These are the complete Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) governing the “BABY OF THE YEAR 2026” contest (“Contest”) hosted and promoted by Trending Online (“Trending Online”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), via the website www.trendingonline.co.za (“Website”). By participating in this Contest, whether as an Entrant or a Voter, you agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety.

---

CONTEST QUICK REFERENCE	KEY PROVISIONS
CONTEST CLASSIFICATION	A PUBLIC VOTE CONTEST (NOT A LOTTERY OR SWEEPSTAKES). DETERMINED BY FREE PUBLIC VOTE.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY	NO PURCHASE, PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATION OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO VOTE. A purchase or payment of any kind will not increase an Entrant’s chances of winning. Void where prohibited by law.
POLL RESULTS	Trending Online – www.trendingonline.co.za
CONTEST PERIOD	This competition closes on the 31 Dec 2026 at 12:00am
ELIGIBILITY: ENTRANTS	Must be 18+ years old and the legal guardian of the baby being entered. Legal residents of the target countries specified in Article 2 (Excluding Quebec, Canada).
ELIGIBILITY: VOTERS	Must be 18+ years old. Unlimited global participation.
DISCLAIMER	This competition is for promotion purpose and Trending Online or its staff my not help liable for any claim whatsoever.

---

ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1. “Contestant” or “Entrant” means the parent or legal guardian who submits an entry for the Contest on behalf of the “Baby”. The Baby is the subject of the entry, but not a legal participant.
2. “Voter” means any individual who casts a vote in the Contest.
3. “Submission” means the photo(s) of the Baby and any supporting information submitted by the Entrant.
4. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Trending Online concerning the Contest and supersede all prior communications or agreements.

ARTICLE 2: ELIGIBILITY: GEOGRAPHY AND LIMITATIONS

1. Entrant Geography: This Contest is open only to legal residents of the following countries: South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States (all 50 states and D.C.).
2. Voter Geography: Voting is open to legal residents worldwide, provided they meet the age requirement.
3. Age Gating: Entrants and Voters must be at least 18 years old at the time of entry/voting.
4. Employees and Immediate Family: Employees of Trending Online, its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, and immediate family members (spouses, parents, siblings, and children) or individuals residing in the same household are not eligible to enter or to vote.

ARTICLE 3: SUBMISSIONS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND INDEMNIFICATION

1. The Submission Process: Entrants must upload a high-quality photo of their Baby, providing all requested information accurately. By making a Submission, you guarantee that:
   • You are the parent or sole legal guardian of the Baby.
   • The photo does not include any other identifiable person (including other children or parents).
   • You are the sole and exclusive owner of all copyright and related rights in the photo, and the Submission does not infringe upon any third-party rights (including copyright, trademark, privacy, or publicity).
   • You possess all necessary consents (e.g., from the other parent) to enter the Contest and to use the photo as described below.
2. Intellectual Property License: By submitting an entry, the Entrant grants to Trending Online, its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, an irrevocable, royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide, fully sub-licensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display, and otherwise exploit the photo(s) in all formats and media now known or hereafter developed (including, without limitation, the Website, social media, and advertising materials) in connection with the Contest and the marketing and promotion of Trending Online, without further compensation or notification to, or permission from, the Entrant.
3. Release and Indemnification: To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Entrant releases Trending Online, its parents, subsidiaries, and advertising agencies from any and all liability, and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Trending Online from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to their Submission, including but not limited to claims of copyright infringement, violation of privacy or publicity, or any dispute over legal guardianship.

ARTICLE 4: VOTING RULES AND INTEGRITY

1. Free and Restricted Voting: Voting is free. Voters may vote up to [VOTE LIMIT, e.g., 1] time per day per entrant. Automated methods (including bots, macros, and script-based voting), vote-buying (directly or indirectly purchasing votes), vote-farming (using paid groups or services to vote), and any attempts to manipulate or defraud the voting process are strictly prohibited.
2. Right to Audit and Disqualify: Trending Online reserves the absolute right, at its sole discretion, to audit voting patterns and to nullify any votes it deems to be fraudulent, automated, manipulative, or in violation of these Terms. Furthermore, Trending Online reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant or Voter found to be violating these rules. Disqualified parties will not be eligible to win and may be banned from future contests.
3. Paid Votes Prohibited: NO PAYMENT IS REQUIRED OR ALLOWED TO CAST A VOTE. Any advertisements or offers on third-party sites claiming to sell votes for this Contest are fraudulent and unaffiliated with Trending Online.

ARTICLE 5: WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION

1. Determination of Winner: The Contestant whose Baby receives the highest number of valid public votes at the end of the Contest Period, subject to audit and verification, will be the Winner and hold the title.
2. Tie-Breaker: In the event of a tie in valid votes, both entrants will be announced as WINNERS.

ARTICLE 6: DATA PROTECTION, PRIVACY, AND POPIA/GDPR/CCPA COMPLIANCE

1. Collection of Data: When you enter or vote, we collect certain personal data, which may include your name, email address, IP address, photo, and age. We collect this information to administer the Contest (verification, winner notification), prevent fraud, and comply with legal requirements.
2. Privacy Policy: By participating, you agree to our processing of your personal data as described in our separate [Link to Privacy Policy]. Our privacy practices comply with the principles of the South African Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the UK/EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and, where applicable, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
3. Email Communications: You may receive emails from Trending Online related to the Contest. If you choose to opt-in, you may also receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time.

ARTICLE 7: LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

1. Limitation of Liability: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRENDING ONLINE, ITS PARENT COMPANIES, AFFILIATES, AND SUBSIDIARIES, WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE CONTEST, THE WEBSITE, OR ANY PRIZE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SITE DOWNTIME, FRAUDULENT VOTING, LOST ENTRIES, OR THE ACTIONS OF THIRD PARTIES.
2. Blanket Release: Participants (Entrants and Voters) release and hold harmless Trending Online from any and all liability for injuries, losses, or damages of any kind, including personal injury, death, or property damage, resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation in the Contest or from the acceptance, possession, misuse, or use of the prize.
3. “AS IS” Disclaimer: The Contest and Website are provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind, express or implied.

ARTICLE 8: GENERAL CONDITIONS AND GOVERNING LAW

1. Right to Terminate: Trending Online reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest in the event of fraud, technical failures, catastrophic events, or any other cause beyond its control that corrupts the administration or integrity of the Contest. In such cases, a winner may be selected from among valid non-suspect entries received up to the time of cancellation.
2. Severability: If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
3. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: THIS CONTEST AND THESE TERMS ARE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.