Terms of Service

1. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account or use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you (a) are at least 18 years of age, (b) have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms, and (c) are not barred from using the Platform under the laws of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction. Public Vantage is intended solely for use by individuals 18 years of age or older. Any account found to belong to, or to have been created by, a person under 18 may be suspended or terminated immediately and without notice, and any associated personal information will be deleted in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

2. Account Registration and Verification

To submit ratings, comments, polls, or other content, you must create an account using an email address and password, or Google sign-in, and verify a valid mobile phone number by SMS. By entering your mobile number and completing verification, you separately and affirmatively consent to receive a one-time SMS verification code from us; this consent is specific to that purpose and is not required to browse the Platform without an account. We do not send marketing SMS messages unless you separately opt in to them. Message and data rates may apply. You may withdraw your SMS consent at any time, in the same way you gave it, by replying "STOP" to any message or by contacting us at the address in Section 19; withdrawal will not affect messages already sent and may require you to re-verify your number before you can continue posting content. Reply "HELP" for assistance.

You agree to:

1. provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and verification, and to promptly update that information if it changes;
2. maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials and be solely responsible for all activity occurring under your account;
3. not create or maintain more than one account, not impersonate any person or entity, and not use bots, scripts, scrapers, or other automated means to create accounts or submit content; and
4. notify us promptly at the contact address in Section 19 of any unauthorized use of your account or any other suspected breach of security.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account that we reasonably believe violates this Section 2, including accounts used to manipulate ratings, scores, or community polls, in accordance with Section 16 (Account Termination). We do not conduct background checks or otherwise verify the identity, credentials, or trustworthiness of users, and we are not responsible for any user's conduct, whether on or off the Platform.

3. User-Generated Content

The Platform allows users to submit ratings, written comments, replies, links to external articles or videos, and other content ("User Content"). By submitting User Content, you represent and warrant that:

1. you believe, in good faith, that the information is true and accurate;
2. you are not posting content that you know, or reasonably should know, to be false, defamatory, or misleading;
3. you will not upload, link to, or share proprietary, confidential, or trade secret information belonging to any business, employer, or other third party, including information protected by a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement; and
4. your User Content does not and will not infringe, misappropriate, or violate any intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or other right of any third party.

You are solely responsible for the User Content you submit. Public Vantage does not create, write, edit, or endorse User Content submitted by users. Public Vantage functions solely as an interactive computer service provider with respect to User Content and does not act as the publisher or speaker of User Content provided by users, consistent with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230. Nothing in this Section limits any immunity or defense available to Public Vantage under applicable law, and this Section is not itself a representation that any particular content or conduct qualifies for such immunity.

License to User Content. By submitting User Content, you grant Public Vantage a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to host, store, reproduce, distribute, publicly display, and create derivative works of your User Content solely for the purposes of operating, promoting, and improving the Platform. You retain all ownership rights in your User Content. This license continues for as long as your User Content remains on the Platform and terminates when the applicable User Content is removed, except to the extent it has been shared with or reproduced by other users prior to removal.

4. Nature of Ratings and Scores

The Platform displays aggregated numerical scores ("Integrity Scores") across five categories (the "Five Pillars"), calculated as a mathematical average of individual user submissions. Integrity Scores, and the underlying ratings and comments on which they are based, reflect the subjective opinions and sentiment of Platform users. They are not statements of fact, findings, or professional, legal, or financial assessments made by Public Vantage.

Public Vantage does not independently investigate, verify, or audit every claim made within User Content, and does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any score, rating, or User Content displayed on the Platform.

An Integrity Score may be calculated from partial data where fewer than all five pillars have received ratings. Any score based on fewer than three of the five pillars will be labeled "In Progress" or with comparable notice so that users can assess the reliability of the score accordingly.

Factual company information displayed on the Platform (including revenue, ownership, and leadership data) is addressed separately in Section 5.

5. Data Accuracy and AI-Assisted Sourcing

Public Vantage compiles certain factual company data — including revenue, employee counts, leadership, ownership, and subsidiary information — from publicly available sources such as SEC filings, state business registries, and public reporting. Where official figures are unavailable for privately held companies, we may use reasonable estimates, which will be clearly labeled as estimates.

Some of this data is extracted, structured, or summarized with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, which may use automated or machine-learning-based methods to process publicly available source material. AI-assisted tools can produce inaccurate, incomplete, or fabricated content (sometimes called "hallucinations"), including invented figures, names, or citations that do not appear in or are not supported by the underlying source. While we take reasonable steps to review AI-assisted output before publication, we do not guarantee that this review will catch every error. All such data is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of accuracy or completeness, is not independently verified against every underlying source, and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any financial, legal, business, or investment decision. You are responsible for independently verifying any information before relying on it.

If you believe any factual data displayed on Public Vantage is inaccurate, you may request a correction as described in Section 8. We will review such requests in good faith and aim to respond within ten (10) business days.

6. No Pay-to-Improve Guarantee

Public Vantage does not accept payment from any business to alter, remove, or improve its Integrity Score or any component of that score. Businesses may purchase visibility features, response tools, or monitoring services, but no such payment influences the underlying score calculation.

7. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

1. submit false, defamatory, or knowingly misleading statements of fact;
2. harass, threaten, defame, stalk, or incite violence against any person or entity, or violate the privacy or publicity rights of others;
3. impersonate any person, business, or entity, or misrepresent your affiliation with any person, business, or entity;
4. submit content that infringes, misappropriates, or otherwise violates any third-party intellectual property, contractual, or other legal right;
5. harvest, collect, or store personal information about other users without their prior express consent;
6. post content that exploits or endangers minors in any way;
7. engage in spamming, including unsolicited commercial messaging directed at other users;
8. attempt to manipulate Integrity Scores through coordinated, automated, fraudulent, or incentivized voting;
9. upload malicious code or attempt to bypass, disable, or interfere with any security or access-control feature of the Platform;
10. scrape, copy, or republish Platform data for commercial purposes without our express prior written consent;
11. frame or mirror any part of the Platform on another website without our prior written authorization; or
12. use meta tags, hidden text, code, or other devices referencing Public Vantage or the Platform to redirect any person to another site, or otherwise misattribute the source of any content.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING PROHIBITIONS, YOU MAY BE EXPOSED TO USER CONTENT OR CONDUCT THAT VIOLATES THIS SECTION, AND THAT YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF YOUR ACCOUNT UNDER SECTION 16, AND, WHERE WARRANTED, REFERRAL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

8. Reporting and Content Removal

If you believe content on the Platform is false, defamatory, or otherwise violates these Terms, you may submit a report through our reporting tool. We will acknowledge receipt of a report within five (5) business days and aim to complete our initial review within fifteen (15) business days, though complex matters may take longer.

We reserve the right, but do not assume the obligation, to review, remove, restrict access to, or request modification of any User Content at our sole discretion. Businesses may submit disputes regarding content about them through our reporting process, including requests for correction of factual data under Section 5. We will review such disputes in good faith but are under no obligation to remove content that constitutes a user's genuine opinion or that is supported by publicly available information. If we decline to remove disputed content, we will provide a brief explanation of that decision upon request.

9. Copyright Infringement (DMCA Notice and Takedown)

Public Vantage respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users to do the same. If you believe that content on the Platform infringes your copyright, please send a written notice to our Copyright Agent that includes:

1. a physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the exclusive right that is allegedly infringed;
2. identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed;
3. identification of the material claimed to be infringing and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate it on the Platform;
4. your name, address, telephone number, and email address;
5. a statement that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
6. a statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or are authorized to act on the copyright owner's behalf.

Our Copyright Agent may be reached as follows: Copyright Agent, Public Vantage LLC, 7901 4th St N, STE 300, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, support@publicvantage.org. Upon receipt of a compliant notice, we will act expeditiously to remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material and will take reasonable steps to notify the user who posted it. If that user submits a valid counter-notification, we will promptly provide a copy to the original complaining party and inform them that we will restore the material in ten (10) business days. Unless the complaining party first notifies us that it has filed a court action seeking to restrain the user from the allegedly infringing activity, we will restore the material not less than ten (10) and not more than fourteen (14) business days after receiving the counter-notification, in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 512.

10. Disclaimer of Affiliation

References to company names, brands, and trademarks on the Platform are used solely for identification purposes. Public Vantage is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any company, brand, or organization rated or discussed on the Platform unless expressly stated otherwise.

11. Public Vantage Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its software, design, text, graphics, logos, the "Public Vantage" name and mark, the Integrity Score methodology, and all other content we create (excluding User Content), is owned by Public Vantage or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Except for the limited right to access and use the Platform in accordance with these Terms, no right, title, or interest in the Platform or its content is transferred to you. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works based on the Platform without our express prior written consent.

12. Third-Party Links

The Platform may contain links to external articles, videos, or websites submitted by users or third parties. Such links are not maintained by, sponsored by, or affiliated with Public Vantage. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of any linked site, and inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement. You access third-party sites at your own risk.

13. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM AND ALL CONTENT, INCLUDING USER CONTENT AND INTEGRITY SCORES, ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY. PUBLIC VANTAGE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ACCURACY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. TO THE EXTENT YOUR JURISDICTION DOES NOT PERMIT THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.

14. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PUBLIC VANTAGE AND ITS FOUNDERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM, ANY USER CONTENT, OR ANY INTEGRITY SCORE, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PUBLIC VANTAGE'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100.00). YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE PLATFORM IS TO STOP USING IT. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

15. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Public Vantage, its founders, officers, employees, and affiliates from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your User Content; (b) your violation of these Terms; or (c) your violation of any applicable law or the rights of any third party.

16. Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, for conduct that we reasonably believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users, third parties, or the Platform. Sections 3 (as to the license granted in User Content that has already been shared with other users), 5, 9 through 15, and 17 through 20 survive any termination of your account or these Terms.

17. Service Availability

Public Vantage does not guarantee uninterrupted access to the Platform and is not liable for outages, delays, or disruptions caused by third-party hosting or infrastructure providers, scheduled maintenance, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, labor disputes, internet or telecommunications failures, or governmental action.

18. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. YOU AND PUBLIC VANTAGE AGREE THAT ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM OR THESE TERMS MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ACCRUES, OR IT WILL BE PERMANENTLY BARRED, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY STATUTE OR LAW TO THE CONTRARY.

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY: IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT. ANY DISPUTE ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM SHALL BE RESOLVED THROUGH BINDING ARBITRATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION (AAA) UNDER ITS CONSUMER ARBITRATION RULES, AVAILABLE AT WWW.ADR.ORG OR BY CALLING (800) 778-7879. YOU AND PUBLIC VANTAGE EACH WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION, CLASS ARBITRATION, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. THE ARBITRATOR, AND NOT ANY COURT, SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE RELATING TO THE ARBITRABILITY OF ANY CLAIM AND THE SCOPE, APPLICABILITY, OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT. IF YOU DEMONSTRATE THAT THE COSTS OF ARBITRATION WOULD BE PROHIBITIVE AS COMPARED TO THE COSTS OF LITIGATION, PUBLIC VANTAGE WILL PAY AS MUCH OF YOUR ARBITRATION FILING AND HEARING FEES AS THE ARBITRATOR DEEMS NECESSARY TO PREVENT ARBITRATION FROM BEING COST-PROHIBITIVE.

You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by emailing support@publicvantage.org or by sending written notice to the address in Section 19 within thirty (30) days of first accepting these Terms; your notice must include your name, account email, and a clear statement that you opt out of arbitration. Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court in lieu of arbitration if the claim qualifies. If any portion of this Section is found unenforceable, that portion shall be severed and the remainder shall be given full force and effect; provided, however, that if the prohibition on class or representative proceedings is found unenforceable, then this entire Section 18's arbitration agreement (but not the remainder of these Terms) shall be null and void, and any such dispute shall instead be resolved in the courts identified below. Nothing in this Section limits any rights you may have under applicable anti-SLAPP statutes, including Florida Statute § 768.295, or under any other statute that cannot be waived as a matter of law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek provisional or injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction at any time, including to stop unauthorized scraping, coordinated or automated manipulation of Integrity Scores, impersonation, or misuse of Public Vantage's intellectual property or confidential information, or to prevent imminent harm to a party's rights pending resolution of a dispute; seeking such relief is not a waiver of either party's agreement to arbitrate under this Section. Venue for any dispute not subject to arbitration, for any request for provisional or injunctive relief, and for any action to enforce an arbitration award, shall be the state and federal courts located in Palm Beach County, Florida, and the parties consent to personal jurisdiction there.

19. Notices and Contact

Questions about these Terms, correction requests, and reports under Sections 5, 8, and 9 may be directed to support@publicvantage.org or to Public Vantage LLC, 7901 4th St N, STE 300, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. We may provide notices to you via the email address associated with your account or by posting on the Platform.

20. General Provisions

Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Public Vantage regarding the Platform and supersede any prior agreements.

Changes to These Terms. We may update these Terms from time to time by posting the revised Terms on the Platform and updating the "Last Updated" date above. For material changes, we will provide additional notice (such as an email or in-Platform notice) at least fifteen (15) days before the changes take effect. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

No Waiver. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of that right or provision.

Severability. If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Assignment. You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

Relationship of the Parties. Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, agency, or employment relationship between you and Public Vantage.

Headings. Section headings are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

Legal Process. We reserve the right to disclose information, including account and User Content information, as necessary to comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Public Vantage, our users, or the public.