Acceptable Use Policy

Purpose and Scope

This Acceptable Use Policy ("Policy") establishes the standards and guidelines governing all use of Biddy.ng's digital marketplace platform, including but not limited to our website, mobile applications, application programming interfaces (APIs), and any related services (collectively referred to as the "Platform").

By accessing or utilizing any aspect of our Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by all provisions contained within this Policy. This document serves to protect the integrity of our Platform, ensure a safe and fair environment for all users, and maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations across all jurisdictions where our services are available.

Prohibited Activities and Content

The Platform strictly prohibits any activities or content that violate laws, infringe upon rights, or negatively impact the user experience. The following enumerates, without limitation, conduct that is expressly forbidden:

• Illegal Goods and Services: Listing, offering, or facilitating transactions involving controlled substances, prescription medications without proper authorization, weapons, explosives, stolen property, counterfeit or pirated goods, human trafficking, or any items prohibited by applicable local, national, or international laws.
• Fraudulent Activities: Engaging in deceptive practices including but not limited to false advertising, bait-and-switch tactics, pyramid schemes, phishing attempts, identity theft, credit card fraud, or any form of financial scam.
• Intellectual Property Violations: Uploading, sharing, or distributing content that infringes upon copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights without proper authorization from the rights holder.
• Harmful Content: Posting material that contains viruses, malware, spyware, or any other malicious code designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems or networks.
• Abusive Behavior: Harassment, bullying, threats, hate speech, discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic, as well as any form of stalking or unwanted contact.
• Adult Content: Distribution of pornography, sexually explicit material, or any content that would be classified as adult-oriented or not suitable for minors under applicable laws and regulations.
• Platform Manipulation: Attempting to artificially influence search rankings, reviews, ratings, or any other system metrics through fake accounts, automated tools, or other deceptive means.
• Security Violations: Any attempts to probe, scan, test the vulnerability of, breach, circumvent, or disrupt the security measures, authentication systems, or infrastructure of the Platform.
• Spam and Unsolicited Communications: Sending bulk messages, unauthorized advertising, or any form of unsolicited commercial communication through the Platform's messaging systems.
• Data Mining and Scraping: Extracting, collecting, or harvesting information about users or listings through automated means without our express written permission.

User Obligations and Standards

All users of the Platform are expected to maintain high standards of conduct and adhere to the following responsibilities:

• Accurate Representation: Ensure that all listings, product descriptions, service offerings, and user profiles contain truthful, complete, and non-misleading information. This includes providing clear photographs, accurate pricing, and honest condition assessments for all items.
• Transaction Integrity: Complete all transactions in good faith, including prompt shipment of sold items, accurate tracking information, and timely responses to buyer inquiries. Sellers must honor the terms and conditions explicitly stated in their listings.
• Communication Standards: Maintain professional and respectful communication with other users through all Platform channels. This includes responding to inquiries in a timely manner and resolving disputes amicably whenever possible.
• Account Security: Protect account credentials and immediately report any unauthorized access or suspicious activity. Users are solely responsible for all activities that occur under their account credentials.
• Legal Compliance: Ensure that all activities conducted through the Platform comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws, including but not limited to consumer protection regulations, export controls, and tax obligations.
• Age Verification: Confirm that you meet the minimum age requirement (18 years or older) to use the Platform in your jurisdiction and that you have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.
• Content Moderation: Regularly review and update your listings and communications to ensure continued compliance with Platform policies and applicable laws.

Content Standards and Restrictions

All content uploaded to or shared through the Platform must adhere to the following standards:

• Authenticity: Content must be original or used with proper authorization. Users must have all necessary rights to any images, videos, text, or other media they upload.
• Appropriateness: Visual content must be suitable for a general audience and may not contain nudity, graphic violence, or other disturbing imagery.
• Accuracy: Product specifications, measurements, conditions, and capabilities must be described truthfully and with sufficient detail to allow potential buyers to make informed decisions.
• Transparency: Any material connections between reviewers and sellers (such as free products, discounts, or personal relationships) must be clearly disclosed.
• Relevance: All content must be directly related to legitimate marketplace activities and may not be used primarily for personal expression, political campaigning, or other non-commercial purposes.

Policy Enforcement and Consequences

Biddy.ng reserves the right to investigate any potential violations of this Policy and take appropriate action at our sole discretion, which may include but is not limited to:

• Issuing warnings or requiring corrective action
• Removing or restricting access to content, listings, or user profiles
• Temporarily suspending or permanently terminating user accounts
• Restricting access to certain Platform features or functionalities
• Withholding payments or imposing financial penalties where applicable
• Reporting violations to law enforcement or regulatory authorities
• Taking legal action to recover damages or seek injunctive relief

The severity of the violation, the user's history of compliance, and the potential impact on other users will all be considered when determining appropriate enforcement measures. Biddy.ng may, but is not obligated to, provide notice of violations and an opportunity to respond before taking action, except in cases where immediate action is required to protect the Platform or its users.

Reporting Violations and Concerns

Users play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of our Platform by reporting potential violations. If you encounter content or behavior that appears to violate this Policy, please:

• Use the built-in reporting tools available throughout the Platform
• Submit detailed reports to our Trust & Safety team at help-desk@biddy.ng
• Include relevant evidence such as screenshots, message transcripts, or listing details
• Provide specific details about the nature of the violation and its location on the Platform

All reports will be reviewed by our team, though we may not be able to provide individual updates on action taken due to privacy considerations. We prohibit retaliation against users who make good-faith reports of potential violations.

Dispute Resolution Process

In the event of disagreements regarding enforcement actions or alleged Policy violations, users may request review through the following process:

• Submit a written appeal to help-desk@biddy.ng within 14 days of the enforcement action
• Include all relevant information and evidence supporting your position
• Our team will conduct a secondary review and respond within 30 days
• Final determinations will be made at Biddy.ng's sole discretion

For disputes between users (such as transaction disagreements), we encourage parties to first attempt resolution through direct communication. The Platform may offer mediation services or dispute resolution tools, but ultimately users retain responsibility for their transactions and interactions.

Policy Modifications and Updates

Biddy.ng reserves the right to modify, amend, or update this Policy at any time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or industry standards. Material changes will be communicated through one or more of the following methods:

• In-platform notifications or banners
• Email announcements to registered users
• Publication of revised versions on our website with updated effective dates

Continued use of the Platform following any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Policy. Users who do not agree to modified terms should discontinue using the Platform immediately.

Legal Compliance and Jurisdictional Considerations

This Policy operates in conjunction with and does not supersede any applicable laws or regulations. In the event of any conflict between this Policy and governing law, the legal requirements shall prevail to the extent necessary.

Users are responsible for understanding and complying with all local laws regarding online marketplaces, e-commerce, digital transactions, and prohibited items or services. Biddy.ng may restrict access or availability of certain features in specific jurisdictions based on legal requirements.