Terms of Service

Last Updated: October 7, 2025

Website: websiterating.com Operator: Search Ventures Pty Ltd (ACN 639906353) Jurisdiction: Australia Contact: [email protected]

The Plain English Version

Before the legal bullshit, here’s what these terms actually mean:

What you can do:

Read our content for free
Use our recommendations (or ignore them)
Disagree with us in comments

What you can’t do:

Copy our entire site and republish it
Scrape our content with bots
Sue us because a VPN we recommended didn’t work for you
Blame us if a company we reviewed screwed you over

What we promise:

To be honest about affiliate relationships
To actually test products when possible
To admit when we’re wrong

What we DON’T promise:

That our recommendations will work perfectly for you
That third-party companies won’t screw up
That we’ll never make mistakes

Now the legal version that protects both of us:

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using websiterating.com (the “Site”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you disagree with any part, you may not access the Site.

Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of Australia. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Australian courts.

Operator: This Site is operated by Search Ventures Pty Ltd (“we,” “us,” “our”), a company registered in Australia.

2. Use of the Site

2.1 Permitted Use

You may:

Access and browse the Site for personal, non-commercial use
Share links to our content on social media and other platforms
Quote brief excerpts with proper attribution
Use our recommendations to make purchasing decisions

2.2 Prohibited Use

You may NOT:

Copy, reproduce, or republish substantial portions of our content without permission
Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) to extract content
Impersonate us or claim our content as your own
Use our content for commercial purposes without authorization
Attempt to access restricted areas or interfere with Site functionality
Post malicious code, spam, or illegal content
Violate any Australian or international laws through use of the Site

2.3 Account and Comments

If you create an account or comment:

You’re responsible for maintaining account security
You must provide accurate information
You’re responsible for all activity under your account
We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations

3. Affiliate Relationships and Compensation

Critical Disclosure: We participate in affiliate marketing programs and earn commissions when you purchase products through our links.

3.1 How It Works

Many links on this Site are affiliate links
If you click and make a purchase, we may earn a commission
Your price is the same whether you use our link or not
Different products pay different commission rates

3.2 Editorial Independence

While we use affiliate links:

Commission rates do not solely determine rankings
We prioritize quality over commission when recommending products
We disclose when we’re recommending lower-commission products over higher-paying alternatives
We maintain editorial independence from affiliate partners

For full transparency, see our Disclosure Policy.

3.3 No Guarantees

We are not responsible for merchant pricing, policies, or actions
We don’t control product availability, quality, or fulfillment
Merchants may change terms, prices, or products without notice
Any disputes with merchants are between you and them

4. Content and Opinions

4.1 Nature of Content

Content on this Site includes:

Reviews: Based on testing, research, and experience
Opinions: Personal views and analysis
Allegations: Claims marked as “alleged” when not definitively proven
Facts: Documented and sourced where possible

4.2 Editorial Voice

Our content is written with strong opinions and language. Content reflects the author’s views and experiences.

4.3 Accuracy

We strive for accuracy but:

Information may become outdated
We may make mistakes (and will correct them when notified)
Third-party information may be inaccurate
Industry conditions change rapidly

4.4 No Professional Advice

Content is for informational purposes only. It is NOT:

Professional legal, financial, or technical advice
A guarantee of results
A recommendation suitable for your specific situation
A substitute for professional consultation

5. Critical Commentary and Legal Framework

5.1 Nature of Content: Consumer Criticism and Review

This Site publishes consumer reviews, critical commentary, and investigative journalism about technology products and services. Our content serves a public interest purpose: exposing misleading marketing practices, documenting corporate ownership structures, and warning consumers about potentially harmful business practices.

Legal Basis: Our critical content is protected under:

Australian common law fair comment defense (honest opinion on matters of public interest)
Defamation Act 2005 (various states) public interest and honest opinion defenses
Consumer protection principles (exposing misleading/deceptive conduct)
Freedom of expression in matters of legitimate public concern

5.2 Distinction Between Fact and Opinion

We clearly distinguish between:

FACTS – Statements presented as facts are:

Based on documented evidence (court records, SEC filings, public statements, corporate disclosures)
Cited with sources that readers can independently verify
Prefaced with attribution (e.g., “According to court documents,” “As reported by [source]”)
Subject to correction if proven inaccurate

OPINIONS – Statements presented as opinions are:

Clearly marked with opinion language (“In my opinion,” “I believe,” “appears to be,” “seems like”)
Based on disclosed facts and evidence
Reflect subjective judgment, analysis, or interpretation
Protected as fair comment when based on true or substantially true facts

ALLEGATIONS – Unproven or contested claims are:

Explicitly marked with “alleged,” “reportedly,” or “accused of”
Attributed to specific sources (e.g., “Security researchers at [company] identified…”)
Not presented as established fact unless proven in court or admitted by the subject

5.3 Sourcing and Documentation Standards

To ensure accuracy and legal defensibility:

We rely on:

Public court documents and legal filings
Corporate SEC filings and disclosures
Published investigative reports from credible journalists
Security research from recognized firms
Companies’ own public statements, blog posts, and press releases
Archived evidence (Internet Archive, etc.) to document claims
Data breach notifications and regulatory filings
Consumer complaints documented in public forums

We do NOT:

Make unfounded accusations without documented evidence
Rely solely on rumors or unverified sources
Present speculation as fact
Use copyrighted materials (screenshots, logos, marketing content) without fair use justification

Verification Invitation: We encourage readers to verify all claims using the sources we provide. If we’re wrong, the evidence will show it.

5.4 Public Interest Defense

Our critical content addresses matters of substantial public interest:

Consumer Protection:

Exposing allegedly misleading marketing claims (“military-grade encryption,” “unlimited hosting”)
Documenting hidden fees, renewal price increases, and deceptive pricing practices
Revealing ownership structures that create conflicts of interest
Warning about companies with documented security breaches or data privacy concerns

Corporate Accountability:

Investigating companies’ corporate histories (e.g., former business practices)
Documenting ownership by parent companies with questionable histories
Exposing alleged conflicts of interest (e.g., companies owning “independent” review sites)
Analyzing terms of service for consumer-unfriendly provisions

Market Transparency:

Revealing affiliate commission structures that influence product rankings across the industry
Documenting monopolistic ownership patterns
Comparing marketing claims to actual performance or terms of service

These are matters of legitimate public concern. Consumers have a right to this information when making purchasing decisions.

5.5 Honest Opinion Defense

Under Australian defamation law, honest opinion is protected when:

The opinion is based on proper material (true or substantially true facts) ✓
The opinion relates to a matter of public interest ✓
The opinion is honestly held ✓

We meet all three criteria:

Our opinions are based on documented, sourced facts
Consumer protection and corporate accountability are matters of public interest
Our opinions are genuinely held beliefs based on available evidence

Example of Protected Opinion:

“FACT: According to Malwarebytes security research (2015), Crossrider was identified as distributing adware. FACT: Crossrider rebranded to Kape Technologies (public corporate records). FACT: Kape Technologies acquired ExpressVPN for $936 million (SEC filing, 2021). OPINION: In my opinion, trusting a VPN company owned by an entity with this history is a significant privacy risk.”

This structure separates documented facts from opinion, making the opinion defensible as fair comment.

5.6 Contextual Truth Defense

Under the Defamation Act 2005, defenses include:

Substantial truth (the matter is substantially true)
Contextual truth (imputations not substantially true don’t further harm reputation because other substantially true imputations exist)

Our Approach:

We focus on substantially true, documented claims
When multiple concerns exist about a company, we document all relevant issues
Context is provided through comprehensive evidence, not cherry-picked facts

5.7 Use of Strong Language

Our content uses strong language, including profanity and aggressive rhetoric. This is:

Clearly opinion and commentary (not statements of fact)
Rhetorical emphasis on documented facts
Protected expression when tied to matters of public interest

Example:

“In my opinion, hiding a data breach from customers for 18 months while continuing to take their money for ‘privacy protection’ is fucking dishonest.”

The strong language is commentary on documented facts (the breach and its delayed disclosure), not a factual claim itself.

5.8 No Malice or Reckless Disregard

We do not publish content with:

Malice (intent to harm without legitimate purpose)
Reckless disregard for truth (publishing knowing claims are false or with serious doubts about truth)

Our Standards:

We research claims thoroughly before publication
We cite sources for all factual assertions
We correct errors when notified
We clearly distinguish fact from opinion
Our purpose is consumer protection and market transparency, not defamation

5.9 Right of Reply and Corrections

We commit to:

Correcting factual errors promptly when substantiated evidence is provided
Updating content when new information emerges
Providing opportunity for companies to respond to criticism (if they engage in good faith)
Clearly marking corrections and updates with dates

Contact for corrections: [email protected]

5.10 No Commercial Defamation

Our critical reviews are NOT:

Published to gain commercial advantage through harming competitors (we’re not competitors to the companies we review)
Based on false information designed to damage business reputation
Motivated by personal vendetta or malice

Our motivation is consumer protection and honest affiliate marketing (recommending quality products, even at lower commission, over poor products at higher commission).

6. Legal Notice for Reviewed Companies

6.1 Basis for Critical Content

Companies reviewed on this Site are put on notice that:

Our critical content is:

Protected consumer review and commentary
Based on documented, verifiable evidence
Published in the public interest
Not defamation, but fair comment and honest opinion
Subject to Australian defamation law protections

Companies considering legal action should be aware:

We have documented evidence for all factual claims
We clearly distinguish fact from opinion
We rely on public interest and honest opinion defenses
We will vigorously defend our right to publish consumer protection content
We may publicize legal threats as evidence of attempts to silence criticism (Streisand Effect)

6.2 Evidence Retention

We maintain:

Archives of all source materials cited
Screenshots and archived versions of web pages referenced
Copies of court documents, SEC filings, and public records cited
Documentation of our research and fact-checking process

This evidence is retained to defend against any legal challenges to our content.

6.3 Anti-SLAPP Commitment

We are aware that some companies use Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) to silence critics.

Our position:

We will not be intimidated by legal threats designed to chill free speech
We will publicize frivolous legal threats to inform the public
We may seek costs and damages for vexatious litigation
We will report attempted censorship to media and consumer advocacy organizations

Free Speech Support:

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Australian Digital Rights Watch
Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA)

6.4 Trademark Fair Use

References to company names, product names, and trademarks are:

Nominative fair use (necessary to identify products being reviewed)
Not suggesting endorsement or affiliation
Descriptive use in context of critical commentary

We do not use trademarks to:

Suggest false affiliation or endorsement
Confuse consumers about the source of our content
Compete with trademarked products or services

6.5 No Copyright Infringement

We do not reproduce copyrighted materials except as permitted under:

Fair dealing for criticism, review, and news reporting (Copyright Act 1968, Australia)
Brief quotations with attribution
Factual information (not subject to copyright)

We do NOT use:

Product screenshots or interface images (unless clearly fair dealing for review)
Marketing materials or promotional content
Copyrighted logos or graphics (beyond nominative fair use)

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Our Rights

Content on this Site (text, graphics, logos, code) is owned by Search Ventures Pty Ltd or licensed to us. It’s protected by Australian and international copyright law.

7.2 Your Rights

You may:

Link to our content
Quote brief excerpts with attribution
Share on social media using standard sharing tools

You may NOT:

Republish entire articles without permission
Remove copyright notices or attributions
Claim our content as your own
Use our content for commercial purposes without authorization

7.3 User-Generated Content

By submitting content (comments, messages):

You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute it
You represent that you own the content or have permission to submit it
You agree it doesn’t violate any laws or third-party rights

7.4 DMCA and Takedown

If you believe content infringes your copyright, contact: [email protected]

Include:

Your contact information
Description of copyrighted work
Location of allegedly infringing content
Statement of good faith belief
Statement of accuracy under penalty of perjury
Physical or electronic signature

8. Third-Party Links and Services

8.1 External Links

The Site contains links to third-party websites (including affiliate links). We are not responsible for:

Content or practices of linked sites
Products or services offered by third parties
Accuracy of third-party information
Your interactions with third parties

8.2 Third-Party Conduct

We review products and services from third-party companies. We are not liable for:

Company misconduct or poor service
Data breaches or privacy violations by reviewed companies
Changes to products or services after review
Your experience with reviewed companies

9. Defamation Disclaimer and Reader Acknowledgment

9.1 Critical Content is Not Defamation

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This Site publishes critical reviews and commentary about companies and products. Readers and companies should understand:

Our content is protected expression, not defamation:

Reviews and opinions are protected under Australian common law and the Defamation Act 2005
Factual statements are based on documented evidence and are substantially true
Opinions are clearly marked and based on disclosed facts
Public interest in consumer protection justifies critical commentary
Honest opinion defense applies to subjective judgments and analysis

9.2 Not Defamatory Per Se

Even when our content is critical or negative:

It does not constitute defamation when based on substantial truth
Opinions based on true facts are protected as fair comment
Consumer warnings serve a legitimate public interest purpose
Strong language is rhetorical emphasis, not factual assertion

Companies may not like what we say. That doesn’t make it defamation.

9.3 Reader Understanding and Acknowledgment

By using this Site, you acknowledge and agree that:

You understand:

Content includes strong opinions, criticism, and allegations based on documented evidence
The Site exercises freedom of expression on matters of public interest
Critical content is intended to inform consumers, not to defame companies
You should independently verify information before making decisions

You agree:

To distinguish between facts, opinions, and allegations as clearly marked in content
To review source materials cited before drawing conclusions
To recognize that criticism of companies is protected consumer commentary
Not to construe opinions as statements of fact

9.4 Company Acknowledgment (For Reviewed Companies)

Companies that are the subject of our reviews are deemed to be aware that:

Consumer reviews are protected speech under Australian law
Public companies and public figures have reduced defamation protections when matters concern public interest
Truth is an absolute defense to defamation claims
Honest opinion based on true facts is protected
Attempts to silence consumer criticism may result in publicized Streisand Effect and damage to reputation

If you’re a company considering legal action over our content:

Review our documented sources first
Consider the public interest in consumer protection
Understand that we will defend vigorously and publicize censorship attempts
Be aware that frivolous defamation claims may result in cost orders against you

9.5 Specific Defamation Defense Elements

For absolute clarity, our content relies on these specific defenses:

1. Truth/Substantial Truth (Defamation Act 2005, s25)

We publish substantially true information based on documented evidence
Sources are cited and verifiable
Factual errors are corrected when substantiated

2. Honest Opinion (Defamation Act 2005, s31)

Opinions are clearly marked and based on proper material (true facts)
Opinions relate to matters of public interest (consumer protection)
Opinions are honestly held based on available evidence

3. Public Interest (Defamation Act 2005, s30)

Content concerns matters of public interest (consumer protection, corporate accountability)
We reasonably believed publication was in the public interest
Conduct (research, verification, sourcing) was reasonable in the circumstances

4. Fair Report of Proceedings of Public Concern (Defamation Act 2005, s29)

When reporting on court proceedings, regulatory actions, or public documents
Reports are fair and accurate summaries of public proceedings

5. Qualified Privilege

Content published to persons with legitimate interest in receiving it (consumers)
Publisher has duty or interest in publishing (consumer protection)

9.6 No Liability for Protected Expression

To the maximum extent permitted by Australian law:

We are NOT liable for damages, losses, or harm arising from:

Protected opinions and fair comment on matters of public interest
Substantially true statements based on documented evidence
Reader interpretations of clearly marked opinions or allegations
Economic harm to companies resulting from truthful consumer warnings
Reputational impact of honest reviews and documented criticism

Australian Consumer Law does not require publishers to suppress truthful consumer protection information to protect corporate reputations.

9.7 Correction and Response Process

We are committed to accuracy:

Factual errors: If you have evidence that a factual statement is false, contact [email protected] with documentation
We will investigate and correct proven errors promptly
We will not retract opinions, honest beliefs, or substantially true statements due to legal pressure

Right of reply:

Companies may request opportunity to respond to criticism
Responses will be considered for publication if factually substantive (not just marketing)
We reserve editorial discretion on publishing responses

9.8 Standard for Removal

We will only remove or modify content when:

Factual error proven with substantiated, documented evidence contradicting our sources
Court order from a court of competent jurisdiction (Australian courts)
Settlement agreement reached in good faith dispute resolution

We will NOT remove content due to:

Legal threats without court orders
Company disagreement with opinions or conclusions
Economic pressure or threats to affiliate relationships
Demands to suppress substantially true consumer warnings

9.9 Indemnification for Defamation Claims

Companies and individuals bringing defamation claims:

If you bring a defamation claim against Search Ventures Pty Ltd or this Site, and:

The claim is dismissed, struck out, or found to be without merit
Our content is found to be protected under defamation defenses
The claim is deemed vexatious, frivolous, or SLAPP litigation

You may be liable for:

Our legal costs and expenses
Damages for abuse of process
Publicized disclosure of your attempt to silence consumer protection content

This serves as notice that we will vigorously defend our right to publish consumer protection content and seek maximum costs against frivolous claims.

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

10.1 Site Provided “AS IS”

The Site is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. We make no warranties, express or implied, including:

Warranties of merchantability or fitness for particular purpose
That the Site will be uninterrupted or error-free
That defects will be corrected
That the Site is free of viruses or harmful components

10.2 No Guarantee of Results

We do not guarantee:

That recommended products will meet your needs
That third-party services will perform as described
That you’ll achieve specific results from our recommendations
That information is complete, accurate, or current

10.3 Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by Australian law:

We are NOT liable for:

Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
Damages resulting from use of or inability to use the Site
Damages from third-party products or services we review
Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in content
Damages arising from protected opinions, fair comment, or substantially true statements
Reputational or economic harm to companies from honest consumer reviews

Maximum Liability: Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed AUD $100 or the amount you paid to access the Site (whichever is greater).

10.4 Australian Consumer Law

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies consumer guarantees or rights under the Australian Consumer Law to the extent such exclusion, restriction, or modification would be unlawful.

Where we cannot exclude liability, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Search Ventures Pty Ltd, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

Your use of the Site
Your violation of these Terms
Your violation of any laws or third-party rights
Content you submit to the Site
Your misinterpretation or misuse of our content
Claims you bring against us that are subsequently dismissed or found without merit

12. Privacy

Your use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy. By using the Site, you consent to data practices described in the Privacy Policy.

13. Modifications

13.1 Changes to Terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective when posted with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Your continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. If you disagree, stop using the Site.

13.2 Changes to Site

We may:

Modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Site
Change content, features, or functionality
Impose limits on features or access

14. Termination

14.1 By You

You may stop using the Site at any time.

14.2 By Us

We may terminate or suspend your access:

For violation of these Terms
For conduct harmful to the Site or other users
At our sole discretion for any reason

14.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

Your right to use the Site ceases immediately
Provisions that should survive (disclaimers, limitations, indemnification) remain in effect

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Informal Resolution

Before formal proceedings, contact us at [email protected] to attempt informal resolution.

15.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes will be resolved in courts of Australia under Australian law.

15.3 No Class Actions

You agree to resolve disputes individually, not as part of class or representative actions.

16. Miscellaneous

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, along with our Privacy Policy and Disclosure Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Search Ventures Pty Ltd.

16.2 Severability

If any provision is found unenforceable, remaining provisions remain in effect.

16.3 No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision doesn’t waive our right to enforce it later.

16.4 Assignment

We may assign these Terms. You may not assign your rights without our consent.

16.5 Force Majeure

We’re not liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond our control (natural disasters, internet outages, etc.).

17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms:

Search Ventures Pty Ltd Email: [email protected] Website: websiterating.com

18. Acknowledgment

By using websiterating.com, you acknowledge that:

You’ve read and understood these Terms
You agree to be bound by these Terms
You’re legally able to enter into this agreement
You understand the risks of relying on online information
You’ll verify information and make independent decisions

The Bottom Line (Again, In Plain English)

Use the site, read our stuff, make informed decisions. We’re honest about affiliate relationships and do our best to provide accurate information. But we’re not perfect, third-party companies might screw up, and you should verify everything yourself.

We’re not liable if a company we reviewed turns out to be garbage or if our recommendation doesn’t work for you. Do your own research. We’re providing opinions and information, not guarantees.

Australian law applies. Don’t scrape our content, don’t sue us for third-party failures, and email us if there’s a problem.

Questions? Email [email protected]