Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Welcome to Handoji ("Platform," "we," "our," or "us"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Handoji community help platform, including any content, functionality, and services offered on or through handoji.com (the "Website").
Important: Please read these Terms carefully before using the Platform. By accessing or using Handoji, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.
1. Acceptance of Terms
1.1 Binding Agreement
By creating an account or using Handoji, you confirm that:
- You are at least 18 years old
- You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms
- You agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy
- You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
1.2 Account Responsibility
You are responsible for:
- Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
- All activities that occur under your account
- Ensuring your account information is accurate and up-to-date
- Immediately notifying us of any unauthorized use of your account
2. Community Guidelines
2.1 Prohibited Conduct
When using Handoji, you agree not to:
- Harass or threaten other users
- Share false or misleading information
- Discriminate based on race, gender, religion, or any protected characteristic
- Engage in illegal activities or promote illegal services
- Impersonate other individuals or entities
- Spam other users with unsolicited messages
- Share explicit or inappropriate content
- Circumvent our safety measures or verification systems
2.2 Community Standards
We expect all users to:
- Treat others with respect and professionalism
- Communicate clearly and honestly
- Respect others' time and commitments
- Provide accurate information about services and skills
- Resolve disputes amicably and professionally
Important: Violation of these guidelines may result in temporary or permanent suspension of your account.
3. Service Agreements
3.1 Between Users
Handoji facilitates connections between users but is not a party to any agreement between them. Users are responsible for:
- Negotiating terms: Price, scope, timeline, and other service details
- Verifying credentials: Skills, experience, and qualifications
- Ensuring safety: Meeting in public places when necessary
- Resolving disputes: Directly with the other party
3.2 Payment Terms
Unless otherwise agreed:
- Payment terms are determined between users
- Handoji does not process payments (users arrange payment directly)
- Users should agree on payment method and timing before services begin
- All taxes and additional costs are the responsibility of the involved parties
Note: We recommend using secure payment methods and obtaining receipts for all transactions.
4. Safety and Verification
4.1 User Verification
While we may implement verification features, you acknowledge that:
- Handoji does not guarantee the identity, credentials, or background of any user
- You are responsible for conducting your own due diligence
- Verification badges (if any) are based on user-provided information
- You should exercise caution when interacting with new users
4.2 Safety Recommendations
For your safety, we recommend:
- Meeting in public places for initial meetings
- Informing a friend or family member about your plans
- Verifying user profiles and reviews before engaging
- Using the platform's messaging system initially
- Trusting your instincts - if something feels wrong, cancel the arrangement
Important: Handoji is not liable for any incidents that occur between users. Users interact at their own risk.
5. Reviews and Ratings
5.1 Review Guidelines
Reviews should be:
- Truthful: Based on actual experience
- Respectful: Focus on the service, not personal attributes
- Specific: Provide useful feedback for other users
- Timely: Submitted within 30 days of service completion
5.2 Prohibited Reviews
You may not:
- Post false or misleading reviews
- Threaten negative reviews for personal gain
- Post reviews for services you didn't receive
- Include personal contact information in reviews
- Post reviews that violate these Terms
5.3 Review Moderation
We reserve the right to:
- Remove reviews that violate these Terms
- Investigate suspicious review patterns
- Temporarily disable review features if necessary
- Take action against users who abuse the review system
6. Intellectual Property
6.1 Platform Content
All platform content, including:
- Logo, design, and branding elements
- Software code and platform functionality
- Documentation and help materials
- Are owned by Handoji or our licensors
6.2 User Content
By posting content on Handoji, you grant us:
- A worldwide, non-exclusive license to use, display, and distribute your content
- The right to modify your content for technical purposes
- Permission to use your content to operate and improve the platform
You retain ownership of your content, but you're responsible for ensuring you have the right to share it.
Note: Do not share copyrighted material unless you have permission from the copyright holder.
7. Prohibited Services
You may not use Handoji to request or offer services that:
- Are illegal under South African law or local regulations
- Promote violence or criminal activity
- Involve adult content or sexual services
- Facilitate gambling or betting activities
- Involve weapons or dangerous materials
- Promote hate speech or discrimination
- Involve fraudulent or deceptive practices
- Violate intellectual property rights
- Endanger minors or vulnerable individuals
- Involve medical or legal advice without proper credentials
Important: Services requiring professional licenses (plumbing, electrical work, etc.) should only be offered by properly licensed individuals.
8. Limitations of Liability
8.1 Service "As Is"
Handoji is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee that:
- The platform will be uninterrupted or error-free
- Services offered by users will meet your expectations
- User profiles are accurate or truthful
- The platform will be free from viruses or harmful components
8.2 Limitation of Damages
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Handoji shall not be liable for:
- Direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
- Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
- Personal injury or property damage resulting from user interactions
- Any disputes between users
- Unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions
Note: Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitations of liability, so some of these limitations may not apply to you.
9. Dispute Resolution
9.1 Between Users
For disputes between users, we recommend:
- Communicating directly to resolve issues
- Documenting agreements and communications
- Using mediation services if direct resolution fails
- Contacting local authorities for illegal activities
9.2 With Handoji
For disputes with Handoji:
- First attempt to resolve through our support channels
- If unresolved, disputes will be governed by South African law
- Disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Pretoria, South Africa
- You agree to personal jurisdiction in South Africa
Note: We encourage users to attempt informal resolution before pursuing formal legal action.
10. Account Suspension and Termination
10.1 By Handoji
We may suspend or terminate your account if:
- You violate these Terms or our policies
- You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
- You create risk or possible legal exposure for us
- Your account is inactive for an extended period
- Required by law or government request
10.2 By You
You may terminate your account at any time by:
- Using the account deletion feature in settings
- Contacting our support team
- Ceasing to use the platform
10.3 Effects of Termination
Upon termination:
- Your right to use the platform immediately ceases
- We may delete or anonymize your account information
- Your reviews and content may remain visible (but anonymized)
- Outstanding obligations (like payments) remain your responsibility
11. Changes to Terms
11.1 Modification Rights
We reserve the right to:
- Modify these Terms at any time
- Update platform features and functionality
- Change pricing or fee structures (if applicable)
- Update community guidelines and policies
11.2 Notification of Changes
We will notify you of material changes by:
- Posting the updated Terms on this page
- Sending an email to registered users
- Displaying a notice on the platform
- Updating the "Last Updated" date
11.3 Acceptance of Changes
By continuing to use Handoji after changes:
- You accept the updated Terms
- You agree to be bound by the new terms
- If you disagree, you must stop using the platform
12. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of South Africa, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
12.1 Jurisdiction
Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or the Platform shall be instituted exclusively in the courts of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
12.2 Waiver of Jury Trial
You waive any and all objections to the exercise of jurisdiction over you by such courts and to venue in such courts.
12.3 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the other provisions will remain in full force and effect.