Legal Compliance

1. Platform Status Under Federal Law

Student Tenants Association LLC operates an interactive computer service as defined under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230). As such, the Platform serves as a neutral host for User-generated content, including apartment reviews, report reports, owner responses, and appeals.

Under 47 U.S.C. § 230(c)(1), the Platform shall not be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by its Users. Reviews, report reports, and all other User-generated content represent the views and experiences of the individual Users who submitted them and do not represent the views, opinions, or endorsement of Student Tenants Association LLC.

Under 47 U.S.C. § 230(c)(2), the Platform engages in good-faith content moderation, which includes the review of report reports and tenant reviews by STA administrators before publication. This moderation is undertaken voluntarily to maintain the quality and integrity of the Platform and does not constitute adoption of, endorsement of, or material contribution to any User Content.

2. Content Moderation Process

Pre-Publication Review

All report reports and tenant reviews submitted through the Platform undergo administrative review before being made publicly visible. This review is intended to filter content that is facially defamatory, fraudulent, unrelated to housing, or otherwise violative of our Terms & Conditions. Pre-publication review does not constitute verification of the factual claims made in any submission.

Owner Dispute & Appeal Mechanism

Property owners and management companies have the right to dispute report reports and file appeals through the Platform. When a dispute or appeal is filed, it is reviewed by STA administrators who evaluate the evidence provided by both the reporting tenant and the disputing owner. This process is designed to promote fairness and give property owners a meaningful opportunity to respond to allegations. STA administrators act as neutral reviewers and are not advocates for either party.

Transparency

The status of report reports (e.g., "pending review," "confirmed," "disputed," "resolved") is visible on the Platform to provide transparency to all Users regarding the current state of any given report.

3. Consumer Protection Compliance

Consumer Review Fairness Act (15 U.S.C. § 45b). STA is committed to protecting the right of consumers to share honest assessments. Our Terms and Conditions do not contain non-disparagement clauses, and we do not prohibit, restrict, or penalize Users for posting honest reviews. Consistent with the exceptions in the Act, we reserve the right to remove content that is clearly false or misleading, defamatory, harassing, or unrelated to housing.

FTC Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (16 CFR Part 465). STA does not create, purchase, or incentivize fake reviews. All reviews displayed on the Platform are submitted by individual Users. STA does not suppress negative reviews of any property or management company. Our Platform does not operate as an agent of any property owner or management company, and we do not accept compensation in exchange for favorable review treatment. The FTC's final rule clarifies that review platform operators hosting third-party reviews are not subject to the rule's prohibitions, which apply to businesses with respect to reviews of their own products or services.

4. Data Privacy & Protection

Data Practices Overview

STA is committed to the responsible handling of User data. Our data practices are described in detail in our Privacy Policy. We do not sell personal data to third parties. We collect only the data necessary to operate the Platform and provide our services.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

The Platform is not directed at children under the age of thirteen (13). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete such information.

Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR)

While the FDBR primarily applies to businesses with annual gross revenues exceeding $1 billion, STA is committed to operating in a manner consistent with the principles of data transparency and consumer rights reflected in the FDBR and other applicable state privacy laws. Users who wish to exercise data access, correction, or deletion rights may contact us at [email protected].

5. False Information, Defamation & Liability

Individual User Liability. Users who submit false, fabricated, or defamatory content to the Platform may be personally liable under applicable defamation, fraud, and other laws. STA does not assume liability for User-generated content and expressly disclaims any endorsement of or responsibility for the truth or accuracy of any User submission.

Owner Protections. Property owners who believe that a review or report report contains false or defamatory information are encouraged to: (1) use the Platform's dispute and appeal mechanisms; (2) contact STA directly at [email protected]; and (3) consult with a qualified attorney if they believe legal action is warranted against the individual User. STA will cooperate with valid legal process, including lawful subpoenas and court orders, to the extent required by law.

Tenant Protections. Tenants who submit truthful, good-faith reviews and report reports are protected under the Consumer Review Fairness Act and the First Amendment's protection of opinion. However, tenants should be aware that statements presented as facts — as opposed to opinions — may be subject to defamation claims if proven false and damaging. We encourage all tenants to be honest, specific, and factual in their submissions.

6. Intellectual Property Compliance

STA respects intellectual property rights and expects all Users to do the same. If you believe that content on the Platform infringes your copyright, you may submit a notice pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 512) to [email protected].

DMCA notices must include: (a) identification of the copyrighted work; (b) identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location on the Platform; (c) your contact information; (d) a statement that you have a good-faith belief the use is unauthorized; and (e) a statement under penalty of perjury that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

7. Legal & Compliance Contact

For legal inquiries, compliance questions, data requests, DMCA notices, or to report content that you believe violates applicable law, please contact:

Student Tenants Association LLC
Legal & Compliance Department
Email: [email protected]
General Support: [email protected]