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Terms of Service

Last updated : 19 May 2026 — Version 1.0

This English translation is provided for convenience. In case of conflict, the French version (Conditions Générales d'Utilisation) prevails as the legally binding text.

1. Preamble

Welcome to Germe d'histoires, a platform offering young children, under the supervision of a parent or legal representative, illustrated stories, audiobooks and interactive content — some generated by gentle artificial intelligence and others written by partner children's authors.

These Terms of Service ("ToS") set out the conditions under which the services are accessed and used through the mobile app, web app and management back-office.

2. Definitions

  • Platform:the website, the "Sprout" mobile app, the API and related services operated by Germe d'histoires.
  • User / Parent: an adult creating an account and authorising use by one or more children under their responsibility.
  • Child profile: a profile attached to the Parent account, without legal autonomy, restricted to content adapted to the declared age.
  • Partner author: a natural or legal person who has completed the author onboarding (SIRET verification) and publishes original monetisable works.
  • AI story: narrative content generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
  • One-off purchase: the acquisition of a perpetual usage licence on a paid story, processed via Stripe.

3. Acceptance

Creating an account means full acceptance of these ToS and of our Privacy Policy. The User declares being of legal age, legally capable, and — when declaring a child profile — exercising parental authority or being authorised to represent the minor.

4. Account and child profiles

4.1 Parent account

Creating an account requires a valid email address and a password meeting the security requirements (length, complexity). The User undertakes to provide accurate information and keep it up to date.

4.2 Child profiles

The Parent may create several child profiles, providing a first name (or pseudonym), an age and optionally an avatar. No email address, contact data or identifier shall be created directly in the child's name. The Parent is solely responsible for the content and interactions the child has access to.

4.3 COPPA compliance (US users)

For children under 13 residing in the United States, the Platform applies the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act: no child personal data is collected without prior verified parental consent. See our Privacy Policy.

5. Services offered

  • Catalogue of illustrated stories and audiobooks, sorted by age and theme.
  • Generation of personalised stories using artificial intelligence, integrating the child's first name and interests.
  • Offline reading after download.
  • One-off purchase of author stories (secure Stripe payment).
  • Comments (moderated after publication) on stories.

6. AI-generated stories — commitments and limits

AI stories are produced by third-party language models (OpenAI, Mistral) with strict instructions to produce content suitable for children. Despite our controls (content filters, post-publication moderation), we cannot guarantee total absence of stylistic imperfections or unexpected phrasings.

The Parent may report any content they deem unsuitable to signalement@germedhistoires.fr. We commit to reviewing each report as soon as possible.

7. One-off purchases and Stripe Connect

7.1 Process

Buying an author story takes just a few clicks. Payment is processed by Stripe(Stripe Payments Europe Ltd). No complete banking data is stored by Germe d'histoires.

7.2 Payouts to authors

Authors who have completed their Stripe Connect Standard onboarding receive their revenue directly, after deduction of a platform commission whose amount is disclosed during author onboarding.

7.3 Right of withdrawal

In accordance with article L.221-28 of the French Consumer Code, the immediate download of digital content entails the express waiver of the 14-day right of withdrawal. The User expressly acknowledges this waiver at the time of purchase.

7.4 Refunds

In case of a technical malfunction attributable to the Platform preventing access to purchased content, the User may request a refund at support@germedhistoires.fr. Every request will be reviewed case by case.

8. Partner authors

Any author wishing to publish on the Platform follows an onboarding process including SIRET verification (artist-authors, sole traders, companies). Submitted works undergo internal editorial review before publication. The Platform reserves the right to refuse or remove any content deemed non-compliant with its editorial line or with the law.

9. Intellectual property

The Platform, its interface, its code, its editorial content and its trademarks are the property of Germe d'histoires or its partners. Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited.

Works written by partner authors remain their exclusive property; the author ToS specify the terms for licensing exploitation rights.

AI-generated stories are intended for private use. Any commercial exploitation by the User is prohibited.

10. User obligations

The User undertakes to:

  • Not attempt to access unauthorised data or resources.
  • Not bypass security or payment mechanisms.
  • Not publish any insulting, racist, sexist, defamatory or otherwise inappropriate comment.
  • Not commercially exploit Platform content without written authorisation.
  • Actively supervise their children's use of the app.

11. Suspension and termination

In case of breach of these ToS, Germe d'histoires may suspend or close the relevant account, without prejudice to any further remedy. The User may close their account at any time from the app (Settings → Delete my account). Deletion triggers the erasure of all personal data within the timeframes specified in the Privacy Policy.

12. Service availability

Germe d'histoires uses reasonable means to ensure continuous access to the Platform. However, interruptions may occur for maintenance, updates or force majeure.

13. Limitation of liability

Within the limits permitted by law, Germe d'histoires shall not be liable for indirect damages suffered by the User (loss of data, loss of profit, reputational damage). In any case, total liability is capped at the amount paid by the User in the 12 months preceding the triggering event.

14. Amendments

The ToS may be amended at any time. Users are informed by email or in-app notification at least 15 days before substantial changes take effect. Continued use after that date constitutes acceptance of the new ToS.

15. Governing law — Jurisdiction

These ToS are governed by French law. Failing amicable resolution, any dispute will be submitted to the competent French courts, subject to mandatory consumer protection rules.

16. Contact

For any question: contact@germedhistoires.fr.