By accessing or using the Circles mobile application and website ("Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.
We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you through the app or by email. Continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account and use Circles. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you are 18 or older and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.
If we discover that a user is under 18, we will terminate the account and delete the associated personal data promptly.
Circles is a location-based community built on trust, respect, and real-world connections. You agree not to:
We may remove content and suspend or ban accounts that violate these guidelines, at our sole discretion and without prior notice.
Your content. You retain ownership of the content you create and share on Circles (posts, messages, photos, voice notes, sparks, reviews). By posting content, you grant Circles a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, distribute, and reproduce your content within the Service for the purpose of operating and improving the platform.
Ephemeral content. Sparks (stories) are automatically deleted after 24 hours. We do not guarantee the availability of ephemeral content beyond its stated duration.
Our content. The Circles name, logo, design, and software are owned by us and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or distribute our branding or code without written permission.
Circles uses your device's GPS to provide core functionality, including:
Background location: With your explicit permission, Circles uses geofencing to automatically detect when you arrive at or leave a registered Circle. This works even when the app is in the background or closed. Geofence events are processed locally on your device — only the check-in or check-out event (not continuous tracking) is sent to our servers. You can disable background location at any time through your device's system settings.
Foreground location: When the app is open, your GPS coordinates are used to show nearby Circles, people, and to update your presence status.
You can revoke location permissions at any time through your device settings, though core features (map, check-ins, nearby discovery) require location access to function.
For full details on how we handle your data, see our Privacy Policy.
When you check in to a Circle, you are automatically added to its group chat (unless you have disabled this in Settings). Circle group chats are managed by the Circle's creator and appointed moderators.
Circles allows you to send voice messages and share photos in chats. By using these features:
Circles allows you to add invites and events to your personal calendar (Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, etc.). When you use this feature, event details (title, time, location) are passed directly to your calendar application. Circles does not access, read, or store your calendar data.
Your privacy matters to us. Our Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal information. By using the Service, you also agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy.
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:
You use the Service at your own risk, including any real-world meetups or interactions arranged through the platform.
By you. You may delete your account at any time from Settings → Danger Zone → Delete Account in the app, or by emailing privacy@circlesmap.com. Account deletion is permanent and removes your personal data within 30 days.
By us. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time if you violate these Terms, engage in harmful behavior, or for any reason at our discretion. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you, except where doing so would compromise safety or legal obligations.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Circles, its officers, employees, and partners from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of the Service, your content, or your violation of these Terms.
Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms or the Service will first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If a resolution is not reached within 30 days, the dispute will be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), conducted in English. You agree to waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration. Nothing in this section limits any non-waivable rights you have under the consumer protection laws of your jurisdiction (including, where applicable, the EU GDPR and the California CCPA — see our Privacy Policy Section 14 for details).
For questions about these Terms, account issues, or to report violations: