Terms of use of blablastars

Last updated : 04/12/2024

Welcome to blablastars ! By accessing or using our website, services and features, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Use. Please read them carefully before you begin.

1 Introduction

Welcome to blablastars !

blablastars is a platform dedicated to carpooling and organising events, initially designed for astronomy enthusiasts. Our main objective is to enable members of a group (called ‘galaxies’) to :

  • Share events** that they are organising, whether public or private.
  • Organise transport** to get to these events together.

Types of Groups and Events

  • Private groups** are visible by invitation only. They do not appear in search filters, and their content, including events and the list of members, is accessible only to members of the group.
  • Public groups** have their name and description visible in the site's search filters. However, their content, including events and the list of members, is also accessible only to members of the group.

To join a group (whether public or private) and access its content, you need to become a member. There are two ways of doing this:

  1. By applying from the public groups page.
  2. By accepting an invitation sent by e-mail (invitations are generated by existing members).

Roles within Groups

Groups on blablastars have two types of members:

  1. Members:

    • They can view the list of group members and events.
    • They can interact with events by :
      • Indicating their participation.
      • Proposing carpools.
      • Requesting carpool places.

  2. Administrators :

    • In addition to member rights, administrators can:
      • Invite new members.
      • Exclude existing members.
      • Respond to requests for membership.
      • Appoint other members as administrators or demote existing administrators (respecting the seniority rule: an administrator can only demote an administrator appointed after him/herself).
      • Add or remove events from the group list.

Age restrictions

As the platform facilitates carpooling, an activity involving meetings between users, we impose an age limit to guarantee the safety of participants. By accessing our site, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old or have the explicit authorisation of a legal guardian.

Please use blablastars responsibly and abide by the rules set out in these Terms of Use.

2. User account

2.1 Registration and security

  • You are responsible for the accuracy of the information provided at the time of registration. This information is necessary to contact you and to transmit messages or notifications related to your activity on the blablastars site.
  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and login information. Any activity carried out under your account will be presumed to be your fault.
  • To ensure your security and confidentiality, we strongly recommend that you :
    • use a unique and strong password ;
    • a non-sensitive email address (for example, avoid using a professional email or one containing obvious personal information);
    • a pseudonym that does not match your real name, as this will be visible to other users.
  • Report any unauthorised access or suspicious activity concerning your account immediately.

2.2 Account Restrictions

  • Any use of the blablastars for illegal, fraudulent or harmful purposes is strictly prohibited and may be reported to the appropriate authorities.
  • We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account without notice in the event of any breach of these terms and conditions.

3. Acceptable Use

3.1 User Content

  • You are responsible for the information, messages or content that you post on blablastars.
  • You agree not to publish content that is :
    • Defamatory, obscene, hateful or discriminatory.
    • Protected by copyright or trademark without authorisation.

3.2 Behaviour

  • Be respectful of other members.
  • Do not harass, intimidate or threaten other users.
  • Respect your commitments as a participant or organiser, particularly in the event of a cancellation or delay: cancel or quickly inform the other parties concerned using the tools provided by the site.

3.3 Astronomical Carpooling

  • Before proposing or accepting a carpool, you undertake to :

    • Check that the driver has a valid driving licence.
    • Ensure that the driver is able to drive safely (lucidity, physical and mental well-being).
    • If you have any doubts about the driver's condition, please inform an administrator with our contact form.

  • Safety in the car :

    • Seatbelts: All passengers must wear their seatbelts during the journey, in accordance with current legislation.
    • Alcohol and Substances: Drivers must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicines that impair alertness.
    • Fatigue: If the driver is tired, he/she must inform the passengers and, if necessary, take a break before resuming the journey. If in doubt, the car pool should be reorganised.
    • Speed and caution : Compliance with speed limits and careful driving are essential. Adapt your driving to the weather and road conditions.
    • Safety equipment: Make sure the vehicle is in good working order (tyres, lights, etc.) and equipped with a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and other items needed in the event of an emergency.

  • Cancellation of Events and Entries :

    • If an event is cancelled, be sure to cancel it on the platform. The platform will automatically send notifications to all participants by email.
    • If you cancel your participation in an event, be sure to update your status on the platform so that organisers and other participants are informed.

  • Safety and Respect for Other Participants :

    • Be punctual and respect event and carpooling schedules.
    • If you are prevented from attending or are late, inform the other participants immediately.
    • Respect other members of the site and their property, particularly astronomical equipment during events.

  • Responsible behaviour :

    • Keep your vehicle clean and in good condition for the comfort and safety of passengers.
    • Respect for the equipment and space shared during events is crucial. Do not monopolise the telescopes and ensure that all participants can enjoy the observations.

3.4 Non-commercial character

  • blablastars is a platform for sharing and mutual assistance. No commercial transactions, including requests for payment for services such as car sharing or the organisation of events, are permitted.
  • A contribution to costs, such as a contribution to the cost of petrol, may be offered, but this must be explicitly communicated in advance via the site's tools (e.g. event or car-sharing comments section).
  • We encourage solidarity and mutual aid. Passengers, for example, may bring snacks or make other non-monetary contributions to improve the conditions of the expedition.
  • Any activity aimed at generating personal profit via blablastars is strictly prohibited and may result in the suspension or deletion of your account.

4. Rights and Intellectual Property

  • All content, including text, images, logos and software, is the property of blablastars or its partners unless otherwise stated.
  • You retain the rights to the content you post, but you grant blablastars a non-exclusive licence to use it in connection with our services.

5. Confidentiality

  • Your privacy is important to us. Please see our Privacy Policy to find out more about how we collect and use your data.

6. Liability

6.1 No Warranty

  • We do our best to ensure that blablastars functions correctly, but we cannot guarantee that it will be error-free or uninterrupted.

6.2 Limitation of Liability

  • blablastars shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages resulting from your use of the Platform, including but not limited to damages related to the organization or participation in events, or the management of carpools.
  • You are solely responsible for your commitments, whether as an organiser or participant in an event, or as a driver or passenger in a carpool. The blablastars site cannot under any circumstances be held responsible for material, physical or immaterial damage that may occur in the context of these activities.
  • We decline all responsibility for incidents or accidents linked to driving or transport, in particular those linked to non-compliance with road safety rules or the management of carpooling journeys.
  • In the event of a problem or incident during an event or carpooling, users should refer to their own insurance policies and to current legislation. The site cannot be held responsible for the management of disputes or claims relating to these activities.
  • The site does not undertake to check drivers' personal details, insurance or qualifications, and cannot be held responsible for any failure to do so.

6.3 Responsibility of Users

  • You are solely responsible for your commitments on the platform, whether this involves participating in an event or organising a carpool.
  • We decline all responsibility for incidents or accidents related to driving or transport, in particular those related to the violation of road safety rules or the management of carpooling journeys.
  • We will not be liable for any damage suffered during participation in events organised on the platform or during carpooling journeys.

7. Modification of the Conditions

blablastars reserves the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. Users will be informed of changes by notification or email. Your continued use of the Site after such changes constitutes your acceptance.

8. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account without notice if you fail to comply with these Terms. You may unsubscribe at any time via your profile page.

9. Applicable Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Switzerland. In the event of a dispute, the courts of Switzerland shall have jurisdiction.

10. Contact

If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms of Use, please contact with our contact form.