Effective Date: October 11, 2026
Velvet Minarets (“Velvet Minarets,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy & Legal Notices document explains how we collect, use, retain, and protect personal information when you visit our website, create a member account, make a reservation, or use our travel-related services.
It also explains the terms and limitations that apply to your use of our website and our travel experiences.
By using our website or submitting information through our booking and inquiry forms, you acknowledge that you have read this document. Where consent is required by applicable law, we will request it separately.
1. Introduction
Velvet Minarets provides curated travel experiences and related services for travelers interested in discovering Istanbul through personalized itineraries, cultural experiences, private tours, and other travel arrangements.
We collect and process personal information only for legitimate business purposes, including responding to inquiries, arranging requested travel services, managing reservations, maintaining member accounts, processing payments through our payment providers, and communicating with guests.
We do not sell personal information. We may share information with service providers when reasonably necessary to operate our website or provide services you request, as explained below.
2. Information We Collect
The information we collect depends on how you interact with our website and services.
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide through booking forms, inquiry forms, member accounts, newsletter subscriptions, questionnaires, or other communications. This may include:
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Full name and contact information, including email address and telephone number.
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Booking details, including selected experiences, travel dates, number of guests, and accommodation or pickup details where applicable.
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Passport or identification information when necessary for a particular reservation or travel arrangement.
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Preferences relating to experiences, itinerary planning, transportation, meals, or special requests.
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Information about allergies, illnesses, mobility limitations, or other health and accessibility considerations when you choose to provide it and it is necessary for arranging your requested experience.
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Account credentials and information associated with your member account.
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Messages, feedback, reviews, and other information you submit to us.
Please provide only the information reasonably necessary for your inquiry, reservation, or requested service. Where information is optional, you may choose not to provide it, although this may affect our ability to accommodate certain requests.
2.2 Payment and Transaction Information
Payments are processed through Wix and/or the payment processors made available through our website. We do not independently store full payment card numbers or card verification codes (CVVs) in our own booking records.
However, our payment providers may collect and process payment information in accordance with their own privacy and security practices. We may receive and retain transaction-related information, such as payment status, amount, transaction reference, and refund status, as needed to administer bookings and maintain business records.
2.3 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically by the website platform or through enabled website technologies. Depending on the configuration of our website, this may include:
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IP address and approximate location derived from it.
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Browser type, device type, and operating system.
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Pages viewed and interactions with website features.
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Referral sources and general website usage information.
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Cookie identifiers and similar technical information.
This information may be used to maintain website functionality, improve performance, help protect the website, and understand how visitors use our services.
2.4 Information From Other Sources
We may receive limited information from booking, payment, website, or travel-service providers when necessary to confirm reservations, process transactions, or provide services you have requested.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
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To respond to questions, inquiries, and requests for custom proposals.
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To arrange, confirm, and administer travel experiences and reservations.
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To coordinate transportation, guides, venues, accommodations, or other requested services.
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To accommodate relevant dietary, accessibility, health, or other special requests that you voluntarily provide.
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To create and manage member accounts.
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To process payments, deposits, refunds, and transaction records.
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To send booking confirmations, itinerary details, schedule changes, service updates, and other transactional communications.
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To provide customer support and address concerns.
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To send newsletters, travel inspiration, promotional materials, or other marketing communications where permitted by applicable law.
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To maintain website security, prevent fraud, and troubleshoot technical issues.
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To improve our website, services, and guest experience.
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To comply with applicable legal, tax, accounting, and regulatory obligations.
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To establish, exercise, or defend legal claims when necessary.
We do not use personal information for purposes materially unrelated to the reason it was collected without providing appropriate notice or obtaining consent where required by law.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We share personal information only when reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this document or when otherwise permitted or required by law.
4.1 Service Providers
We may share relevant information with service providers that help us operate our business and deliver requested services. These may include:
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Wix and website hosting or website-management providers.
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Payment processors.
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Licensed tour guides, transportation providers, venues, and other travel-service providers involved in your reservation.
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Booking, communication, customer-support, and information-technology providers.
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Professional advisers, including legal, accounting, or other advisers, where appropriate.
We aim to limit information shared with these providers to what is reasonably necessary for their assigned functions. Their handling of information may also be governed by their own privacy policies, contractual obligations, and applicable laws.
4.2 Legal Requirements and Protection of Rights
We may disclose information where we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to comply with applicable law, respond to lawful requests from authorities, enforce our agreements, protect the rights or safety of guests or other individuals, investigate suspected fraud, or establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
4.3 Business Transfers
If Velvet Minarets undergoes a merger, acquisition, restructuring, sale of assets, or similar business transaction, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to applicable legal requirements and appropriate safeguards.
4.4 No Sale or Unrelated Third-Party Marketing
We do not sell personal information to third parties. We also do not provide guest information to unrelated third parties for their independent marketing purposes.
5. Payment Processing and Security
Payments made through our website are handled by Wix and/or the applicable payment processor. The information required to process a payment is subject to the payment provider’s own terms, privacy policy, and security practices.
Velvet Minarets does not independently store full payment card numbers or CVVs in its own booking records. We may retain limited transaction records needed to confirm payments, manage reservations, address disputes, process refunds, and meet accounting or legal obligations.
Although we take reasonable measures to protect information under our control, no website, electronic transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
For questions about payment processing, please contact us using the details in Section 15.
6. Cookies and Website Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies through Wix or other enabled services. These technologies may be necessary for website functionality, member-account access, booking features, security, and performance.
Depending on the website configuration, cookies or similar technologies may also be used to understand website traffic, remember preferences, or support analytics and marketing features.
You may be able to manage cookies through your browser settings or any cookie-preference tools made available on our website. Disabling certain cookies may affect the availability or functionality of some website features.
Where required by applicable law, we will obtain consent before using non-essential cookies or similar technologies.
7. Marketing Communications and Newsletter Subscriptions
We may send newsletters, travel inspiration, updates, and promotional communications to individuals who subscribe or otherwise provide the consent required by applicable law.
Booking-related communications—including confirmations, payment reminders, itinerary details, important schedule changes, and service notices—are separate from promotional marketing communications.
Where permitted by law, we may invite guests who make a reservation to subscribe to our newsletter or receive marketing communications.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in the message or by contacting us. Opting out of marketing communications will not prevent us from sending necessary communications relating to an existing reservation, payment, account, or service.
8. Data Retention and Member Accounts
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this document, subject to applicable legal, accounting, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
8.1 Member Accounts
If you create a member account on our website, information associated with that account may remain stored in our systems while the account remains active and the information has not been deleted or removed.
If you request account deletion, we will take reasonable steps to delete or remove the associated personal information, subject to technical limitations, applicable law, and any legitimate need to retain certain records.
Deleting a member account does not necessarily delete all booking or transaction records associated with that account.
8.2 Booking and Transaction Records
We may retain booking details, payment records, correspondence, and related information separately from a member account after account deletion when reasonably necessary to administer or document a transaction, address disputes, maintain accounting records, comply with legal obligations, or establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
8.3 Deletion and Disposal
When personal information is no longer reasonably necessary and we are not required or otherwise permitted to retain it, we will take reasonable steps to delete, anonymize, or securely dispose of it in accordance with our practices and applicable law.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information, the nature of the booking, and relevant legal obligations.
9. Data Security
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.
These measures may include access controls, the use of service providers with appropriate security measures, and limiting access to information to individuals who need it for legitimate business purposes.
No security measure is infallible. We cannot guarantee absolute security, and you should avoid sending sensitive information through unsecured or unnecessary communication channels.
If you believe your information has been compromised in connection with our services, please contact us promptly.
10. International Data Transfers
Velvet Minarets serves travelers who may be located in different countries. Depending on how our website, payment systems, and travel-service providers operate, personal information may be processed or stored in countries other than the country in which you reside.
Those countries may have privacy and data-protection laws that differ from the laws in your country.
Where required by applicable law, we will use appropriate safeguards for international transfers of personal information. By submitting information, you acknowledge that cross-border processing may occur as described in this document, subject to any consent or other legal requirements that apply.
11. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights concerning your personal information, including the right to:
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Request access to personal information we hold about you.
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Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
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Request deletion of personal information, subject to applicable exceptions.
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Request restriction of, or object to, certain processing activities.
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Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
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Opt out of marketing communications.
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Request a copy of certain information in a portable format, where applicable.
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Lodge a complaint with a relevant data-protection authority.
To exercise a privacy right, contact us using the details in Section 15. We may need to verify your identity before acting on your request.
We will respond within the time required by applicable law. Some requests may be limited where we have a lawful basis or obligation to retain information.
12. Children's Privacy
Our website and travel services are not intended to invite children to independently submit personal information without appropriate adult involvement.
Where a booking involves a child, a parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult should provide any necessary information and ensure that they have the authority to do so.
We do not knowingly collect children's personal information in circumstances where doing so would violate applicable law. If you believe a child has provided personal information improperly, please contact us so that we can review the matter and take appropriate action.
Where information about a child is necessary to provide a requested travel service, we will handle it in accordance with applicable law and limit its use to legitimate purposes.
13. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, booking systems, payment services, social-media platforms, or other external services.
We do not control the privacy practices, security, content, or terms of those third parties. If you access an external website or service, its own privacy policy and terms may apply.
We encourage you to review the relevant policies before submitting personal information to a third party.
14. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy & Legal Notices document from time to time to reflect changes in our business, website, services, or legal obligations.
When changes are made, we will update the effective date shown at the beginning of the document. Where required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before applying material changes.
We encourage you to review this page periodically.
15. Contact Information
For questions about this Privacy Policy, requests relating to personal information, or other privacy concerns, please contact:
Velvet Minarets
Legal Business Entity: East of Europe Travel Co., LLC
Email: [Insert contact email]
Business Address: 3101 Wilson Blvd. Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201
Jurisdiction: [Insert applicable jurisdiction]
16. Business Identity
This website is operated under the name Velvet Minarets.
Part II. Legal Notices and Website Terms
Legal Business Entity: East of Europe Travel Co., LLC
Business Address: 3101 Wilson Blvd. Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22201
Contact Email: [Insert contact email]
Business Registration or License Details: [Insert details, if applicable]
If Velvet Minarets operates as a trading name, brand, or website of another legal entity, that entity should be identified accurately in this section and in any booking documents, invoices, or legally required disclosures.
Nothing in this document is intended to misrepresent the identity of the business providing or arranging a travel service.
17. Website Information and Accuracy
We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information on the Velvet Minarets website is accurate and current. However, descriptions, photographs, itineraries, estimated durations, prices, inclusions, availability, and other details may change.
Website content is provided for general informational and booking purposes. It may not reflect every operational detail or circumstance that could affect a particular experience.
Photographs and other visual materials are intended to illustrate the character or setting of an experience. Actual conditions, views, furnishings, venues, weather, crowds, and other details may differ.
If a particular feature, service, access arrangement, or inclusion is essential to your decision to book, please confirm it with us before making a reservation.
We reserve the right to correct errors, update content, and revise website information, subject to applicable law and any confirmed booking terms.
18. Travel Experiences, Pricing, and Availability
Velvet Minarets offers curated travel experiences and may coordinate private guides, transportation, venue visits, cultural activities, and other travel-related arrangements.
Experience details, rates, availability, and inclusions are subject to the terms presented at the time of booking and any written confirmation provided to you.
18.1 Availability and Changes
Availability may be affected by venue operating hours, holidays, public events, government restrictions, weather, traffic, security measures, transportation conditions, provider availability, or circumstances outside our control.
We may need to adjust the sequence, timing, route, or other details of an experience when reasonably necessary. If a material change affects a confirmed reservation, we will communicate with the guest and address the matter in accordance with the applicable booking terms and law.
18.2 Pricing and Custom Proposals
Prices displayed on the website apply to the experiences and inclusions described alongside them. Additional services, custom requests, extra guests, changes to an itinerary, or other arrangements may involve additional costs.
For group bookings or experiences requiring a custom proposal, the final price and scope of services will be confirmed separately in writing.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, a proposal or inquiry does not constitute a confirmed reservation.
18.3 Guest Responsibilities
Guests are responsible for reviewing the experience description, meeting any stated participation requirements, arriving at the agreed meeting point on time, and providing accurate information needed to arrange the experience.
Guests should also review any venue entry requirements, identification requirements, age restrictions, dress requirements, or other conditions communicated before the experience.
19. Reservations, Payments, and Cancellations
The payment, deposit, cancellation, and refund terms provided during the booking process or in the applicable written booking confirmation govern the relevant reservation. The following terms apply where they are included in the booking terms accepted by the guest.
19.1 Initial Deposit
An initial deposit of US$500 is required to secure a booking, unless a different amount is expressly stated in the applicable proposal or booking confirmation.
The deposit becomes non-refundable seven (7) days after the booking date. If a guest cancels within the first seven (7) days after booking, the deposit is refundable, subject to any applicable legal requirements and the specific terms confirmed for that reservation.
19.2 Remaining Balance
The remaining balance is due no later than ten (10) days before the scheduled experience, unless a different payment schedule is confirmed in writing.
Failure to make a required payment by the applicable due date may result in cancellation or suspension of the reservation, subject to the booking terms and applicable law.
19.3 Guest Cancellations and Refunds
Unless different terms are expressly confirmed in writing, the following cancellation schedule applies based on the time remaining before the scheduled experience:
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More than 90 days before the experience: Refund of amounts paid, less the non-refundable deposit.
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61–90 days before the experience: Refund of 50% of eligible amounts paid, excluding the deposit.
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31–60 days before the experience: Refund of 25% of eligible amounts paid, excluding the deposit.
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30 days or fewer before the experience: No refund.
19.4 Cancellation Requests
Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing using the contact details provided in the booking confirmation or on our website. The cancellation date will generally be determined by the date we receive the written request, subject to applicable law and the terms of the reservation.
We may request additional information reasonably necessary to verify the booking and process the request.
19.5 Refund Processing
Refund requests are reviewed and processed in accordance with the applicable booking terms. Please allow approximately four (4) to seven (7) days for the review of a refund request.
This review period is not a guarantee that the refund will be completed or appear in the guest's account within that time.
Once a refund is approved and processed, we will send a confirmation where appropriate. The time required for the funds to appear in the guest's account may depend on the payment provider or financial institution.
19.6 Unused Services
Unless required by law or expressly agreed in writing, unused portions of a confirmed experience are not refundable. This may include services, activities, transportation, or other inclusions that a guest chooses not to use or cannot use because of late arrival or failure to attend.
At our discretion, we may offer a future credit or other goodwill arrangement. Such an arrangement is not guaranteed and does not alter the stated cancellation policy unless confirmed in writing.
19.7 Changes to Reservations
Requests to change a reservation, including dates, guest numbers, itinerary details, or selected services, are subject to availability and approval. Changes may result in additional charges or revised terms.
A change is not confirmed until we provide written confirmation.
19.8 Cancellations or Disruptions Outside the Guest's Control
If Velvet Minarets or a relevant provider must cancel or materially alter an experience because of circumstances outside reasonable control, we will communicate with the guest and determine the available options under the booking terms and applicable law.
Depending on the circumstances, options may include rescheduling, an alternative experience, a credit, or a refund where required or agreed. No particular remedy is guaranteed unless stated in the applicable booking terms or required by law.
Nothing in this section excludes rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded.
20. Third-Party Travel Providers
Certain elements of an experience may be provided by independent third parties, including licensed guides, transportation operators, restaurants, venues, museums, boat operators, accommodation providers, and other travel-service providers.
Where applicable, these providers may operate under their own terms, policies, safety requirements, and operational procedures.
Velvet Minarets may coordinate or arrange such services as part of a guest's itinerary. The precise role of Velvet Minarets in each arrangement depends on the service and the booking terms provided.
We take reasonable steps to work with appropriate providers, but we cannot guarantee the actions, availability, performance, or decisions of independent third parties.
Where permitted by law, Velvet Minarets is not responsible for independent acts or omissions of third-party providers beyond the responsibilities it has expressly accepted or cannot legally disclaim.
Nothing in this section excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
21. Health, Accessibility, and Guest Responsibilities
Guests should review the nature and physical requirements of an experience before booking. Some experiences may involve walking on uneven surfaces, stairs, crowded areas, boat travel, exposure to weather, or other conditions that may not be suitable for every guest.
Please inform us in advance of relevant accessibility needs, dietary restrictions, allergies, or other special requirements that may affect the experience. We will make reasonable efforts to communicate with relevant providers and determine whether accommodations are available, but we cannot guarantee that every request can be fulfilled.
Guests are responsible for ensuring that participation is appropriate for their own circumstances and for obtaining any medical guidance they consider necessary before participating.
Guests must comply with applicable laws, venue rules, reasonable safety instructions, and the directions of authorized guides or service providers.
If a guest's conduct creates a safety risk, materially disrupts an experience, or violates applicable rules, the experience may be modified or terminated to the extent reasonably necessary and permitted by law. Any effect on refunds will be determined under the applicable booking terms and law.
22. Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise stated, the text, branding, logos, graphics, photographs, illustrations, videos, page layouts, and other content displayed on the Velvet Minarets website are owned by or licensed to Velvet Minarets and are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws.
You may access and use the website for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, publish, commercially exploit, or create derivative works from website content without prior written permission from the relevant rights holder, except where permitted by law.
The names, logos, photographs, and other materials of third parties remain the property of their respective owners.
If you believe that material on our website infringes your intellectual-property rights, please contact us with sufficient details for us to review the concern.
23. External Links
Our website may include links to third-party websites or services for convenience or additional information.
These links do not necessarily represent an endorsement of the third party or its content. Velvet Minarets does not control and is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, security, privacy practices, or terms of external websites.
Accessing an external website is at your own discretion. You should review its applicable terms and privacy policy before using it or submitting information.
24. Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Velvet Minarets will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive losses arising from the use of our website or services, including loss of data, loss of opportunity, or interruption of access.
We do not guarantee that the website will always be available, uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components. We will take reasonable steps to maintain and protect the website, but continuous availability cannot be guaranteed.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, our liability in connection with a particular booking or service will be governed by the terms applicable to that booking and the responsibilities we have expressly accepted.
Nothing in this document excludes, restricts, or limits liability, consumer rights, or other legal protections where such exclusion, restriction, or limitation is prohibited by law. In particular, nothing here is intended to waive any mandatory rights that a guest may have under applicable consumer-protection legislation.
25. Website Security and Acceptable Use
You agree to use our website lawfully and not to:
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Attempt unauthorized access to our website, systems, accounts, or data.
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Interfere with website operation or compromise its security.
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Introduce malicious code or use the website to distribute harmful material.
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Submit false, misleading, fraudulent, or unauthorized booking information.
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Use automated systems to access, scrape, or copy website content in a manner that violates applicable law or interferes with website operation.
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Use the website in a way that infringes another person's rights or violates applicable law.