Introduction
Welcome to Europe Pub!
This Terms of Service applies to your access and active use of https://europe.pub, its APIs, and any associated sub-domain services (collectively referred to as “we”, “us”, “our”, “Europe Pub”, “the website”, or “EP”). Europe Pub is a Lemmy instance designed for a European-centered audience, proudly operated by Tobias Feistmantl in Austria and hosted in Germany. By Europeans, for Europeans. Our mission is to create a privacy-friendly, community-first environment while championing the decentralization of information and strengthening the Fediverse.
Please carefully read these Terms of Service before using this website. These Terms govern your access to and use of the website. By accessing or using Europe Pub, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, you are prohibited from using Europe Pub.
Updates to the Terms of Service
Europe Pub is always looking to improve and remain compliant with European laws. To that end, this document may be updated periodically to reflect changes in applicable regulations, services, and user needs. We will notify users of substantial updates, but it is your responsibility to review this document regularly.
About Europe Pub
Europe Pub is a federated Reddit alternative—a Lemmy instance focused on European topics, cultures, and interests while remaining open to well-intentioned users worldwide.
Europe Pub is operated and sponsored by Tobias Feistmantl, with servers hosted by Hetzner in Germany and is governed by Austrian law.
User Responsibilities
By using Europe Pub, you agree to the following:
- Eligibility: You confirm you are at least 18 years old or the minimum regulated age in your jurisdiction—whichever is higher.
- You can comprehend and actively comply with these Terms of Service.
- You were not previously permanently banned from the website.
- You are responsible for your experience on the website. While we aim to create an engaging environment, Europe Pub cannot be held liable for user interactions or content.
- Community participation follows the general rules outlined in these Terms and respective community guidelines.
Geographic and Cultural Accessibility
Europe Pub prioritizes European topics and issues; however, everyone with good intentions is welcome to join, provided they abide by the rules set forth in this document.
Violations
Violating these Terms may result in:
- Warnings
- Content removal
- Account suspension or permanent ban
- Escalation to European law enforcement (where necessary)
Content Policy
We aim to ensure Europe Pub is a safe and engaging space for interactions. To participate, users must adhere to these general rules:
- Attacks on Individuals/Groups: Respect others. Personal attacks, serious threats, or hate speech of any kind are not tolerated.
- Discrimination: Europe Pub prohibits racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or any form of discrimination against minority or at-risk groups. Violations may result in immediate action, including account termination or legal escalation.
- Privacy Respect: Doxxing and sharing personal information without explicit consent are strictly prohibited.
- Illegal Content: Content illegal under Austrian, German, or EU laws (e.g., child exploitation, incitement to hate, or terrorism advocacy) will not be tolerated.
Please note that violations of German law, specifically §131 StGB and §201a StGB, may result in legal reporting.
NSFW and Sensitive Content
- Graphic and NSFW content must be appropriately tagged.
- Content depicting obscene violence (e.g., murder, executions, excessive gore) is not allowed unless it has historical or public significance.
Exceptions include media that are educational or artistic in nature, compliant with copyright laws, and legally acceptable under all applicable regulations.
Reporting Users and Content
If you encounter content or users who violate these Terms or any specific community rules, you can report them via the following methods:
- Use the reporting tools available on the platform.
- For urgent violations or user profiles, email info@europe.pub.
Reports will be reviewed promptly, and actions may include takedown notices, user warnings, or removal of violating accounts. Abuse of the reporting feature is also prohibited.
Bots and Automated Usage
Europe Pub welcomes bots that comply with ethical and legal usage. Bot accounts must:
- Be clearly identifiable as bots (e.g., including “bot” in the username and profile description).
- Display the owner’s contact information.
- Only post in communities where authorized by moderators.
- Avoid spamming or causing disruption.
Any bot, or its owner, violating these principles may face account suspension or removal.
Advertisement and Commercial Promotion
Currently, Europe Pub does not host advertisements. If Europe Pub chooses to introduce ads or promotional content in the future, users will be notified, and this section will be updated with detailed guidelines.
Commercial Content
Limited promotion of products, services, or campaigns must:
- Add value to the community.
- Be relevant to the topic or audience.
- Be transparent in its intent.
Excessive self-promotion or spam-like behavior may result in removal.
Data Privacy and Security
Europe Pub strictly follows GDPR regulations. Here’s how we handle your data:
- We minimize data collection and only store necessary data for platform functionality.
- User data is stored securely via Hetzner’s servers in Germany.
- Data is not shared with third-party entities unless required by law.
- Users can access or delete their data upon request by contacting info@europe.pub.
For full details, visit our Privacy Policy.
Security Concerns
If you discover a security exploit, please report it to security@europe.pub.
Compliance with Copyright and Intellectual Property Laws
Europe Pub respects copyright and intellectual property. Posting or linking to illegal and pirated material (including torrent links or infringing streams) is prohibited. Copyright takedown notices must include:
- Contact details of the requester.
- Detailed identification of the content in question.
- Evidence of ownership or authorization.
- URL links to the relevant content.
Requests should be sent to info@europe.pub for processing.
Governing Laws and Jurisdiction
Europe Pub abides by Austrian law. However, given its servers are hosted in Germany and the platform operates within the EU, compliance with EU regulations (especially GDPR) and German law is enforced as secondary governance.
Legal disputes will be resolved under Austrian jurisdiction unless otherwise required by applicable EU-wide agreements.
Contact Information
For any issues or inquiries:
- General concerns: info@europe.pub
- Reporting content violations: abuse@europe.pub
- Security reports: security@europe.pub
TL;DR
Be respectful, abide by the law, don’t post illegal or harmful content, and enjoy connecting with Europe-focused communities on Europe Pub. 😊