Special Match Terms of Service
Last Updated: Jan 26, 2026
Welcome to Special Match. We are a boutique matchmaking service on the San Francisco Peninsula for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. We help you build real relationships through personalized, in-person introductions. No apps are needed.​
By signing below (or clicking “I Accept”), you (as Participant and/or Support Contact) agree to these terms, including the additional legal terms. If you do not agree, please do not participate.​
1. Eligibility and Safety
You represent and warrant that you are at least 21 years old. You represent and warrant that you have not been convicted of a felony and are not required to register as a sex offender. You will comply with all applicable laws in using the Service. You will promptly report any safety concerns or violations of these terms to us at support@special-match.com. You assume all risks associated with in-person meetings and interactions facilitated through the Service. You agree to exercise reasonable precautions, such as meeting in public places. Special Match is an introduction service only. Special Match is not responsible for the conduct of other participants. Special Match does not perform background checks as a standard practice but reserves the right to do so when permissible.
2. Service Description
Special Match provides Match Direct, our complimentary basic service. This includes an intake session with you and your Support Contact to understand your preferences and goals. We create a personalized profile based on this information. We facilitate introductions by emailing profiles containing the match’s name, age, city, interests, and Support Contact information. Special Match makes no guarantees regarding the availability, compatibility, communication, or success of matches. We cannot guarantee matches for every participant. Profiles are shared via email and cannot be retrieved once sent. Special Match reserves the right to decline or discontinue any match to maintain service quality.
3. Your Obligations
You represent and warrant that all information you provide during intake, the Get Started form, the About You session, and when accepting these terms will be accurate, complete, and not misleading. You are solely responsible for your actions, conduct, and any information you provide or share. You will not misuse shared profile information, including by engaging in harassment, continuing unwanted contact after a "no thanks," sharing profiles without permission, or any illegal use. You will not harass, threaten, or intimidate other participants. You will not use hate speech, promote discrimination, or engage in abusive conduct. You will not send spam, unsolicited messages, or fraudulent communications. You will not violate any applicable laws or regulations. You will not interfere with the Service or disrupt other users' experiences.
4. Our Rights
Special Match reserves all rights not expressly granted in these terms. Special Match may use any feedback you provide to improve the Service, without any obligation to compensate or credit you. Special Match may suspend or terminate your participation at any time, for any reason, with or without notice, and without liability. Special Match may modify these terms at any time. Special Match will provide notice of material changes. Your continued participation after notice constitutes acceptance of the modifications. Special Match may modify, suspend, or discontinue the Service or any part of it at any time, without notice or liability.
5. Ownership
We own our website, materials, and profiles. You get limited permission to view and use them only while participating. This permission ends if your participation stops. You may not copy, distribute, or modify our materials.​
6. Third Parties
We are not responsible for links or exports to other sites or services. We are not responsible for third-party tools we may use.​
7. Privacy & Emails
Please see our Privacy Policy at www.special-match.com/privacy. You consent to receive service-related emails from us. You may opt out of promotional emails at any time.​
8. Disclaimer, Liability and Indemnity
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. Special Match disclaims all warranties, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Special Match's aggregate liability is limited to the greater of $100 or fees paid in the prior 12 months. Special Match is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages (including lost profits), even if advised of their possibility. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Special Match, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from claims, losses, or expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from your use, violations, or misuse of shared information. Full details in Additional Legal Terms below.
9. Termination
Your participation starts when you sign this Agreement, complete the Get Started form, and meet for the About You session. It ends if we end it or you end it. Ownership, No Warranties, Limitation of Liability, Indemnity, and Dispute Resolution provisions survive termination.​
10. Bay Area Service Area
This service is intended primarily for San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Special Match may extend service to other Bay Area counties at its discretion. The Service is not available for use outside the United States.
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Additional Legal Terms
These Legal Terms supplement the Participant & Support Contact Agreement above. They provide additional details on warranties, liability, disputes, and other protections. Capitalized terms have the same meaning as in the Agreement.​
11. No Warranties
The Service, including all introductions and profiles, is provided “as is” and “as available.” We disclaim all warranties of any kind. This includes express or implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access. We do not guarantee error-free operation. We do not guarantee compatibility of matches. We do not guarantee security from viruses or harm. You use the Service at your own risk and discretion.​
12. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Special Match's total liability is limited to the greater of $100 or fees you paid us in the 12 months before the claim. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages. This includes damages for lost profits or goodwill. This applies even if we were advised of the possibility. This applies to contract, tort, or any other claim.​
13. Indemnity
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Special Match and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of the Service or participation in any introductions; (b) your violation of these terms, any representations you make, or applicable law; (c) your misuse of shared profiles or other user information; (d) any disputes between you and other participants or third parties; (e) your negligence or willful misconduct; or (f) any content or information you provide. We reserve the right, at our expense, to assume exclusive control of the defense and settlement of any matter subject to indemnification by you. You agree to cooperate fully with us in such defense. Your indemnification obligations survive termination.
14. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration
You and Special Match agree to resolve disputes through binding individual arbitration. This applies to all disputes except small claims, intellectual property claims, or requests for injunctive relief. Arbitration will follow the AAA Consumer Rules available at www.adr.org. No class actions are allowed. No joinder of claims is allowed. California law governs all disputes.
You may opt out of arbitration. You must send a written notice within 30 days of signing. Mail it to Special Match Attn: Legal., 145 Bear Gulch Drive, Portola Valley, CA 94028. Include your full name, email, and the statement “Arbitration Opt-Out.”
To start arbitration, you must first send a written notice to the other party. Describe the nature of the dispute and the relief you seek. If the dispute is not resolved within 30 days, you may file with AAA. For claims of $10,000 or less, you may choose a documents-only, phone, or in-person hearing. The arbitrator will decide filing fees if your claim is non-frivolous.
If this arbitration agreement is found invalid or unenforceable, then California courts in San Mateo County will have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes.
15. Ownership
Special Match owns all website content, profiles (except your personal info), and trademarks. Your permission to use ends on termination. No reverse-engineering is allowed. No copying, distribution, or modification is allowed.​
16. General
These Terms constitute the entire and exclusive understanding and agreement between you and Special Match regarding your use of the Service. These terms govern to the exclusion of any prior or contemporaneous agreements. The laws of the State of California govern these terms, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Special Match may freely assign its rights and obligations under these terms. You may not assign your rights without our prior written consent. If any provision of these terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. These terms may be executed electronically or via physical signature, both of which are legally binding. For questions about these terms, please contact us at support@special-match.com.
Notice to California Residents: You may file complaints with the CA Dept. of Consumer Affairs at 1625 N. Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834 (800-952-5210).​