Terms for using RANSOM

Effective 15 November 2026. Covers the RANSOM mobile app (vn.ransom.app) and ransom.uranashel.com. Installing or using RANSOM means you agree to these terms.

1. Who this agreement is between & Apple's Standard EULA

These Terms & Conditions are an agreement between you ("you") and the individual developer of RANSOM operating under uranashel in Vietnam ("we", "RANSOM").

If you installed RANSOM from the Apple App Store, Apple's Licensed Application End User License Agreement (Standard EULA) applies alongside these terms. If the two ever conflict on matters governed by Apple, Apple's Standard EULA comes first.

2. Who can use RANSOM (Ages 16+)

You need to be at least 16 years old to install or use RANSOM, including when holding a key for someone else. RANSOM is a self-directed habit tool, not a parental-control app, and must never be used to watch, track, pressure, or lock down another person without their clear, ongoing consent.

3. No account & device identity

RANSOM identifies your phone using a random device keypair saved locally. Because there are no email or phone logins, losing your phone, resetting it, or uninstalling the app means old locks, history, and friend links cannot be restored. Active RANSOM Pro entitlements stay tied to your store account and come back via Restore purchase under the same Apple ID or Google account.

4. How app locks work

• You pick which apps to lock, choose a duration (such as 1 hour to 7 days) or a repeating schedule, draw a quick signature, and optionally invite up to 3 friends with a 6-digit code or QR.
• When you tap Call for help, a key keeper can open the apps for 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes, say no, or set a task like a Pomodoro round or written plea. When approved minutes run out, the lock closes back automatically.
• On-device blocking uses Apple's Screen Time API on iPhone and Android's AccessibilityService API. Switching those system permissions off in Settings stops lock enforcement immediately.

5. Always a way out

• Auto-release: Every lock opens automatically when its timer ends, without friend approval or internet.
• Emergency unlock: Tap Emergency unlock and wait 60 minutes. When the countdown ends, the lock opens cleanly offline at no cost. Friends holding keys get notified once your phone comes back online.
• Essential apps untouched: Phone calls, SMS, emergency numbers, Settings, banking and wallet apps, maps, ride-hailing apps, and RANSOM itself are never blocked.

RANSOM is never meant to keep you from reaching help or essential tools. Your phone can always make calls normally.

6. Remote locks from a friend

• Nobody can start a lock on your phone unless you explicitly turned on remote-lock permission for them on your own device first, inside limits you picked (app count, max minutes per lock, daily limit, allowed hours, expiry date, and whether extra time is allowed).
• Every remote lock triggers a clear alert naming who started it and when it ends.
• You can revoke remote-lock permission on your phone anytime, even without internet. Revoking stops new locks; any lock already running still keeps its scheduled release and 60-minute Emergency unlock.
• Even if extra time is turned on, a lock's release time can never be extended past twice its original length.

7. Treating each other fairly

You are responsible for the display name, optional photo, lock names, banter, tasks, and notes you share. Do not use RANSOM to:

• harass, threaten, embarrass, extort, or pressure anyone;
• upload sexual, violent, hateful, illegal, or someone else's photos without permission;
• impersonate another person, guess invite codes, reverse-engineer APIs, or overload the server.

Press and hold any message or photo to report or block someone immediately. Blocking ends contact, hides photos, closes shared locks or invites between you, and prevents new ones. We may remove abusive content or suspend offending device IDs.

8. RANSOM Pro plans

• Standard (Free): One active lock at a time, repeating schedules, group locks, key keepers, Pomodoro proof, 60-min Emergency unlock, stats, and share cards. Everything free stays free.
• RANSOM Pro: Run multiple locks at once plus Taper mode (give yourself a daily minute budget before locking for the rest of the day).
• Pro comes as an auto-renewing Monthly plan, an auto-renewing Yearly plan (eligible new subscribers may see a 7-day free trial; if not cancelled at least 24 hours before the trial ends, the yearly rate is charged), or a one-time Lifetime purchase.
• Your local price is shown clearly in the app before you confirm payment.
• Subscriptions renew automatically unless you switch off auto-renew in Apple ID Account Settings or Google Play → Subscriptions at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Cancelling stops the next renewal while leaving Pro active until the paid period finishes.
• Billing, taxes, and refunds go through Apple App Store or Google Play under their store policies. If a purchase is refunded, Pro access ends accordingly.
• If your phone stays completely offline for more than 7 days in a row, starting new Pro-only actions pauses until you reconnect to refresh purchase status. Locks already running and Emergency unlock keep working normally.
• RANSOM never puts a paywall on the block screen, inside Call for help, or during Emergency unlock.

9. Disclaimers & limitation of liability

• RANSOM is a personal focus and habit tool. It is not medical, psychological, or behavioral therapy and doesn't replace professional support.
• Anyone determined to bypass local locks can disable OS permissions or uninstall the app; RANSOM leaves those system exits open on purpose for user safety.
• Pomodoro clean checks depend on device runtime behavior and are offered "as is". Push delivery timing depends on your connection, OS battery settings, and Apple/Google push servers.
• To the fullest extent permitted by law, RANSOM and its developer provide the service "as is" and aren't liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from apps you chose to lock or decisions made by friends you gave keys to. Nothing here limits mandatory consumer rights under your local laws.

10. Changes, stopping & governing law

You can stop using RANSOM anytime by opening Me → Delete all data, cancelling any active store subscription in Apple or Google settings, and uninstalling the app. When we update these terms, we change the effective date above; continuing to use RANSOM means you accept the updated version.

These terms are governed by the laws of Vietnam, without limiting mandatory consumer protections where you live. Unresolved disputes fall under the competent courts of Vietnam.

Contact: The RANSOM developer (indie developer, Vietnam) · uralab95@gmail.com