Please read these Terms of Service carefully before using the Book Tribe platform. By creating an account or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use Book Tribe.
Book Tribe is a social reading application operated by Book Tribe Pty Ltd (ABN: 32 325 147 355) ("Book Tribe", "we", "us", or "our"), a company registered in Australia. Our registered address is 170 Grasstree Drive, Taloumbi NSW 2463.
Book Tribe provides a platform where users can build personal digital bookshelves, discover their Reading Personality, and connect with other readers who share their literary interests ("the Platform"). The Platform is accessible via our mobile application (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store) and website at booktribe.com.au.
These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Book Tribe governing your use of the Platform. Our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and any other policies referenced in these Terms are incorporated by reference and form part of this agreement.
2.1 Age Requirements and Access Tiers
Book Tribe is rated 4+ on the Apple App Store and is available to users of all ages, subject to the following age-based access tiers and requirements:
| Age group | Access | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Under 13 | Reading features, bookshelf, and Reading Personality only. No messaging, matching, or connection features. | Verifiable parental or guardian consent required before account creation. Parent or guardian must agree to these Terms on the child's behalf. |
| 13 – 17 | Reading features, bookshelf, Reading Personality, book clubs, and friends features. No romantic matching or connection features. | If you are between 13 and 17, you confirm that you have your parent or guardian's permission to use Book Tribe and that they are aware of and agree to these Terms. |
| 18 and over | Full access to all Platform features including romantic matching and connection features. | By creating an account you confirm you are 18 or older to access matching features. |
2.2 Parental Consent — Users Under 13
If you are under 13 years of age, you must not create a Book Tribe account without verifiable parental or guardian consent. We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and equivalent Australian laws regarding the collection of personal information from children under 13. We collect only the minimum information necessary from users under 13 and do not use their data for advertising or profiling purposes.
Parents and guardians who provide consent for a child under 13 accept these Terms on their child's behalf and are responsible for supervising their child's use of the Platform. A parent or guardian may contact us at hello@booktribe.com.au at any time to review, update, or delete their child's account and personal information.
2.3 Protection of Users Under 18
Book Tribe takes the safety of users under 18 seriously. The following protections apply:
- Users under 18 cannot access romantic matching, connection, or dating features under any circumstances
- Users under 18 cannot be matched with or contacted by users 18 or older through the matching or connection features
- Users under 18 can only message users they have connected with through age-appropriate friends features
- Users under 18 cannot share their precise location with other users
- Users under 18 are not shown in matching or discovery features visible to adult users
- Any user found to be misrepresenting their age to access age-restricted features will have their account immediately terminated
- Any adult user found to be attempting to circumvent age restrictions to contact users under 18 will have their account immediately terminated and the matter reported to relevant authorities
2.4 Account Registration
To use Book Tribe, you must create an account by providing accurate and complete information. You agree to:
- Provide your accurate date of birth at registration
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
- Maintain and promptly update your account information to keep it accurate
- Keep your password confidential and not share it with any third party
- Notify us immediately at hello@booktribe.com.au if you suspect unauthorised access to your account
- Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account
2.5 Accurate Age Declaration
You must provide your accurate date of birth when registering. Misrepresenting your age — whether to gain access to age-restricted features or for any other reason — is a serious violation of these Terms and will result in immediate permanent account termination. Where a user has misrepresented their age to access features restricted to adults, and this has resulted in contact with a minor, we will report the matter to relevant law enforcement authorities.
2.6 One Account Per Person
You may only create one Book Tribe account. Creating multiple accounts to evade a suspension, access age-restricted features, or for any other reason is prohibited and may result in permanent termination of all associated accounts.
3.1 Free and Premium Tiers
Book Tribe offers two tiers of access:
- Free tier: Available to all registered users at no cost, providing access to core Platform features as described on our website.
- Premium tier: A paid subscription providing access to enhanced features as updated from time to time and described at booktribe.com.au.
3.2 Pricing
Current subscription pricing is displayed on the Platform and at booktribe.com.au. All prices are in Australian dollars and inclusive of GST where applicable. We reserve the right to change subscription pricing with at least 30 days notice to existing subscribers.
3.3 Billing and Payment
Payments are processed by our third-party payment provider. By subscribing, you authorise Book Tribe to charge your nominated payment method on a recurring basis until you cancel. If a payment fails, we will notify you and provide a grace period to update your payment method before your account is downgraded to the free tier.
3.4 Cancellation
You may cancel your subscription at any time through the app settings or by contacting us at hello@booktribe.com.au. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. We do not provide partial refunds for unused portions of a billing period.
3.5 Refunds
Subject to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, subscription fees are generally non-refundable. We will provide refunds where you are entitled to one under the Australian Consumer Law. To request a refund, contact us at hello@booktribe.com.au.
3.6 Affiliate Purchase Links
Book Tribe may provide links to third-party book retailers through affiliate programmes. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, Book Tribe may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. All purchases are governed by the retailer's own terms and conditions.
4.1 User Content
You retain ownership of content you create on the Platform. By submitting content to Book Tribe, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, store, display, and distribute your content solely for the purposes of operating and improving the Platform.
4.2 Your Responsibilities
You are solely responsible for all content you submit. You represent and warrant that your content does not infringe the rights of any third party, is accurate and not misleading, and complies with these Terms and all applicable laws.
4.3 Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to use the Platform to:
- Post content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable
- Harass, bully, intimidate, or harm any other user
- Attempt to contact, solicit, or engage in romantic or sexual communication with any user under 18
- Misrepresent your age or identity for any purpose
- Post sexually explicit or pornographic content
- Post content that exploits, harms, or sexualises minors in any way — this is illegal and will be reported to law enforcement immediately
- Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity
- Post spam, unsolicited commercial messages, or chain letters
- Collect or harvest personal information about other users without their consent
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform or to another user's account
- Use automated tools, bots, or scrapers to access or collect data from the Platform
- Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws
4.4 Content Moderation
Book Tribe reserves the right to review, monitor, and remove content that we determine violates these Terms or our Community Guidelines. We take a zero-tolerance approach to content that endangers or sexualises minors. If you encounter content or conduct that violates these Terms, please report it using the in-app reporting feature or by contacting safety@booktribe.com.au.
5.1 Book Tribe's Intellectual Property
The Platform, including its design, software, features, content, and all intellectual property rights in them, is owned by Book Tribe Pty Ltd or its licensors. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Platform for personal, non-commercial purposes in accordance with these Terms.
5.2 Book Data
Book metadata including titles, authors, descriptions, cover images, and ISBNs is sourced from the Google Books API and other third-party sources. This data is owned by the respective publishers, authors, and data providers.
5.3 Feedback
If you provide feedback or suggestions about the Platform, you grant Book Tribe Pty Ltd a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free licence to use and incorporate that feedback without any obligation to you.
Your use of the Platform is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in the Privacy Policy.
We handle your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. Our Privacy Policy is designed to be compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for users in the European Economic Area and United Kingdom.
For users under 13, we collect only the minimum personal information necessary to provide the service and comply with applicable children's privacy laws including COPPA. We do not use personal information of users under 13 for advertising or commercial profiling.
The Platform integrates with third-party services including the Google Books API, payment processors, email marketing providers, and the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Your use of third-party services is governed by those services' own terms and privacy policies. Book Tribe Pty Ltd is not responsible for the content, practices, or policies of any third-party service.
8.1 Platform Provided "As Is"
The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, to the maximum extent permitted by law. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.
8.2 Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any right or remedy, or any guarantee, warranty, or other term or condition implied or imposed by the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
8.3 Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Book Tribe Pty Ltd's total liability to you for any loss or damage arising in connection with these Terms or your use of the Platform is limited to the total amount you have paid to Book Tribe in the 12 months preceding the claim, or AUD $100, whichever is greater. Book Tribe Pty Ltd is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
8.4 User Interactions
Book Tribe is a platform that facilitates connections between users. While we take steps to protect our users — particularly those under 18 — we cannot guarantee the conduct of any user on or off the Platform. You interact with other users at your own risk. We strongly encourage all users, and parents and guardians of users under 18, to exercise caution when communicating with people met online.
8.5 Reading Personality
The Reading Personality feature and any book recommendations provided by the Platform are generated for entertainment and information purposes only and do not constitute professional advice of any kind.
9.1 Termination by You
You may delete your account at any time through the app settings or by contacting us at hello@booktribe.com.au. If you have an active subscription, please cancel it before deleting your account to avoid further charges.
9.2 Termination by Book Tribe
Book Tribe may suspend or terminate your account, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe that you have violated these Terms or our Community Guidelines. The following violations will result in immediate permanent termination without warning:
- Any attempt to contact, solicit, groom, or engage in romantic or sexual communication with a user under 18
- Misrepresenting your age to access age-restricted features
- Posting, sharing, or soliciting content that sexualises or exploits minors
- Any conduct involving illegal activity
Other violations may result in a warning, temporary suspension, or permanent termination depending on severity and whether the violation is repeated.
9.3 Reporting to Authorities
Book Tribe will report to relevant law enforcement authorities and the eSafety Commissioner any content or conduct involving the exploitation or sexualisation of minors, credible threats of violence, or other illegal activity. We will cooperate fully with any law enforcement investigation.
9.4 Effect of Termination
Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. We will retain and handle your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. If your account is terminated due to a violation of these Terms, you are not entitled to a refund of any subscription fees paid.
10.1 Complaints
If you have a complaint about the Platform or these Terms, please contact us at hello@booktribe.com.au with the subject line 'Complaint'. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days and aim to resolve it within 30 days.
10.2 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. You agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales for the resolution of any dispute arising from these Terms, except where applicable consumer protection laws in your jurisdiction provide otherwise.
10.3 International Users
Book Tribe is operated from Australia and is available globally. If you access the Platform from outside Australia, you are responsible for compliance with your local laws to the extent they apply. Nothing in these Terms limits rights you may have under the consumer protection laws of your own jurisdiction.
Book Tribe may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the 'Last updated' date, notify you by email, and display a prominent notice within the Platform. For changes that materially affect your rights, we will provide at least 30 days notice. Your continued use of the Platform after updated Terms take effect constitutes acceptance of the changes.
12.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and any other policies incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Book Tribe Pty Ltd with respect to the Platform.
12.2 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
12.3 Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.
12.4 Assignment
You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Book Tribe Pty Ltd may assign these Terms without restriction.
12.5 Contact
For any questions about these Terms, please contact us:
| Company | Book Tribe Pty Ltd |
| ABN | 32 325 147 355 |
| Address | 170 Grasstree Drive, Taloumbi NSW 2463 |
| General enquiries | hello@booktribe.com.au |
| Safety reports | safety@booktribe.com.au |
| Privacy enquiries | privacy@booktribe.com.au |
| Website | booktribe.com.au |