TunnelBuddy — Terms of Service

1. The Service

TunnelBuddy provides software that enables you to operate a local proxy/exit node you control ("Host mode") and to route your own internet traffic through it. You may also allow a person you trust to route their traffic through your exit node using a pairing code ("Guest mode"), or you may route your traffic through a trusted host. You remain responsible for traffic that traverses your exit node and for your own use when acting as a guest. The Service may change from time to time.

2. Licence

We grant you a personal, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to install and use the client solely for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You must not copy, modify, sublicense, resell, or reverse engineer the software except to the extent permitted by law.

3. Acceptable Use

You must not use the Service to:

• violate any law or infringe others' rights (including copyright and privacy);
• send spam, run scanners, conduct DDoS, distribute malware, or attempt unauthorised access;
• exploit or harm children, or harass or defame others; or
• circumvent export controls or sanctions.

We may apply technical limits, suspend, or terminate access where we reasonably believe there is abuse, security risk, legal exposure, or a breach of these Terms (see Section 10).

4. Privacy and Logs (summary)

We do not intentionally log the contents of traffic you route through your own proxy/exit node. We may collect limited metadata and diagnostics (e.g., timestamps, IP addresses, device/application identifiers, crash logs) to operate the Service, prevent abuse and improve reliability. Such data is retained for a limited period (30 days) unless required longer for security, legal or debugging purposes. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

5. Pre-release Status

Parts of the Service may be pre-release or beta and may contain defects, experience interruptions, or change without notice. Features may be added, removed or limited.

6. Tips/Donations

Tips are voluntary and are not consideration for services. Tips do not unlock features, support or priority. Tips are non-refundable except where required by law. You are responsible for any charges or taxes imposed by your payment provider.

7. Third-Party Components and Services

The Service may include open-source components governed by their own licences. We may use third-party providers (e.g., crash analytics, payment processors) as described in the Privacy Policy.

8. No Warranties; Australian Consumer Law

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Service is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties or representations of any kind. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any right or remedy or any guarantee, warranty or other term implied or imposed by the Australian Consumer Law which cannot be lawfully excluded or limited. Where such rights apply and can be limited, our liability is limited, at our option, to resupplying the services or paying the cost of resupply.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for loss of profits, loss of data, business interruption, or any indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages. Our aggregate liability for all claims relating to the Service is limited to the amount you paid to us (if any) for the Service in the 12 months before the claim, unless a higher amount is required by law.

10. Suspension and Termination

You may cease using the Service at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access, or block specific traffic, if we reasonably believe you have breached these Terms or the law, your use poses a security or operational risk, we receive credible third-party complaints, or we discontinue the Service. Upon termination, your licence ends and you must stop using and uninstall the client. Sections 6–15 survive termination.

11. Law Enforcement and Notices

We respond to lawful requests consistent with the law and our policies. We require valid legal process and only disclose data we hold. Rights-holders and reporting parties can contact abuse@tunnelbuddy.net.

12. Export Controls and Sanctions

You represent that you are not a sanctioned person and will not use the Service in or for the benefit of embargoed countries or prohibited end uses. You must comply with applicable export, re-export and sanctions laws.

13. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms by posting a new version with a new Effective date. If changes materially affect your rights, we will take reasonable steps to notify you in-app or by email. Your continued use after the Effective date constitutes acceptance.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland.

15. Miscellaneous

If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect. A failure to enforce is not a waiver. These Terms constitute the entire agreement regarding the Service. You may not assign these Terms without our consent; we may assign them to an affiliate or in connection with a restructure or sale.