Good Apple Bad Apple Terms of Use

These Terms of Use (the “Terms”), which incorporate our Privacy Policy govern your access to and use of our services (the “services”). By accessing and using the services, you agree to comply with these Terms. If you’re using the services on behalf of a company or other legal entity, then “you” also means such company or legal entity and you agree to be bound by these Terms. You may not use the services if you do not agree to the Terms at the time you access the services.

These terms mandate individual arbitration for dispute resolution.

By agreeing to these terms, you consent to settling any disputes through arbitration on a personal basis. This means disputes will not be resolved by a jury trial or as part of a class action. Additionally, the remedies available to you in case of a dispute may be limited under this agreement.

Who Can Use Our Services

You must be at least 18 years old, or the legal age of majority in your area if higher, to access or use our services. Additionally, you must not be restricted by any applicable laws from doing so. Unless stated otherwise below or specifically approved by us, our services are intended for personal, non-commercial use only, unless you have entered into a separate agreement with us for commercial purposes. You are prohibited from using the services if your account has been terminated or you have been banned by us.

Good Apple Bad Apple Service Accounts

To access most of our services, you need to create an account and share some personal information. You agree to provide accurate information during account setup and ensure it remains current and correct. You are responsible for protecting your account and will be held accountable for any activity that takes place through it. Good Apple Bad Apple is not responsible for any actions taken by third parties using your account. If you suspect unauthorized access to your account or password, you agree to notify us immediately.

Creating Your Profile and Data Use

When you create an account to access our services, we generate a profile containing the personal data you share (your “Profile”). We may update your Profile using information obtained from third parties or data you submit through resumes or other services. For details on how we collect and handle your data, please refer to our Privacy Policy. We may attempt to confirm your employment history or status through various means, such as third-party tools or services, as well as feedback received from your current or past employers. Good Apple Bad Apple is not liable to you or any third party if we are unable to verify or if we inaccurately verify your employment history or status.

Communication Consent and Preferences

By creating an account, you consent to receive communications from Good Apple Bad Apple, its affiliated entities, and third-party service providers. Affiliates are defined as any organization that currently or in the future directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or shares common control with Good Apple Bad Apple. “Control” means holding a majority of shares or having the authority to direct management. These communications may include emails, text messages, phone calls, push notifications, or other channels. You acknowledge that some messages may be delivered through automated systems, including pre-recorded messages related to your account, services, and those offered by our affiliates. Standard message and data rates may apply.

Content on Good Apple Bad Apple Services

The term “Content” includes all forms of creative or informational material such as photos, logos, ads, comments, reviews, opinions, resumes, salary details, messages, questions, text, documents, images, audio, video, data, emails, and any other works or materials shared on our services. You are fully responsible for any content you share, upload, or authorize for use through our services (“Your Content”). While you retain ownership of Your Content, by submitting or allowing it to be displayed, you grant us a global, unrestricted, non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license (with full sublicensing rights) to use, modify, copy, publish, translate, distribute, adapt, create derivative works from, and display Your Content in any format or medium, now known or developed in the future, for the purpose of promotion or otherwise. No compensation will be paid with respect to Content that you submit through the services. You should only submit Content to the services that you are comfortable sharing with others under these Terms. By sharing ideas, suggestions, documents, feedback, or proposals (collectively referred to as “Submissions”) with Good Apple Bad Apple, its employees, or agents, you acknowledge and agree that Good Apple Bad Apple has the right to use, disclose, copy, license, distribute, and otherwise utilize these Submissions in any manner it chooses. This may be done without any limitations or obligations, including those related to intellectual property rights or other restrictions. The trademarks, logos, and service marks (“Marks”) shown on our services belong to us or third parties. You may not use these Marks without obtaining prior written approval from us or the rightful owner. All rights not explicitly granted in these Terms remain reserved by Good Apple Bad Apple.

Content Available on the Services

The content you access through our services may come from Good Apple Bad Apple, users, advertisers, and third parties. By using the services, you acknowledge and agree that: The services may feature or link to sponsored third-party content, including advertisements. The nature, frequency, and targeting of these ads may change, and you understand we may display ads alongside any content or information on the platform, including Your Content. We do not endorse or take responsibility for third-party content, including linked materials, advertisements, third-party services and products, job postings, employer and salary details submitted by others, or opinions expressed by third parties such as panelists, group leaders, or other users involved in audio or video events. This also applies to translations, transcriptions, or captions of any content. We do not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness, timeliness, or quality of any content available or linked through our services, including translations, transcriptions, and captions. We are not liable for content provided by users, advertisers, or third parties that may be misleading, offensive, inaccurate, unlawful, or otherwise objectionable. We generally cannot be held liable for claims arising from the Content provided by third parties on the services.

7. Personalisation

Your experience on Good Apple Bad Apple may be customized based on how you engage with our services and whether you have created an account. When applicable, we may tailor your experience using details such as your location, profile information, and activity on our platform (e.g., pages you visit, content you interact with, jobs you search for). Key elements influencing personalization are your location and profile. We may also use your personal data and usage patterns to deliver targeted advertisements

8. Anonymity And Identity On Good Apple Bad Apple

When you share content like posts, comments, or questions, you may have options to control how you present yourself, including the choice to disclose your identity if you wish.

We strive to provide ways for you to use our services while maintaining your anonymity. However, you acknowledge that Good Apple Bad Apple cannot fully guarantee complete anonymity or prevent individuals being reviewed from making informed guesses about your identity. Please consider this risk carefully before submitting content.

Community Guidelines and Responsibilities

By using our services, you confirm and guarantee that your use will be for lawful purposes, fully aligned with these Terms and all applicable laws, regulations, and enforceable obligations, including any contractual commitments you may have with us or third parties. You are entirely responsible for how you use the services and for any content you share or submit. By submitting or authorizing content on our platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to comply with our community guidelines, which are part of these Terms. You understand that if your content or use of the services breaches any laws or third-party rights, you could be held legally responsible.

Prohibited Conduct

By using our services, you agree not to:

Pretend to be someone else or use another person’s email or phone number.
Create accounts under false identities, create accounts for others without their consent, or operate multiple active accounts to share content or engage with users.
Post content you don’t own or lack the rights to share under the license terms outlined here.
Breach these Terms, our agreements with you, our Community Guidelines, or any applicable laws or regulations.
Share content that is defamatory, false, misleading, fraudulent, or fails to reflect your genuine experiences and opinions.
Engage in harassment, trolling, threats, abuse, racism, bigotry, or any other behavior deemed inappropriate by Good Apple Bad Apple.
Promote or encourage illegal activities.
Share information that violates confidentiality agreements, non-disclosure terms, or any contractual rights of third parties, including past or current employers.
Infringe on the privacy, publicity, intellectual property, or proprietary rights of others, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.

Post sexually explicit, pornographic material, or exploit individuals in a sexual or violent manner.
Use bots, software, or automated tools to create accounts, send messages, scrape data, or extract information without written consent.
Frame, mirror, deep-link, or otherwise incorporate parts of our services into external websites without permission, unless using authorized APIs or embedding tools we provide.
Copy, alter, or create derivative works from our services or content (other than your own) without written approval.
Use content, data, or information from our services for competing platforms or services.
Tamper with, disrupt, reverse engineer, or decompile any data, code, or features of the services.

Content Removal
Although we are not obligated to do so, we reserve the right to review and remove any content (or parts of it) that we determine, at our sole discretion, violates these Terms, our Community Guidelines, or any other applicable policies linked on our services. We may also remove content we find inappropriate for any reason. Please understand that our decisions regarding policy interpretation and content removal are made at our sole discretion. If we choose not to remove or modify content you find objectionable, it does not constitute a breach of these Terms or any agreement we have with you. While we are not required to do so, we reserve the right to investigate and take appropriate action if you violate these Terms. Such actions, determined at our sole discretion, may include:

Removing content (or parts of it) from the platform.
Limiting or suspending your access to the services.
Terminating your account(s).
Reporting your activities to law enforcement, regulatory bodies, or administrative authorities.
Pursuing legal action against you.

Protecting and Disclosing User Data

You acknowledge and agree that, under certain circumstances, we may disclose users’ personal information to third parties, such as when legally required to comply with laws or valid legal processes. Although not obligated to do so, we reserve the right, to the fullest extent allowed by law, to take measures to safeguard user anonymity in response to subpoenas or other legal demands seeking personal data or identifying information. However, we do not guarantee that we will take such protective actions, nor can we assure success if we choose to do so.

13. Indemnity

You agree to protect, indemnify, and hold harmless us, our affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective officers, directors, board members, board advisors, employees, partners, agents, successors, and assigns (collectively referred to as the “Good Apple Bad Apple Group”) from any loss, liability, claim, or demand, including reasonable legal fees and costs, brought by a third party resulting from or connected to your use of the services. This includes, but is not limited to, claims arising from your violation of these Terms or from providing false or misleading information about your identity, employment history, or status.

Disclaimer of Responsibility and Limitation of Liability

Good Apple Bad Apple does not accept responsibility and disclaims all liability for the content, accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or availability of any information shared on the platform, including job postings, advertisements, salary estimates, templates, career pages, screening questions and responses, resumes, messages, or any other content you submit, send, view, or receive through the services.

You alone are responsible for your interactions with advertisers, employers, and other users. We are not liable for their actions, omissions, or conduct, whether online or offline. Additionally, we are not responsible for inaccurate, misleading, or unlawful content (including information found in user profiles), regardless of whether it originates from users or technical systems related to the platform’s operation.

We do not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, delays, service interruptions, data loss, unauthorized access, or content alterations involving communications with advertisers, employers, or other users. Similarly, we are not liable for hardware or software issues, technical failures on the internet, or malfunctions within the platform that may result in harm or damage to users or their devices when using or downloading materials from the services.

Under no circumstances will Good Apple Bad Apple be held accountable for any harm, loss, or damage resulting from the use of the services, content shared on the platform, or interactions between users, whether those interactions occur online or offline.

No Warranties and Limitation of Liability

We do not guarantee that:

The services will fully meet your expectations or requirements.
The services will be available without interruptions, on time, securely, or free from errors.
The results you obtain from using the services will be accurate or dependable.

By using the services, you release the Good Apple Bad Apple Group from all claims, demands, losses, damages, rights, or actions of any nature, directly or indirectly connected to:

The behavior, content, or data shared by third parties, including advertisers, employers, and other users.
Your involvement in any in-person or offline events.

The Good Apple Bad Apple Group will not be responsible for any lost profits or indirect, consequential, exemplary, incidental, special, or punitive damages resulting from your use of the services, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, you agree that the Good Apple Bad Apple Group’s total liability for any claims or damages related to your use of the services, regardless of the reason or type of legal action, will be capped at one thousand Indian rupees.

Dispute Resolution

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY AS IT IMPACTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

By agreeing to these terms, both you and Good Apple Bad Apple give up the right to a jury trial or to participate in any class action lawsuit.

You and Good Apple Bad Apple agree that any claims or disputes between the parties can only be pursued individually. Neither party may act as a plaintiff or class member in any collective, representative, or group proceeding.

All arbitration will occur on a strictly individual basis. Class arbitrations or collective dispute resolutions are not allowed.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Our Commitment

Good Apple Bad Apple is dedicated to being the most reliable platform for sharing genuine employee feedback from real bosses. These core principles define our approach:

Anonymity & Free Speech: We support the right to speak freely and share honest opinions without fear of censorship, retaliation, or unwanted attention.
No Content Alteration: We do not modify or edit content submitted to our platform.
Balanced Representation: Both positive and negative feedback are welcome. We do not filter, suppress, or remove content solely based on its rating, whether high or low.
Active Moderation: We actively monitor content and may suspend users who violate our community guidelines or disrupt the professional integrity of our platform.
Neutral Stance: Good Apple Bad Apple is a neutral space for user-submitted content. We do not take sides in factual disputes between users. Since we are not in a position to determine truth or falsehood, our moderation efforts focus strictly on enforcing platform policies.
Integrity & Review Verification: We aim to verify the authenticity of every review. To ensure the review is genuine and reflects a true working relationship, we may use methods like:
a) Phone number verification
b) Tele-calling
c) Truecaller checks
d) Social media audits
Moderation Approach: Our content review involves a two-layered process. The first is automated, using technology for initial screening, followed by a human moderator.

Behavior Guidelines

To maintain a safe and respectful space for all users, we expect everyone to follow these guidelines when using our services:

Targeted Harassment: Do not engage in deliberate behavior aimed at degrading or humiliating a specific person or group.

Unwanted Sexual Content: Sharing unsolicited sexual content or sexually objectifying someone without their consent is prohibited.

Insults: Refrain from using insults, slurs, or profanity to target others. We take special notice of repetitive abusive language, especially when used to harass or intimidate. While some language may be offensive to certain individuals, not all instances will result in action unless they meet the threshold for harassment.

Hate Speech: Do not attack others based on race, ethnicity, nationality, caste, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, or serious health conditions.

Violent Threats: Threatening physical harm, including threats of murder, torture, sexual violence, or property damage, is strictly prohibited.

Wishes for Harm: Do not wish harm on others, such as expressing a desire for someone’s death, injury, illness, or tragedy.

Inciting Violence: Encouraging or promoting acts of harm or violence, is not allowed.

Slurs and Offensive Stereotypes: Using slurs or making offensive generalizations about specific groups is prohibited. Stereotypes are harmful assumptions made without justification about a particular community.

Misinformation: Do not share false or misleading information that could create confusion or harm.

Trolling: Avoid making provocative, inflammatory, or offensive statements designed to derail conversations or disrupt the community space.

Impersonation: Misrepresenting yourself as another person, whether living or deceased, is not allowed.

Irrelevant or Spam Content: Avoid posting content unrelated to the platform’s purpose, such as promotional material, product referrals, repetitive posts, or excessively personal content. Content serving as direct advertisements will be removed.

These guidelines are in place to ensure a professional, respectful, and secure experience for all members of our community. Violations may lead to content removal or further enforcement actions. For any reported violations, write to grievances@goodapplebadapple.com

I’m an employee. What can I do about negative reviews on Good Apple Bad Apple?

As an employee, if you are concerned about negative reviews on Good Apple Bad Apple, consider the following options:

You can write to us at grievances@goodapplebadapple.com clearly explaining how the post is a violation of our community guidelines.
However, you need to understand that we are a neutral platform for user-submitted content, not a journalistic entity. Fact-checking or verifying every statement is not part of our role. For this reason, if you offer your own evidence to dispute a review, we will respectfully decline. We are not equipped to assess its accuracy or authenticity, especially when the goal is to remove negative feedback.
All content decisions are made at our sole discretion and are non-negotiable
If you’re considering legal action after exhausting other options, please keep the following in mind: Legal Safeguards: Good Apple Bad Apple is legally protected from being held accountable for content shared by its users. Protection of Anonymity: Should you initiate legal proceedings seeking a user’s identity, we generally oppose such demands in court to defend their right to remain anonymous. Taking legal action can have unintended effects. It may amplify attention to negative reviews, as media outlets often cover lawsuits related to Good Apple Bad Apple. If we determine a lawsuit is primarily aimed at suppressing free speech, we may take further steps to bring public attention to the situation.
Also note how we are protected by the law in each country.

For example, India’s IT Act, Section 79, provides safe harbour protection for intermediaries, as long as they do not initiate, modify, or select the content and act swiftly to remove illegal content when notified. As per Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act (CDA), platforms are generally not liable for content posted by third parties.

I wrote a review on Good Apple Bad Apple. Will my identity be protected if someone asks or takes legal action to find out who I am?

User anonymity is our sacred dharma. And we’re sworn to protect it. And we’ll go to any lengths to protect anonymous free speech. This includes having a battery of the best legal minds to defend us.

If someone sends us legal documents seeking user information, you can be sure we will respond vigorously. We will object to and resist subpoenas we receive. And, if necessary and as appropriate, we will appear in court to oppose and defeat your request.

In order to compel disclosure of a Good Apple Bad Apple user’s identity, plaintiffs have to prove that they have a prima facie claim. This is not easy and is most likely to end in failure.

Our reviewers express what they genuinely believe reflects their experiences, and they take full responsibility for their statements. If you or your legal team reach out claiming a review is false or defamatory, we cannot determine who is right. We remain neutral in factual disagreements. Unless there’s a clear violation of our content policies, we allow users to stand by their reviews.

If we have access to reliable, independent information – like facts published by a reputable news source – that clearly disproves a review, we will take it down. However, please note we are a neutral platform for user-submitted content, not a journalistic entity. Fact-checking or verifying every statement is not part of our role. For this reason, if you offer your own evidence to dispute a review, we will respectfully decline. We are not equipped to assess its accuracy or authenticity, especially when the goal is to remove negative feedback. All content decisions are made at our sole discretion and are non-negotiable.

Good Apple Bad Apple is dedicated to offering a space where individuals can share honest feedback about their workplaces and employers anonymously, without fear of backlash or intimidation.

If someone requests to know who authored a review, our answer is a firm no.

However, please be aware that while the right to anonymous speech is protected under Indian and U.S. law, it is not unlimited. If legal action is taken to uncover your identity and the party can present a valid case in court, the protection of anonymity may not be guaranteed. But then again, this doesn’t necessarily mean that there are any legal grounds.

How to Write an Employee Review: Tips for Staying Within Good Apple Bad Apple’s Community Guidelines

Confidential Information:

Do not share specific data, proprietary details, or non-public information related to any company.
Avoid mentioning client names unless the relationship is publicly acknowledged.
Examples of confidential information to avoid include (but are not limited to):
- Source code
- Customer lists
- Manufacturing processes
- Research and development (R&D) activities
- Budgets
- Detailed financial outcomes or strategic plans
- Proprietary technical knowledge

Obscenity:

Refrain from using profanity, violent language, or discriminatory remarks targeting individuals or groups.
Avoid expressing negative stereotypes or derogatory opinions about groups based on race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.
Do not personally attack individuals in ways unrelated to their professional behavior or workplace environment, such as remarks about their appearance or hygiene.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your review is constructive, respectful, and compliant with platform policies.

Understanding the Difference Between ‘Opinion’ and ‘Potential Defamation’

Avoid making false factual claims like “X has sexually assaulted someone” or “X has stolen company property.” These are not opinions; they can be presented as factual statements. Instead, you could frame your statement as, “There were rumors that X assaulted someone at a party,” which is more likely to be considered an opinion.

Examples of “Verifiable Facts” vs. “Opinions”:

Verifiable Fact: “X was fired for stealing merchandise from the company.”
Opinion: “I heard that X might have been let go due to some issues at work.”

Important Considerations:

Context Matters: The interpretation of defamation can vary by situation. Different judges may apply the law differently, so these examples should not be taken as definitive rules.
Courts and Opinions: Some courts may treat even fact-like statements on platforms like Good Apple Bad Apple as opinions, but there is no guarantee of how a particular judge might rule.
Safer Approach: To minimize risk, avoid fact-like statements entirely. Focus on sharing opinions that would clearly be understood as subjective in any context.

By carefully framing your feedback as opinions and avoiding assertions of fact, you can reduce the risk of potential defamation.

These are some examples of statements that are just opinions.

Alex is known to be a liar

Jim is a tyrant and arsehole

I’ll include Max in the list of Dumbest account Managers I have worked with.

Valery is a dopehead.

Kim is so absent minded, he is more zombie than human

Kevin has the ethics of El Chapo – a total slimeball!

Key Takeaways

Help us at Good Apple Bad Apple protect your review and anonymity. Focus on expressing your thoughts as opinions rather than making statements that could be verified as factual. If you include factual details, understand that it may be harder for Good Apple Bad Apple to shield your identity from determined individuals (like the employee in question). Avoid including confidential business information, and ensure you comply with any legal or contractual obligations you’ve agreed to. If you’re unsure about your review, consider asking a trusted friend to read it before posting.

Responding to Legal Threats or Actions by Specific Employees

Good Apple Bad Apple may alert the community if we believe an employee is misusing legal channels to intimidate users or suppress free speech by threatening or initiating legal action against us or our anonymous contributors. When we receive legal notices, subpoenas, or court filings regarding reviews, we evaluate whether the reviews align with our Community Guidelines. If they do, we may take one or more of the following actions as deemed appropriate:

- Issue a press release to highlight the situation.
- Publish a blog post on Good Apple Bad Apple discussing the matter, including links to the reviews in question and relevant legal documents.
- Add the legal notice or court filing to a searchable database on our platform.

Post a warning about the legal threat or proceedings on the employee’s profile to inform others researching the company.

Example – Employee X has taken or threatened legal action against Good Apple Bad Apple for the reviews that have appeared about him/her.

Employees considering legal action against reviews on Good Apple Bad Apple should also be aware that such cases often attract media attention. This coverage can inadvertently amplify the visibility of the negative reviews they aim to suppress.