Terms of Service
These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of SkillLynk’s websites, applications, and related services (the “Service”). By creating an account, accessing, or using the Service, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
1. Definitions
“User,” “you,” and “your” refer to any individual or entity using the Service. “Client” refers to users posting work, assignments, tutoring requests, or hiring needs. “Expert” or “Workforce user” refers to tutors, freelancers, or other providers offering services through the platform. “Content” means text, images, media, listings, reviews, messages, and other materials submitted through the Service.
2. Eligibility and accounts
- You must be legally able to enter a binding contract in your jurisdiction and meet any minimum age requirements.
- You are responsible for accurate registration information and maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials.
- You must promptly notify us of unauthorised access to your account.
- One person or entity may not maintain multiple accounts to circumvent policies, fees, or restrictions without our consent.
3. Nature of the Service
SkillLynk provides an online venue for clients and experts to discover each other, communicate, and arrange work. We are not a party to contracts between users unless expressly stated for a specific product feature. We do not employ experts solely by virtue of their presence on the Service, and we do not guarantee particular outcomes of tutoring, jobs, or projects.
4. User conduct and acceptable use
You agree not to:
- Violate applicable laws or regulations, or infringe third‑party intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights.
- Post false, misleading, discriminatory, harassing, defamatory, or obscene Content.
- Circumvent fees, manipulate ratings or reviews, spam users, or scrape or overload the Service.
- Use the Service to solicit minors inappropriately or for unlawful discrimination in hiring or tutoring.
- Introduce malware, attempt unauthorised access, or interfere with security or integrity.
- Use another user’s identity or misrepresent affiliation or qualifications.
5. Listings, proposals, and engagements
- Clients are responsible for accurate descriptions of work, budgets, deadlines, and eligibility (including academic‑integrity rules where relevant).
- Experts are responsible for accurate profiles, pricing representations, availability, and lawful performance of agreed services.
- Users are responsible for complying with institution or employer rules that apply to them (for example academic honesty policies).
- The Service may provide messaging, bidding, scheduling, or discovery tools; final contractual terms are between users unless a specific feature states otherwise.
6. Payments, wallet, credits, fees, and escrow‑style features
- Certain features may use wallets, credits, coins, subscriptions, platform fees, or staged releases of funds. Fees and rules are disclosed in‑product or at checkout.
- You authorise us and our payment partners to charge or settle amounts you approve in accordance with the Service rules.
- Taxes, withholdings, and reporting obligations may apply to you; you are responsible for your own tax compliance.
- Chargebacks, reversals, or payment disputes may result in suspension, offsets against wallet balances, or recovery actions permitted by law and these Terms.
- Withdrawals or payouts may require verification and are subject to fraud prevention and banking cut‑off rules.
7. Referrals and promotions
Referral programmes, bonuses, or promotional credits are subject to separate rules published in the Service, including eligibility, caps, anti‑abuse measures, and expiry. We may modify or terminate promotions in accordance with those rules.
8. Reviews and ratings
Reviews should reflect genuine experiences. Manipulation, coercion, or incentivised reviews that mislead users are prohibited. We may remove or restrict Content that violates policies.
9. Intellectual property
- The Service, branding, and software are owned by SkillLynk or licensors and protected by intellectual‑property laws.
- You retain ownership of Content you submit; you grant us a worldwide, non‑exclusive licence to host, reproduce, display, and distribute your Content as needed to operate and promote the Service.
- Feedback you provide may be used without obligation to you.
10. Confidentiality
Users may receive confidential information from each other. You agree to use such information only for the purpose of the engagement and not to disclose it improperly. This does not limit our ability to share data as described in the Privacy Policy.
11. Disclaimers
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON‑INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR‑FREE OPERATION.
12. Limitation of liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SKILLLYNK AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND SUPPLIERS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR DEALINGS WITH OTHER USERS. OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THE SERVICE IS LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN FEES FOR THE SERVICE IN THE THREE (3) MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY, OR (B) IF NO FEES APPLIED, ONE HUNDRED (100) UNITS OF THE CURRENCY STATED IN YOUR ACCOUNT SETTINGS OR USD 100. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS; IN THOSE CASES OUR LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE MINIMUM PERMITTED BY LAW.
13. Indemnity
You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless SkillLynk and its affiliates from claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your Content, your use of the Service, your breach of these Terms, or your violation of law or third‑party rights.
14. Suspension and termination
We may suspend or terminate access to the Service, remove Content, or withhold payouts where we reasonably believe there is risk, abuse, fraud, or breach of these Terms or law. You may stop using the Service at any time. Provisions that by nature should survive will survive termination.
15. Disputes between users
You are solely responsible for resolving disputes with other users. We may offer informal tools or support but are not obligated to mediate. You release SkillLynk from claims arising from disputes with other users to the extent permitted by law.
16. Governing law and venue
These Terms are governed by the laws of India, excluding conflict‑of‑law rules. Courts located in India shall have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising from these Terms or the Service, subject to mandatory consumer protections in your jurisdiction where applicable.
17. Changes
We may modify these Terms by posting an updated version with a new “Last updated” date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance unless applicable law requires explicit consent for certain changes.
18. Electronic communications
You consent to receive notices electronically (including email and in‑product messages). You are responsible for keeping your email address current.
19. Contact
For questions about these Terms, contact us through the support channels listed on the Service.