Paruresis Understanding shy bladder syndrome
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Terms of Use

Effective date: 12 June 2026 Last updated: 27 July 2026

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) are a legal agreement between you (“you” or “user”) and Echelon App Limited (“Echelon App”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), a company incorporated in Hong Kong, governing your use of the Paruresis mobile application (the “App”) and any related services.

By downloading, installing, or using the App, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the App.

Using Paruresis on Android? A dedicated Google Play edition of these Terms is available at paruresis.app/android/terms-of-use.

1. The App

Paruresis is a calm, offline‑first self‑help trainer for people who experience paruresis (shy bladder). It provides exposure‑practice tools, a progress diary, educational content, relaxation and masking sounds, and an optional map of nearby public restrooms. Your data is stored locally on your device.

2. Important medical disclaimer

Please read this carefully.

  • The App is a self‑help wellness tool, not a medical device, and it does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
  • The content and exercises are for general informational and educational purposes and are based on widely used principles of exposure therapy. They are not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or psychiatric advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
  • Always seek the advice of a qualified health professional with any questions about a medical or mental‑health condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something in the App.
  • Paruresis can have medical causes. If you experience an inability to urinate, pain, or other urinary symptoms, consult a doctor.
  • In an emergency, or if you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency services immediately. The App is not designed for emergencies.

You use the App and undertake any exposure exercises at your own discretion and risk.

3. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction) to use the App. By using the App you represent that you meet this requirement.

4. Licence

Subject to these Terms, Echelon App grants you a limited, personal, non‑exclusive, non‑transferable, revocable licence to download and use the App on Apple‑branded or Android devices that you own or control, for your own personal, non‑commercial use, in accordance with the rules of the store you obtained it from — the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions (App Store) or the Google Play Terms of Service.

You may not: copy (except as permitted), modify, reverse‑engineer, decompile, or disassemble the App; rent, lease, lend, sell, sublicense, or distribute it; remove proprietary notices; or use it for any unlawful purpose or in any way that could harm the App or other users.

5. Your content

Any content you create in the App (diary entries, practice records, ratings, preferences) is yours and is stored locally on your device. We do not claim ownership of it and, because it stays on your device, we generally do not have access to it. You are responsible for backing up or exporting your own content; uninstalling the App will delete locally stored data.

6. Subscriptions, billing, and free trials

Some features require a paid auto‑renewing subscription, offered as monthly and annual plans and purchased as an in‑app purchase through the store you installed the App from — the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). The following terms apply to both:

  • Price is shown in the App before you purchase and may vary by region and over time.
  • A free trial may be offered for certain plans. If you do not cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends, it automatically converts to a paid subscription. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited if you purchase a subscription.
  • Auto‑renewal: subscriptions renew automatically for the same period unless you turn off auto‑renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period.
  • Deleting or uninstalling the App does not cancel a subscription — you must cancel it in the store account that you bought it from.

Managing and cancelling your subscription

  • iOS (Apple App Store): open Settings → your name (Apple ID) → Subscriptions, select Paruresis, and cancel. You can also manage it in the App Store app under your account.
  • Android (Google Play): open the Google Play Store app → tap your profile icon → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions, select Paruresis, and tap Cancel subscription. You can also manage it at play.google.com/store/account/subscriptions.
  • In both cases, cancelling stops future renewals; your subscription stays active until the end of the period you have already paid for.

Payments and refunds

  • Apple App Store purchases: payment is processed by Apple under the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions. Refund requests are subject to Apple’s policies; Echelon App generally cannot issue App Store refunds directly, and refunds are requested from Apple (reportaproblem.apple.com).
  • Google Play purchases: payment is processed by Google under the Google Play Terms of Service. Refunds are governed by the Google Play refund policy — you can request one through Google Play (Play Store → Payments & subscriptions → Budget & order history), and Google may forward certain requests to us. Where a refund is due under applicable consumer law and Google directs the request to us, we will action it through the Google Play Console.
  • If you are unsure which store you purchased from, or need help either way, write to support@paruresis.app and we will assist.
  • Nothing in this section limits any statutory cancellation or refund rights you may have under the consumer law of your country of residence.

The App relies on or links to third‑party services that are governed by their own terms and privacy policies, including Apple (App Store, payments), Google (Google Play, payments, and Google Play billing), Apphud (subscription management), Branch (install attribution), OpenStreetMap/Overpass, CARTO, NYC Open Data, DataSF, and Google Maps (for directions). On iOS, and only with your permission, attribution may use your device advertising identifier (IDFA); on Android no advertising identifier is used. See the Privacy Policy for details. The App also links to external educational and medical resources. We do not control and are not responsible for third‑party services, websites, or content.

8. Disclaimers of warranties

The App is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, or statutory, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, or non‑infringement. We do not warrant that the App will be uninterrupted, error‑free, secure, or that map or restroom data will be accurate, complete, or available.

9. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Echelon App and its officers, employees, and suppliers will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of data, goodwill, or other intangible losses, arising out of or relating to your use of (or inability to use) the App. To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total aggregate liability for any claim relating to the App will not exceed the greater of the amount you paid for the App in the 12 months before the claim, or USD 50.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you. This section does not limit liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Echelon App from any claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses arising out of your misuse of the App or your breach of these Terms, to the extent permitted by law.

11. Termination

These Terms apply until terminated. We may suspend or terminate your access if you breach these Terms. You may terminate by ceasing to use and uninstalling the App. Sections that by their nature should survive (e.g. disclaimers, limitation of liability, governing law) will survive termination.

12. Changes to the App and to these Terms

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue the App or any feature at any time. We may also update these Terms; when we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date and post the new version at https://paruresis.app/terms-of-use/. Your continued use after an update means you accept the revised Terms.

13. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, without regard to its conflict‑of‑laws rules, and you agree to the non‑exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Hong Kong, except where mandatory consumer‑protection laws of your country of residence provide otherwise.

14. Store‑specific additional terms

14.1 Apple App Store

These terms apply when you obtain the App from the Apple App Store:

  1. Acknowledgement. These Terms are between you and Echelon App only, and not with Apple. Echelon App, not Apple, is solely responsible for the App and its content.
  2. Scope of licence. The licence granted to you for the App is a non‑transferable licence to use the App on any Apple‑branded products that you own or control, as permitted by the Usage Rules in the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions.
  3. Maintenance and support. Echelon App is solely responsible for any maintenance and support for the App. Apple has no obligation to furnish any maintenance or support services.
  4. Warranty. Echelon App is solely responsible for any product warranties, whether express or implied. In the event of any failure of the App to conform to any applicable warranty, you may notify Apple, and Apple will refund the purchase price (if any) of the App to you; to the maximum extent permitted by law, Apple has no other warranty obligation with respect to the App.
  5. Product claims. Echelon App, not Apple, is responsible for addressing any claims relating to the App, including product‑liability claims, claims that the App fails to conform to legal or regulatory requirements, and claims arising under consumer‑protection or similar legislation.
  6. Intellectual property. In the event of any third‑party claim that the App or your use of it infringes that third party’s intellectual property rights, Echelon App, not Apple, is solely responsible for the investigation, defence, settlement, and discharge of such claim.
  7. Legal compliance. You represent and warrant that you are not located in a country subject to a U.S. Government embargo or designated as “terrorist‑supporting”, and that you are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties.
  8. Developer contact. Questions, complaints, or claims about the App should be directed to support@paruresis.app.
  9. Third‑party terms. You must comply with any applicable third‑party terms of agreement when using the App.
  10. Third‑party beneficiary. Apple and Apple’s subsidiaries are third‑party beneficiaries of these Terms and, upon your acceptance, will have the right (and will be deemed to have accepted the right) to enforce these Terms against you as a third‑party beneficiary.

14.2 Google Play

These terms apply when you obtain the App from Google Play:

  1. Acknowledgement. These Terms are between you and Echelon App only, and not with Google. Echelon App, not Google, is solely responsible for the App and its content.
  2. Google Play terms. Your use of Google Play is also governed by the Google Play Terms of Service and, for purchases, the Google Play billing terms. Where those terms conflict with these Terms in relation to your purchase, the Google Play terms govern that purchase.
  3. Maintenance and support. Echelon App is solely responsible for any maintenance and support for the App. Google has no obligation to furnish any maintenance or support services.
  4. Warranty and claims. Echelon App, not Google, is responsible for any product warranties and for addressing any claims relating to the App, including product‑liability claims, claims that the App fails to conform to legal or regulatory requirements, and claims arising under consumer‑protection or similar legislation.
  5. Intellectual property. In the event of any third‑party claim that the App or your use of it infringes that third party’s intellectual property rights, Echelon App, not Google, is solely responsible for the investigation, defence, settlement, and discharge of such claim.
  6. Billing, cancellation, and refunds for purchases made through Google Play are handled as described in Section 6.
  7. Developer contact. Questions, complaints, or claims about the App should be directed to support@paruresis.app.

15. Contact us

Echelon App Limited Hong Kong Email: support@paruresis.app Web: https://paruresis.app