Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By checking the acceptance checkbox during account creation and creating a Lekkalu account, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms," "ToS," or "Agreement") and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not create an account or use the Service.

Your acceptance is recorded with a timestamp for legal compliance purposes. Continued use of the Service after creating an account constitutes your ongoing agreement to these Terms.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you (the "User," "you," or "your") and Lekkalu (the "Service Provider," "we," "us," or "our").

These Terms apply to all users of the Service, including:

• Visitors to the landing page (lekkalu.app)
• Registered users with accounts
• Free tier users
• Pro tier users (when available)
• Donors and supporters

2. Description of Service

Lekkalu is a privacy-first personal finance management Progressive Web App (PWA). The Service is provided free of charge and includes the following features:

2.1 Core Features (Always Free)

• Transaction tracking: Record income, expenses, and transfers with unlimited transactions
• Account management: Track bank accounts, credit cards, savings, and investment accounts
• Investment tracking: Track stocks, mutual funds, and portfolio performance (cost basis)
• Goal setting: Set and track financial savings and spending goals
• Recurring transactions: Automate recurring income/expense tracking
• Reminders: Payment reminders with smart credit card calculations
• Categories & budgets: Custom categorization and budget management
• Achievement system: Gamified progress tracking with badges
• Reports & analytics: Income/expense charts, net worth dashboard, category breakdowns
• Multi-currency support: 170+ currencies with automatic conversion
• Reference data: Currency exchange rates and stock data (via Alpha Vantage, Stooq)
• Export/import: Data portability in JSON, CSV, and encrypted .lekkalu formats
• Offline functionality: Works completely offline after initial load

2.2 Technical Architecture

All financial data is encrypted using AES-256-CBC encryption with 100,000-iteration PBKDF2 key derivation and stored exclusively on your device (browser IndexedDB). We do not have access to your financial information, cannot view it, and cannot recover it if you forget your password.

2.3 Service Availability

The Service is provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE." We do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted access to the Service
• Error-free operation
• Timely bug fixes or updates
• Specific features or functionality will always be available
• Compatibility with all devices or browsers

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service (or any part thereof) at any time, with or without notice.

3. Account Registration & Security

3.1 Account Creation

To use Lekkalu, you must create an account by providing:

• A valid email address: For authentication and account recovery
• A secure password: Minimum 8 characters (we recommend 12+ characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols)

You represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 13 years old (or 16 if in the EU)
• Your email address is valid and belongs to you
• All information you provide is accurate and truthful
• You will update your information if it changes

3.2 Account Security - Your Responsibility

You are solely responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your password
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access (support@lekkalu.app)
• Keeping your email account secure (password reset emails are sent here)

3.3 Critical: Password Recovery Limitation

You are responsible for:

• Remembering your password or storing it securely (password manager recommended)
• Using the export feature regularly to back up your data
• Understanding that we cannot restore data if you forget your password

4. User Responsibilities

By using Lekkalu, you agree to:

4.1 Lawful Use

• Use the Service only for lawful purposes
• Comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws
• Not use the Service to facilitate illegal activities (money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, etc.)
• Not use the Service to violate any person's privacy rights

4.2 Accurate Information

• Provide accurate and truthful account information
• Ensure your financial data entries are accurate (we do not verify your data)
• Understand that incorrect data may lead to incorrect calculations

4.3 Technical Restrictions

• Not attempt to hack, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Service
• Not use automated scripts, bots, or crawlers without permission
• Not bypass rate limiting or security measures
• Not distribute malware, viruses, or malicious code
• Not attempt to gain unauthorized access to our servers or databases

4.4 Respectful Conduct

• Not spam or abuse the contact form or support channels
• Not impersonate others or misrepresent your identity
• Not track financial data for others without their explicit consent
• Not abuse the donation system or engage in fraudulent payments

5. Data Ownership & Portability

5.1 You Own Your Data

You retain full ownership of all financial information you enter into Lekkalu. This includes:

• All transactions, account balances, and investment holdings
• Goals, budgets, categories, and reminders you create
• Notes, descriptions, and custom fields
• Achievement progress and gamification data

We do not claim any ownership rights, licenses, or intellectual property rights over your financial data.

5.2 Data Storage & Access

Your financial data is stored exclusively on your device using end-to-end encryption. We:

• Cannot access your financial data
• Cannot view your transactions or account balances
• Cannot modify your data
• Cannot recover your data if you forget your password
• Cannot be compelled to hand over your data (we just don't have it)

5.3 Data Backup Responsibility

You are solely responsible for backing up your data. We strongly recommend:

• Using the export feature regularly (Settings → Backup & Export)
• Storing encrypted .lekkalu backup files in a safe location
• Testing your backups by importing them on another device
• Understanding that clearing browser data will delete your financial data

We are not responsible for data loss caused by:

• Forgotten passwords
• Browser data clearing (manual or automatic)
• Device loss, theft, or damage
• Browser updates or compatibility issues
• User error or accidental deletion

5.4 Data Portability

You can export your data at any time in the following formats:

• Encrypted backup (.lekkalu): AES-256-CBC encrypted JSON file with SHA-256 checksum (recommended for backups)
• CSV export: Transactions in spreadsheet-compatible format (for analysis)
• JSON export: Raw data for migration to other services

You are free to migrate to another service at any time. No lock-in, no barriers.

6. Critical Disclaimers

6.1 Data Accuracy Not Guaranteed

We provide reference data (currency exchange rates, stock prices) for your convenience, but we do not guarantee:

• Accuracy: Stock prices and exchange rates may be delayed, incorrect, or outdated
• Real-time data: Prices may be delayed by 15+ minutes (free tier)
• Completeness: Not all stock symbols or currencies may be available
• Calculation accuracy: Portfolio values, net worth, and statistics are estimates based on your input

Always verify important financial information with official sources (your bank, brokerage, government agencies).

6.2 Third-Party Service Reliance

The Service relies on third-party providers (Supabase, Stripe, Alpha Vantage, Stooq, Firebase, Cloudflare). We are not responsible for:

• Third-party service outages, errors, or downtime
• Changes to third-party APIs, pricing, or availability
• Third-party data breaches (your financial data is encrypted locally and not stored on third-party servers)
• Inaccurate data provided by third-party APIs

6.3 No Warranty

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement
• Warranties that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any information

7. Not Financial Advice

7.1 What We Do NOT Provide

The Service does NOT provide:

• Investment advice or recommendations: We do not suggest which stocks, funds, or assets to buy or sell
• Financial planning services: We do not create financial plans, retirement strategies, or wealth management plans
• Tax advice or tax preparation: We do not provide tax guidance or prepare tax returns
• Legal or accounting advice: We do not offer legal counsel or accounting services
• Credit counseling or debt management: We do not provide credit repair or debt negotiation services
• Insurance recommendations: We do not advise on insurance products or coverage

7.2 What We DO Provide

Lekkalu is a tracking and organizational tool that:

• Helps you track your income, expenses, and net worth
• Organizes your financial data in one place
• Provides calculations (totals, averages, percentages) based on your input
• Displays reference data (stock prices, currency rates) for informational purposes only

7.3 You Are Responsible for Your Financial Decisions

All financial decisions you make are your sole responsibility. You should:

• Consult a licensed financial advisor, accountant, or tax professional for personalized advice
• Verify all financial information with official sources before making decisions
• Understand that past performance does not guarantee future results
• Not rely solely on Lekkalu for financial decision-making

7.4 No Professional Relationship

By using Lekkalu, no professional relationship is created between you and us. We are not:

• Your financial advisor, fiduciary, or agent
• Your accountant, CPA, or tax preparer
• Your attorney or legal representative
• Liable for any financial decisions you make

8. Investment Risks & Warnings

8.1 Investment Tracking is for Record-Keeping Only

The investment tracking feature allows you to record your holdings and track their cost basis. This is for record-keeping purposes only and does not constitute:

• Investment recommendations
• Portfolio optimization advice
• Buy/sell signals
• Performance projections or forecasts
• Asset allocation guidance

8.2 Stock Price Data Limitations

Stock prices displayed in the app are:

• Delayed: May be delayed by 15+ minutes or more
• Not guaranteed to be accurate: Sourced from third-party APIs (Alpha Vantage, Stooq)
• For informational purposes only: Do not use for trading decisions
• Not real-time: Do not assume prices are current market prices

Always verify prices with your brokerage or official exchange data before making investment decisions.

8.3 Investment Risks You Should Understand

Investments carry various risks, including but not limited to:

• Market risk: Stock prices can decline due to market conditions
• Volatility risk: Investment values can fluctuate significantly
• Liquidity risk: You may not be able to sell investments quickly
• Currency risk: Foreign exchange rates can impact international investments
• Inflation risk: Purchasing power can decrease over time
• Company risk: Individual companies can fail or underperform

8.4 No Performance Guarantees

We make no guarantees regarding:

• Investment performance or returns
• Achievement of financial goals
• Accuracy of portfolio value calculations
• Future stock prices or market trends

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 Exclusion of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, LEKKALU AND ITS DEVELOPERS, OPERATORS, AFFILIATES, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, goodwill, or use
• Business interruption or lost opportunities
• Financial losses resulting from investment decisions or financial decisions made using the Service
• Data loss, corruption, or inaccessibility (you are responsible for backups)
• Unauthorized access to your account (you are responsible for password security)
• Errors, inaccuracies, or omissions in reference data (stock prices, currency rates)
• Third-party service failures or outages

9.2 Maximum Liability Cap

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED:

• CAD $100 (Canadian dollars), OR
• The total amount you donated to Lekkalu in the 12 months prior to the claim, whichever is greater

9.3 Jurisdictional Exceptions

Some jurisdictions (including Canada and the EU) do not allow certain limitations on liability or exclusions of implied warranties. In such jurisdictions, these limitations apply only to the extent permitted by law. You may have additional rights under local consumer protection laws.

9.4 Basis of the Bargain

You acknowledge that the Service is provided free of charge, and these limitations of liability reflect a reasonable allocation of risk. Without these limitations, we could not offer the Service for free.

10. Donations

10.1 Voluntary Support

Lekkalu is free to use, and donations are voluntary. Donations support:

• Server and infrastructure costs (hosting, database, APIs, bandwidth)
• Development time (features, bug fixes, performance improvements)
• Security and compliance (audits, penetration testing)
• Support and documentation

10.2 No Refunds

All donations are final and non-refundable. By donating, you acknowledge that:

• Donations do not entitle you to any additional features, services, or benefits
• Donations do not guarantee continued service or support
• Donations do not create a contractual obligation for us to provide specific features or updates
• You are donating voluntarily without expectation of return

10.3 Payment Processing

Donations are processed through Stripe, a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. By donating, you agree to:

• Stripe's Terms of Service
• Stripe's Privacy Policy

We do not store your credit card information. Stripe handles all payment data securely.

10.4 Tax Deductibility

Donations to Lekkalu are NOT tax-deductible. We are not a registered charity or non-profit organization. Consult a tax professional if you have questions about donation tax treatment.

11. Subscriptions (Future)

In the future, we may introduce a Pro subscription tier with additional features such as:

• Live stock price updates (real-time or near-real-time)
• Cloud backup and multi-device sync
• Advanced reports and analytics
• Priority support

When Pro subscriptions become available, separate terms will be provided. You will not be automatically enrolled and will need to explicitly opt-in.

Core features will always remain free, including unlimited transactions, accounts, goals, categories, and basic reports.

12. Prohibited Uses

You may NOT use Lekkalu to:

12.1 Illegal Activities

• Engage in money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, or other financial crimes
• Track proceeds from illegal activities
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations

12.2 Privacy Violations

• Track financial data for others without their explicit, informed consent
• Share others' financial information without authorization
• Violate anyone's privacy rights

12.3 Technical Abuse

• Scrape, harvest, or copy data from the Service
• Use automated tools to access the Service (except accessibility tools)
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Service
• Bypass security measures or rate limiting
• Distribute malware, viruses, or malicious code

12.4 Abuse & Misconduct

• Spam or abuse the contact form, support channels, or donation system
• Impersonate others or misrepresent your identity
• Create multiple accounts to abuse the Service
• Interfere with other users' enjoyment of the Service

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

13. Termination

13.1 Termination By You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Going to Settings → Account → Delete Account in the app
• Emailing us at support@lekkalu.app with your account email

Account deletion is permanent and irreversible. Once deleted:

• Your email address and user ID are permanently deleted from our servers
• Your local financial data is cleared from your device
• We cannot recover your data
• Any donations you made are non-refundable

13.2 Termination By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if:

• You violate these Terms of Service
• You engage in fraudulent, illegal, or abusive activities
• You abuse the Service, support channels, or other users
• We are required to do so by law or court order
• We discontinue the Service (with reasonable notice)

We will make reasonable efforts to notify you before termination (except in cases of severe violations), but we reserve the right to terminate immediately if necessary.

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination (by you or us):

• Your right to use the Service immediately ceases
• Your account and authentication data will be deleted within 24 hours
• Your local financial data will be cleared from your device (if you initiated deletion)
• These Terms will continue to apply to past use of the Service
• Sections that by their nature should survive termination (disclaimers, limitations of liability, governing law) remain in effect

14. Accessibility

14.1 Our Commitment to Accessibility

Lekkalu is committed to making our Service accessible to people with disabilities. We strive to comply with:

• WCAG 2.1 Level AA: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (international standard)
• ADA Title III: Americans with Disabilities Act (US)
• AODA: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (Canada)
• Section 508: Rehabilitation Act (US federal websites)
• EN 301 549: European accessibility standard

14.2 Accessibility Features

The Service includes the following accessibility features:

• Keyboard navigation: Full keyboard access to all features (no mouse required)
• Screen reader support: ARIA labels, semantic HTML, alt text for images
• High contrast mode: Dark mode option for visual accessibility
• Responsive design: Works on all device sizes and screen magnification
• Focus indicators: Clear visual focus states for keyboard navigation
• Error messages: Clear, descriptive error messages with instructions
• Text alternatives: All non-text content has text alternatives

14.3 Ongoing Improvement

We continuously work to improve accessibility. If you encounter accessibility barriers:

• Report issues: Email accessibility@lekkalu.app
• Request accommodations: We will work with you to provide alternative access methods
• Response time: We will respond to accessibility requests within 5 business days

14.4 Third-Party Content

While we strive to ensure accessibility of the Service, some third-party content (stock price data, currency rates) may not be fully accessible. We are not responsible for the accessibility of third-party content.

14.5 Assistive Technology Compatibility

The Service is designed to be compatible with:

• Screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
• Screen magnification software
• Voice recognition software (Dragon NaturallySpeaking, etc.)
• Alternative input devices (switch controls, eye tracking)

14.6 Accessibility Statement Updates

We will update this accessibility statement as we make improvements. Last accessibility audit: November 2025.

15. Intellectual Property

15.1 Our Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Lekkalu and are protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

15.2 Your Rights

You own 100% of your financial data (transactions, accounts, investments, goals, etc.). We grant you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Service for your personal financial management.

15.3 Restrictions

You may NOT:

• Copy, modify, or create derivative works of the Service
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Service
• Remove or alter copyright, trademark, or proprietary notices
• Use the Service to build a competing product
• Sell, rent, lease, or sublicense the Service
• Use our trademarks ("Lekkalu", logos) without written permission

15.4 Open Source Components

The Service uses open-source software components (React, Vite, Tailwind CSS, Chart.js, etc.) licensed under their respective open-source licenses (MIT, Apache 2.0, etc.). These licenses are available in the app's "About" page.

15.5 Trademarks

"Lekkalu" and the Lekkalu logo are trademarks of Lekkalu. All other trademarks, service marks, and trade names referenced in the Service are the property of their respective owners.

15.6 DMCA Notice

If you believe that content on the Service infringes your copyright, please send a DMCA notice to legal@lekkalu.app with:

• Description of the copyrighted work
• Location of the infringing content (URL)
• Your contact information
• Statement of good faith belief that use is not authorized
• Statement under penalty of perjury that information is accurate
• Your physical or electronic signature

16. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated as follows:

• Email notification: Sent to all registered users at least 30 days before changes take effect
• In-app notification: Prominent banner when you log in
• "Last updated" date: Updated at the top of this page
• Changelog: Major changes will be summarized in a changelog (coming soon)

Continued use of Lekkalu after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must:

• Stop using the Service
• Export your data (if desired)
• Delete your account

We will archive previous versions of these Terms at /terms-history (coming soon).

17. Governing Law & Disputes

17.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles.

If you are located outside Canada, you acknowledge that by using the Service, you are transferring certain information (email, user ID) to Canada and consent to such transfer and the application of Canadian law.

17.2 Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through the following process:

Step 1: Good Faith Negotiation (30 days)

Before pursuing formal dispute resolution, both parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiation. Contact us at legal@lekkalu.app.

Step 2: Mediation (Optional)

If negotiation fails, either party may propose mediation. Mediation costs will be shared equally unless otherwise agreed.

Step 3: Binding Arbitration (If Required)

If mediation is declined or fails, disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) in accordance with its Arbitration Rules. Arbitration will take place in Ontario, Canada, or another mutually agreed location based on the parties' locations.

Step 4: Courts (Last Resort)

As a last resort, disputes may be brought before the courts of Ontario, Canada, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.

17.3 Class Action Waiver

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to bring claims only in your individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any class action or representative proceeding.

Note: This waiver may not be enforceable in certain Canadian provinces (including Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia) where consumer protection laws prohibit such waivers. If you reside in a jurisdiction where class action waivers are prohibited, this clause does not apply to you, and you retain your right to participate in class actions.

17.4 Consumer Protection Rights

Nothing in these Terms limits your rights under applicable consumer protection laws in Canada or your jurisdiction. If any provision conflicts with mandatory consumer protection laws, those laws will prevail.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, invalid, or illegal by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, valid, and legal while preserving its original intent. If such modification is not possible, the provision shall be severed from these Terms.

The remaining provisions of these Terms shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the unenforceability, invalidity, or illegality of the severed provision.

18.1 Examples

Common scenarios where severability applies:

• Class action waiver: If your jurisdiction prohibits class action waivers (e.g., Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia), that clause is severed, but the rest of the Terms remain valid
• Limitation of liability: If your jurisdiction requires minimum liability standards (consumer protection laws), the liability cap is adjusted to comply, but other provisions remain
• Arbitration clause: If arbitration is not enforceable in your jurisdiction, disputes proceed to court, but the Terms remain binding
• Governing law: If your mandatory consumer protection laws override our choice of law, those laws apply, but the Terms otherwise remain valid

18.2 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. No waiver shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Lekkalu.

18.3 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Lekkalu regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, and communications, whether oral or written.

18.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer these Terms to any affiliate, successor, or purchaser of our business without your consent. Any attempted assignment in violation of this section is void.

19. Contact Us

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

• Legal inquiries: legal@lekkalu.app
• General support: support@lekkalu.app
• Privacy questions: privacy@lekkalu.app
• Security vulnerabilities: security@lekkalu.app
• Website: lekkalu.app

Response time: We aim to respond to all inquiries within 5 business days.