Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using the Student Counsellor Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our platform. These terms apply to all users, including students and counsellors.

2. Account Registration and Authentication

To use our platform, you must:

• Be at least 13 years old (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction)
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Choose between Google OAuth authentication or mobile number registration
• Maintain the security of your account credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

Google OAuth Authentication

When using Google OAuth, you agree to:

• Grant necessary permissions for calendar access and session scheduling
• Comply with Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
• Allow us to access your Google Calendar for session management
• Understand that we may create, view, and manage calendar events on your behalf
• Maintain control over your Google account security

Mobile Number Registration

When registering with a mobile number, you agree to:

• Provide a valid, active mobile phone number
• Receive SMS verification codes and important notifications
• Keep your mobile number updated in your account settings
• Understand that standard messaging rates may apply

3. User Responsibilities

As a user of our platform, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information during registration and profile setup
• Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials
• Use the platform for lawful purposes only
• Respect the privacy and rights of other users
• Not engage in any harmful, abusive, or disruptive activities
• Not share your account credentials with others
• Not attempt to access other users' accounts or private information
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Maintain appropriate professional conduct during sessions

4. Platform Services

Our platform provides:

• Student-counsellor matching and connection services
• Career guidance and educational counselling
• Session scheduling and calendar management through Google Calendar integration
• Real-time chat and communication tools
• Educational resources and learning materials
• Progress tracking and assessment tools
• Notification services via email and SMS
• Profile management and customization features

5. Session Management and Communication

Regarding counselling sessions:

• Sessions may be scheduled through our integrated Google Calendar system
• All session communications are subject to our privacy policy
• Users are responsible for maintaining session confidentiality
• Platform provides tools for session recording and note-taking (with consent)
• Users must respect scheduled session times and provide advance notice for cancellations
• Emergency contact information may be required for safety purposes

6. Data and Privacy

You acknowledge and agree that:

• Your personal information will be collected and processed as described in our Privacy Policy
• Google OAuth permissions may be required for full platform functionality
• Mobile numbers will be used for verification and important communications
• Session data may be stored and analyzed for service improvement
• You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data
• Data may be shared between matched students and counsellors as necessary

7. Intellectual Property

All content, features, and functionality of the platform are owned by Commoner App and are protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, or distribute any part of the platform without our permission. Users retain ownership of their original content shared on the platform.

8. Limitation of Liability

Commoner App is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information provided through our services. We are not responsible for the quality of counselling services provided by individual counsellors.

9. Third-Party Services

Our platform integrates with third-party services:

• Google Services: OAuth authentication and Calendar integration
• SMS Services: For mobile verification and notifications
• Email Services: For communication and notifications

These services have their own terms of service and privacy policies. By using our platform, you agree to comply with these third-party terms as well.

10. Termination

We reserve the right to terminate or suspend your access to the platform at any time, without notice, for any reason, including violation of these terms. Upon termination, your access to the platform will cease immediately, and we may delete your account and associated data in accordance with our privacy policy.

11. Contact Information

12. Changes to Terms

We may modify these terms at any time. We will notify users of any material changes by posting the updated terms on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.