last updated: September 17, 2026
By using hqchat (listed on the App Store as hqChat) you agree to these terms.
hqchat provides end-to-end encrypted 1:1 messaging. You are responsible for your device, your identity keys, and the people you communicate with. Because messages are encrypted end-to-end and the keys exist only on your device, we cannot recover lost keys or message history — for anyone, under any circumstances.
To keep the service running and to fix problems, we collect crash and hang reports via Sentry, as described in our privacy policy. This never includes the content of your messages.
You agree not to use hqchat to break the law, harass others, distribute malware, or infringe others' rights. We may decline service to accounts that abuse the network.
That clause used to have nothing behind it. It does now: the end-user licence agreement sets out what is not allowed and what happens to accounts that do it, every message in the app can be reported, anyone can be blocked, and reports are acted on within 24 hours. Where that page and this one disagree about acceptable behaviour, that page governs.
hqchat is free. Nothing is sold, here or in the app, on any platform: there is no subscription, no paid tier and no in-app purchase, and no feature depends on payment. Donations are entirely voluntary and are processed by Stripe.
A donation purchases nothing — no product, no feature, no service, and no promise that any future feature will exist. It creates no entitlement and no refund obligation. We are not a registered charity and donations are not tax-deductible; hqchat is an independent project run by one person, and the money goes to that person's hosting bill.
A recurring donation renews until cancelled. To cancel, use the billing-portal link in the emails Stripe sends you. If you would like a donation refunded, write to support@martinrougeron.me — we are not obliged to refund one and will not pretend otherwise, but we would rather return money than keep it from someone who regrets giving it.
If you give a name at checkout it is published on the supporters page. That is the only thing a donation records on this server; write to the address above to have a name removed.
hqchat is provided "as is", without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service. The security properties described on this site are described accurately to the best of our knowledge, including their published limits, but they are not a warranty.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential damages arising from your use of the service.