Terms & Conditions

Beta Notice

This version of the App is currently in beta. It is being made available to users for real‑world testing and feedback. Features, behaviour, and performance may not yet be final. By using this beta version you acknowledge that you are participating in an early‑access testing programme and that the App may not operate as expected in all circumstances. We actively encourage feedback via the in‑app Feedback link.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, or using Stop Barking: Audio Deterrent (“the App”), you agree to these Terms & Conditions. Your acceptance includes acknowledgement of the Volume & Safety Warning presented within the App on first launch. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the App.

2. Definitions

• Free Version — includes all core features and displays advertising via Google AdMob.
• Paid Version — one‑time purchase, full features, no advertising.
• Subscription — a recurring monthly or annual payment granting full features and removal of advertising for the duration of the active subscription period.
• Free Trial — a 14‑day period of full access granted to new users on first install, after which continued use requires a purchase, subscription, or watching a rewarded advertisement.
• The App — all versions of Stop Barking: Audio Deterrent collectively.

3. Description of the App

The App provides ultrasonic audio deterrent tones and automatic bark detection to help dog owners humanely manage excessive barking. Features include:

• Manual tone selection and playback across six ultrasonic frequencies (18–23 kHz)
• A 2 kHz human‑audible Human Volume Test tone, provided to allow you to assess and set a safe output volume before using ultrasonic tones
• Automatic bark detection using on‑device AI powered by the YAMNet audio model
• Real‑time microphone waveform and spectrum visualisation
• Bark event history log with short audio clips (~1 second) and AI classification logs saved locally on your device for review
• Background bark detection service

The App is designed as an audio deterrent. Auto Mode operates as an ongoing background deterrent; Manual Mode allows testing and identification of effective frequencies for your individual dog. It must not be relied upon as the sole method of managing animal behaviour, for professional animal training purposes, or in any situation where safety is a concern.

4. Important Limitations — Animal Welfare

The App uses ultrasonic audio tones which are intended to be attention‑grabbing to dogs. You accept responsibility for the welfare of any animals exposed to the App’s output. By using the App you agree that:

• You will use the App humanely and responsibly
• You will not use the App to cause distress, pain, or harm to any animal
• You accept responsibility for ensuring the App is used in a manner consistent with the welfare of your animal and will not use the App in a way that causes distress, pain, or harm
• The App is not a substitute for professional animal training or veterinary advice
• Results vary between individual dogs — we make no guarantee that the tones will be effective for your dog
• You will comply with all applicable animal welfare laws in your jurisdiction

5. Volume & Human Hearing Safety

The App emits audio tones at frequencies up to 23 kHz. Although primarily ultrasonic, some of these frequencies may be audible to certain people. High‑volume or close‑range exposure to any audio tone — including ultrasonic frequencies — carries a risk of hearing discomfort or damage. The volume of the ultrasonic tones is directly determined by your device’s system volume at the time of use. Because ultrasonic tones are inaudible to most adults, it is not possible to judge their loudness by ear in the normal way.

The Human Volume Test button must always be used to set a safe volume before using the App. The App provides a 2 kHz human‑audible test tone (available on both the Manual and Auto Detect screens) for this purpose. You must:

• Hold the Human Volume Test 2kHz button and listen to the audible tone to assess the output volume of your device
• Adjust your device’s volume to a level you consider safe and appropriate before activating any ultrasonic tone or the Auto Detect feature
• Repeat this check whenever you use the App in a new environment or after changing your device’s volume settings

By using the App you further agree that:

• You are solely responsible for setting and maintaining an appropriate volume level on your device
• You will not hold the device close to the ears of any person or animal during playback
• You will not expose yourself, other persons, or animals to prolonged high‑volume playback
• You acknowledge that close‑range or high‑volume exposure carries a risk of hearing damage
• You acknowledge that you have read and accepted the in‑app Volume & Safety Warning presented at first launch

6. User Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Use the App only for lawful purposes
• Use the App in a humane and responsible manner
• Not rely on the App for professional animal training, veterinary, legal, or safety‑critical decisions
• Ensure your device is functioning correctly and compatible with the App
• Grant microphone permission only on a device you own or have authority to use
• Comply with all applicable laws in your jurisdiction regarding animal welfare and audio devices

7. Microphone Use

The App requires access to your device’s microphone solely for bark detection and waveform visualisation. When a bark is detected, the App saves a short audio clip (~1 second) and a classification log to your device’s local storage for your review via the Bark History screen. These files are never transmitted off your device. You are responsible for ensuring that use of the microphone and any locally stored audio clips on your device complies with any applicable laws regarding recording or monitoring in your jurisdiction.

8. Purchases, Subscriptions & Pricing

Free Trial

New users receive a 7‑day free trial with full access to all features. The trial is anchored to your device to prevent repeated resets through uninstalling and reinstalling the App.

Free Version

After the trial expires, the App may be used for free with advertising displayed via Google AdMob. All core features remain available.

Paid Version

A one‑time purchase permanently removes advertising and grants full access. Pricing may change at any time for new purchases.

Subscriptions

Monthly and annual subscriptions are available, removing advertising and granting full access for the duration of the active subscription period. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription at any time via your Google Play account settings. No refund is provided for any unused portion of an active subscription period unless required by applicable law.

Rewarded Advertisements

Users may watch a rewarded advertisement to receive a period of ad‑free access without purchasing a subscription or the Paid Version.

All payments, billing, and refunds are handled by Google Play under their respective terms. We do not process or store payment card information. Purchase verification and entitlement status are checked through Google Play Billing and stored locally on your device.

9. Accuracy and Reliability of Bark Detection

The App uses AI‑based audio classification to detect dog barking. We do not guarantee:

• That all barking events will be detected
• That non‑barking sounds will never trigger the detector
• Uninterrupted background service operation on all devices
• That ultrasonic tones will be effective for any particular dog
• That the App will produce audible ultrasonic output on all devices

You must not rely on the App in situations where accuracy or reliability is essential.

10. Device Compatibility

We do not guarantee that the App will function on all devices, operating systems, or hardware configurations. The ability to reproduce ultrasonic frequencies varies between device models and speaker hardware. The App includes a Sound Generation Test Page to assist you in verifying your device’s capabilities, but this is provided as a guide only and does not constitute a guarantee of performance.

11. Third‑Party Services

The App relies on third‑party services including:

• Firebase Analytics — pseudonymous usage analytics
• Firebase Crashlytics — crash reporting
• Firebase Firestore — trial eligibility and trial reset management
• Google AdMob — advertising in the Free Version
• Google Play and Google Play Billing — payments, subscriptions, purchase verification, and app distribution
• YAMNet / MediaPipe Tasks — on‑device audio classification (no data transmitted)
• Device‑level audio rendering and microphone services

These services operate independently of us. We are not responsible for:

• Their data collection practices
• Their outages or errors
• Their privacy policies
• Their continued availability or accuracy

12. Data Storage & Loss

• User preferences, tone labels, and bark history logs are stored locally on your device.
• Short audio clips and classification logs are saved locally on your device when a bark is detected. These can be deleted at any time via the Bark History screen. They are never transmitted off your device.
• Limited trial eligibility records may be stored off-device in Firebase Firestore for trial enforcement and reset management.
• Technical, analytics, crash, advertising, and billing-related data may be processed by Google services under their own terms and privacy policies.
• We are not responsible for any loss, corruption, or deletion of data caused by device failure, user action, or third‑party services.

13. Prohibited Use

You must not use the App for:

• Illegal activities
• Causing deliberate distress, pain, or harm to any animal
• Harassment, stalking, or surveillance of persons or animals
• Fraudulent or deceptive activities
• Any activity that violates the rights of others or applicable animal welfare laws

14. Modifications, Withdrawal & Support

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the App at any time. We are not obligated to provide updates, maintenance, or ongoing support.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

• We are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the App.
• We are not liable for any harm to animals or persons arising from use of the App’s audio output, regardless of volume level.
• We are not liable for any hearing discomfort, hearing damage, tinnitus, or other auditory harm to any person or animal arising from use of the App.
• We are not responsible for errors in bark detection, tone playback, or App performance.
• We are not liable for missed bark detection events or false detections.
• Your sole remedy for dissatisfaction with the App is to stop using it.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law. Where any jurisdiction does not permit the exclusion or limitation of certain warranties or liabilities, such exclusions and limitations shall apply only to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that jurisdiction.

16. No Warranty

The App is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind, express or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. We do not warrant that:

• The App will meet your requirements or produce any particular result with any particular dog
• The App will operate without interruption, error, or loss of data
• Any defects or errors will be corrected
• The App is fit for any specific purpose beyond its general intended use as described in these Terms
• The App or any feature of the App will continue to be available

As this version of the App is a beta release, you expressly acknowledge that it may contain bugs, errors, or incomplete features, and that you use it at your own risk.

17. Indemnity

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you are responsible for losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses that arise from your use or misuse of the App, your violation of these Terms, or any harm caused to persons or animals through the App’s audio output resulting from your actions.

This clause is not intended to make you responsible for losses caused by our own negligence, breach of contract, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted under UK law.

18. Severability

If any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and 2 Bears Software Limited regarding your use of the App.

20. Force Majeure

We are not liable for failures or delays caused by events outside our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, internet outages, or third‑party service failures.

21. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, the App, or its use, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Subject to any mandatory consumer protection laws applicable in your country of residence that cannot be lawfully excluded or restricted, the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms or the App.

Nothing in these Terms limits or restricts your right to bring proceedings in your local courts where such rights cannot be waived or limited under applicable law.

22. Contact