Terms & Condition

Section 1 – General

The website www.auost.de (“Website”) is operated by Epoxa GmbH, Auf der Hatterwiese 8, 63322 Rödermark, Germany (“Auost”).
Auost provides a digital platform that enables registered users to:

  • Create a profile as an au pair or host family

  • Search for suitable matches based on preferences and compatibility

  • Communicate through the platform’s secure messaging system

  • Access additional services such as visa information, training, and resources

By using Auost, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. The platform is intended for legitimate au pair and host family arrangements only.

Section 1.1 – Account Creation

a) Registration Requirement – Access to Auost services requires account registration.
b) Eligibility – Only natural persons of legal age (18+) and with full legal capacity may register.
c) Contract Formation – By registering, you accept these Terms, creating a user agreement with Auost.
d) Paid Services – If you order a paid service, a separate contract is formed once you confirm the order and payment obligation.

Your responsibilities:

  • Provide accurate and complete information

  • Keep your profile up-to-date

  • Use the platform only for its intended purposes

Section 1.2 – Background Checks and Verification

  • Safety Priority – All au pairs and host families must undergo identity and background checks before being considered “verified” on the platform.

  • Recommendation – It is strongly recommended that all au pairs and host families get their account verified to increase trust, improve match quality, and enhance safety within the community.

  • Third-Party Providers – Auost may use trusted third-party verification services.

  • User Responsibility – Agreements and arrangements are made directly between users. Auost does not employ or represent au pairs or host families.

Section 2 – Payment

  • You only pay for services you choose to use.

  • All prices are transparent and shown before purchase.

  • Accepted payment methods include PayPal and other secure processors.

  • You are responsible for any bank or payment provider fees.

Section 3 – Matching Services

  • Auost uses preference-based search to help match au pairs and host families.

  • We cannot guarantee a perfect match.

  • It is your responsibility to communicate with potential matches before making any agreements.

Section 4 – Account Deletion & Removal

4.1 User-Initiated Deletion

  • You can delete your account at any time via Profile / Account Settings.

  • Deletion takes immediate effect and permanently removes your profile from public view.

  • You may also request deletion via support: auost@auost.de (we may need to verify your identity).

4.2 What Happens When You Delete

  • Your profile, photos, saved searches, and non-essential account data are permanently deleted.

  • Messages may be anonymized (e.g., shown as “Deleted User”) to preserve the integrity of other users’ threads.

  • Public reviews you left may be anonymized but can remain for transparency.

  • Any active subscriptions end with deletion; no refunds unless required by law (see Section 12).

  • Deletion is irreversible. Auost cannot restore a deleted account.

4.3 Legal & Safety Retention

  • We may retain limited information where required by law, to prevent fraud/abuse, or to establish/defend legal claims (e.g., billing records, safety reports).

  • Backups/logs may persist for a limited period (e.g., up to 90 days) and are purged on a rolling basis.

4.4 Third-Party Services

  • If you used third-party services (e.g., payments, video calls, verification), those providers may separately retain data under their own policies. Please contact them directly for deletion requests.

4.5 Blocks, Misuse & Policy Violations

  • Auost may suspend or remove accounts that violate these Terms, harm other users, or misuse the platform.

  • In such cases, no refund is provided (see Section 12.4).

  • Re-registration after a final removal is not permitted without written approval from Auost.

4.6 Deactivation vs. Deletion

  • Deactivation hides your profile but keeps data if you plan to return.

  • Deletion permanently removes your account as described above.

4.7 Appealing an Admin Removal

  • If your account was removed by Auost, you may appeal by emailing auost@auost.de within 14 days of notice. Provide relevant facts and any supporting documentation.

4.8 Children & Minimum Age

  • Accounts for individuals under 18 are not permitted. If we discover an underage account, it will be removed and relevant data deleted consistent with our Privacy Policy.

Section 5 – Community Guidelines  (Updated for EU compliance)

To ensure a safe, respectful, and lawful environment for all users, the following rules apply to all interactions on Auost:

5.1 Respect and Non-Discrimination

  • Treat all users respectfully and professionally.

  • Discrimination, harassment, or hate speech based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age is strictly prohibited.

  • Any such behaviour may lead to immediate suspension or permanent removal from the platform.

5.2 Lawful Conduct

  • You must comply with all applicable laws when using the platform, including EU, national, and local regulations.

  • It is prohibited to upload, share, or transmit any content that is unlawful, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise illegal under applicable law.

5.3 Child Protection

  • Content, messages, or images involving minors must comply with child protection laws in the EU and in your own country.

  • Any report of child exploitation will be immediately referred to the relevant law enforcement authorities.

5.4 Safe Communication

  • Do not share personal contact information publicly on profiles or in messages until you have verified the other party’s identity and intention.

  • Use Auost’s secure messaging system until both parties agree to proceed outside the platform.

5.5 Platform Misuse

The following actions are strictly prohibited:

  • Spamming, phishing, or sending unsolicited messages.

  • Using bots, automated scripts, or similar tools to interact with the platform.

  • Attempting to bypass platform security or gain unauthorised access to accounts or data.

5.6 Enforcement

  • Auost may monitor activity to detect breaches of these guidelines, in accordance with the EU Digital Services Act.

  • Violations can result in warnings, temporary suspension, permanent removal, or legal action, depending on severity.

  • Where legally required, Auost will cooperate with EU and national authorities in investigations.

Section 6 – Intellectual Property  (Updated for EU compliance)

6.1 Ownership of Content

  • All materials on Auost, including but not limited to logos, trademarks, service marks, text, graphics, images, software, and layout design, are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws of the EU, Germany, and international treaties.

  • Unless expressly stated otherwise, all rights are owned or licensed to Auost.

6.2 User Licence

  • Users are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the platform solely for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.

  • You may not reproduce, modify, distribute, display, perform, or otherwise use any part of the platform without prior written permission from Auost.

6.3 Prohibited Uses

You may not:

  • Copy or reproduce content from the platform without permission.

  • Use Auost’s brand, trademarks, or materials in a way that suggests endorsement or affiliation without consent.

  • Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) to collect content or data.

  • Upload or post any material that infringes third-party intellectual property rights.

6.4 Reporting IP Infringements

  • If you believe your intellectual property has been infringed on Auost, you may submit a takedown notice to auost@auost.de.

  • Auost will act in accordance with the EU Digital Services Act and applicable copyright laws to remove infringing content promptly once verified.

Section 7 – Personal Responsibility  (Updated for EU compliance)

7.1 Platform Role

  • Auost operates solely as an online intermediary providing a matching and communication platform for au pairs and host families.

  • We do not employ, represent, or act as an agent for any au pair or host family.

  • All agreements, arrangements, and transactions are made directly between users.

7.2 User Content

  • Users are entirely responsible for all information and content they publish, including profile data, descriptions, reviews, and messages.

  • You must ensure that your content is lawful, truthful, and free from misleading statements.

7.3 Prohibited Conduct

You may not use the platform to:

  • Upload illegal, defamatory, obscene, or harmful content.

  • Infringe third-party intellectual property rights.

  • Engage in harassment, threats, or abuse of other users.

  • Promote or facilitate scams, fraud, or any unlawful activities.

7.4 Right to Remove Content

  • In accordance with the EU Digital Services Act, Auost reserves the right to review, remove, or block any content it reasonably suspects to be illegal, harmful, or in violation of these Terms.

  • Where legally required, Auost will notify the user of the removal and provide appeal options.

7.5 No Liability for User Content

  • Auost is not liable for any damage, loss, or claim arising from user-generated content or communications.

  • We are exempt from liability under Article 14 of the EU eCommerce Directive unless we have actual knowledge of unlawful content and fail to act.

7.6 Cooperation with Authorities

  • Auost may cooperate with law enforcement and relevant EU/national authorities to investigate suspected illegal activity on the platform.

Section 8 – User Account

  • To view profiles, you must register and create an account.

  • Registration is free, but may be refused at Auost’s discretion.

  • Registration for persons under 18 is prohibited.

  • Information provided must be accurate and complete.

  • Registration under a false identity is forbidden and will result in removal.

8.1 Usernames – Must not infringe third-party rights or violate good morals.
8.2 Passwords – Keep passwords secure; Auost will never ask for them.
8.3 Updating Data – Users must update their data if it changes; failure may result in suspension.

Section 9 – Responsibility for Content (Expanded for EU compliance & scam protection)

9.1 User Responsibility

  • Users are solely responsible for the content they publish or share via Auost.

  • All content must comply with applicable EU, German, and local laws, these Terms, and our Community Guidelines.

9.2 No Liability for User Content

  • Auost does not verify all content and is not liable for the accuracy, legality, or reliability of user-generated content.

  • As an intermediary under the EU Digital Services Act and eCommerce Directive, Auost is not liable unless it has actual knowledge of unlawful content and fails to act.

9.3 Prohibited Content and Conduct

Users may not post or share content that:

  • Is false, misleading, defamatory, obscene, or discriminatory.

  • Infringes third-party intellectual property rights.

  • Contains viruses, malware, or harmful code.

  • Promotes scams, fraud, phishing, or identity theft.

  • Attempts to obtain another user’s login, financial, or personal information for malicious purposes.

9.4 Scam & Fraud Prevention

  • Users must be vigilant against suspicious requests, offers, or messages.

  • Auost provides guidance on spotting and reporting scams.

  • If we detect fraudulent activity, the account may be immediately suspended, reported to authorities, and permanently removed without refund.

9.5 Removal and Cooperation

  • Auost reserves the right to remove or block content that violates these rules.

  • We may cooperate with EU and national law enforcement agencies when investigating suspected illegal or harmful activities.

Section 10 – Rating System

  • Users can rate each other after interactions.

  • Ratings must be truthful and objective.

  • Fake or self-reviews are prohibited.

  • Auost may remove ratings that violate these rules.

Section 11 – Costs

  • Registration is free.

  • Auost may offer paid plans with extra features.

  • Payment terms are outlined before purchase.

Section 12 – Refund & Cancellation Policy

12.1 Standard Right of Withdrawal (EU Law)

  • Under EU consumer law, Premium Membership can be cancelled within 14 days after payment if no paid service has been used.

12.2 When Refunds Are Not Possible

Your upgraded membership is considered used if any upgraded service has been accessed, such as:

  • Call User

  • Chat

  • Block User

  • Upgrade Plan

  • Availability Tool

  • Meeting Tool

  • Video Calls

  • Discounts

  • Consultation

  • Translation

  • Academy

  • Webinar

  • Hired

  • Airport Pickup

  • Auost Apartment

  • Any other premium feature not listed here

If any of these have been used, no refund will be issued.

12.3 Other Refund Limitations

  • No refunds if account was blocked for rule violations.

  • No refunds if user deletes their account after using services.

  • No proportional refunds for unused subscription time.

  • Double payments will be refunded upon proof.  

Section 13 – Availability & Maintenance

13.1 Service Availability – Auost aims to maintain uninterrupted access to the platform with an uptime of at least 99% annually, excluding planned maintenance and force majeure events.

13.2 Maintenance Windows – Routine maintenance is generally carried out between 02:00 and 05:00 CET to minimise disruption. Users will be notified in advance for any scheduled maintenance exceeding 60 minutes.

13.3 Temporary Downtime – Temporary unavailability due to technical issues, third-party outages, or necessary updates is possible. Auost shall not be liable for interruptions beyond its reasonable control (e.g., Internet provider issues, strikes, natural disasters).

13.4 Digital Services Act Compliance – Significant disruptions affecting users’ ability to access paid features will be documented and, if required, reported in accordance with EU Digital Services Act Article 15.

Section 14 – Rights of Third Parties

14.1 Respect for Intellectual Property – Users must not post, upload, or share content that infringes third-party copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, or other intellectual property rights under UrhG (German Copyright Act), MarkenG (German Trademark Act), or relevant EU regulations.

14.2 User Responsibility – The user warrants that they own or are duly licensed to use the materials they share and that their use does not infringe the rights of any third party.

14.3 Notice-and-Takedown Procedure – Auost operates a DSA-compliant notice-and-action mechanism allowing rights holders to submit complaints regarding infringing content. Auost will act expeditiously to remove or disable access to such content when credible claims are received.

14.4 Repeat Infringers – Users found repeatedly infringing intellectual property rights may be permanently suspended without refund.

Section 15 – Good Behaviour & Misconduct

15.1 Prohibited Conduct – Users must not:

  • Deploy automated scripts, bots, or scraping tools that may disrupt the service

  • Upload harmful code, malware, or viruses

  • Overload the system with excessive requests

  • Circumvent technical protections or security measures

15.2 Lawful Use Only – Users must comply with German criminal law, BGB, and applicable EU regulations. Illegal activities (including fraud, harassment, discrimination, hate speech, or child exploitation) will be reported to law enforcement.

15.3 Enforcement Measures – Depending on severity, Auost may:

  • Issue formal warnings

  • Temporarily suspend accounts

  • Permanently terminate accounts without refund

15.4 DSA Compliance – Where required, Auost will provide the user with a statement of reasons for the restriction or suspension, in accordance with EU Regulation 2022/2065.

Section 16 – User Responsibilities

16.1 Truthful Information – Users are responsible for the accuracy and legality of all information they provide.

16.2 Data Protection Obligations – Users must respect other users’ personal data and comply with GDPR when handling such data outside the Auost platform. Unauthorised storage, sale, or commercial use of personal data is prohibited.

16.3 Content Standards – Content must:

  • Not be defamatory, obscene, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful

  • Not promote violence, terrorism, or hate

  • Comply with the German Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) where applicable

16.4 Commercial Use Restrictions – The platform may only be used for the intended purpose of matching au pairs and host families. Any unauthorised commercial activity is prohibited.

Section 17 – Blocking of the User

17.1 Grounds for Blocking – Auost may temporarily or permanently block a user account in cases of:

  • Verified rights violations (e.g., IP infringement, data protection breaches)

  • Criminal conduct or credible suspicion thereof

  • Repeated breach of T&Cs

17.2 Procedure – In line with DSA Art. 17, Auost will inform the user of the reason for blocking and how to appeal, unless disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation.

17.3 Permanent Blocking – Permanent bans result in the immediate termination of the user contract. Re-registration under a different identity is prohibited.

Section 18 – Liability

18.1 Platform Role – Auost acts solely as an intermediary and is not a party to agreements between users.

18.2 Exclusion of Liability –
Auost shall not be liable for:

  • The performance, quality, or legality of services provided by users

  • Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages

  • Losses due to downtime beyond its reasonable control

18.3 Mandatory Liability – Nothing in these T&Cs excludes Auost’s liability for:

  • Intentional misconduct or gross negligence (BGB § 276)

  • Injury to life, body, or health caused by negligence

  • Liability under the German Product Liability Act (ProdHaftG)

18.4 User Indemnity – Users agree to indemnify Auost against claims by third parties resulting from their breach of these T&Cs or applicable laws.

Section 19 – Termination

19.1 Automatic Expiry – All paid plans end automatically at the end of the subscription term unless renewed.

19.2 Termination by User – Users may terminate their free account at any time via account settings.

19.3 Termination by Auost – Auost may terminate accounts without notice in cases of:

  • Serious breach of T&Cs

  • Criminal conduct

  • Repeated rule violations despite warnings

19.4 Effect of Termination – Upon termination, the user’s profile and personal data will be deleted unless retention is required by law (GDPR Art. 17(3)).

Section 20 – Privacy Policy

20.1 Data Processing – Auost processes personal data in accordance with GDPR, the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG), and relevant EU privacy regulations.

20.2 Transparency – Details on the types of data processed, purposes, storage duration, and user rights are set out in Auost’s Privacy Policy, accessible via the website footer.

20.3 User Rights under GDPR – Users may:

  • Access their data (Art. 15 GDPR)

  • Request rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)

  • Request erasure (Art. 17 GDPR)

  • Restrict processing (Art. 18 GDPR)

  • Object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR)

  • Data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)

Section 21 – Social Media Giveaways

21.1 Eligibility – Only persons aged 18+ and residing in eligible jurisdictions may participate.

21.2 No Affiliation – Giveaways are not sponsored or endorsed by any social media platform.

21.3 Entry & Selection – The method of entry, selection process, and prize details will be announced for each giveaway.

21.4 Liability – Auost accepts no liability for technical faults affecting entry or for lost/delayed communications.

21.5 Data Use – Personal data collected for giveaways will be processed solely for prize administration and will be deleted after fulfilment, unless consent for further use is given.

Section 22 – Amendments to Terms

22.1 Right to Amend – Auost may amend these T&Cs at any time for legal, technical, or operational reasons.

22.2 Notification – Users will be notified at least 14 days in advance of any significant changes.

22.3 Consent by Continued Use – Continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the amended terms.

Section 23 – Final Provisions

23.1 Governing Law – These T&Cs are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding conflict-of-law rules.

23.2 Jurisdiction – If the user is a merchant under German law, the exclusive place of jurisdiction is Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

23.3 Severability Clause – If any provision is invalid, the remaining provisions remain effective. The invalid clause will be replaced with one closest to the original purpose in a legally valid way.

23.4 Language Versions – In case of discrepancies between translations, the German version shall prevail.