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Terms of Service

GraniteCitizen.com
Effective Date: February 14, 2026

Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("you" or "User") and 618 Digital, Inc., dba Granite Citizen, an Illinois corporation ("618 Digital," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of GraniteCitizen.com and any related services, features, content, applications, or newsletters (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, creating an account, subscribing to our newsletter, submitting content, making a purchase, or otherwise engaging with the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use our Services.

Contact Information:
618 Digital, Inc.
Michael Halbrook, 4716 Brittany Ct, Granite City, IL 62040
Email: hello@granitecitizen.com

Eligibility

You must be at least 13 years old to use our Services. By using our Services, you represent and warrant that you are at least 13 years old. If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent's or guardian's permission to use the Services.

If you are using the Services on behalf of a business or other entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

Account Registration

Creating an Account

Certain features of our Services require you to create an account. When you create an account, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information
  • Maintain and promptly update your account information
  • Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials
  • Accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
  • Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

Account Types

We offer different types of accounts:

Subscriber (Free): Receive our newsletter via email. No login required.

Supporter ($25+/year): Paid annual membership that includes a Supporter badge, the ability to comment on articles, and access to the Supporter community board. Supporter accounts require login.

Author: Can write and edit articles. Assigned by an administrator.

Admin: Full access to all Site management features.

Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, including if we believe you have violated these Terms. You may delete your account at any time by contacting us at hello@granitecitizen.com.

Supporter Membership

Benefits

Supporters receive the following benefits for the duration of their membership:

  • Supporter badge displayed on comments and community posts
  • Ability to comment on articles
  • Access to the Supporter community board

Payment and Renewal

Supporter memberships are $25 per year (minimum), processed through Stripe. Memberships renew annually. You will receive renewal reminder emails before your membership expires. If payment fails or you choose not to renew, your Supporter benefits will be deactivated at the end of your current membership period.

Cancellation

You may cancel your Supporter membership at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current annual period. No partial refunds are provided for the remaining time in a membership period.

User-Generated Content

Your Content

Our Services allow you to submit, post, and display content, including but not limited to event listings, business directory information, article comments, community board posts and comments, and other materials ("User Content"). You retain ownership of your User Content, but by submitting User Content, you grant us certain rights as described below.

License to Us

By submitting User Content, you grant 618 Digital, Inc. a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, and display your User Content in connection with operating and promoting the Services.

For event listings and business directory information, this license allows us to publish, promote, and share your listings across our platforms and marketing channels.

Content Standards

You agree that your User Content will not:

  • Violate any applicable law or regulation
  • Infringe any intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or other rights of any third party
  • Contain false, misleading, or fraudulent information
  • Contain defamatory, libelous, threatening, harassing, or abusive content
  • Contain obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit material
  • Promote discrimination, bigotry, racism, hatred, or harm against any individual or group
  • Promote illegal activities or substances
  • Contain malware, viruses, or other harmful code
  • Impersonate any person or entity
  • Constitute spam, unsolicited advertising, or unauthorized commercial content
  • Interfere with the proper functioning of the Services

Our Right to Edit, Moderate, and Remove Content

We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to:

  • Review, screen, and moderate User Content before or after publication
  • Edit User Content for clarity, accuracy, formatting, or compliance with these Terms
  • Refuse to publish or remove any User Content for any reason, including content that violates these Terms or that we determine, in our sole discretion, is objectionable or inappropriate
  • Disclose User Content or account information to comply with legal requirements or protect our rights

We are not responsible for monitoring all User Content and make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, quality, or reliability of any User Content.

Representations and Warranties

By submitting User Content, you represent and warrant that:

  • You own or have the necessary rights to submit the content
  • Your content does not violate any third party's rights
  • All information you submit is accurate and not misleading
  • You have obtained all necessary permissions from any individuals depicted in photos or videos you submit

Business Directory

Listings

Business directory listings are available for $100 per year. Listings include your business name, description, category, contact information, logo, and a link to your website. Listings are subject to our review and approval.

Deals

Approved business listings may add a Deal for $25 per month. Deals highlight a special offer or promotion on your listing page. Deals are subject to our review and may be removed if they contain misleading or inappropriate content.

Submission and Approval

Business directory submissions are subject to our review and approval. We reserve the right to reject, edit, or remove any listing for any reason, including listings that are incomplete, inaccurate, inappropriate, or do not meet our quality standards.

Accuracy and Updates

You are responsible for ensuring that your listings are accurate and up-to-date. You agree to promptly update your listings if any information changes.

Prohibited Listings

You may not submit listings for:

  • Illegal products, services, or activities
  • Adult or sexually oriented businesses
  • Businesses that promote discrimination or hatred
  • Multi-level marketing or pyramid schemes
  • Misleading or deceptive businesses
  • Businesses you do not have authority to represent

Renewal and Expiration

Business listings renew annually. You will receive renewal reminder emails before your listing expires. If payment fails or you choose not to renew, your listing will be hidden from the directory at the end of your current period.

Events Calendar

Event Submissions

Anyone may submit a community event for inclusion on the events calendar. Submissions are free and subject to our review and approval. We reserve the right to reject, edit, or remove any event listing for any reason.

Featured Events

Event submitters may pay $50 (one-time) to feature their event with premium placement and visual highlighting on the events calendar. Featured status is subject to our approval.

Accuracy

You are responsible for ensuring that event information you submit is accurate. You agree to notify us promptly if event details change or if an event is cancelled.

Commenting and Community Board

Comment Policy

Commenting on articles is available to Supporters only. We encourage thoughtful, respectful discussion. Comments are subject to moderation. We reserve the right to remove comments that:

  • Are off-topic or irrelevant
  • Contain personal attacks, harassment, or threats
  • Include spam, advertising, or self-promotion
  • Violate these Terms or applicable law
  • Are otherwise inappropriate or objectionable in our judgment

Repeated violations may result in account suspension or termination.

Community Board

The Supporter community board is a discussion space exclusively for Supporters. The same content standards and moderation policies that apply to article comments also apply to community board posts and replies.

No Expectation of Privacy in Public Areas

Article comments are public and visible to all visitors. Community board content is visible to all Supporters. Do not post information in these areas that you wish to keep private.

Newsletter and Email

Newsletter Subscription

Newsletter subscriptions are free. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or by contacting us.

Transactional and Reminder Emails

By creating an account, becoming a Supporter, purchasing a business listing, or submitting an event, you consent to receive transactional emails related to your account and purchases, including payment confirmations, renewal reminders, and expiration notices. These are not marketing emails and are necessary for the operation of your account or listing.

Payments

Payment Processing

All payments are processed through Stripe. By making a purchase, you agree to Stripe's terms of service.

Pricing

Current pricing:

  • Supporter Membership: $25/year (minimum)
  • Business Directory Listing: $100/year
  • Deal Add-on: $25/month
  • Featured Event: $50 one-time

We reserve the right to change pricing at any time, but price changes will not affect existing paid subscriptions until renewal.

Recurring Subscriptions

If you purchase a recurring subscription (Supporter membership, business listing, or deal), you authorize us to charge your payment method on a recurring basis until you cancel. You may cancel recurring subscriptions at any time; cancellation will be effective at the end of the current billing period.

Refunds

Generally, fees for services already rendered are non-refundable. If you believe you have been charged in error, contact us at hello@granitecitizen.com.

Taxes

You are responsible for any applicable taxes.

Intellectual Property

Our Content

The Services and their contents, including but not limited to text, articles, graphics, logos, images, photographs, videos, software, and the selection and arrangement thereof ("Our Content"), are owned by 618 Digital, Inc. or our licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may access and use Our Content for personal, non-commercial purposes only. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, republish, download, store, or transmit Our Content, except as permitted by these Terms or with our prior written consent.

Trademarks

"Granite Citizen" and "618 Digital" and associated logos are trademarks of 618 Digital, Inc. You may not use our trademarks without our prior written permission.

Copyright Complaints

If you believe that content on our Services infringes your copyright, please contact us at hello@granitecitizen.com with the following information:

  • A description of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed
  • A description of where the allegedly infringing material is located on our Services
  • Your contact information
  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized
  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf
  • Your physical or electronic signature

Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THE SERVICES OR THE SERVERS THAT MAKE THEM AVAILABLE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

WE DO NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY CONTENT ON THE SERVICES, INCLUDING USER CONTENT, BUSINESS DIRECTORY LISTINGS, OR EVENT INFORMATION. ANY RELIANCE ON SUCH CONTENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES OF THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING ADVERTISERS, BUSINESS DIRECTORY LISTINGS, OR LINKED WEBSITES.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL 618 DIGITAL, INC., ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH:

  • YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE) THE SERVICES
  • ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICES
  • ANY CONTENT OBTAINED FROM THE SERVICES
  • UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR CONTENT

WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STATUTE, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU HAVE PAID TO US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100).

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR DAMAGES. IF THESE LAWS APPLY TO YOU, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DISCLAIMERS, EXCLUSIONS, OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY, AND YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless 618 Digital, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

  • Your access to or use of the Services
  • Your User Content
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party right, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights
  • Your violation of any applicable law or regulation
  • Any claim that your User Content caused damage to a third party

Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Informal Resolution

Before filing any legal claim, you agree to contact us at hello@granitecitizen.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days.

Jurisdiction and Venue

Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Madison County, Illinois, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

Waiver of Class Actions

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU AND 618 DIGITAL, INC. AGREE THAT ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES WILL BE RESOLVED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT AS PART OF ANY CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION.

Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time by posting the revised Terms on the Services with a new "Effective Date." Your continued use of the Services after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

For material changes, we may provide additional notice, such as an email to subscribers or a prominent notice on the Site. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

General Provisions

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other agreements expressly referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and 618 Digital, Inc. regarding the Services.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

No Third-Party Beneficiaries: These Terms do not create any third-party beneficiary rights.

Survival: The following sections shall survive termination of these Terms: User-Generated Content (License to Us), Intellectual Property, Disclaimer of Warranties, Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Dispute Resolution, and General Provisions.

Contact: Questions about these Terms should be directed to:

618 Digital, Inc.
Michael Halbrook, 4716 Brittany Ct, Granite City, IL 62040
Email: hello@granitecitizen.com

These Terms of Service were last updated on February 14, 2026.