01What DeBabel is
DeBabel is a Discord bot that translates messages in real time within the channels where it is active (including text contained in images and GIFs) mirroring them into the languages configured by the server's administrators. The service is operated by an independent developer based in Switzerland, whose identifying details are set out in the Privacy Policy, and runs inside the Discord platform, subject to Discord's terms in addition to these.
02Acceptance of terms
By adding DeBabel to a Discord server, configuring it, or interacting with the bot, you accept these Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy. If you add or configure the bot on behalf of a server, you represent that you have the authority to accept these terms for that server. If you do not accept them, remove the bot and stop using it. If you act on behalf of a server, you further undertake to inform its members that messages, images and GIFs in the configured channels are translated and reposted by DeBabel, and to make sure you have a legal basis for doing so: the choice of which channels to translate and to whom to make them visible is yours, and you are therefore responsible for it as controller for your server (see the Privacy Policy). In particular, you undertake not to enable DeBabel on channels meant for confidential content or for special categories of data (for example health, sexual orientation, political opinions, data of minors beyond what Discord allows), to keep visible to members the translation notice DeBabel places in managed channels, and to hold DeBabel harmless from third-party claims arising from a configuration or use of the bot that breaches these undertakings.
03Who may use it
You must meet the minimum age Discord requires in your jurisdiction to use the platform (at least 13, or higher where local law requires). DeBabel is not intended for children below that threshold. Use of the bot must comply with the Discord Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
Credit purchases require the capacity to enter into binding contracts under the law applicable to you. If you are a minor, you may make a purchase only with the consent of whoever holds parental responsibility for you; by making a purchase you represent that this condition is met.
04Acceptable use
By using DeBabel you agree not to:
- transmit, through the translated channels, illegal content, including material that infringes copyright (piracy), content that exploits or endangers minors, or content that violates applicable law;
- post or have translated content that incites hatred, violence, terrorism, or extremism;
- use the service for harassment, spam, fraud, or to circumvent Discord suspensions and bans;
- post content (including screenshots and images) that you do not have the right to share, or that contains personal data of third parties you are not authorized to disclose;
- attempt to overload, probe, decompile, or interfere with the bot or its infrastructure, or automate message sending for the sole purpose of consuming translation capacity (bot-targeting / abuse of the translation flow);
- resell or redistribute the service without authorization.
This acceptable-use policy is consistent with the policies of our payments provider (Polar) and our infrastructure providers. Violations may result in suspension or termination of access to the service (Section 10).
05Credits and payments
DeBabel offers a free trial period and, thereafter, a credit-based system for continued use. Credits can be purchased in the packages shown on the site. Payments are processed by Polar Software Inc. ("Polar"), acting as Merchant of Record for the transactions: Polar is the contractual counterparty to your purchase and handles checkout, billing, and applicable tax compliance. Prices and applicable taxes are shown at checkout.
Purchased credits are tied to the Discord server specified during purchase and are intended for use of the translation service on that server. Credits have no monetary value outside the service, are not transferable between servers except where expressly provided, and are not convertible to cash.
A credit is a unit of access to the service, not a fixed guaranteed amount of translations. The amount of service a credit allows is determined by the consumption parameters in effect at the time of use (for example, credits per period of activity, volume thresholds, caps, and similar parameters). Because the costs of our upstream providers (Discord, translation providers, and infrastructure) may change, we reserve the right to modify the consumption parameters, the way credits work, package prices, and the extent of the service provided. Material changes to consumption parameters that affect credits already purchased are communicated to administrators in the server's admin channel (or, absent one, by another reasonable means) with reasonable notice before they take effect, and are reported on the site; minor or urgent changes (for example driven by changes in upstream providers or by the need to protect the service) may take effect immediately. Changes do not reduce the number of credits already in your balance: they affect how much service each credit allows. If a material change to the consumption parameters is unfavourable to you, you may stop using the service within 30 days of the notice and request a refund of the purchased credits not yet consumed, by writing to support@debabel.org.
Credits are consumed both for actual use (the translations performed) and for the availability of the service: as long as DeBabel remains installed and operational on a server, a minimum daily consumption applies even in the absence of translations. Purchased credits do not expire: they are consumed progressively through use and availability until depleted. When the balance is depleted the service is suspended; if a server remains without credits for an extended period, we may automatically remove the bot from the server to free up resources. The configuration remains recoverable by reinstalling and topping up, subject to our data retention practices.
Gift codes ("bearer"). A gift code is a purchase of credits not tied to a server at the time of payment: after purchase you receive a code by email (via Polar) that an administrator of any DeBabel server can redeem once. A gift code is valid for 3 years from the date of purchase. The gift is worth the amount paid, not a fixed number of credits: at redemption it adds the credits that amount is worth on the price list in force at that time (consistently with the consumption parameters above). A code that has already been redeemed cannot be reused.
06Refunds
Refunds for purchases are handled under Polar's refund policy, in its capacity as Merchant of Record and contractual counterparty to the purchase: refund requests and payment disputes should be directed to Polar. For help coordinating, you can write to support@debabel.org. Credits already consumed (whether through use or through service availability) are non-refundable, and no refund is provided for any unused remaining balance in the event of suspension, termination, or removal of the bot. Any statutory withdrawal or refund rights you have as a consumer remain unaffected.
EU consumers' right of withdrawal. For purchases concluded online by consumers resident in the European Union, the 14-day right of withdrawal under Directive 2011/83/EU applies, and the electronic withdrawal function required by Directive (EU) 2023/2673 is provided by Polar as the seller, in the purchase interface and in the order confirmation you receive. If for any reason you cannot exercise it, write to support@debabel.org and we will take it up with Polar. The limitations stated above on credits already consumed do not reduce this right.
07Service availability
DeBabel is currently in beta: features, limits and consumption parameters may change as the service matures. DeBabel is provided "as is" and "as available". We strive to keep the service running, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted availability: operation depends on third parties (Discord, translation and infrastructure providers) and may be affected by maintenance, outages, or changes to those services. We may add, change, or remove features over time.
08Ownership and content
The DeBabel software, brand, and site materials are owned by or licensed to DeBabel. The content of the messages you post remains yours (or the respective owners'): DeBabel processes it only to provide translation and check its quality, as described in the Privacy Policy. The translations and translated images produced by the service are available to the server and its members; DeBabel claims no rights in them and does not warrant their accuracy (Section 9). You are responsible for the content you post and have translated through the service.
Indemnification. You agree to hold DeBabel harmless from third-party claims, damages, and reasonable costs (including legal fees) arising from content you post through the service or from your use of the service in violation of these terms or the law. This indemnity does not apply to the extent a claim arises from our own breach. This indemnity applies to those using the service in the course of their professional activity or on behalf of an organisation; as regards consumers, applicable law continues to govern and this clause does not extend it.
09Warranty and liability
Translations are generated automatically by language models and may contain errors, inaccuracies, or omissions. DeBabel does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or fitness of translations for a particular purpose, and the service should not be relied upon as the sole basis for critical decisions (legal, medical, financial, or safety-related).
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law: (a) DeBabel is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of, or inability to use, the service; (b) DeBabel's total liability for any claim arising out of or connected to the service is limited to the amount you paid for the service in the 12 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim (or, if you paid nothing, to CHF 100). Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law, in particular for wilful misconduct or gross negligence, or toward consumers where the law prohibits it.
10Suspension and termination
We may suspend or terminate access to the service, in whole or in part, in the event of a breach of these terms or the acceptable-use policy, or where necessary to protect the service, other users, or to comply with the law. You may stop using the service at any time by removing the bot from your server; deletion of the associated data is described in the Privacy Policy and the bot's commands.
Service discontinuation and gift codes. If the DeBabel service is permanently discontinued, gift codes purchased and not yet redeemed are refunded for the amount paid, on request to support@debabel.org within twelve months of the discontinuation notice; alternatively we may extend the validity of the code on a successor service. The ordinary 3-year validity of the code (Section 5) remains as disclosed before purchase. Your statutory right of withdrawal and other mandatory consumer rights remain unaffected (Section 6).
11Governing law and venue
These terms are governed by Swiss law, without prejudice to the mandatory consumer-protection rules of the country where you reside. Disputes are subject to the courts of Lugano, Switzerland, unless a different mandatory venue is provided by law for your protection.
12General provisions
Assignment. We may assign these terms and the related relationship as part of a reorganization, the formation of a company to carry on the project, or a business transfer; your rights remain unchanged. You may not assign your rights or obligations without our consent.
Severability. If a provision of these terms is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force, and the invalid provision is deemed replaced by a valid one that achieves its intent as closely as possible.
Data processing on behalf of organisations. If you use DeBabel on behalf of an organisation and need a data processing agreement under Art. 28 GDPR, we make one available on request by writing to privacy@debabel.org.
Entire agreement. These terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and DeBabel regarding the service and supersede any prior understanding.
13Changes to these terms
We may update these terms as DeBabel evolves. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the latest change. We consider material any change that reduces your rights, increases your obligations, or changes prices, consumption parameters or liability limitations to your detriment. Material changes will be communicated to administrators in the server's admin channel before they take effect, in addition to being published on this page; other changes (clarifications, corrections, new features, provider changes) take effect upon publication. Continued use of the service after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
14Contact
For any questions about these terms, contact support@debabel.org. For general questions about the bot, see debabel.org or the configuration commands inside Discord. Sales are processed through Polar.sh (Merchant of Record).