Last updated: 20 December 2025
About BOUS
BOUS (Bank of Ukrainian Stories) is an online platform that facilitates connections between:
users who share personal stories ("Users – Storytellers")
users seeking stories for journalistic, documentary, or other storytelling purposes ("Users – Seeking Stories")
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using BOUS, you agree to these Terms of Use.
If you do not agree, please do not use the platform.
Who Can Use BOUS
BOUS is open to different categories of users, including but not limited to:
journalists and media professionals
documentarians, researchers, and podcasters
users who register as Storytellers and submit their stories
All users must provide accurate and truthful information during registration.
Nature of the Service
BOUS is a connection and facilitation platform.
We enable discovery of Users – Storytellers and Users – Seeking Stories
We facilitate initial contact between users
We create conditions that support quality, ethical, and respectful storytelling
BOUS does not:
guarantee responses, participation, publication, or outcomes
control or approve final content (articles, films, podcasts, etc.)
act as a party to agreements or interactions between users
Storyteller Verification
BOUS applies reasonable efforts to build trust on the platform, including:
manual review of storyteller profiles
verification based on partner trust and publicly available online presence (OSINT methods)
BOUS does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or future behavior of any user.
Responsibility and Disclaimer
BOUS is not responsible for:
the conduct, actions, or decisions of users
content created, published, or shared outside the platform
any harm, loss, or dispute arising from user interactions
Any follow-up by BOUS is intended solely to improve the platform experience and does not imply responsibility for outcomes.
Use of Contacts and Data
Users must:
use contacts solely for legitimate storytelling purposes
not share or publish personal contact details without explicit consent of the User – Storyteller
respect the privacy, dignity, and safety of all parties
Violations may result in suspension or permanent loss of access.
Payments, Subscriptions, and Refunds
BOUS offers:
free browsing of storyteller previews
a free first contact
paid subscriptions and/or credit-based purchases for contacts and additional features
Refunds may be available under certain conditions and require contacting BOUS via the official email address.
Each request is reviewed individually.
Prohibited Use
The following are strictly prohibited:
propaganda, manipulation, or misleading representation of information
any direct or indirect links to Russian state or propaganda structures
harassment or pressure toward Users – Storytellers or Users – Seeking Stories
Violations may lead to immediate blacklisting without prior notice.
Termination
BOUS reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to the platform at any time in case of violations of these Terms.
Legal Framework
These Terms are drafted in accordance with general principles of European Union law, including:
transparency
fairness
data protection standards