Terms of Use

Terms of Use for BlkSignal.com

TERMS OF USE; DMCA NOTICE; PRIVACY POLICY; LICENSE GRANTS

Last Revised: April 22, 2025

Introduction
Welcome to BlkSignal.com, a platform dedicated to delivering engaging news, cultural insights, and community-driven content. These Terms and Conditions of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the BlkSignal.com website, mobile site, applications, and any other media through which BlkSignal.com is accessed (collectively, the “Website”). The Website is owned and operated by BlkSignal Media, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company based in Charlotte, NC (“BlkSignal,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By accessing, viewing, browsing, or otherwise using the Website (collectively, “Use”), you agree to be legally bound by these Terms as of the date of your first Use. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use the Website. These Terms constitute a binding agreement between you and BlkSignal and are designed to protect both parties while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, including those of the State of North Carolina.

You affirm that you are at least 18 years of age or have obtained legal parental or guardian consent to enter into and comply with these Terms and to use the Website. If you are under 18 and lack such consent, you are prohibited from using the Website.

BlkSignal reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time by posting revised Terms or a notice of changes on the Website. The date of the most recent revision will be indicated at the top of this document. Any modified Terms are effective immediately upon posting unless otherwise stated. Your continued Use of the Website after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. We strongly encourage you to review these Terms regularly to stay informed of any updates.

1. AGREEMENT TO TERMS
These Terms apply to all aspects of the Website, including but not limited to its content, features, functionalities, and user interactions. By using the Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms in their entirety.

In addition to these Terms, your Use of the Website may be subject to other policies or guidelines posted on the Website, such as our Privacy Policy (see Section 16) or specific rules for contests, promotions, or user submissions. All such policies are incorporated into these Terms by reference. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and any other posted policies, these Terms shall govern unless explicitly stated otherwise.

If you are using the Website on behalf of an entity (e.g., a business or organization), you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms, and “you” refers to both you and the entity.

BlkSignal may, at its sole discretion, suspend or terminate your access to the Website, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms, suspected fraudulent activity, or operational requirements.

2. PERMITTED USE AND PROHIBITED CONDUCT

2.1 Permitted Use
BlkSignal grants you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable permission to access and use the Website solely for personal, noncommercial purposes, such as viewing articles, watching videos, or engaging with community features, as expressly permitted by BlkSignal. This permission does not convey any ownership rights, licenses, or other proprietary interests in the Website or its content unless explicitly stated in writing by BlkSignal. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by BlkSignal.

2.2 Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to engage in any conduct that violates these Terms or harms the Website, its users, or BlkSignal. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Copying, reproducing, distributing, modifying, or creating derivative works of any Website content without BlkSignal’s prior written consent.
  • Using the Website to transmit or attempt to transmit unauthorized advertisements, spam, chain letters, or any harassing, defamatory, libelous, obscene, or unlawful content.
  • Uploading, distributing, or attempting to distribute viruses, malware, spyware, or any other harmful code that could damage the Website or its users’ devices.
  • Interfering with or disrupting the Website’s servers, networks, or infrastructure, including through denial-of-service attacks or excessive automated access.
  • Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Website, user accounts, or BlkSignal’s systems.
  • Collecting, harvesting, or storing personal data about other users without their express consent or in violation of applicable data protection laws.
  • Engaging in any activity that violates federal, state, or local laws, including North Carolina’s Computer Crimes Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-453 et seq.).
  • Using the Website for commercial purposes, such as soliciting business or promoting products, without BlkSignal’s prior written approval.

2.3 Content Restrictions
You shall not upload, post, or otherwise publish content through the Website that:

  • Is obscene, pornographic, threatening, or invasive of privacy or publicity rights.
  • Is harmful to minors, abusive, or contains expressions of hatred, bigotry, racism, or discrimination.
  • Encourages or facilitates criminal activity, violates the rights of any party, or breaches any contractual or fiduciary obligations.
  • You do not have the legal right to share, such as content subject to third-party intellectual property rights without proper authorization.

2.4 Monitoring and Enforcement
BlkSignal does not pre-screen user-generated content but reserves the right (though not the obligation) to monitor, review, refuse, remove, or restrict access to any content, accounts, or users at its sole discretion. BlkSignal may take such actions without notice or liability, including in response to violations of these Terms, legal requirements, or user complaints. BlkSignal is not responsible for storing, maintaining, or returning any user-submitted content and shall not be liable for its deletion or loss.

2.5 Modification or Discontinuation
BlkSignal may, at its sole discretion and without notice, modify, suspend, or discontinue the Website or any of its features, content, or services. BlkSignal shall not be liable for any such changes or their impact on your ability to use the Website.

3. WEBSITE NOT INTENDED FOR MINORS
The Website allows users to post content without prior approval, which may include material inappropriate or harmful to minors, such as explicit language, mature themes, or controversial opinions. BlkSignal does not target its content or services to children under 13, and no portion of the Website is designed to attract minors.

To protect minors, we recommend that parents or guardians use third-party content-filtering software or browser settings to block inappropriate content. BlkSignal does not endorse or guarantee the effectiveness of such tools. Minors under 18 must obtain verifiable parental or guardian consent before using the Website. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has accessed the Website without consent, please contact us at support@blksignal.com to request removal of their account or content.

4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

4.1 Ownership
Unless otherwise stated, all intellectual property rights in the Website and its content—including but not limited to text, images, videos, audio, logos, trademarks, and software—are owned by BlkSignal or its licensors. This includes the “BlkSignal” name, logo, and any associated trademarks or service marks (collectively, the “Marks”). These rights are protected under U.S. federal law, North Carolina law, and international intellectual property treaties.

4.2 Limited License
Subject to these Terms, BlkSignal grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and view Website content for personal, noncommercial use only. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, modify, publicly display, or create derivative works of any Website content without BlkSignal’s prior written consent.

4.3 Restrictions
You shall not:

  • Use the Marks or any Website content in advertising, marketing, or promotional materials without BlkSignal’s express written permission.
  • Sublicense, sell, lease, transfer, or otherwise exploit Website content for commercial purposes.
  • Combine or integrate Website content with other materials to create new works without authorization.
  • Remove or alter any copyright notices, trademarks, or other proprietary markings on Website content.

4.4 User-Generated Content License
By submitting content to the Website (e.g., comments, articles, or media), you grant BlkSignal a worldwide, exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, fully paid-up, irrevocable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, and create derivative works of such content in any medium, now known or hereafter developed. This license includes the right to use your content for promotional, commercial, or other purposes without additional compensation to you. You waive any moral rights, rights of publicity, or privacy rights in such content and acknowledge that the opportunity to share your content with BlkSignal’s audience constitutes sufficient consideration.

5. DIGITAL MILLENNIUM COPYRIGHT ACT (DMCA) NOTICE
BlkSignal respects the intellectual property rights of others and complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512). We have a policy of not knowingly hosting or distributing infringing content and will respond promptly to valid notices of alleged copyright infringement.

5.1 Submitting a DMCA Notice
If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed on the Website, please send a written notice to our designated DMCA agent that includes:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on their behalf.
  • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed (e.g., a URL or description).
  • Identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location on the Website (e.g., a specific URL).
  • Your contact information, including name, address, phone number, and email address.
  • A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use of the material is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on their behalf.

DMCA Agent Contact:
BlkSignal Media, LLC
Attn: DMCA Agent
PO Box 12
Midland, NC 28107
Email: support@blksignal.com

5.2 Counter-Notifications
If your content is removed due to a DMCA notice and you believe the removal was in error, you may submit a counter-notification to our DMCA agent, including:

  • Your physical or electronic signature.
  • Identification of the removed material and its former location.
  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you have a good-faith belief the material was removed in error.
  • Your contact information and consent to the jurisdiction of the federal courts in Charlotte, North Carolina, for any disputes.

5.3 Repeat Infringers
BlkSignal reserves the right to terminate accounts or access for users who are determined to be repeat infringers, in accordance with DMCA requirements and our sole discretion.

6. ACCOUNT CREATION AND USER OBLIGATIONS

6.1 Account Creation
To access certain features, such as commenting or submitting content, you may need to create a user account. Accounts are the property of BlkSignal and may be terminated at our sole discretion. When creating an account, you must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information. You agree to promptly update your account information to maintain its accuracy. BlkSignal may deny access or terminate accounts if your information is inaccurate or incomplete.

6.2 Account Security
You are solely responsible for all activity on your account and must keep your password secure. You shall not share your account credentials with others or allow unauthorized access. Notify BlkSignal immediately at support@blksignal.com of any suspected breach or unauthorized use. You are liable for any losses or damages caused by unauthorized use of your account, whether or not BlkSignal is found to have partial responsibility.

6.3 Account Conduct
You shall not create usernames or engage in account activity that is:

  • Libelous, defamatory, obscene, threatening, or invasive of privacy or publicity rights.
  • Harmful to minors, abusive, or containing expressions of hatred, bigotry, racism, or pornography.
  • Encouraging of criminal activity, in violation of any law, or breaching contractual or fiduciary obligations.

6.4 User Submissions
All content you submit to the Website (e.g., comments, articles, or media) is your sole responsibility. You represent and warrant that your submissions:

  • Are original or you have the right to share them.
  • Do not infringe on any third-party rights, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights.
  • Comply with all applicable laws and these Terms.

By submitting content, you grant BlkSignal the license described in Section 4.4. You acknowledge that BlkSignal may remove or refuse your content at its discretion and is not obligated to store or return it.

7. AUTOMATED ACCESS AND RESTRICTIONS
You agree not to use automated systems, such as bots, spiders, crawlers, or offline readers, to access the Website or harvest data, including personally identifiable information or account details. Commercial caching, scraping, or archival of the Website is strictly prohibited. You shall not use the Website’s communication systems (e.g., comment sections or contact forms) for commercial solicitations without BlkSignal’s prior written consent.

BlkSignal may, at its sole discretion, terminate your account or access to the Website for violating these restrictions or for any other reason, with or without notice.

8. THIRD-PARTY AND USER-GENERATED CONTENT

8.1 Third-Party Websites
The Website may contain links to third-party websites, such as social media platforms or external news sources, that are not owned or controlled by BlkSignal. BlkSignal is not affiliated with these websites and has no control over their content, privacy policies, terms of use, or practices. You access third-party websites at your own risk and release BlkSignal from any liability arising from their use. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

8.2 User-Generated Content
The Website may host content submitted by users or third parties, such as comments, articles, or media. BlkSignal has the right (but not the obligation) to access, review, modify, remove, or restrict access to such content at its sole discretion, without notice or compensation. However, BlkSignal is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, or appropriateness of user-generated or third-party content and does not guarantee that it will monitor or screen such content. You acknowledge that you have no expectation of BlkSignal reviewing or approving user submissions.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted transcriptions by North Carolina law, BlkSignal, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents (collectively, the “BlkSignal Parties”) shall not be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential, or otherwise, arising from your Use of the Website. This includes, but is not limited to, damages resulting from:

  • Errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in Website content.
  • Personal injury or property damage caused by your Use.
  • Unauthorized access to or use of our servers or personal/financial information.
  • Interruptions or cessation of Website access.
  • Bugs, viruses, or other harmful code transmitted through the Website.
  • Loss or damage from your reliance on Website content.

You specifically acknowledge that the BlkSignal Parties are not liable for user-generated content or the defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of any third party, whether on the Website or elsewhere. This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory (e.g., contract, tort, or warranty) and whether the possibility of such damages was foreseeable.

In jurisdictions where limitations of liability are restricted, this section shall apply to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10. INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the BlkSignal Parties from any liabilities, claims, demands, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred as they arise) resulting from:

  • Your Use of the Website.
  • Your submission of content to the Website.
  • Your violation of these Terms.
  • Your infringement of any third-party rights, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights.

BlkSignal reserves the right to assume exclusive control of any matter subject to indemnification, including selecting counsel at your expense. You agree to cooperate fully with BlkSignal in such matters.

11. ASSIGNMENT
BlkSignal may assign or transfer these Terms and any rights granted hereunder, in whole or in part, without restriction or notice. You may not assign or transfer any rights or obligations under these Terms without BlkSignal’s prior written consent, and any attempted assignment without such consent is void.

12. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
The Website and its content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without any warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by North Carolina law, BlkSignal disclaims all warranties, including but not limited to:

  • Warranties of title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
  • Warranties that the Website will be accurate, complete, reliable, secure, or error-free.
  • Warranties that the Website will be uninterrupted, timely, or free from viruses, malware, or other harmful components.
  • Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any content or materials on the Website.

You acknowledge that your Use of the Website is at your sole risk, and you are responsible for any damage to your computer system, loss of data, or other harm resulting from such Use. BlkSignal makes no claim that the Website or its content is appropriate or legally accessible outside the United States, and access from jurisdictions where such Use is illegal is prohibited.

Some jurisdictions, including North Carolina, may limit the extent to which warranties can be disclaimed. In such cases, the disclaimers in this section shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by law, and any unenforceable provisions shall be severed while the remaining Terms remain in effect.

13. ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
You assume all risks associated with the Website, including but not limited to:

  • The suitability, accuracy, or reliability of its content or services for your needs.
  • The risk of service interruptions, delays, or security breaches.
  • The risk of exposure to offensive, indecent, or objectionable content, including user comments or third-party submissions.
  • The risk of damage to your computer system or loss of data from downloading or accessing Website content or applications.

You acknowledge that BlkSignal is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from your interactions with third-party advertisers, content providers, or linked websites.

14. BLKSIGNAL WRITER TOOL

14.1 Overview
BlkSignal offers users the opportunity to submit articles, photographs, videos, interviews, news content, or other materials (“Articles”) for consideration for publication on the Website through the BlkSignal Writer Tool. The Writer Tool is provided at BlkSignal’s sole discretion and may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time without notice. BlkSignal retains full discretion to accept, reject, or publish any submitted Article, with or without reason.

14.2 Article License
By submitting an Article, you grant BlkSignal a worldwide, non-exclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable, fully paid-up, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, and create derivative works of the Article in any medium, now known or hereafter developed (the “Article License”). This license includes, but is not limited to:

  • The right to use the Article for commercial, promotional, or parody purposes.
  • The right to reproduce, sell, or distribute the Article, in whole or in part, through any platform, including the Website, social media, television, mobile apps, or other media.
  • The right to modify, adapt, or create derivative works from the Article, including edits that may be considered derogatory or inconsistent with your preferences.
  • The right to enforce intellectual property protections and seek damages for unauthorized use of the Article.

You waive all moral rights, rights of publicity, and privacy rights in the Article and agree that BlkSignal may use your name, likeness, or other identifying information in connection with the Article, as permitted by law.

14.3 Consideration
You acknowledge that the opportunity to have your Article considered for publication on the Website, even if not selected, constitutes fair and sufficient consideration for the Article License and any other rights granted to BlkSignal. You will not receive financial compensation for submitted Articles, and you agree that BlkSignal’s review and potential publication of your Article is adequate compensation. If you do not agree with these terms, do not submit Articles through the Writer Tool.

14.4 Access, Termination, and Removal
BlkSignal reserves the right to restrict, refuse, or remove any Article from the Website or other platforms at its sole discretion, with or without notice. Removal of an Article does not terminate or modify the Article License, which remains in effect indefinitely.

14.5 Representations and Warranties
By submitting an Article, you represent and warrant that:

  • The Article is your original work, or you have full authority to grant the rights described herein.
  • The Article does not infringe on any third-party rights, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights.
  • The Article complies with all applicable laws, including North Carolina’s laws on defamation (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 99-1 et seq.) and privacy.
  • You have no contractual or other obligations that conflict with the rights granted to BlkSignal.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the BlkSignal Parties from any losses, damages, or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) arising from a breach of these representations and warranties. BlkSignal may select counsel and control any related defense at your expense.

15. CHOICE OF LAW AND FORUM
These Terms and your Use of the Website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from or related to these Terms or your Use of the Website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. You consent to the personal jurisdiction of these courts and waive any objections to venue or forum.

In accordance with North Carolina law, any legal action related to these Terms must be filed within the applicable statute of limitations (e.g., N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 for contract claims).

16. PRIVACY POLICY

16.1 Overview
BlkSignal is committed to protecting your privacy while providing a valuable user experience. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose information through the Website, in compliance with North Carolina’s Electronic Commerce Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-311 et seq.) and other applicable laws.

16.2 Information We Collect

  • Non-Personally Identifiable Information: We may collect data about your Website usage, such as pages visited, time spent, and device information, using cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies.
  • Personal Information: This includes information that can identify you, such as your name, email address, or payment details provided during account creation, purchases, or subscriptions. We also collect cookies and other tracking data as described below.

16.3 How We Collect Information
We use Tracking Technologies, including:

You can control cookies via your browser settings, but disabling them may limit Website functionality.

16.4 How We Use Information
We use collected information to:

  • Provide and personalize Website services, such as content recommendations or account management.
  • Process transactions or fulfill subscription requests.
  • Improve the Website’s design, functionality, and user experience.
  • Communicate with you, including sending newsletters or promotional offers (subject to opt-out options).
  • Comply with legal obligations, such as responding to subpoenas or law enforcement requests.
  • Protect BlkSignal’s rights, users, or the public, including fraud prevention.

16.5 Information Sharing
We may disclose your information:

  • To third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors or analytics providers) who assist in operating the Website, subject to confidentiality agreements.
  • If required by law, such as in response to a court order or subpoena.
  • To enforce these Terms or protect BlkSignal’s rights, property, or safety.
  • In connection with a business transfer, such as a merger or acquisition, subject to applicable privacy laws.

Third-party advertisers may collect data or place cookies when serving ads on the Website. BlkSignal is not responsible for their practices and encourages you to review their privacy policies.

16.6 Data Security
We employ commercially reasonable measures to protect your Personal Information, including:

  • Secure servers in controlled-access data centers, accessible only to authorized personnel.
  • Encryption, firewalls, and secure socket layer (SSL) technology for data transmission where feasible.
  • Regular security audits and updates to safeguard against unauthorized access.

However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. BlkSignal cannot guarantee absolute security and is not liable for data breaches or unauthorized access by third parties, in accordance with North Carolina’s Identity Theft Protection Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-60 et seq.).

16.7 Data Retention
We retain Personal Information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. You may request deletion of your Personal Information by contacting us at support@blksignal.com. We will delete your information unless retention is required by law.

16.8 International Data Transfers
Personal Information may be stored or processed in the United States or other countries where BlkSignal or its service providers maintain facilities. By using the Website, you consent to such transfers, subject to applicable data protection laws.

16.9 Opt-Out Options
You may opt out of marketing communications by:

  • Following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails.
  • Contacting us at support@blksignal.com.

To manage cookies, adjust your browser settings or use tools like Quantcast Choice.

16.10 Children’s Privacy
The Website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent, in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If you believe a child under 13 has provided Personal Information, contact us at support@blksignal.com to request its removal.

16.11 Contact for Privacy Concerns
For questions, complaints, or requests regarding your privacy, contact:
BlkSignal Media, LLC
PO Box 12
Midland, NC 28107
Email: support@blksignal.com

16.12 Data Breach Notification
In the event of a data breach, BlkSignal will comply with North Carolina’s data breach notification requirements (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-65), including notifying affected users and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office as required.

16.13 Non-Confidential Information
Unless required by law, any information you submit to the Website (e.g., comments or feedback) is not treated as confidential and may be used by BlkSignal for any purpose described in these Terms.

17. MISCELLANEOUS

17.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other posted policies, constitute the entire agreement between you and BlkSignal regarding your Use of the Website and supersede all prior agreements or understandings.

17.2 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

17.3 Waiver
BlkSignal’s failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other rights.

17.4 Force Majeure
BlkSignal shall not be liable for delays or failures in performance due to events beyond our reasonable control, such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or governmental actions.

17.5 Contact Information
For general inquiries, contact:
BlkSignal Media, LLC
PO Box 12
Midland, NC 28107
Email: support@blksignal.com

17.6 Compliance with North Carolina Law
These Terms are designed to comply with North Carolina laws, including but not limited to:

  • The North Carolina Electronic Commerce Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-311 et seq.) for electronic transactions.
  • The North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-60 et seq.) for data security and breach notifications.
  • North Carolina’s defamation and privacy laws (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 99-1 et seq.).
  • The North Carolina Computer Crimes Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-453 et seq.) for unauthorized access or harmful code.

You are responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws while using the Website.