Terms & Conditions (Terms of Use)

Effective Date: July 7, 2026 | Last Updated: July 7, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Bhiwandi Shorts, a digital news and community engagement platform owned and operated by EPTA Technologies LLP (“Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”).

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Bhiwandi Shorts mobile application, website, Jan Connect platform, and all related services (collectively referred to as the “Services”).

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using the App, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must discontinue use of the Services.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

App means the Bhiwandi Shorts mobile application.

Company means EPTA Technologies LLP.

User means any individual accessing or using the App.

Account means the registered profile created using a verified mobile number.

Content includes news articles, images, videos, audio, graphics, comments, polls, messages, and other materials available through the App.

Jan Connect means the citizen reporting feature that enables users to submit civic issues, photos, videos, and related information for editorial review.

3. Eligibility

You represent and warrant that:

You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

The information you provide is accurate and current.

You will use the Services only for lawful purposes.

Users under the age of 13 should access the App only with the involvement of a parent or legal guardian.

4. User Registration

Certain features require registration using a verified mobile number through One-Time Password (OTP) authentication.

You agree to:

Provide accurate information.

Keep your profile updated.

Maintain the confidentiality of your account.

Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized use of your account.

You are responsible for all activities carried out using your account.

5. Services Provided

Bhiwandi Shorts provides, among other things:

Local and regional news

Breaking news updates

Civic updates

Crime reports

Traffic updates

Educational institution news

Public notices

Polls

Comments

Chat features

Bookmarking

News sharing

Jan Connect citizen reporting

We may modify, add, suspend, or discontinue features without prior notice.

6. Editorial Policy

Our editorial team compiles news from publicly available information, official announcements, press releases, verified sources, verified social media content, eyewitness reports, and other reliable information.

Every news item is reviewed by our editorial team before publication.

We reserve the right to edit headlines, images, summaries, or other editorial content for clarity, accuracy, legal compliance, or editorial standards.

7. Jan Connect

Jan Connect enables users to report civic issues by submitting:

Text

Photographs

Videos

Supporting information

Submission of content does not guarantee publication.

All submissions are subject to editorial review and verification.

The Company may:

Edit submissions.

Reject submissions.

Delay publication.

Remove published submissions.

Request additional information.

Editorial decisions are final.

8. User Conduct

You agree to use the Services responsibly and lawfully.

You shall not:

Publish false or misleading information.

Upload defamatory material.

Spread hate speech.

Promote violence.

Upload obscene or pornographic material.

Post content encouraging illegal activities.

Harass or threaten others.

Impersonate another person or organization.

Violate privacy rights.

Upload malware or malicious software.

Attempt unauthorized access to the App or servers.

Disrupt App functionality.

Violation of these Terms may result in suspension or permanent termination of your account.

9. Comments and Chat

Users may participate in comments and chat features.

Users are solely responsible for the content they publish.

EPTA Technologies LLP reserves the right to:

Remove comments.

Edit comments where legally required.

Restrict commenting privileges.

Suspend chat access.

Delete offensive content without prior notice.

10. User Generated Content

You retain ownership of content submitted through Jan Connect, comments, or chat.

However, by submitting content, you grant EPTA Technologies LLP a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to:

Display

Publish

Edit

Translate

Adapt

Distribute

11. Accuracy of Information

We strive to provide timely and accurate information.

However:

Breaking news may evolve.

Facts may change as official information becomes available.

Errors may occasionally occur.

We reserve the right to update, correct, or remove content at any time.

12. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, all intellectual property rights in the Services, including but not limited to:

App design

Software

Source code

Logo

Graphics

Layout

Editorial content

Articles

Videos

Images created by the Company

are owned by EPTA Technologies LLP or licensed to the Company.

Users may not reproduce, copy, modify, distribute, or commercially exploit such material without prior written permission.

13. Copyright Complaints

If you believe your copyrighted work has been used without authorization, you may submit a written complaint including:

Identification of the copyrighted work.

Description of the allegedly infringing material.

Contact information.

Proof of ownership.

Upon verification, appropriate action may be taken, including removal of the content.

14. Third-Party Links

The App may contain links to third-party websites or resources.

We do not control or endorse those websites and are not responsible for their content, privacy practices, or availability.

Users access third-party resources at their own risk.

15. Availability of Services

While we strive to provide uninterrupted Services, we do not guarantee that the App will always be:

Available.

Error-free.

Secure.

Free from interruptions.

Maintenance, technical issues, or external events may affect availability.

16. Suspension and Termination

We reserve the right to suspend, restrict, or permanently terminate accounts that:

Violate these Terms.

Engage in abusive behavior.

Spread misinformation.

Upload prohibited content.

Interfere with platform operations.

Violate applicable laws.

Termination may occur without prior notice where necessary to protect users, the Company, or legal compliance.

17. Disclaimer

The Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, EPTA Technologies LLP disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

Nothing in the App should be construed as legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.

18. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, EPTA Technologies LLP, its partners, employees, editors, contractors, and affiliates shall not be liable for:

Indirect losses.

Consequential damages.

Loss of profits.

Business interruption.

Data loss.

Reputation loss.

User-generated content.

Actions taken based on news or information published through the App.

Your use of the Services is at your own risk.

19. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless EPTA Technologies LLP, its partners, employees, editors, affiliates, and service providers against any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from:

Your misuse of the Services.

Violation of these Terms.

Violation of any law.

Infringement of intellectual property rights.

User-generated content submitted by you.

20. Privacy

Your use of the App is also governed by the Bhiwandi Shorts Privacy Policy, which forms an integral part of these Terms.

21. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time.

Updated Terms will become effective upon publication within the App or on our website.

Continued use of the Services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

22. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of India.

Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts located in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India.

23. Contact Information

EPTA Technologies LLP

Bhiwandi Shorts

Website: https://www.bhiwandishorts.com

https://www.eptatechnologies.com

Support Email: support@bhiwandishorts.com

Support Phone: +91 9325953184

Office Address: Bhiwandi, Thane, Maharashtra – 421302, India

24. Acceptance

By downloading, installing, registering for, or using Bhiwandi Shorts, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you must discontinue use of the Services immediately.