Terms & Conditions for The Meridian Talks

Last Updated: May 13, 2025

Welcome to The Meridian Talks, where the world’s stories converge to inform, inspire, and unite. With our tagline “News Across The Meridian”, we are your premier source for vibrant, unbiased, and meticulously crafted international news. From the heart of global capitals to the farthest reaches of the earth, we deliver journalism that transcends borders, cultures, and perspectives, empowering readers with knowledge that shapes a connected world. By accessing our website (www.themeridiantalks.com), mobile applications, or any related services (collectively, the “Services”), you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions (“Terms”). These Terms govern your engagement with our platform, ensuring a safe, lawful, and enriching experience while upholding our commitment to journalistic excellence.

Please read these Terms carefully, as they constitute a binding agreement between you and The Meridian Talks. If you do not agree with any provision, you must not use our Services. We may update these Terms at any time, with changes effective upon posting to our website. Your continued use of the Services after such updates signifies your acceptance of the revised Terms.

1. About The Meridian Talks

The Meridian Talks is a beacon of global journalism, dedicated to illuminating the world’s most pressing issues through rigorous reporting, diverse voices, and captivating storytelling. Our tagline, “News Across The Meridian”, embodies our mission to connect readers with stories that span continents—from geopolitical upheavals to cultural triumphs. We offer a rich array of news articles, in-depth editorials, multimedia content, and interactive features, all designed to foster understanding and dialogue in an interconnected world. Rooted in integrity and innovation, we strive to be your trusted guide to the global narrative.

2. Eligibility and Access

To engage with our Services, you must:

• Be at least 13 years of age. Users under 13 are prohibited from accessing the Services, and those between 13 and 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
• Reside in a jurisdiction where access to The Meridian Talks is not restricted by law.
• Comply with these Terms and all applicable local, national, and international laws, ensuring your use aligns with legal and ethical standards.

By accessing our Services, you affirm your eligibility and commitment to lawful and responsible use, contributing to a global community built on trust.

3. User Conduct and Responsibilities

As a member of The Meridian Talks community, you play a vital role in maintaining our platform’s integrity. You agree to:

• Use the Services Lawfully: Avoid any activity that violates applicable laws, such as copyright infringement, defamation, or spreading harmful content.
• Respect Intellectual Property: All content on The Meridian Talks—articles, images, videos, logos, and more—is protected by global copyright and intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or modify our content without our explicit written consent.
• Provide Accurate Information: If you create an account or participate in comments or forums, you must submit truthful and current information.
• Engage Respectfully: Contribute to discussions with civility, avoiding abusive, discriminatory, or offensive content. We reserve the right to moderate, edit, or remove user-generated content that violates these Terms or disrupts our community’s harmony.
• Safeguard Your Account: You are responsible for protecting your account credentials and for all activities conducted under your account.

Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:

• Posting false, misleading, or defamatory content.
• Attempting to hack, disrupt, or overload our systems.
• Using automated tools (e.g., bots, scrapers) to extract content without permission.
• Engaging in harassment, hate speech, or illegal conduct.

Violations of these standards may result in suspension or termination of your access, as we strive to foster a vibrant, inclusive community.

4. Content Ownership and Usage

4.1 Our Content

The Meridian Talks is a treasure trove of original journalism, from meticulously researched reports to visually stunning multimedia. All content, including news articles, editorials, photographs, videos, and graphics, is owned by The Meridian Talks or its licensors and is protected by international copyright and intellectual property laws. You may access this content for personal, non-commercial use only, retaining all copyright and proprietary notices. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification of our content is strictly prohibited and may lead to legal action.

4.2 User-Generated Content

By contributing content to The Meridian Talks—such as comments, letters to the editor, or social media posts linked to our platform—you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and distribute such content in any media. You represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights to submit the content.
• The content complies with all applicable laws and does not infringe on third-party rights.
• The content is not misleading, defamatory, or harmful.

We may moderate, remove, or refuse to publish user-generated content that violates these Terms or our editorial standards. Your contributions enrich our global dialogue, and we encourage respectful, constructive engagement.

5. Privacy and Data Protection

Your trust is paramount to us. Our collection, use, and protection of personal data are governed by our Privacy Policy, incorporated into these Terms. By using our Services, you consent to the data practices outlined therein. We adhere to stringent data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU users, ensuring your personal information is handled with transparency and care.

6. Third-Party Links and Advertisements

Our Services may include links to third-party websites, advertisements, or services beyond our control. These links are provided for convenience, but we do not endorse or assume responsibility for their content, privacy practices, or availability. Accessing such links is at your own risk, and we recommend reviewing the terms and privacy policies of third-party sites. The Meridian Talks remains your trusted guide, but your exploration beyond our platform is your own journey.

7. Key Legal Considerations

The Meridian Talks operates within a complex global legal landscape, and our Services comply with essential international laws and policies to ensure a safe, lawful, and ethical experience for an international news website. Below are the key legal frameworks that shape these Terms, reflecting our commitment to transparency and compliance:

Law/Policy	Description	Relevance to The Meridian Talks
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)	EU regulation (2016/679) mandating strict data protection, user consent, and breach notifications.	Ensures privacy protections for EU users, reflected in our Privacy Policy and cookie consent (Sections 5, Cookie Banner).
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)	U.S. law (1998) governing online copyright protection, including takedown procedures.	Protects our content and addresses infringement claims (Section 4.1).
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)	U.S. law (1998) regulating collection of personal information from children under 13.	Guides our child policy, requiring parental consent for users aged 13-18 (Section 2).
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)	California law (2018) granting consumers rights over personal data, including access and deletion.	Enhances transparency for U.S. users, aligning with our Privacy Policy (Section 5).
Digital Services Act (DSA)	EU regulation (2022) governing online platforms, including content moderation and transparency.	Shapes our user-generated content moderation and transparency obligations (Sections 3, 4.2).
EU Copyright Directive (2019/790)	EU directive enhancing online copyright protection, including liability for user-uploaded content.	Supports our content ownership and user-generated content policies (Sections 4.1, 4.2).
Brazilian General Data Protection Law (LGPD)	Brazilian law (2018) governing data protection, similar to GDPR.	Aligns with data protection practices for Brazilian users (Section 5).
Google’s Content Policies	Google’s policies (updated 2024) for platforms using its services (e.g., Ads, Analytics), prohibiting harmful or misleading content.	Ensures compliance with Google Ads/Analytics by moderating harmful content (Sections 3, 4.2).
Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)	Canadian law (2014) regulating commercial electronic messages, requiring consent for newsletters.	Ensures compliance for email communications (Section 5).
Japan Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI)	Japanese law (2003, amended 2020) regulating personal data protection.	Supports privacy compliance for Japanese users (Section 5).

These frameworks ensure that The Meridian Talks operates ethically and legally across jurisdictions. You are responsible for complying with the laws applicable in your region, as outlined in Section 11.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Meridian Talks is dedicated to delivering accurate and timely journalism, but the ever-evolving nature of news means events may shift post-publication. Our Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including:

• Fitness for a particular purpose.
• Uninterrupted or error-free access.
• Accuracy or completeness of content.

We are not liable for decisions you make based on our content, as our role is to inform, not to direct. Your trust fuels our pursuit of excellence, but we cannot guarantee perfection in a dynamic world.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Meridian Talks, its affiliates, officers, employees, and licensors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Services, including:

• Loss of data, profits, or opportunities.
• Errors or omissions in our content.
• Unauthorized access to your account or data.

Our total liability for any claim related to these Terms or the Services shall not exceed $100, ensuring clarity and fairness.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Meridian Talks, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms.
• Your use or misuse of the Services.
• Your submission of content that infringes third-party rights or violates applicable laws.

This provision protects our platform as a safe and lawful space for all users.

11. International Use

The Meridian Talks is a global platform, accessible worldwide, but not all content or features may be available in every jurisdiction. You are responsible for ensuring your use of our Services complies with local laws, including restrictions on content access or data protection. We make no representation that our Services are appropriate or lawful in all locations. By adhering to international standards like GDPR, LGPD, and DSA (see Section 7), we aim to provide a seamless experience while respecting global diversity.

12. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Services at our sole discretion, with or without notice, for reasons including:

• Violation of these Terms.
• Conduct that harms The Meridian Talks, its users, or third parties.
• Legal or regulatory requirements.

Upon termination, your access ceases, and we may delete your account and associated data, subject to applicable laws. Our commitment to a lawful platform guides these decisions.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles, reflecting a globally recognized legal framework. Disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Services shall be resolved through:

• Informal Negotiation: Contact us at themeridiantalks25@gmail.com to attempt resolution.
• Arbitration: If unresolved, disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in New York City, New York, conducted by a neutral arbitrator under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Each party shall bear its own costs, unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator.
• Exceptions: Claims for injunctive relief or intellectual property disputes may be brought in a New York court.

This approach ensures fair and efficient resolution for our global audience.

14. Force Majeure

The Meridian Talks shall not be liable for failure to perform its obligations under these Terms due to unforeseen events beyond our control, such as natural disasters, war, terrorism, cyberattacks, or governmental actions. Our mission to deliver “News Across The Meridian” remains unwavering, but we acknowledge the realities of an unpredictable world.

15. Contact Us