# Terms of use

Terms for using The MCP Census website and API.

## Operator
The MCP Census (“we”, “us”) is operated by **Jaco Veldsman**, Australia. Contact **info@mcpcensus.com**.

## The service
We provide a website, lookup UI, REST API, and MCP endpoint that surface **publicly derived** facts and scores about MCP servers. Free tiers and paid Pro tiers may apply. Higher volume is arranged by email.

## Not a security warranty
- A trust score, Official badge, Verified state, or “healthy” verdict is **not** a guarantee that a server is safe, malware-free, or fit for your purpose.
- We do not replace code review, permission review, maintainer diligence, or your own risk process.
- `unknown` and “can’t verify yet” are honest outcomes, not errors to paper over.

See [Methodology](/methodology) for what we measure and refuse to claim.

## Acceptable use
You must not:
- Abuse rate limits, scrape in a way that degrades the service, or attempt to bypass auth
- Use the service to harass, commit fraud, or distribute malware
- Misrepresent census output as a formal audit, certification, or endorsement by any vendor
- Resell raw API access without a written agreement

Automated access is welcome within published rate limits and with a clear User-Agent where applicable. Crawler etiquette for our outbound bot is described at [/bot](/bot).

## Accounts and keys
You are responsible for keys issued to your account. Report compromise to info@mcpcensus.com. We may revoke keys that abuse the service.

## Intellectual property
Site design, copy, and software are ours. Public facts about third-party servers remain subject to their own licenses and the upstream sources. Do not scrape in violation of those sources’ terms.

## Refunds
Where Australian Consumer Law (ACL) guarantees apply, they cannot be excluded. For voluntary paid plans, we offer a **14-day refund** on unused prepaid access when you are not satisfied — email info@mcpcensus.com. Abuse or clear ToS violations may void goodwill refunds beyond ACL rights.

## Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for decisions you make based on census data (installs, blocks, allowlists). Where liability cannot be excluded, it is limited to re-supply of the service or the amount you paid us in the prior 3 months for the paid feature at issue.

## Changes
We may update these terms. Continued use after the `updated` date means you accept the current version for ongoing use. Material changes to paid contracts will be communicated to the billing contact.

## Governing law
Laws of Australia, without prejudice to mandatory consumer protections where you live.