Terms of Service

1.1 Age Requirement

HardStop is intended for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. By accessing or using HardStop, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old.

1.2 Parental Purchase for a Minor's Device

HardStop is not a parental control application and is not marketed as one. However, a parent or legal guardian may choose to purchase HardStop to install on a device used by a minor in their care. If you are purchasing HardStop for a minor's device:

You, the parent or legal guardian, are the sole contracting party and enter into this Agreement on your own behalf and on behalf of the minor. You represent that you are the minor's parent or legal guardian with full legal authority to consent to installation of HardStop on that device. You accept full and sole responsibility for all consequences arising from installation and use of HardStop on the minor's device. You agree to indemnify HardStop against any claims brought by or on behalf of the minor in connection with such installation (see Section 16). HardStop is not responsible for monitoring the minor or providing child safety services beyond the filtering settings you configure. Any purchase of HardStop for a minor's device is entirely at the parent's or guardian's election and risk. HardStop makes no representation that its service is suitable for minors.

1.3 Own-Device and Informed Consent Requirement

You represent and warrant that you are installing HardStop on a device you own or are legally authorised to manage. You must not install HardStop on any device without the express, informed, and freely given consent of its legal owner.

1.4 Prohibition on Coercive Installation

HardStop is designed exclusively for voluntary self-use. This is particularly important on Mac and Windows, where installing software on another person's device without their knowledge is easier than on iPhone or iPad. Installation of HardStop on another adult's device without their full, informed, and freely given consent is a material breach of these Terms and may constitute a criminal offence under applicable law, including laws relating to stalking, coercive control, and unauthorised access to computer systems.

HardStop explicitly prohibits use of its service as a tool of intimate partner control, domestic surveillance, or any form of coercion. If HardStop determines the service is being used in this manner, the account will be terminated immediately and the means of removal will be released to the device owner upon verified request.

If you believe HardStop has been installed on your device without your consent, contact [email protected] immediately. We will assist you in removing it.

1.5 Other Prohibited Uses

You may not use HardStop to circumvent any legal obligation or court order, or to violate any applicable law or regulation.

1.6 Definition of "Lifetime"

"Lifetime" means a single, non-transferable, personal right of access to the HardStop service as it exists from time to time, for the natural life of HardStop LLC's commercial operation of the service. "Lifetime" does not mean: (a) the lifetime of the purchaser; (b) the lifetime of any device; (c) any obligation by HardStop to continue offering the service indefinitely; (d) any entitlement to any specific feature or platform remaining available; or (e) any entitlement to continued service or refund following discontinuation under Section 18, save for the removal-credential obligations described in that Section. A Lifetime purchase entitles the holder to use HardStop on devices the holder personally owns, for personal and non-commercial purposes only. A Lifetime entitlement is non-transferable except (i) by HardStop in connection with an assignment under Section 21.4, in which case the entitlement travels with the service, and (ii) on the death of the holder, on written request to HardStop, to a single nominated person.

2.1 The Two-Layer System

HardStop's iPhone and iPad service uses two complementary technologies to deliver its accountability service. iPhone and iPad use the same device supervision mechanism and DNS-level content filtering flow described in this Section.

Device Supervision: HardStop modifies your iPhone's or iPad's configuration using a device supervision process. In plain terms, this establishes supervision on your device, which enables a password-protected configuration profile to be installed. That profile cannot be removed without the password held by HardStop. HardStop does not have ongoing remote access to your device, cannot see your activity, and cannot push commands to your device. The supervision solely enables the password-protected profile to function.

Network-Level Content Filtering: HardStop configures your device to route its DNS queries — the lookups your phone or tablet performs to find websites — through a third-party content filtering provider. This blocks access to adult content domains at the network level before your device connects to them. It also blocks Reddit image and video media and X (formerly Twitter) image and video media, in-app and in-browser. You may also request up to three (3) custom domains or applications to be blocked. See Section 6.8 for the optional Lifetime Digital Control add-on that removes this limit.

2.2 What HardStop Blocks on iPhone and iPad

Adult content websites via network-level domain filtering; image and video media on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), in-app and in-browser; up to three (3) custom websites and applications you specifically request to block (unlimited custom blocks with the Lifetime Digital Control add-on described in Section 6.8); removal of the iOS or iPadOS configuration profile without the HardStop-held password.

2.3 What HardStop Does Not Block on iPhone and iPad

General internet access and non-adult content; Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) text-based browsing and functionality; productivity, communication, health, education, or work applications; emergency services, crisis resources, and health applications; content outside the scope of your configured filter settings.

2.4 Platform Dependency — iPhone and iPad

HardStop's iPhone and iPad supervision technology depends entirely on Apple's iOS and iPadOS platforms and Apple's policies. Apple may, at any time and without notice, release software updates, change platform policies, or implement security measures that limit, disrupt, or entirely prevent HardStop's supervision mechanism from functioning. HardStop's network-level filtering depends on a third-party filtering provider whose availability and functionality are outside HardStop's control.

By using HardStop on iPhone or iPad, you explicitly acknowledge and accept this platform dependency risk. Disruption caused by Apple or our third-party filtering provider does not constitute a failure of service by HardStop and does not automatically entitle you to a refund. See Section 7.3 for full details.

3.1 The Two-Layer System

HardStop's Mac and Windows service uses two complementary components installed on your computer.

Network Filtering Application: HardStop installs a network filtering application on your device that routes your DNS queries and network traffic through enterprise-grade filtering infrastructure operated by a third-party provider. This blocks access to adult content domains at the network level before your device connects to them. This application launches automatically each time you start your computer. You may also request up to three (3) custom domains to be blocked.

The HardStop Enforcer: The HardStop Enforcer is a background process installed alongside the network filtering application. Its sole function is to ensure the filtering application cannot be closed, disabled, or toggled off through application controls or system settings. If the filtering application is closed for any reason, the Enforcer restarts it automatically. The Enforcer launches automatically each time you start your computer. The Enforcer does not access, read, or transmit any data from your device. It has no independent network communication capability. It does one thing: it keeps the filtering application running.

3.2 What HardStop Blocks on Mac and Windows

Adult content websites via network-level domain filtering; up to three (3) custom websites you specifically request to block; the ability to close or disable the filtering application through application controls; the ability to toggle off content filtering through the filtering application's settings.

3.3 What HardStop Does Not Block on Mac and Windows

General internet access and non-adult content; productivity, communication, health, education, or work applications; emergency services, crisis resources, and health applications; access to your files, applications, or any other function of your computer unrelated to content filtering.

3.4 Data Visibility — What We Can and Cannot See on Mac and Windows

This section is important. Please read it carefully.

Because your device is enrolled in HardStop's filtering infrastructure, certain technical device information is visible to HardStop within our infrastructure provider's administrative dashboard. This is a technical consequence of how device enrollment works and is necessary for the service to function.

The information visible to HardStop includes: your email address; your device name; a system-assigned device identifier; your device's MAC address; your device's serial number; your device model and operating system version; connection status and last-seen timestamps; and your approximate geographic location at city level based on your connection point.

What HardStop cannot see — and this is what matters:

HardStop has disabled all activity logging across its filtering infrastructure. This means HardStop cannot see your DNS queries, cannot see the websites you visit or attempt to visit, cannot see your browsing history, and cannot see any network activity on your device. HardStop cannot see your files, your messages, your emails, your photos, your screen, or anything else on your computer. HardStop is not monitoring your behaviour, is not conducting surveillance on your device, and has no capability to do so through the HardStop service.

The device enrollment information listed above is static technical information that exists solely so your device can be identified within our filtering infrastructure as an enrolled HardStop device. HardStop does not use this information for any purpose other than administering your service, confirming your device's enrollment status, and facilitating your removal from the service when your wait time expires.

HardStop's network filtering infrastructure is operated by Cloudflare, Inc. Cloudflare processes traffic data through its own network in accordance with Cloudflare's Privacy Policy, available at cloudflare.com/privacypolicy. HardStop does not control Cloudflare's infrastructure-level data processing. You should review Cloudflare's Privacy Policy to understand how Cloudflare handles data passing through its network.

3.5 Platform Dependency — Mac and Windows

HardStop's Mac and Windows service depends on third-party filtering infrastructure whose availability and functionality are outside HardStop's control. The provider may, at any time, update its software, change its policies, or implement changes that limit or disrupt HardStop's filtering capability. By using HardStop on Mac or Windows, you explicitly acknowledge this platform dependency risk. Disruption caused by the third-party provider does not constitute a failure of service by HardStop. Section 7.3 applies to any refund considerations arising from third-party platform changes.

4.1 Express Authorisation

By using HardStop, you expressly authorise HardStop, for the duration of your active service period, to:

For iPhone and iPad: install and manage configuration profiles on your iOS or iPadOS device; configure network-level content filtering via a third-party filtering provider; apply device supervision via a device configuration process; hold your configuration profile password during your chosen wait time period; and modify controls in accordance with your requests and these Terms.

For Mac and Windows: install a network filtering application and the HardStop Enforcer on your device; enroll your device in HardStop's filtering infrastructure; configure network-level content filtering through that infrastructure; maintain the Enforcer process to ensure the filtering application remains active; access the device enrollment information visible in the filtering infrastructure's administrative dashboard as described in Section 3.4; and modify controls in accordance with your requests and these Terms.

This authorisation is limited to the duration of your active service period and wait time period. It does not grant HardStop any right to access your personal data, files, messages, photos, or device usage information.

4.2 Consent Process — Clickwrap Agreement

HardStop obtains your consent in two stages, both of which are required before the service is active.

The first stage occurs at checkout. You are required to check an unchecked box confirming that you have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy before your purchase is processed. Pre-ticked boxes are not used. Your consent, including timestamp, account email, IP address, and the version of the Terms in effect at that time, is recorded and stored by HardStop.

The second stage occurs inside the HardStop setup application immediately before the service is applied to your device. You are required to check a second unchecked box specifically acknowledging, for iPhone and iPad users: that you understand device supervision will be applied to your iPhone or iPad; that you have completed a full device backup; that HardStop will hold your configuration profile password for your chosen wait time period; and that you have read and understood the Device Modification Disclosure. For Mac and Windows users: that you understand a network filtering application and the HardStop Enforcer will be installed on your device; that the filtering application will launch at startup and cannot be closed without completing the wait time process; that HardStop will retain the means of removal for your chosen wait time period; and that certain technical device information will be visible to HardStop as described in Section 3.4. The service cannot be activated until this box is checked. This consent is timestamped and stored.

Both consent records constitute a binding clickwrap agreement enforceable under applicable law, including in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union. These records serve as HardStop's evidence of your informed consent in any dispute.

4.3 Voluntary Participation

You confirm your use of HardStop is entirely voluntary, freely chosen, and not imposed by any employer, institution, court, or other authority. HardStop is your own decision to support your personal digital wellness goals.

5.1 Purpose

The wait time period is the core feature of HardStop's accountability model. It creates deliberate, user-chosen friction between the impulse to disable content filtering and the ability to act on that impulse. This intentional delay is the primary service HardStop provides.

5.2 How It Works

When you sign up, you choose your wait time duration. Lifetime customers may select any wait time period between 24 hours (1 day) and 365 days (1 year). Monthly subscribers receive the 72-hour default wait time period unless a custom selection is offered and confirmed at signup. If you have not made a confirmed selection, your wait time period defaults to 72 hours. When you request removal from HardStop, your wait time timer begins. HardStop delivers the means of removal within 24 hours after your wait time period expires. For iPhone and iPad users, this means your configuration profile password. For Mac and Windows users, this means your uninstaller download link. You may change your chosen period at any time by contacting us. Changes apply to future requests only. An active wait time period already in progress is not shortened by a subsequent change request.

5.3 Your Explicit Acknowledgements

By selecting your wait time period and proceeding with setup, you explicitly acknowledge that: you chose this restriction freely and voluntarily; HardStop is contractually obligated to honour your chosen period; the wait time period is not a device lockout — it is the service you purchased and requested; HardStop is fulfilling its contractual obligations by maintaining the wait time period, not acting against your interests; and you cannot demand immediate release on the basis of changed preference or urge alone during an active period.

5.4 Emergency Access

HardStop maintains an emergency access process for genuine emergencies, including: medical emergency requiring immediate device access; mental health crisis or suicidal ideation; domestic violence or personal safety threat; child emergency; or any situation where delay could cause serious harm to you or others.

To request emergency access: email [email protected] with the subject line "EMERGENCY ACCESS" and a brief description of the situation.

In a genuine emergency, HardStop will release the means of removal as soon as is humanly possible. We do not commit to a specific response window for emergencies because we operate across multiple time zones and cannot guarantee staffing at every hour. What we can commit to is this: emergency requests are treated as the absolute highest priority, will never be queued behind standard requests, and will be acted on by the first available team member regardless of the time of day or day of week.

An automatic reply will be sent immediately upon receipt of any emergency access request. That reply will include crisis support resources including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (US), Lifeline on 13 11 14 (AU), and Samaritans on 116 123 (UK), regardless of the nature of the emergency.

HardStop is not a medical provider, crisis service, or emergency responder. If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, contact emergency services — 911 (US), 999 (UK), or 000 (AU) — or a crisis line immediately. Do not rely on HardStop to respond in a life-threatening situation. HardStop will always grant release in a genuine safety emergency.

6.1 Plans Offered

HardStop is offered on two plans. One purchase covers iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows. All prices are in USD. Local currency equivalents may vary with exchange rates.

(a) Monthly Subscription: USD $25.00 per month. New Monthly subscribers receive a 3-day free trial. No payment is taken during the trial period. If you do not cancel before the trial ends, your subscription converts to a paid Monthly subscription at the then-current monthly rate and your nominated payment method is charged. Monthly subscriptions auto-renew each month via Stripe, our third-party payment processor, until cancelled. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.

(b) Lifetime Access: a one-time payment at the current price of USD $97.00. This price is subject to change for new purchasers only; it does not affect existing Lifetime holders. Payment is taken at the time of purchase. No free trial applies to Lifetime Access. The 30-day money-back guarantee described in Section 7.1 applies to Lifetime purchases. There is no recurring billing for Lifetime Access. The full definition and conditions of "Lifetime" are set out in Section 1.6 and Section 6.9.

6.2 Free Trial — Monthly Only

The 3-day free trial is available to new Monthly subscribers only. No payment is charged during the trial period. If you cancel before the trial ends, no charge is made and no further action is required. If you do not cancel, the trial converts automatically to a paid Monthly subscription.

Lifetime Access does not include a free trial. Payment is taken at the time of purchase and the 30-day money-back guarantee in Section 7.1 applies.

6.3 Automatic Renewal Disclosure — Monthly Only

Monthly subscriptions renew automatically each month at the then-current monthly rate via Stripe unless you cancel before the renewal date. You will receive an email renewal reminder no less than 3 days before each scheduled renewal. To cancel, email [email protected] or use your account settings. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current monthly billing period. No payment is taken for periods after the cancellation effective date.

Lifetime Access does not renew and is not subject to this Section.

6.4 Payment Processing

Payment is processed by our third-party payment processor, currently Stripe. For Monthly subscribers, by enrolling you authorise HardStop to charge your nominated payment method for the applicable monthly subscription fee at the end of each billing period. For Lifetime purchasers, you authorise a single charge at the time of purchase. HardStop does not store full card details. The specific processor may change without requiring a Terms update.

6.5 Price Changes

For Monthly subscriptions: HardStop may change the monthly subscription price with 30 days' written notice by email. Your current billing period always completes at the original price. Continued use after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the updated pricing.

For Lifetime Access: the price you paid at the time of your purchase is final and will not change for your existing Lifetime entitlement. HardStop may change the Lifetime price offered to new purchasers at any time; this has no effect on existing Lifetime holders.

6.6 Failed Payments — Monthly Only

If a Monthly subscription payment fails, HardStop may suspend your account and cease providing active support services. However, regardless of payment status, HardStop will never withhold the means of removal from your device as a means of enforcing payment. If your account is suspended due to non-payment and you wish to exit the service, contact [email protected] and we will provide the means of removal within 5 business days to your registered email address. HardStop may pursue unpaid subscription fees through appropriate legal or collection channels separately from and independently of any removal obligation. Monthly accounts in payment default for more than 14 days may be terminated at HardStop's discretion.

This Section does not apply to Lifetime Access, which involves a single payment made at purchase.

6.7 Chargebacks

If you initiate a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or card provider, HardStop may terminate your account and apply a permanent ban from the service. HardStop will not withhold the means of removal from your device as a consequence of a chargeback. Your removal credentials will be released to your registered email address within 5 business days of the chargeback being initiated, regardless of the outcome of the dispute. HardStop reserves the right to contest chargebacks it believes to be fraudulent or made in bad faith.

For Lifetime Access purchasers: a chargeback initiated within the 30-day money-back period described in Section 7.1 will be treated by HardStop as a refund request and processed accordingly, unless HardStop determines in good faith that the chargeback is fraudulent or made in bad faith.

Please contact [email protected] before initiating a chargeback — most billing disputes can be resolved quickly and without involving your card provider.

6.8 Optional Add-On: Lifetime Digital Control — iPhone and iPad Only

Lifetime Digital Control is an optional one-time add-on, available at the time of purchase only, for USD $47.00. It is available only to customers using HardStop on iPhone or iPad. It is not available for Mac or Windows installations.

The base HardStop service includes the ability to block up to three (3) custom websites or applications of your choice on iPhone and iPad. The Lifetime Digital Control add-on removes that limit entirely, entitling you to request unlimited custom website and application blocks for the lifetime of the service, as defined in Section 1.6.

The add-on is subject to the same platform dependency risks as the base service described in Section 2.4. If Apple modifies iOS or iPadOS in a way that disrupts HardStop's supervision or filtering mechanism, the Lifetime Digital Control add-on may become wholly or partly non-functional. Such platform disruption does not entitle you to a refund of the add-on fee, except where the disruption occurs within 30 days of the add-on purchase date, in which case a full refund of the add-on fee may be requested under Section 7.1.

Lifetime Digital Control is non-transferable and non-refundable after 30 days from purchase. It may not be assigned separately from the underlying Lifetime Access entitlement.

6.9 Conditions on Lifetime Access

Lifetime Access, as defined in Section 1.6, is subject to the following conditions.

(a) Non-transferable. Lifetime Access is non-transferable except as expressly set out in Section 1.6.

(b) Personal use only. Lifetime Access may not be used for any commercial, business, or institutional purpose. It may not be deployed across an organisation, sold, sublicensed, leased, rented, or made available to any person other than the named account holder.

(c) Single-user. Lifetime Access is tied to one account holder on devices that holder owns or is legally authorised to manage.

(d) Revocable for breach. HardStop may terminate Lifetime Access under Section 17.1 if you breach these Terms. No refund of the one-time Lifetime fee is payable on termination for cause. Termination does not extinguish HardStop's unconditional obligation to release your removal credentials under Section 17.2.

(e) Subject to service discontinuation. Lifetime Access is subject to Section 18. On discontinuation of the HardStop service, the Lifetime entitlement ends and the wind-down obligations in Section 18 apply. No pro-rata or other refund of the one-time Lifetime fee is payable on discontinuation.

7.1 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Lifetime Access Only

HardStop offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for new Lifetime Access purchasers. If you are not satisfied for any reason within 30 days of your initial Lifetime purchase date, contact [email protected] for a full refund. No lengthy explanation required. Refunds are processed within 5–10 business days to your original payment method.

This guarantee applies to the initial Lifetime purchase only. It applies to the Lifetime Digital Control add-on described in Section 6.8 only if the add-on refund request is made within 30 days of the add-on purchase date. It does not apply to renewal periods of any kind because Lifetime Access does not renew.

The 30-day money-back guarantee does not apply to Monthly subscriptions. Monthly subscribers may cancel at any time under Section 6.3, but past monthly payments are non-refundable except as required by law.

7.2 Outside the 30-Day Window

After the 30-day guarantee period, Lifetime payments are non-refundable, including for: dissatisfaction, change of mind, or non-use; inability to tolerate the wait time period; or account termination for breach of these Terms.

Monthly payments are non-refundable at any time except as required by law. Monthly subscribers may cancel at any time and no further billing will occur after the cancellation effective date.

7.3 Platform Change Carve-Out

If Apple, or any third-party provider whose infrastructure HardStop relies on to deliver its service, updates their software, security frameworks, or policies in a way that limits, disrupts, or renders HardStop partially or wholly ineffective, this does not constitute a failure of service by HardStop LLC. You acknowledged this platform dependency risk in Sections 2.4 and 3.5.

HardStop will make reasonable commercial efforts to restore full functionality following any platform change and will notify affected users promptly. If HardStop is unable to restore a materially functional service within 60 days of the disruption:

For Monthly subscribers: you may contact [email protected] to request cancellation and a refund of the current month's subscription fee. HardStop will assess such requests in good faith.

For Lifetime Access holders: no refund of the one-time Lifetime fee is payable for platform disruption, consistent with the definition of "Lifetime" in Section 1.6 and the conditions in Section 6.9. This is HardStop's sole refund obligation in connection with third-party platform changes for Lifetime holders.

7.4 Verified Technical Failure

If HardStop fails to deliver its core service due to a verified technical failure within HardStop's own control, and cannot resolve the issue within a reasonable timeframe, contact [email protected]. HardStop may, at its discretion, issue a refund for the affected period — for Monthly subscribers, the current month's fee; for Lifetime holders, an amount assessed in good faith by HardStop given the circumstances.

7.5 Statutory Rights Not Excluded

Nothing in this Section limits statutory refund rights under mandatory consumer protection law, including the Australian Consumer Law, the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, or applicable EU consumer protection regulations. Where mandatory statutory rights apply, they take precedence over this policy to the extent required by law.

7.6 Zero Access Guarantee

HardStop stands behind the effectiveness of its filtering service. If explicit adult content is accessed on a device where HardStop's filtering is active, and that access occurred due to a failure in HardStop's own filtering service rather than any action by you or any circumstance outside HardStop's control, HardStop will refund the full fees you have paid. For Monthly subscribers this means all monthly fees paid to HardStop. For Lifetime holders this means the one-time Lifetime fee paid. An additional USD $100 goodwill payment may also be available for iPhone and iPad users under the separate conditions set out in Section 7.7.

To make a claim under this guarantee, email [email protected] with the subject line "ZERO ACCESS GUARANTEE CLAIM" and a description of what occurred, including the approximate date and device. HardStop will review the claim in good faith and respond within 10 business days.

This guarantee applies only where all of the following conditions are met. HardStop's filtering must have been active and correctly configured on the device at the time of access. The access must not have resulted from your disabling, closing, or circumventing any component of the HardStop service. The access must not have resulted from a third-party platform change, operating system update, or disruption outside HardStop's control as described in Sections 2.4, 3.5, and 7.3. The access must not have occurred on a device not enrolled in or covered by your active HardStop plan. The claim must be made within 30 days of the access occurring.

Refunds under this guarantee are limited to fees paid to HardStop. This guarantee does not extend to consequential, indirect, or punitive damages of any kind and does not alter the limitation of liability in Section 15. This guarantee applies once per subscription period for Monthly subscribers, and once per Lifetime Access term for Lifetime holders. Where a refund is issued under this guarantee, your subscription or Lifetime Access will be cancelled.

Nothing in this Section creates any obligation beyond a fee refund. HardStop makes no representation that its filtering will be effective against all possible means of accessing explicit content, and this guarantee is limited to failures within HardStop's own control.

This guarantee does not limit any statutory rights you hold under the Australian Consumer Law, the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, or applicable EU consumer protection legislation.

7.7 $100 Bonus Goodwill Payment — iPhone and iPad Only, First 24 Hours

In addition to the refund available under the Zero Access Guarantee in Section 7.6, HardStop offers a one-time USD $100 goodwill payment under the conditions set out in this Section. This payment reflects HardStop's confidence in the effectiveness of its iPhone and iPad filtering service during the critical first 24 hours of use. It is not a penalty, liquidated damages, or compensation for loss. It is a discretionary goodwill payment subject to the eligibility conditions below.

Eligibility conditions — all must be met:

• (a) iPhone or iPad only. This Section applies only to HardStop's iPhone and iPad service. The $100 goodwill payment is not available for Mac or Windows installations under any circumstances.
• (b) HardStop installed and active. The HardStop configuration profile and DNS-level content filtering must have been installed, active, and correctly configured on the device at the moment the access giving rise to the claim occurred. A claim cannot succeed if HardStop was not installed on the device on which the access occurred.
• (c) 24-hour window. For Monthly subscribers, the access must have occurred within 24 hours of the moment your HardStop free trial began. For Lifetime purchasers, the access must have occurred within 24 hours of HardStop installation completing on your device. The 24-hour clock starts at trial commencement (Monthly) or installation completion (Lifetime), not at any other point. Claims arising from access after the first 24 hours are not eligible for the $100 payment, though the Zero Access Guarantee refund in Section 7.6 may still apply.
• (d) Continuous unedited video evidence. You must provide a single, continuous, unedited video recording showing, in one unbroken clip: your iPhone or iPad with screen visible; the HardStop configuration profile installed and active, visible under Settings > General > VPN & Device Management; and the attempt to access adult content resulting in successful access on the same device in the same session. A claim without this video evidence will be declined. HardStop may request additional evidence at its reasonable discretion.
• (e) Nude image or video content only. The content accessed must be a pornographic or nude image or video — for example, material hosted on a pornographic website, or image or video media on Reddit, X, or a similar platform. Text-based adult content, written erotica, captions, comments, or descriptions do not qualify for the $100 payment.
• (f) Direct access, not via bypass. The content must have been accessed directly through HardStop's filtered connection, not through any tool or method that routes, relays, or displays traffic outside HardStop's filtering. The following are expressly excluded and will invalidate any claim: virtual private networks (VPNs) of any kind; proxy websites or web-based proxy services; Tor or other anonymising networks; browsers with built-in VPN or proxy features, including but not limited to Opera; alternative DNS configurations; Google Translate, Google Cache, archive.org, or any similar service used to reframe or relay a blocked page; tethering your iPhone or iPad to a network not covered by HardStop's filtering, or connecting it to any network on which HardStop filtering is not active; accessing the content on a secondary device and viewing it via screenshot, screen share, AirPlay, or screen mirroring; and any other tool, technique, or method — whether listed here or not — that has the effect of routing, relaying, or displaying adult content through a source other than your device's direct, HardStop-filtered connection.
• (g) Third-party relay sites excluded. Third-party websites whose purpose or effect is to provide access to other sites — including but not limited to unblockers, mirror sites, embed aggregators, scraper sites, and proxy-based content portals — are not eligible. If the access occurred through such a site, no $100 payment is due.
• (h) Genuine access required. The content must have been actively loaded and displayed on your iPhone or iPad, not merely surfaced as a search result thumbnail, link preview, or ad impression on an otherwise permitted page.
• (i) HardStop remediation right. Where a claim is submitted that otherwise satisfies conditions (a) through (h), HardStop has the right to remediate within 5 business days of receiving the claim by adding the relevant domain, application, or content source to its blocklist. Where HardStop successfully remediates within that 5-business-day window, the $100 goodwill payment is not due. The Section 7.6 refund, if otherwise applicable on its own terms, remains available to the claimant regardless of whether HardStop remediates. The $100 payment becomes due only where HardStop is technically unable to block the content in question through its filtering infrastructure within the 5-business-day remediation window. "Technically unable" means no commercially reasonable configuration of HardStop's filtering provider could block the relevant content — not that HardStop has elected not to block it.

How to claim: Email [email protected] with the subject line "ZERO ACCESS BONUS CLAIM" within 48 hours of the access occurring. Include your video evidence, a brief description of what occurred, and the PayPal account address to which the payment should be sent if the claim is approved. HardStop will review the claim in good faith and respond within 15 business days to allow for the remediation window in condition (i).

Payment method: Where a claim is approved, the USD $100 goodwill payment will be made via PayPal to a PayPal account nominated by the claimant. HardStop does not offer this payment by any other method. You are responsible for providing a valid PayPal account capable of receiving the payment. Where a valid PayPal account cannot be provided by the claimant, no alternative payment method will be offered and no $100 payment will be due.

Interaction with the Zero Access Guarantee: Where a claim qualifies under this Section, the USD $100 goodwill payment is paid in addition to — not in place of — the refund available under the Zero Access Guarantee in Section 7.6. If a claim fails the conditions in this Section 7.7 but still satisfies the conditions in Section 7.6, the Section 7.6 refund remains available on its own terms.

Frequency: The goodwill payment under this Section is available once per subscription period for Monthly subscribers, or once per Lifetime Access term for Lifetime holders, consistent with the Zero Access Guarantee. Where a payment is made under this Section, your subscription or Lifetime Access will be cancelled in accordance with Section 7.6.

Not compensation for loss: The USD $100 payment is a goodwill gesture only. It is not an admission of liability, not damages, not a penalty, and not an estimate of any loss you may have suffered. It does not extend to consequential, indirect, incidental, or punitive damages of any kind. The limitation of liability in Section 15 continues to apply to all other claims.

Good faith requirement: HardStop reserves the right to decline any claim it determines in good faith to have been made fraudulently, manufactured (including by deliberately attempting to defeat the filter to trigger the guarantee), or otherwise not in genuine reliance on the HardStop service. Claims involving manipulated, edited, or fabricated video evidence will be declined and may result in account termination under Section 17.1.

Statutory rights preserved: Nothing in this Section limits statutory rights you hold under the Australian Consumer Law, the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, or applicable EU consumer protection legislation.

8.1 Cancelling Your Subscription or Exiting Lifetime Access

Monthly subscribers may cancel at any time by emailing [email protected] or through your account settings. Cancellation stops future billing but does not remove device configurations, does not release the means of removal, and does not entitle you to a refund for the current billing period unless required by law.

Lifetime Access holders do not have a recurring billing cycle to cancel. To exit the service, Lifetime holders should follow the removal process in Section 8.2. If you are within the 30-day money-back period and wish to obtain a refund, contact [email protected] before or at the same time as requesting removal.

8.2 Removing HardStop from Your Device

Cancelling your subscription (or choosing to exit as a Lifetime holder) and removing HardStop from your device are two separate actions.

For iPhone and iPad: email [email protected] to request your password; if a wait time period is active, wait for it to expire or request emergency access per Section 5.4; receive your password to your registered email; open Settings > General > VPN and Device Management > HardStop Profile > Remove Profile > enter password. The removal process is identical for iPhone and iPad.

For Mac and Windows: email [email protected] to request removal; if a wait time period is active, wait for it to expire or request emergency access per Section 5.4; receive your uninstaller download link to your registered email; download and run the uninstaller, which removes the HardStop Enforcer; follow the provided instructions to remove the filtering application. Following both steps fully removes HardStop's content filtering from your device.

Account cancellation or exit does not equal device uninstallation. Both steps are required to fully exit HardStop.

8.3 Post-Cancellation Data Retention

Account data is retained for 30 days after account closure, then permanently deleted per our Privacy Policy. Removal credentials are deleted upon confirmed uninstallation or account deletion.

9.1 No Guarantee of Uninterrupted Service

HardStop is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service, 100% blocking effectiveness across all platforms and applications, or compatibility with every device model or future operating system version.

9.2 New Device or System Upgrade

If you purchase a new device or perform a major operating system upgrade that disrupts your HardStop configuration, contact [email protected]. We will assist with re-onboarding on your new device at no additional cost during your active service period.

If you are transitioning to a new device, contact support before or as soon as possible after making the switch. We will coordinate setup on your new device and, if requested, release the removal credentials for your previous device so that HardStop can be removed from it. Your old device remains protected by HardStop's filtering until you request and receive those credentials. HardStop will not leave a previous device in a restricted state without providing a path to remove it.

9.3 Technical Changes

HardStop may update its technical implementation — including filtering methods, enforcement mechanisms, and third-party service providers — without prior notice. Such changes are made to maintain or improve the service and do not constitute a material change to HardStop's core purpose.

11.1 Mandatory Backup Requirement — iPhone and iPad

If you are installing HardStop on an iPhone or iPad, you must create a full backup of your device — via a computer or via iCloud — before initiating the HardStop setup process. The device supervision process modifies your iPhone's or iPad's configuration. While the erasure of personal data is not an intended or expected outcome of this process, unexpected issues can occur with any device modification. HardStop is not responsible for any data loss that occurs during or after installation.

You are solely responsible for verifying that your backup is complete and accessible before proceeding. Verification is not optional. By proceeding with the HardStop iPhone or iPad setup process, you confirm that you have completed and verified a full device backup immediately prior to beginning installation. HardStop's exclusion of data loss liability in Section 15.2 is conditional on this backup requirement having been met. Instructions for verifying an iCloud backup are available at tryhardstop.com/setup.

Mac and Windows users are not required to perform a backup before installation as the setup process does not modify system data.

11.2 General Obligations

You agree to: maintain access to your registered email address at all times, as removal credentials are delivered only to your registered email; keep your account details current and accurate; comply with the terms of service of any third-party providers relevant to your device and operating system; and use HardStop only for lawful purposes.

11.3 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

Attempt to bypass, disable, or defeat the content filtering, device supervision controls, the HardStop Enforcer, or any other component of the HardStop service through any means including task managers, process killers, system tools, or third-party software. Control layout settings to bypass network protection modules. Uninstall any component of HardStop through system settings or third-party tools without first completing the proper wait time and removal process described in Section 8.2. Use VPNs, proxies, alternative DNS configurations, or any other tool to bypass network-level content filtering. Disable or modify your device's startup settings to prevent any HardStop component from launching. Factory reset your device to circumvent the wait time period without first requesting removal through the proper process. Share circumvention methods with other users. Reverse engineer or attempt to extract HardStop's source code, filtering logic, or technical implementation. Abuse, harass, or threaten HardStop support staff. Misrepresent your age, device ownership, or authority to install HardStop. Install HardStop on any person's device without their full, informed, and freely given consent.

12.1 Data We Collect and Data Visible to HardStop

HardStop collects and holds the following information directly: your name and email address for account management and removal credential delivery; payment information, which is processed and stored by our third-party payment processor — HardStop does not store full card details; and your chosen wait time period duration.

For Mac and Windows users, additional technical device information is visible to HardStop within our filtering infrastructure provider's administrative dashboard as a consequence of device enrollment. This information is described in full in Section 3.4 and includes device identifiers such as your MAC address and serial number. This information is not actively collected or stored in HardStop's own systems. It is visible within the infrastructure provider's dashboard and is used solely to administer your service.

For iPhone and iPad users, HardStop does not collect device identifiers, UDIDs, browsing history, DNS query logs, or any data from your device files, messages, photos, or applications.

12.2 What HardStop Cannot See

HardStop has disabled all activity logging across its filtering infrastructure. HardStop cannot see your DNS queries, browsing history, websites visited, search terms, or network activity. HardStop cannot see your files, messages, emails, photos, or screen content on any platform. HardStop does not monitor device behaviour and has no surveillance capability through the HardStop service on any platform. The HardStop Enforcer has no data collection or transmission capability of any kind.

12.3 Privacy Policy

Our full Privacy Policy at tryhardstop.com/privacy governs how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information and forms part of your legal agreement with HardStop. Users in the EU, UK, and Australia have additional statutory data protection rights set out in the Privacy Policy.

12.4 No Sale of Data

HardStop does not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties for marketing or advertising purposes.

12.5 Data Sensitivity

You acknowledge that your account is associated with an adult content filtering service and that the device enrollment information visible to HardStop through our infrastructure provider — including hardware identifiers such as MAC address and serial number — constitutes personal information and is treated as such. HardStop maintains reasonable technical and organisational security measures to protect your data. HardStop does not use device enrollment information for profiling, marketing, or any purpose beyond service administration. In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, HardStop will notify you in accordance with applicable law.

12.6 Third-Party Infrastructure Provider

HardStop's Mac and Windows filtering service is delivered through infrastructure operated by Cloudflare, Inc. Cloudflare processes network traffic data in accordance with its own privacy policy, available at cloudflare.com/privacypolicy. HardStop does not control Cloudflare's infrastructure-level data processing. You should review Cloudflare's Privacy Policy to understand how Cloudflare handles data passing through its network independently of HardStop's logging settings.

13.1 Support Contacts

Standard support: [email protected] — response within 24 business hours.
Removal requests: [email protected] — credentials delivered within 24 hours after wait time expires.
Emergency access: [email protected] with subject "EMERGENCY ACCESS" — responded to as soon as possible by the first available team member, at any hour.

13.2 Standard Removal Process

Email [email protected] from your registered email address requesting removal. HardStop verifies your identity by email address match. Your wait time period begins or continues. For iPhone and iPad users, your configuration profile password is delivered within 24 hours after your wait time period expires — the removal process is identical for iPhone and iPad. For Mac and Windows users, your uninstaller download link is delivered within 24 hours after your wait time period expires along with instructions for completing removal of the filtering application.

13.3 Identity Verification

Removal credentials are released only to the registered account email address. HardStop cannot release credentials via phone, text message, alternative email addresses, or to third parties. If you lose access to your registered email, contact support immediately — recovery may require additional verification and may cause delays.

14.1 HardStop Software and Branding

HardStop, its software, website, branding, and all associated content are the intellectual property of HardStop LLC. Nothing in these Terms grants you any right to use HardStop's name, logo, or trademarks without prior written consent.

HardStop's iPhone and iPad supervision tool incorporates third-party open-source software licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). HardStop complies with applicable open-source licence obligations. Source code attribution is available on request.

14.2 Bonus Materials — Lifetime Purchasers

Lifetime purchasers receive access to the "Rewired" ebook and audiobook bundle and the "Root Cause Quiz" as complimentary bonus materials included with their Lifetime Access.

These bonus materials are licensed to you for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not reproduce, redistribute, resell, sublicense, publicly display, or otherwise exploit the bonus materials beyond personal use. The bonus materials are provided "as is" with no warranty as to fitness for any particular purpose. They do not constitute medical, therapeutic, or psychological advice; Section 10 of these Terms applies to any claims made or implied within the bonus materials. If you exercise the 30-day money-back guarantee under Section 7.1, you may retain the bonus materials — HardStop does not require their return, deletion, or destruction. The Root Cause Quiz may collect personal information; that collection and handling is governed by the Privacy Policy at tryhardstop.com/privacy.

15.1 "As Is" Service

HardStop is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

15.2 Exclusion of Consequential Damages

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, HardStop is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including: loss of profits, revenue, or data; mental health or behavioural outcomes; relationship or employment consequences; frustration or inconvenience from wait time periods; data loss during or after iPhone or iPad installation where the mandatory backup and verification requirement in Section 11.1 was not completed; third-party platform disruptions including changes by Apple or any filtering infrastructure provider; or inability to access content due to active filtering.

15.3 Liability Cap

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, HardStop's total cumulative liability for any claims arising from or related to these Terms or your use of HardStop shall not exceed the total fees you paid to HardStop in the 12 months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim. For Lifetime Access holders, HardStop's total cumulative liability shall not exceed the one-time Lifetime fee paid at the time of initial purchase.

15.4 Statutory Rights Preserved

Nothing in this Section excludes or limits consumer guarantees or statutory rights that cannot be excluded under mandatory law, including the Australian Consumer Law, the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015, or applicable EU consumer protection law. Where mandatory statutory rights apply, HardStop's liability is limited to the extent permitted by law.

17.1 Termination by HardStop

HardStop may suspend or terminate your account immediately if you: breach any provision of these Terms; attempt to bypass or defeat content filtering, device supervision, or the HardStop Enforcer; install HardStop on another person's device without their consent; provide false information about age, identity, or device ownership; abuse or threaten support staff; or use HardStop for any unlawful purpose.

17.2 Effect of Termination — Unconditional Removal

Upon termination of your account for any reason — including termination by HardStop for cause, termination for non-payment, or voluntary cancellation or exit — HardStop will release your removal credentials to your registered email address within 5 business days. For iPhone and iPad users this means your configuration profile password. For Mac and Windows users this means your uninstaller download link and removal instructions. This obligation is unconditional. HardStop will not leave any device in a restricted state without providing the means to remove that restriction, regardless of the circumstances or reason for termination.

Lifetime Access — termination for cause: where a Lifetime Access account is terminated by HardStop for cause under Section 17.1, no refund of the one-time Lifetime fee is payable. The release of removal credentials under this Section is unconditional regardless of the basis for termination.

Lifetime Access — voluntary exit within 30-day window: where a Lifetime holder voluntarily exits the service within the 30-day money-back period under Section 7.1, a full refund of the one-time Lifetime fee is payable. Removal credentials are released in the ordinary course.

Additional effects of termination: account access is revoked; future billing ceases for Monthly subscribers; no refund is issued except as provided in Section 7 or as required by law.

17.3 Survival

Sections 4.3, 11, 14.1, 14.2, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, and 23 survive termination of these Terms.

21.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and Device Modification Disclosure, constitute the entire agreement between you and HardStop and supersede all prior understandings and representations. Your clickwrap consent records, as described in Section 4.2, form part of and are incorporated into this agreement.

21.2 Statute of Limitations

To the extent permitted by applicable law, any claim arising from or related to your use of HardStop or these Terms must be brought within one year of the date on which the claim arose, or it is permanently waived.

21.3 Waiver

HardStop's failure to enforce any right or provision is not a waiver of that right. A waiver in one instance does not constitute a waiver on any other occasion.

21.4 Assignment

You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without HardStop's prior written consent. HardStop may assign these Terms — including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale — without notice or consent. Where HardStop assigns these Terms in connection with a transfer of the service, any Lifetime Access entitlement travels with the service to the assignee in accordance with Section 1.6(i).

21.5 Force Majeure

HardStop is not liable for any delay or failure caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including third-party platform changes, service outages, natural disasters, government actions, or cyberattacks.

21.6 Open Source Compliance

HardStop's iPhone and iPad supervision tool incorporates third-party software licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). HardStop complies with all applicable LGPL obligations. Source code attribution is available on request.

23.1 Informal Resolution First

Before initiating arbitration, contact HardStop at [email protected] with a written description of the dispute and your desired resolution. HardStop will attempt to resolve the dispute informally within 30 days. If unresolved, either party may proceed to arbitration.

23.2 Binding Arbitration

Except for claims qualifying for small claims court, any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms, the Privacy Policy, or your use of HardStop — including disputes about the validity or scope of this arbitration clause — shall be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, available at adr.org. Arbitration will be conducted in English and may be conducted remotely.

23.3 Class Action Waiver

YOU AND HARDSTOP AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY CLASS ACTION, COLLECTIVE ACTION, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any class or representative proceeding.

23.4 Arbitration Costs

HardStop will pay AAA arbitration fees for claims not exceeding USD $10,000, unless the arbitrator determines the claim was frivolous. Each party bears its own attorneys' fees unless the arbitrator awards fees under applicable law.

23.5 Exceptions

Either party may seek emergency injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm pending arbitration. HardStop may also pursue claims in small claims court for matters within that court's jurisdiction.

23.6 EU and UK Users

If you are a resident of the European Union or United Kingdom, the mandatory arbitration provisions of this Section do not apply to you. You retain your rights to bring claims before applicable courts and consumer protection bodies in your jurisdiction.