Home / Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 09/11/2026

Agreement to these terms

These terms apply to your use of www.theshape.net and the SHAPE app for iPhone and iPad (which includes COMPASS), the COMPASS web version and our pages on social media that link to it (together, the "Services"). The Services are provided by the SHAPE network in cooperation with, and under the responsibility of, GSSG – Gemeinnützige Stiftung Sexualität und Gesundheit GmbH, Köln, Germany ("we", "us"; see the Imprint). By using the Services you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use them.

Information only: no advice, no recommendation

Everything in the Services is general information for the public and for policy discussion. It is not medical, legal, immigration, financial or other professional advice, and it is not a recommendation to use, choose, take, avoid or stop any medicine, test, treatment, service, provider or course of action. Using the Services does not create a doctor-patient, counselling or any other professional relationship with SHAPE.

Please talk to a qualified health professional or the competent authority about your own situation. In an emergency, call your local emergency number (112 in most of Europe; 112 in Germany).

Sources and accuracy

We compile information from public and official sources. Each record names its source and the date it was last checked. Laws, prices, reimbursement rules, medicine availability, opening hours, phone numbers and addresses change, and some records may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Classifications such as "available", "reimbursed" or "under review" are SHAPE's summaries of the sources on the stated date. They are not an official or legal assessment and do not guarantee that a medicine or service is available, covered or lawful for you. Please confirm important details with the provider or the competent authority before you rely on them. If you find an error, please tell us.

COMPASS and listed services

Services in COMPASS and in our service lists are independent organisations. We do not run them, and a listing is not a recommendation, endorsement, rating or guarantee. We cannot promise the quality, availability, cost, anonymity, confidentiality, language or accessibility of any service, or that it accepts you. Laws and practice differ between countries. You decide for yourself whether and how to use a service, and you do so at your own responsibility.

Third-party websites and content

The Services link to websites, maps and apps that we do not run (for example the pages of organisations, conferences and map providers). We do not control or check them and are not responsible for their content, availability or privacy practices. A link does not mean that we agree with or recommend the linked content.

Intellectual property

The texts, data compilations, maps, designs, the SHAPE and COMPASS names and logos belong to SHAPE or are used with permission, except where a source or third party is named. They are provided for your information and personal use. Without our written permission you may not copy, republish, sell or otherwise use them for commercial purposes. Rights you have by law, such as quoting with a clear source, are not affected. Names and logos of other organisations belong to their owners.

Acceptable use

Please use the Services lawfully and fairly. In particular, do not use scripts or tools to copy the Services in bulk, do not interfere with their operation or security, and do not use information from them to harass or harm anyone.

Availability and changes

The Services are provided free of charge and may be interrupted, changed or discontinued at any time. We may change the content and these terms; the "Last updated" date shows the current version.

If you download the SHAPE app from the Apple App Store, Apple's own terms for the App Store apply to the download. Apple is not responsible for the app, its content or support; questions about the app go to us at the address below.

Limitation of liability

The Services are provided "as is" and "as available". To the fullest extent permitted by law, we, and the people who contribute to the Services voluntarily, are not liable for loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, the Services or their content, or from their unavailability. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law, such as liability for intent or gross negligence, for injury to life, body or health, or under mandatory consumer or product liability rules.

Governing law and jurisdiction

German law applies to these terms and to your use of the Services, excluding its conflict-of-law rules. If you are a consumer, mandatory consumer protection rules of the country where you live remain unaffected. To the extent the law allows, the courts of Cologne, Germany, have jurisdiction.

Contact

GSSG – Gemeinnützige Stiftung Sexualität und Gesundheit GmbH, Odenwaldstraße 72, 51105 Köln, Germany, info@stiftung-gssg.org