Terms of Service | SpiceRouter

1. Definitions

In these Terms, the following terms have the meanings set out below:

"Customer" means the individual, household, or organization that creates an account and agrees to these Terms.
"Customer Data" means customer-specific configuration, network settings, site names, labels, and other data submitted by Customer to the Service. Customer Data does not include Telemetry Data or Account Data.
"Device" or "SpiceRouter Device" means a physical router appliance provided by SpiceRouter, running SpiceRouter Firmware, that connects to the Management Portal.
"DNS Filtering" means the domain-name-level ad blocking, tracker blocking, and content filtering functionality provided through the Service, which operates by resolving or refusing to resolve DNS queries for specific domains.
"Firmware" means the operating system, software, and configuration running on a SpiceRouter Device, based on VyOS and other open-source and proprietary components.
"Management Portal" means the SpiceRouter web dashboard, APIs, and administrative tools used to monitor, configure, and manage Devices remotely.
"Remote Management" means the capability for SpiceRouter to remotely access, update, configure, diagnose, and manage Devices through secure channels (including Cloudflare Tunnels and WireGuard VPN).
"Service" means the SpiceRouter Management Portal, Remote Management capabilities, DNS Filtering, monitoring, alerting, support tools, Firmware, APIs, and all related software and services.
"Telemetry Data" means diagnostic, performance, health, and operational data collected from Devices, as described in Section 10.

2. Scope and Acceptance

These Terms of Service govern access to and use of the Service, including any SpiceRouter Devices provided in connection with the Service. By using the Service or activating a Device, you agree to be bound by these Terms and the SpiceRouter Privacy Policy. If you accept on behalf of an organization or household, you represent that you have authority to do so.

3. The Service

SpiceRouter is a managed networking platform for homes and businesses. The Service includes:

Managed routing and Wi-Fi: SpiceRouter Devices provide routing, firewall, and Wi-Fi access point functionality at Customer's premises.
DNS Filtering: Domain-level ad blocking, tracker blocking, and content filtering to reduce unwanted content and improve security for devices on Customer's network.
Remote monitoring: Device health monitoring, bandwidth utilization, connected client counts, uptime tracking, and security event logging through the Management Portal.
Remote Management: Secure remote access for firmware updates, configuration changes, diagnostics, and support, delivered through encrypted tunnels.
Security logging: Collection and analysis of security events to help identify threats on Customer's network.
VPN capabilities: WireGuard-based VPN connectivity for secure remote access to Customer's network.
Dashboards and alerting: Web-based dashboards displaying network status, device health, and configurable alerts.

SpiceRouter may modify, improve, suspend, or discontinue all or part of the Service from time to time. Where a change materially reduces the functionality available under a paid plan, SpiceRouter will use reasonable efforts to provide advance notice.

4. Accounts and Eligibility

You must be legally capable of entering into these Terms. If you are using the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind it.

You are responsible for maintaining account security, including the confidentiality of credentials, and for all activity under your account.

5. Hardware and Software

Device purchase and ownership

SpiceRouter sells compatible router hardware (currently the GL-iNet Flint 2) through its website. When Customer purchases a Device from SpiceRouter:

(a) SpiceRouter is the seller of record. The Device is sold to Customer and becomes Customer's property upon delivery.
(b) SpiceRouter sources Devices from third-party manufacturers. SpiceRouter passes through the manufacturer's standard hardware warranty (typically two years from date of purchase). SpiceRouter does not provide any additional hardware warranty beyond the manufacturer's warranty.
(c) Hardware returns and refunds are subject to SpiceRouter's return policy as described on the website. Devices purchased from third-party retailers must be returned to the retailer directly.
(d) The Device subscription service is separate from the hardware purchase. Purchasing a Device does not obligate Customer to maintain a paid subscription, and cancelling a subscription does not require return of the Device.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Customer may use a compatible device that they already own or have acquired independently ("BYOD"). When using BYOD:

(a) A one-time provisioning fee may apply, as listed on the pricing page.
(b) SpiceRouter provides the managed software service only and makes no representations or warranties about Customer's hardware.
(c) SpiceRouter is not responsible for hardware defects, failures, or incompatibilities with BYOD hardware.
(d) Customer is responsible for ensuring their device meets the compatibility requirements listed on the SpiceRouter website.

Software and Firmware license

SpiceRouter grants Customer a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Firmware and management software installed on Devices solely in connection with the Service and for its intended purpose. Software, Firmware, and management services are licensed, not sold. Customer may not sublicense, distribute, or create derivative works from the Firmware, except as permitted by applicable open-source licenses.

Updates

SpiceRouter may provide updates, patches, and configuration changes reasonably necessary for performance, security, or support, as described in Section 12. Customer must not tamper with, reverse engineer, or circumvent technical protections in the Service except as permitted by law.

6. Open-Source Components

SpiceRouter Firmware includes open-source software components, including but not limited to VyOS, Linux, WireGuard, AdGuard Home, and related libraries and tools. These components are provided under their respective open-source licenses.

To the extent any open-source license requires terms that differ from these Terms, the open-source license applies to that specific component only.

7. Plan Features and Tiers

Features may differ by plan. The following is a general guide; specific plan details are on the SpiceRouter pricing page or in the applicable order form.

Free: Basic monitoring, device overview, limited metrics retention (approximately 7 days), single site.
Pro: Guided configuration changes, extended metrics retention (30–90 days), firmware update management, configuration backup and restore, multiple sites (up to 10 by default), integration support (Slack, webhooks), tenant-scoped API access.
Enterprise / Custom: Custom configurations, advanced network controls, multi-tenant management, custom integrations, SLA-backed support, and other features as agreed.

SpiceRouter may update plan features and pricing prospectively with reasonable notice.

8. Customer Responsibilities

Customer must:

(a) use the Service and connected networks lawfully;
(b) ensure you have authority to manage the networks, devices, and domains you connect;
(c) maintain appropriate local physical security for Devices and network infrastructure;
(d) review alerts, configurations, and recommendations before acting on them;
(e) ensure your use complies with telecommunications, privacy, security, and other applicable laws;
(f) maintain a functioning internet connection for Remote Management features to operate; and
(g) promptly notify SpiceRouter of any suspected security incident or unauthorized access involving a Device.

9. Acceptable Use

Customer must not:

(a) use the Service to unlawfully intercept, monitor, or record communications on Customer's network or any other network;
(b) conduct unauthorized surveillance, penetration testing, or intrusion against other networks or systems using the Service;
(c) disrupt networks, third-party systems, or internet services;
(d) deploy malware or malicious code through the Service or Devices;
(e) violate privacy, cybersecurity, or telecommunications laws;
(f) circumvent plan limits or entitlement controls;
(g) attempt to modify, replace, or tamper with Device Firmware outside of supported configuration channels provided by the Management Portal;
(h) use DNS Filtering features to violate your internet service provider's terms of service or applicable net neutrality regulations; or
(i) resell, sublicense, or provide managed networking services using SpiceRouter Devices without written authorization.

10. Customer Data and Telemetry

Customer Data

As between the parties, Customer retains ownership of Customer Data (such as network configuration, site names, and labels). Customer grants SpiceRouter the right to process Customer Data as reasonably necessary to provide, secure, support, and improve the Service.

Telemetry Data

SpiceRouter Devices collect and transmit Telemetry Data to the Service, including:

device health metrics (CPU, memory, uptime, temperature);
bandwidth utilization and throughput statistics;
connected client counts (number of devices, not device identities);
DNS query volume statistics (total queries, blocked query counts — not individual query content or browsing history);
security event summaries and log data;
Firmware version and configuration state;
VPN and tunnel connection status; and
Wi-Fi signal quality and channel utilization.

SpiceRouter may use Telemetry Data to operate, secure, diagnose, and improve the Service, and to create aggregated, de-identified analytics.

What SpiceRouter Does Not Collect

SpiceRouter does not inspect, log, or store the content of network traffic (such as web page content, emails, or file transfers) passing through the Device. DNS Filtering operates at the domain level and does not inspect page content, URLs beyond the domain, or encrypted traffic content.

11. DNS Filtering

SpiceRouter provides DNS Filtering to reduce unwanted content (advertising, trackers, known malicious domains) on Customer's network. Customer acknowledges that:

(a) DNS Filtering operates by blocking or allowing DNS resolution for specific domains and cannot selectively filter content within a domain;
(b) DNS Filtering may prevent access to some legitimate websites or services (over-blocking), and may not block all unwanted content (under-blocking);
(c) Customer may configure DNS Filtering preferences through the Management Portal, subject to plan-level access;
(d) SpiceRouter is not responsible for content that is or is not blocked by DNS Filtering; and
(e) DNS Filtering is not a substitute for endpoint security software, parental supervision, or other security measures.

12. Remote Management and Updates

By using the Service, Customer authorizes SpiceRouter to:

(a) deliver firmware updates, security patches, and bug fixes to Devices;
(b) apply configuration changes reasonably necessary for security, performance, or continued service delivery;
(c) collect diagnostics and Telemetry Data from Devices;
(d) perform remote troubleshooting and support actions at Customer's request or as reasonably necessary for security; and
(e) access Device management interfaces through secure, encrypted channels.

Non-emergency changes: Where a Remote Management action materially changes Device behavior or configuration (such as a major firmware upgrade), SpiceRouter will use reasonable efforts to provide advance notice through the Management Portal, email, or in-app notification.

Emergency changes: Security patches, vulnerability mitigations, and critical stability fixes may be deployed without advance notice where delay would create material security risk.

Opting out: Customer may effectively revoke Remote Management authorization by disconnecting the Device from the internet. A disconnected Device will continue to provide basic routing and Wi-Fi functions but will not receive updates, monitoring, or management through the Service.

13. Third-Party Services

The Service may integrate with or depend on third-party services, including internet service providers, DNS resolvers, cloud infrastructure providers, identity providers, and analytics services. SpiceRouter is not responsible for third-party services, their availability, or outages outside our control.

14. Fees and Payment

Paid subscriptions, device purchases, BYOD provisioning fees, support fees, or enterprise fees are due as specified on the pricing page, invoice, quote, or order form.

(a) Unless otherwise stated, fees are in Canadian dollars.
(b) Applicable taxes are additional.
(c) Device purchase fees are non-refundable except as provided in SpiceRouter's return policy or as required by law.
(d) Subscription fees are non-refundable for the current billing period except as required by law.
(e) BYOD provisioning fees are one-time and non-refundable once the Device has been activated.
(f) Late or failed payments may result in suspension, downgrade, or restriction of Service features.

15. Network Performance

SpiceRouter does not guarantee specific internet speeds, latency, bandwidth, uptime, or network performance. Network performance depends on factors outside SpiceRouter's control, including Customer's internet service provider, local network conditions, interference, device count, and physical environment.

Any support commitments, response times, uptime commitments, or service levels apply only if expressly stated in a written plan description or enterprise agreement.

16. Suspension and Termination

Customer may stop using the Service at any time, subject to any applicable subscription commitments.

SpiceRouter may suspend or terminate the Service if Customer breaches these Terms, fees are unpaid after notice, use creates security, legal, or operational risk, or SpiceRouter is required to do so by law.

Effect of Termination:

(a) Customer's access to the Management Portal and Remote Management features ends.
(b) Subscription-dependent features (monitoring, alerting, DNS Filtering management, firmware updates, configuration backup) will be disabled.
(c) The Device will continue to provide basic routing and Wi-Fi functionality using its last-applied configuration, but will not receive further updates or management.
(d) Customer Data export will be available for thirty (30) days following termination, after which SpiceRouter may delete Customer Data.

17. Intellectual Property and Feedback

SpiceRouter retains all right, title, and interest in the Service and related software, Firmware (excluding open-source components governed by their own licenses), branding, documentation, and technology, except for Customer Data.

Feedback provided by Customer may be used by SpiceRouter without restriction or compensation.

18. Disclaimer

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available." To the maximum extent permitted by law, SpiceRouter disclaims all warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, and that the Service will be uninterrupted or error-free.

Without limiting the foregoing, SpiceRouter does not warrant that: (a) DNS Filtering will block all unwanted content or will not block legitimate content; (b) Remote Management updates will not cause service interruption; (c) the Device will achieve any particular network performance; or (d) security monitoring will detect all threats.

Networking and internet services inherently depend on third-party infrastructure and conditions outside our control.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SpiceRouter will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for loss of data, network availability, profit, revenue, business, or opportunity, including without limitation any damages arising from network outages, DNS Filtering behavior, firmware updates, or Remote Management actions.

SpiceRouter's total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to the Service or these Terms will not exceed the greater of: (a) the amounts paid by Customer to SpiceRouter for the Service in the twelve (12) months before the claim; or (b) CAD $100.

20. Indemnity

Customer will indemnify and hold harmless SpiceRouter and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and contractors from claims arising from: (a) Customer's misuse of the Service; (b) Customer's networks and downstream devices; (c) Customer Data; (d) Customer's violation of law, telecommunications regulations, or third-party rights; or (e) unauthorized modifications to Devices or Firmware.

21. Changes to Terms or Service

SpiceRouter may update these Terms by posting revised Terms or otherwise notifying Customer. Material changes will apply prospectively with reasonable notice. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

22. Force Majeure

Neither party will be liable for delays or failures in performance caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemic, war, government actions, power or internet outages, ISP failures, or denial-of-service attacks.

23. General

Severability. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force.
Waiver. Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of the right to enforce it later.
Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, any applicable Hardware Addendum, order form, and enterprise agreement, constitute the entire agreement.
Assignment. Customer may not assign these Terms without SpiceRouter's prior written consent. SpiceRouter may assign in connection with a merger, acquisition, or asset sale.
Notices. Notices to SpiceRouter must be sent to the contact address below. Notices to Customer may be sent to the email address on file.
Independent Contractors. The parties are independent contractors.

24. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. The parties attorn to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Ontario.

Contact

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at legal@spicerouter.com or visit our Support page.