TERMS OF SERVICE

Last Updated: October 26, 2026

Welcome to EC Today (ectoday.org). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, mobile application, newsletter, SMS notification services, and local media features (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using EC Today, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Services.

1. About EC Today

EC Today is an independent local media, news, and community directory platform operating in Elmore County, Alabama. Our platform provides civic updates, community event listings, local business directories, property/rental leads, and local commentary (Tea with Justin).

2. User Conduct & Acceptable Use

By using EC Today, you agree not to:

  • Use the site for any unlawful, misleading, or fraudulent purpose.

  • Submit false, abusive, defamatory, or harassing content through our anonymous tip forms, community polls, or comment sections.

  • Attempt to scrape, mine, or extract automated data from our directory, rental listings, or event calendars without prior written consent.

  • Impersonate any person, local government official, or business entity.

3. Submissions, Gossip & Anonymous Tips

  • Tip Submissions: Users may submit news tips, local rumors, photos, or documents through our "Spill the Tea" or tip submission forms.

  • Ownership & License: By submitting content, photos, or tips to EC Today, you grant us a royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to use, reproduce, edit, publish, and feature that content across our website, social media channels, and podcast episodes.

  • No Guarantee of Confidentiality: While we make reasonable efforts to preserve user anonymity when requested on anonymous tip forms, EC Today cannot guarantee complete immunity from valid legal subpoenas or court orders.

4. Event Calendar & Directory Listings

  • User-Submitted Events & Businesses: EC Today allows community members and local businesses to submit event calendar items and directory listings.

  • Accuracy: We reserve the right to review, edit, reject, or remove any event or business submission at our sole discretion. We do not guarantee the accuracy, safety, or legal compliance of external community events listed on our calendar. Users attend all listed events at their own risk.

5. Rentals & Housing Disclaimer

  • Informational Platform Only: EC Today provides a venue for local landlords, property managers, and realtors to feature rental properties, and for prospective tenants to view available listings.

  • No Brokerage Relationship: EC Today is not a licensed real estate broker, property manager, or legal agent. We do not inspect properties, draft legal leases, or guarantee tenant qualifications or landlord performance.

  • Tenant & Landlord Verification: Users are solely responsible for verifying the accuracy of property details, conducting background checks, and complying with state and federal Fair Housing laws.

6. Advertising & Paid Services

  • Ad Orders: All advertising packages, featured listings, video spotlights, and civic sponsorships purchased through EC Today are subject to our standard Advertising Agreement and inventory availability.

  • Payments & Refunds: All payments made for advertising spots, directory placements, or sponsored content are non-refundable once content creation or publication has commenced, unless explicitly agreed upon in writing.

  • Editorial Discretion: EC Today reserves the right to reject advertising content that is illegal, offensive, misleading, or incompatible with our community standards.

7. SMS & Email Communications

  • By opting in to our SMS text notification lists (e.g., Weekly Event Alerts or Civic Digests), you consent to receive recurring automated marketing and informational text messages from EC Today.

  • Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any text message, or by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email broadcast.

8. Intellectual Property

All logos, original video content, show titles (Tea with Justin), branding, graphics, and written recaps produced by EC Today are the exclusive property of EC Today. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our proprietary content without explicit written permission.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, EC Today, its owners, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from:

  • Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in news recaps, event listings, or property details.

  • Any interactions, transactions, or agreements made between users and third-party advertisers, landlords, or business listings.

  • System downtime, temporary service outages, or technical glitches.

10. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal action arising from these Terms shall be filed in the state or federal courts located in Elmore County, Alabama.

11. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us at: