Terms of Service

Maka Terms of Service

Status: Draft — Requires Attorney Review

Effective Date: 2026-04-26

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Maka — including the browser extension, mobile app, website, or API (collectively, the "Service") — you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Service.

If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms, and "you" refers to that organization.

These Terms constitute a binding legal agreement between you and Maka ("we," "our," or "Maka"), a company operating out of Honolulu, Hawaii.

2. Description of Service

Maka is a scam detection tool that overlays risk scores on publicly visible social media profiles on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok, and LinkedIn.

How scores are generated

Maka computes risk scores (on a scale of 0–100) using a combination of:

  • Text analysis — AI-powered review of publicly visible profile text using Claude (Anthropic)
  • Behavioral patterns — account activity signals associated with scam behavior
  • Image analysis — automated review of publicly visible profile images
  • Community reports — reports submitted by Maka users

Scores are derived from patterns that correlate with known scam activity. They are probabilistic estimates, not factual determinations. A high score does not mean a profile is a scam. A low score does not mean a profile is safe.

3. Disclaimer of Accuracy

Maka scores are algorithmic risk indicators based on patterns associated with scam activity. They may be inaccurate.

We make no representations or warranties that any score is accurate, complete, or up to date. Scores reflect the state of a profile at the time of analysis and may not capture recent changes to the profile.

You must not rely on a Maka score as a definitive determination of any person's character, intent, or honesty. Maka is a tool to assist your judgment, not replace it.

Maka is not liable for any decisions you make based on a score, including decisions to engage or refuse to engage with another person, report someone to a platform or authority, or share a score with others.

4. Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.

Prohibited conduct

You must not use Maka to:

  • Harass, stalk, defame, or target individuals. This includes using scores to intimidate, bully, or discriminate against any person.
  • Conduct mass automated scanning. Automated bulk scanning beyond your subscription's stated limits is prohibited.
  • Resell or redistribute scores. You may not sell, license, or commercially distribute Maka scores or data without our written consent.
  • Attempt to manipulate scores. This includes coordinated mass-reporting, submitting false reports, or any other effort to artificially inflate or deflate a score.
  • Use the Service in violation of applicable law, including privacy laws, anti-stalking statutes, and civil rights laws.
  • Attempt to access or interfere with the Service's infrastructure, including reverse engineering the scoring system, attempting to access other users' data, or probing for security vulnerabilities.

Violation of these rules may result in immediate account termination without refund.

5. Community Reports

Users may submit reports flagging social media profiles they believe are involved in scam activity ("Community Reports").

User responsibility

You are solely responsible for the accuracy of any report you submit. By submitting a report, you represent that you have a good-faith belief that the reported profile engages in scam activity.

Submitting false, misleading, or malicious reports — including reports submitted to harm someone you disagree with — violates these Terms and may result in account termination and potential civil or criminal liability.

Platform, not publisher

Maka provides a platform for users to submit Community Reports. We are not the author or publisher of Community Reports and are not liable for user-generated content under 47 U.S.C. § 230 (Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act) to the extent applicable.

We reserve the right, but not the obligation, to review, moderate, or remove any Community Report at our discretion.

6. Score Appeals

Anyone whose social media profile has been assigned a Maka score may submit an appeal at usemaka.com/appeal.

Process

  1. Submit an appeal through the form at usemaka.com/appeal.
  2. Your appeal will be acknowledged within 1 business day.
  3. Standard review is completed within 5 business days. Public figures and businesses may receive expedited review within 24 hours.
  4. During active review, your score will be temporarily suppressed and hidden from extension users.

Possible outcomes

  • Score removed — the score is deleted from our system.
  • Score adjusted — the score is recalculated based on new information.
  • Score upheld — the score stands; we will provide a written explanation.

Escalation

If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you may escalate to senior review by emailing appeals@usemaka.com.

7. Accounts

Eligibility

  • You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service.
  • You must be at least 18 years old to obtain API access.
  • You may maintain only one account per person. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent limits or bans is prohibited.

Account security

You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials. Do not share your password or API keys. Notify us immediately at legal@usemaka.com if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

We are not liable for any loss resulting from unauthorized use of your account that occurs because of your failure to protect your credentials.

8. Subscriptions and Billing

Payment processing

Payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. By providing payment information, you agree to Stripe's terms of service. Maka does not store your card number or raw payment credentials.

Auto-renewal

Subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period (monthly or annual, depending on your plan). You will be charged using the payment method on file.

Cancellation

You may cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings or by contacting legal@usemaka.com. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period; you retain access until then.

Refund policy

  • 7-day refund: If this is your first paid subscription, you may request a full refund within 7 days of your initial purchase by emailing legal@usemaka.com.
  • No refunds after 7 days — we do not issue refunds for subscription periods already in progress beyond the 7-day window.
  • Refunds for renewals are issued at our sole discretion and only in cases of demonstrable billing error.

Price changes

We may change subscription prices by giving you at least 30 days' advance notice. Continued use after the price change takes effect constitutes your acceptance of the new price.

9. Intellectual Property

Maka's property

The Service — including the browser extension, mobile app, website, software, scoring algorithms, brand, and all associated content we create — is owned by Maka and protected by copyright, trade secret, and other applicable intellectual property law. Nothing in these Terms transfers any ownership to you.

Your content

You retain ownership of any content you submit to the Service (including Community Reports). By submitting content, you grant Maka a worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, process, and display that content as necessary to operate and improve the Service.

Feedback

If you provide feedback or suggestions about the Service, you grant Maka the right to use such feedback without restriction or compensation to you.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:

Maka's total liability to you for any claim arising from these Terms or your use of the Service is limited to the greater of (a) $100 or (b) the total fees you paid to Maka in the three months preceding the claim.

IN NO EVENT WILL SCAMSHIELD BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES — including lost profits, loss of data, business interruption, or reputational harm — EVEN IF SCAMSHIELD HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

These limitations apply regardless of the legal theory under which the claim is brought (contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Maka and its officers, employees, agents, and licensors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, fines, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

  • Your use of or inability to use the Service;
  • Your violation of these Terms;
  • Your violation of any third party's rights, including privacy rights; or
  • Any content you submit to the Service, including false or malicious Community Reports.

12. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Informal resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, you agree to first contact us at legal@usemaka.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days.

Binding arbitration

If informal resolution fails, all disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration will take place in Honolulu, Hawaii, or via videoconference.

The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding, and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Class action waiver

You and Maka each waive the right to bring or participate in any class action, class arbitration, or representative proceeding. All disputes must be brought individually.

Opt-out

New users may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to legal@usemaka.com within 30 days of first creating a Maka account. Your notice must include your name, account email address, and a clear statement that you are opting out of arbitration. Opting out does not affect any other part of these Terms.

Exceptions

Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking emergency injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm pending arbitration.

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Hawaii, without regard to its conflict-of-law provisions. To the extent any dispute must be litigated in court (including to enforce an arbitration award), you and Maka consent to exclusive jurisdiction in the state and federal courts located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

14. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. For material changes, we will provide at least 30 days' notice before the new Terms take effect, via email to the address associated with your account or a prominent notice within the Service.

Your continued use of the Service after the new Terms take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the Service before the effective date.

15. General Provisions

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of the Terms will continue in full force and effect.

Entire agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies or agreements incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Maka regarding the Service.

No waiver

Maka's failure to enforce any provision of these Terms is not a waiver of our right to enforce it in the future.

Assignment

You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. Maka may assign its rights and obligations freely, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

16. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at:

Email: legal@usemaka.com

Maka

Honolulu, Hawaii