Ubuntu Times

TERMS OF SERVICE

Effective Date: June 23, 2025 | Last Updated: June 23, 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Ubuntu Times website, mobile applications, newsletters, and all related services (collectively, the “Services”) operated by Ubuntu Times (“we,” “our,” or “us”). By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use immediately.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, subscribing to our newsletter, submitting content, or simply browsing our website, you confirm that you are at least 13 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If you are using our Services on behalf of an organisation, you represent that you have authority to bind that organisation to these Terms.

2. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of material changes by posting an updated version on our website and updating the “Last Updated” date above. Where appropriate, we may also notify registered users by email. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

3. Use of the Services

3.1 Permitted Use

You may access and use the Services for lawful, personal, and non-commercial purposes, including reading news articles, sharing content through our sharing tools, and participating in reader communities.

3.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

Copy, reproduce, distribute, or republish any content from Ubuntu Times without prior written permission
Scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to extract data from the Services
Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Services or our systems
Transmit malware, spam, or any harmful or disruptive code
Harass, defame, or threaten other users or our staff
Post or submit content that is unlawful, obscene, hateful, or infringes any third-party rights
Impersonate any person, organisation, or Ubuntu Times editorial staff
Use the Services for any commercial purpose without our express written consent

4. User Accounts

Certain features of our Services require you to register for an account. You agree to:

Provide accurate, current, and complete registration information
Maintain the confidentiality of your password and account credentials
Notify us immediately at support@ubuntutimes.com of any unauthorised use of your account
Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or that have been inactive for an extended period, without prior notice.

5. User-Submitted Content

5.1 Your Content

You may submit comments, letters to the editor, opinion pieces, photographs, or other materials (“User Content”) through our Services. By submitting User Content, you grant Ubuntu Times a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual licence to use, reproduce, edit, publish, translate, and distribute your content across our platforms, with appropriate attribution where feasible.

5.2 Content Standards

All User Content must comply with our Community Guidelines. You must not submit content that:

Is false, misleading, or deliberately deceptive
Infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party
Contains personal data of others without their consent
Promotes violence, discrimination, or illegal activity
Constitutes unsolicited advertising or spam

5.3 Editorial Discretion

Ubuntu Times reserves the right to reject, edit, or remove any User Content at our sole discretion, without obligation to provide reasons or prior notice. Submission of content does not guarantee publication.

6. Intellectual Property

All content on Ubuntu Times — including articles, photographs, graphics, logos, videos, data compilations, and the overall look and feel of the Services — is the property of Ubuntu Times or its licensors and is protected by South African and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Nothing in these Terms grants you any right to use our trademarks, trade names, or branding without our prior written consent. You may share links to our articles and quote brief excerpts for commentary or educational purposes, provided you clearly attribute the source and do not misrepresent our content.

7. Third-Party Content and Links

Our Services may include content sourced from third-party news agencies, wire services, and contributors, as well as links to external websites. Such content and links are provided for informational purposes only. Ubuntu Times does not endorse, control, or take responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or practices of any third-party content or websites. Accessing third-party links is at your own risk.

8. Advertising and Sponsored Content

Ubuntu Times may display advertising and sponsored content within the Services. Sponsored articles and advertorials will be clearly labelled as such. We are not responsible for the content of advertisements or for any products or services advertised. Any dealings you have with advertisers are solely between you and the advertiser.

9. Subscriptions and Payments

9.1 Paid Services

Some features of Ubuntu Times may require a paid subscription. By subscribing, you agree to pay all applicable fees as described at the time of purchase. All fees are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise stated and are inclusive of VAT where applicable.

9.2 Cancellation and Refunds

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. Cancellation will take effect at the end of the current billing period. We do not provide refunds for partial subscription periods unless required by applicable law.

9.3 Price Changes

We reserve the right to change subscription pricing at any time. We will provide at least 30 days’ notice of any price increase to existing subscribers. Continued use of paid Services after the effective date of a price change constitutes acceptance of the new pricing.

10. Disclaimers

THE SERVICES AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

While we strive for accuracy, Ubuntu Times does not warrant that news content, analysis, or other information on the Services is complete, accurate, timely, or free from errors. News and current affairs information is provided for general informational purposes and should not be relied upon as professional legal, financial, medical, or other advice.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Ubuntu Times, its directors, employees, contributors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or relating to your use of, or inability to use, the Services, including loss of data, revenue, or reputation, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Our total liability to you for any claim arising under these Terms shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or ZAR 500, whichever is greater.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Ubuntu Times and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the Services; (b) your User Content; (c) your violation of these Terms; or (d) your infringement of any rights of a third party.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Services shall first be referred to mediation. If mediation is unsuccessful, disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Gauteng, South Africa.

14. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without cause or notice, including for violation of these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease. Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination — including intellectual property, disclaimers, limitation of liability, and indemnification — shall survive.

15. Severability and Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines, constitute the entire agreement between you and Ubuntu Times with respect to the Services and supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.

17. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Ubuntu Times – Legal & Compliance

Email: legal@ubuntutimes.co.za

Postal Address: 1st Floor Cradock Square, Rosebank, 2196

Phone: +27 75 206 9899

Terms of Service