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Last updated: 01.05.2026

1. Platform Provider

The social media platform Stepflow is operated by:

Stepflow GmbH
Toelzer Str. 1
82031 Gruenwald
Germany

(hereinafter referred to as “Stepflow”, “we”, “us” or “Platform”).

2. Scope

These Terms of Service govern the use of the Stepflow platform, including all mobile applications, websites, services, software functions, and interfaces.

By registering, accessing, or using the platform, the user accepts these Terms of Service. In addition to these Terms of Service, the Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, Creator Terms, Advertising Policy, and Cookie and Tracking Policy apply in their current versions.

3. Description of the Platform

Stepflow is a globally available social media platform for publishing, interacting with, and discovering digital content.

Platform features include, among others:

• Publishing and sharing images and videos
• Participation in communities and groups
• Use of comments, likes, hashtags, and category feeds
• Content recommendations
• Content discovery and search functions
• Display and personalization of advertising
• Optional premium and monetization features Stepflow may change, expand, or discontinue functions at any time, particularly as part of technical adjustments or new legal requirements. There is no entitlement to specific functions.

4. Registration and User Accounts

4.1 Guest Access

Limited access without registration may be possible.

4.2 Registration Requirement

Active use (e.g., publishing, commenting, following other users) requires registration. Registration is currently carried out via email address and password.

The user agrees:

• to use a valid email address controlled by them,
• not to impersonate a false or third-party identity,
• not to create automated or mass-generated accounts,
• to keep access credentials confidential.

The user is responsible for all activities carried out via their account. Stepflow is not liable for damages resulting from improper safeguarding of access credentials.

5. Minimum Age and Consent

Use of Stepflow is permitted only for persons who are at least 13 years old. By registering, the user confirms that they meet the required minimum age. Where required by local law, minor users confirm that use of the platform takes place with the consent of their legal guardians.

Stepflow reserves the right to suspend or delete accounts if there are reasonable indications that the minimum age requirement is not met.

6. Account Types

Stepflow may provide different account types, including:

• Guest account (use without registration)
• User account (use with registration)

Stepflow reserves the right to modify or expand account functions or types.

7. User Content

Users may publish content (“User Generated Content”), including:

• Images
• Videos
• Texts
• Comments
• Audio

The user guarantees that:

• they possess all necessary rights (copyright, personality rights, trademark rights, etc.) to the uploaded content,
• no laws, third-party rights, or platform rules are violated,
• content complies with the Community Guidelines.

The user alone is responsible for the published content.

8. License to Stepflow

By uploading content, the user grants Stepflow a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable license to:

• store and technically process content,
• publish and distribute content within the platform,
• display content in feeds, search results, and recommendations,promote the platform and community,
• use content for algorithmic analysis, moderation, or AI training,
• display content in connection with advertising or premium offerings.

The license applies for the duration in which content is available on the platform. After deletion of content, the public usage license ends unless technical, security-related, or legal retention obligations apply (e.g., backups). The license applies regardless of whether content was published publicly or privately.

9. Platform Moderation and Measures

Stepflow may review content or accounts and take measures, including:

• removing or restricting content
• reducing reach
• labeling content
• limiting functions
• suspending or terminating accounts if these violate laws, Terms of Service, Community Guidelines, or platform interests. Stepflow may take measures without prior notice; justification may, but does not have to, be provided.

10. Advertising and Commercial Content

Stepflow displays advertising on the platform. Users agree that:

• content may be displayed together with advertising,
• advertising may be personalized (based on profile or usage data),
• commercial content must be clearly labeled, such as creator or brand disclosures (e.g., “Paid partnership with …”, “Ad”, or “Advertisement”).

Information regarding the processing of personal data in connection with advertising is provided in the Privacy Policy.

11. Paid Services & Subscription Models

Stepflow may offer paid features or subscription models. Paid services are clearly marked. Unless otherwise stated, subscriptions renew automatically and may be terminated at any time within the cancellation period. Refunds are governed by applicable consumer protection law.

12. Intellectual Property

All rights to software, designs, trademarks, logos, layouts, and other platform components belong to Stepflow GmbH or its licensors.

Users receive only a simple, non-transferable, revocable right to access and use the platform within its intended scope.

Users retain all copyrights and other rights to the content created and uploaded by them (“User Content”).

User Content includes in particular, but not exclusively:

• Texts
• Images
• Videos
• Audio files
• Profile information
• Comments
• Messages
• Metadata
• Other data or content stored, published, or processed on the platform, regardless of whether such content is publicly visible or privately stored.

12.1 Grant of Usage Rights to Stepflow

By uploading, storing, or publishing User Content, the user grants Stepflow GmbH a worldwide, free of charge, non-exclusive, transferable, and sublicensable right of use insofar as required for operating and providing the platform.

This right includes in particular the right to:

• store, host, and technically process content
• display and make content accessible within the platform
• reproduce, distribute, and publicly display content
• algorithmically sort, analyze, or recommend content
• use content for improvement, further development, and security of the platform
• use content within platform functions and for presentation of services.

The right of use applies regardless of the visibility status of the content (public or private).

12.2 Duration of the Right of Use

The granted right of use exists as long as the respective User Content is stored on the platform. If the user deletes content independently or it is permanently removed, the right of use of Stepflow GmbH ends, subject to statutory retention obligations and technically necessary backup or archiving processes.

12.3 Rights to Uploaded Content

The user confirms that they possess all necessary rights to the uploaded content and that publication does not infringe third-party rights.

12.4 Copyright and Handling of Legal Violations

Users may publish only content on Stepflow for which they possess the necessary rights or authorization to use. Publishing third-party content without authorization is prohibited.

Stepflow respects intellectual property. Upon indications of possible legal violations, Stepflow may remove content, restrict access, or take further measures.

Rights holders may report alleged copyright infringements via the provided contact options. The report should include a description of the protected work, the affected content, and proof of rights ownership.

Repeated or serious violations may result in restriction or permanent suspension of user accounts.

13. Prohibited Use

The following are prohibited in particular:

• publication of unlawful or harmful content (violence, hate speech, discrimination, pornography),
• sensitive personal data, bank details, etc.,
• calls to commit crimes or violate third-party rights,
• spam, automated interactions, or bots without consent,
• sale or trading of accounts,
• identity misuse or impersonation,
• sale or transfer of accounts,
• manipulation of the platform or its security,
• any action impairing operation or security of the platform.

Violations may lead to immediate suspension or deletion of content and accounts.

14. Liability and Indemnification

Stepflow provides a hosting platform. Users are solely responsible for user content. Stepflow is liable only for damages resulting from intentional or grossly negligent conduct, insofar as permitted by law.

Stepflow assumes no liability for:

• user behavior
• data loss
• technical failures
• cyberattacks or unauthorized access

Users agree not to publish sensitive personal or confidential data on the platform. The user indemnifies Stepflow against third-party claims arising from their content or legal violations.

15. Availability and Technical Changes

Stepflow strives for high availability but does not guarantee uninterrupted use. Maintenance, updates, technical disruptions, or legal changes may affect the service or temporarily deactivate individual functions.

16. Termination and Account Deletion

Users may delete their account at any time in account settings. Stepflow may terminate or suspend accounts with reasonable notice or immediately in case of violations of these terms. Stored data will be deleted according to statutory retention periods unless legitimate reasons (e.g., legal claims) prevent deletion.

17. Changes to the Terms of Service

Stepflow may amend these Terms of Service if:

• legal requirements,
• security reasons, or
• further development of the platform make this necessary. Users will be informed of material changes.

18. Complaint and Moderation System (Digital Services Act – DSA)

Stepflow provides a transparent procedure for reporting and handling potentially illegal content pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act – DSA).

18.1 Reporting Illegal Content

Users and third parties may report content that may violate applicable law or platform policies.

A report should include:

• description or link to the reported content
• justification of the legal violation
• contact information of the reporting person Reports may be submitted via platform reporting tools or email.

18.2 Review of Reports

Stepflow reviews incoming reports within a reasonable timeframe and decides at its discretion on appropriate measures.

18.3 Measures

Depending on the nature and severity of the violation, Stepflow may:

• remove content or restrict visibility
• limit functions
• temporarily restrict or permanently suspend accounts

18.4 Right of Appeal

Affected users may challenge moderation decisions. Stepflow will review such appeals again.

18.5 Transparency

Stepflow may publish aggregated information about moderation measures and platform enforcement where legally required.

18.6 Contact Point under the Digital Services Act

Contact for authorities, users, and DSA reports:

Email: dsa@stpflw.com

19. Data Protection

Stepflow collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Details are set out in the Privacy Policy.

20. Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution

The law of the Federal Republic of Germany applies, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Mandatory consumer protection provisions of the country in which the user has their habitual residence remain unaffected. We are neither obligated nor willing to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board.

21. Contact

For questions or comments: contact@stpflw.com

For copyright reports: copyright@stpflw.com

For complaint and moderation system: dsa@stpflw.com