Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the website washa.et (including all subdomains, mobile versions, and related services), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree, you must immediately stop using our services.

2. Services Description

Washa provides a digital platform for art discovery, model portfolios, books applications, event listings, and creative content sharing. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the service at any time with reasonable notice (except in emergencies).

• Artistic portfolio hosting & social interaction
• Application services for books / talent shows
• Event calendar and ticket sales (via third-party processors)
• Display of contextual and personalized advertisements via Google AdSense

3. User Accounts & Eligibility

To access certain features (apply, comment, post), you must register an account. You represent that:

• You are at least 13 years old (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). Users under 18 must have parental consent.
• You provide accurate, current, and complete registration information.
• You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and for all activities under your account.
• You will immediately notify us of any unauthorized use.

Washa reserves the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, or remove content at our sole discretion.

4. Prohibited Conduct & Content

You agree NOT to:

Violations may result in immediate termination and legal action where applicable.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

Our IP: All content on Washa (logos, design, code, graphics) is owned or licensed by Washa and protected by Ethiopian and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without written permission.

Your IP: You retain ownership of any content you submit (photos, videos, portfolio). By posting, you grant Washa a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to host, display, and promote your content on our platform and related marketing channels (with attribution). You warrant that you have all necessary rights to grant this license.

6. Payments, Subscriptions & Refunds

Certain services (e.g., featured artist spots, books application fees) may require payment. All fees are in ETB or USD, excluding taxes. Payments are processed via secure third-party gateways (Stripe/PayPal).

• Refunds: Application fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by Washa. Subscription services may be canceled anytime; no prorated refunds for partial months.
• Chargebacks: If you initiate a chargeback without valid reason, we may suspend your account and recover costs.

7. Google AdSense & Third-Party Advertising

To keep Washa accessible and free, we display ads served by Google AdSense and other partners. These ads may use cookies and similar technologies to show personalized ads based on your browsing behavior. You have the right to:

• Opt out of personalized advertising via Google Ad Settings.
• Control cookies via our cookie consent banner (GDPR) or browser settings.
• Exercise your CCPA right to opt-out of “sale/sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising by contacting negele@washa.et.

Washa is not responsible for the content of third-party ads or the privacy practices of advertisers. Google’s use of data is governed by Google’s Partner Policies.

8. Termination & Suspension

We may suspend or terminate your access immediately without prior notice if you breach these Terms. Upon termination:

• Your right to use the platform ceases.
• We may delete your content, except where retention is required by law.
• You remain liable for any outstanding fees or obligations incurred prior to termination.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

WASHA PROVIDES THE SERVICES “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE.

Any content downloaded or obtained through Washa is at your own risk. We are not liable for any damage to your computer system or loss of data.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WASHA AND ITS DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED $5 USD.

11. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Washa and its affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your violation of these Terms, your content, or your infringement of any third-party rights.

12. GDPR & CCPA Compliance

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA) or California, you have specific privacy rights under GDPR and CCPA. Washa processes personal data as described in our Privacy Policy. Key rights include:

• GDPR: Right to access, rectification, erasure (right to be forgotten), data portability, restriction of processing, and object to automated decision-making.
• CCPA: Right to know what personal information is collected, right to delete, right to opt-out of sale/sharing (we do not sell your data; we honor opt-out for cross-context advertising).

To exercise your rights, contact negele@washa.et. We will respond within 30 days as required by law.

13. Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of Ethiopia (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia), without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising out of these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, unless the claim qualifies for small claims court. You agree to waive any right to a jury trial or class action.

14. Modifications to Terms

Washa reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be notified via email (if you have an account) or a prominent banner on the website. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

15. Contact Information

Last Updated: May 24, 2026 — Version 2.1 (GDPR/CCPA enhanced).