts for the purpose of violating these Terms or enabling others to do so.

4. Prohibited Content

You must not use the Service to create, publish, or distribute any content that:

4.1 Incites Harm or Violence

  • Encourages, promotes, or incites violence against any individual or group
  • Threatens or intimidates any person or organisation
  • Glorifies or trivialises acts of violence or terrorism
  • Encourages self-harm or suicide

4.2 Is Discriminatory or Hateful

  • Promotes hatred, discrimination, or prejudice on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic
  • Contains racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise bigoted language or sentiment
  • Dehumanises or demonises any individual or group based on their identity
  • Promotes ideologies rooted in racial, ethnic, or religious supremacy

4.3 Is Defamatory or Harmful to Reputation

  • Contains false statements of fact that damage the reputation of any individual, organisation, or entity
  • Makes unsubstantiated allegations of criminal conduct, corruption, or professional misconduct
  • Constitutes libel or slander under applicable law
  • Is designed as a personal attack intended to harass, bully, or humiliate a named individual

4.4 Is Inflammatory or Misleading

  • Deliberately presents false or misleading information as fact
  • Is designed primarily to provoke outrage rather than advance a legitimate point of view
  • Misrepresents the purpose of the letter to those being asked to sign
  • Uses manipulative or deceptive framing to collect signatures under false pretences

4.5 Is Unlawful

  • Violates any applicable local, national, or international law or regulation
  • Infringes upon the intellectual property rights of any third party
  • Constitutes harassment, stalking, or abuse under applicable law
  • Facilitates or promotes any illegal activity
  • Violates data protection or privacy laws

4.6 Is Otherwise Objectionable

  • Contains pornographic or sexually explicit material
  • Contains gratuitously graphic or disturbing content
  • Constitutes spam, bulk solicitation, or commercial advertising
  • Impersonates any person, organisation, or entity
  • Is designed to disrupt or abuse the Service or its infrastructure

5. Content Responsibility

You are solely and fully responsible for all content you create, publish, or distribute through the Service. By publishing a letter, you represent and warrant that:

  • The content is your own original work or you have the right to publish it
  • The content does not violate any third party's rights, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights
  • The content is truthful and not misleading
  • The content complies with all applicable laws and these Terms
  • You accept full legal liability for the content of your letter

OpenLetter does not endorse, verify, or assume any responsibility for content published by users. The views expressed in letters on this platform are those of their authors alone.

6. Signatures

By signing an open letter, you confirm that:

  • You are who you claim to be and are not impersonating another person
  • Your signature represents your genuine view
  • You understand your name may be publicly displayed alongside the letter

Your email address is used solely for verification purposes and will not be publicly displayed unless you choose to make it visible.

7. Moderation and Enforcement

We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to review any content published on the Service. We may, at our sole discretion and without prior notice:

  • Remove or disable access to any letter that violates these Terms
  • Suspend or terminate the account of any user who violates these Terms
  • Remove any letter that is the subject of a valid legal complaint
  • Cooperate with law enforcement authorities where required by law

Removed letters will display a notice that they have been taken down for a Terms of Service violation. We are not required to provide an explanation or enter into correspondence regarding moderation decisions, though we will endeavour to act fairly and proportionately.

Repeat or serious violations may result in permanent account termination.

8. Reporting Violations

If you believe a letter on the Service violates these Terms, you may report it by contacting us at the email address below. We will review all reports and take appropriate action. We are not obligated to act on every report, but we take all reports seriously.

9. Privacy

We collect only the information necessary to operate the Service:

  • Account holders: Your email address for authentication and account management
  • Signatories: Your name, email address (for verification), and any optional information you provide when signing (organisation, role, location, comment)

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties except where required by law. Data is stored securely and retained only for as long as necessary to operate the Service.

10. Intellectual Property

The OpenLetter platform software is open source. Content published by users remains the intellectual property of its respective authors. By publishing content on the Service, you grant OpenLetter a non-exclusive, worldwide licence to host, display, and distribute your content solely for the purpose of operating the Service.

11. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, OpenLetter and its operators shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or data, arising out of or in connection with your use of the Service, whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless OpenLetter and its operators from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Service, your content, or your violation of these Terms.

14. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the Service. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the Service.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17. Contact

To report a letter that violates these Terms, or for any other enquiries, please contact us at:

Email: hello@open-letter.uk