Kalam
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Terms of Service

Last updated: March 30, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Kalam desktop application ("Software") and the kalam.stream website ("Site"), including optional paid subscriptions such as Kalam Pro. By using the Software or Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety. If you do not agree, you must not use the Software or Site.

Kalam is developed by Ali Farahat / Balacode ("we", "us", "our").

1. Acceptance

By downloading, installing, or using the Software, or by accessing the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Software or Site.

2. License

Kalam is licensed under the Functional Source License (FSL). The authoritative text is in the LICENSE file in the repository.

  • Permitted use — Anyone can read, modify, use, and contribute to the code. Individuals, freelancers, and businesses can use Kalam internally without needing permission.
  • Competing use prohibited — You may not use the code to build a competing dictation or voice-input product without a separate written license.
  • Apache 2.0 conversion — After two (2) years, each version of the code automatically converts to the Apache 2.0 license, removing all FSL restrictions.

Kalam Pro ($2.99/mo or $32.89/yr) is a separate software subscription that unlocks AI-powered features (Polish, custom modes, context awareness, voice editing, sync, and more). Pro payment does not grant a competing-use license. You still bring your own API keys (BYOK) for AI usage.

Contact hello@balacode.io or visit the licensing page for competing-use license inquiries.

3. Contributions

By submitting contributions (code, documentation, or other materials) to the Kalam project, you:

  • Grant the maintainers a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, sublicense, and distribute your contributions in both noncommercial and commercial versions of the Software.
  • Represent and warrant that you have the legal right to make the contribution and that it does not infringe any third-party intellectual property, proprietary, or other rights.
  • Agree to indemnify the Released Parties (as defined in §11) against any claim arising from a breach of this warranty.

4. Sponsorships and Donations

Sponsorships and donations (including via GitHub Sponsors) are voluntary, non-refundable, and do not guarantee specific features, support, or benefits. A sponsorship or donation does not constitute a commercial license. Commercial use still requires a separate license where applicable (see §2).

You are responsible for any tax obligations arising from your donation. Platform terms (e.g., GitHub Sponsors) also apply.

5. API Keys and Third-Party Services

Kalam supports "Bring Your Own Key" (BYOK) for cloud STT providers such as Groq and OpenAI. You are solely responsible for:

  • Obtaining, managing, and securing your API keys.
  • Complying with the terms of service of your chosen STT provider.
  • Any costs, charges, or overages incurred through your API usage.
  • Any consequences of unauthorized access to your API keys.

Kalam is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with Groq, OpenAI, or any other third-party STT provider. See also §9 (Third-Party Services).

6. Acceptable Use

You agree to:

  • Obtain consent from all parties before recording or transcribing their speech.
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
  • Not use the Software for any unlawful purpose.
  • Not engage in bad-faith reverse engineering intended to circumvent licensing terms.

7. Assumption of Risk

You expressly understand and agree that your use of the Software is at your sole risk. You assume full responsibility for:

  • The accuracy and suitability of any transcription output.
  • Compliance with all applicable laws regarding audio recording, consent, and data protection in your jurisdiction.
  • Any consequences arising from dictation into applications or systems (including but not limited to sending messages, executing commands, or entering data).
  • Selecting, configuring, and bearing the costs of any third-party STT provider.
  • Securing your API keys and credentials.

8. Not for Critical Use

The Software is not designed, intended, or warranted for use in any situation where inaccurate transcription could result in death, personal injury, property damage, financial loss, legal liability, or violation of any law or regulation. This includes, without limitation:

  • Medical, clinical, or healthcare documentation.
  • Legal proceedings, contracts, or compliance records.
  • Financial transactions, accounting, or regulatory filings.
  • Safety-critical systems, emergency services, or aviation.
  • Any context requiring certified or legally binding transcription.

If you choose to use the Software in any such context, you do so entirely at your own risk, and the Released Parties (as defined in §11) disclaim all liability for any resulting harm.

9. Third-Party Services and STT Providers

When you use cloud transcription, audio data is transmitted directly from your device to the third-party STT provider you configure (e.g., Groq, OpenAI). The Released Parties:

  • Have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, practices, availability, or performance of any third-party service.
  • Do not endorse and are not affiliated with any STT provider.
  • Are not liable for any loss, damage, or claim arising from your use of, or reliance on, any third-party service — including but not limited to API changes, downtime, data breaches, data retention practices, inaccurate output, or billing disputes.

Your use of any third-party service is governed solely by that provider's own terms and policies.

10. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR COMPLETENESS.

Transcription accuracy depends on audio quality, language, accent, background noise, and the STT model used. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any transcription output. You are solely responsible for reviewing, verifying, and validating all transcription output before relying on it for any purpose.

We do not warrant that the Software will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components, or that defects will be corrected.

11. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL ALI FARAHAT, BALACODE, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS, OR ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY, THE "RELEASED PARTIES") BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY:

  • INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES;
  • LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, GOODWILL, BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY, OR ANTICIPATED SAVINGS;
  • BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, WORK STOPPAGE, OR COMPUTER FAILURE;
  • COST OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; OR
  • ANY OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY KIND,

ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS, THE SOFTWARE, THE SITE, OR ANY THIRD-PARTY SERVICE (INCLUDING ANY STT PROVIDER), HOWEVER CAUSED AND REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, NEGLIGENCE, OR OTHERWISE), EVEN IF THE RELEASED PARTIES HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY JURISDICTION DOES NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, THE RELEASED PARTIES' TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE LESSER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU ACTUALLY PAID FOR A COMMERCIAL LICENSE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE UNITED STATES DOLLAR (USD $1.00).

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to:

  • Your use or misuse of the Software or Site.
  • Your violation of these Terms or any applicable law or regulation.
  • Your violation of any third party's rights, including privacy, intellectual property, or consent rights.
  • Recording, transcribing, or processing the speech of any person without proper consent.
  • Your use of any third-party STT provider, including any breach of that provider's terms.
  • Any content you generate, transmit, or publish using the Software.

This indemnification obligation survives termination of these Terms and your use of the Software.

13. Pre-Release Software

The Software may be designated as alpha, beta, preview, or pre-release (collectively, "Pre-Release Software"). Pre-Release Software is experimental and may contain bugs, errors, or incomplete features. Pre-Release Software is provided for testing and evaluation purposes only and is subject to all disclaimers and limitations of liability in these Terms with even greater force. We may change or discontinue Pre-Release Software at any time without notice.

14. Dispute Resolution and Class Action Waiver

14.1 Individual Claims Only

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AND WE EACH AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE WILL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. YOU EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION OR MULTI-PARTY ARBITRATION.

14.2 Informal Resolution First

Before initiating any formal proceedings, you agree to contact us at hello@balacode.io and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least thirty (30) days.

15. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Software after changes constitutes acceptance.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

18. Contact

For questions about these Terms:

Email: hello@balacode.io
GitHub: Open an issue
Commercial licensing: business page

19. Accounts, billing, and subscriptions (kalam.stream)

If you create an account or purchase Kalam Pro ($2.99/mo or $32.89/yr), you authorize us and our payment processor (Stripe) to charge your payment method on the terms shown at checkout and in your billing portal. Kalam Pro unlocks AI-powered features — you still bring your own API keys (BYOK) for AI usage.

  • Stripe — Card and payment method details are collected by Stripe. Manage payment methods and invoices through the Stripe Customer Portal.
  • 14-day free trial — Pro features may be available for a 14-day trial period without payment. After the trial, Pro features lock unless you subscribe.
  • Refunds — Unless required by law or stated at purchase, fees are non-refundable. Contact us for billing disputes.
  • Cancellation — If you cancel, you drop back to Free — no data lost, no punishment. You can re-subscribe anytime.
  • Kalam Pro — Features and pricing may change with notice as described on the Site. BYOK cloud usage remains your responsibility under §5. Pro payment does not constitute a competing-use license under §2.