Agreement to Terms; Changes to Terms
Acceptance
By creating an account, clicking "accept," or otherwise using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to these Terms and any documents incorporated by reference (including our Privacy Policy).
Changes
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make changes, we will post the revised Terms with a new "Last updated" date. If a change is material, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you (for example, by email or an in-app notice). Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of revised Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Platform and may request deletion of your account as set forth in our Privacy Policy.
Eligibility
Age Requirement
To register as a Participant you must be at least 18 years old. By creating a Participant account you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. If we learn that a Participant is under 18, we will suspend or terminate the account and delete related data as required by law.
Researcher Eligibility
To register as a Researcher you must be authorized by an academic or research institution, or otherwise qualified to conduct academic research consistent with applicable law and institutional requirements. Researchers must supply truthful information about institutional affiliation and research oversight as requested.
Acceptable Use; Prohibited Conduct
General Use
You agree to use the Platform lawfully, honestly, and in good faith. You must provide accurate, current, and complete information when creating and maintaining your account and when responding to recruitment or study requests.
Prohibited Conduct
You will not, and will not assist others to:
- Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or to solicit others to engage in illegal activity
- Misrepresent your identity, affiliation, qualifications, health status, or study details
- Harass, threaten, stalk, defame, abuse, discriminate against, or otherwise infringe on others' rights
- Upload or distribute viruses, malware, spyware, or other harmful code
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform, other accounts, systems, or networks
- Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Platform or its data
- Use the Platform to collect or publish personal data of other users in violation of applicable law or these Terms
- Recruit participants for non-research commercial activities or political campaigning through the Platform
- Circumvent platform safeguards, moderation, or enforcement mechanisms
Enforcement
We may investigate suspected violations and take actions including warnings, content removal, account suspension or termination, and reporting to relevant authorities. We reserve the right to pursue all available legal remedies.
Privacy and Data Protection
Platform Data
We collect and process the minimal personal data necessary to provide recruitment and matchmaking services (for example, contact information, basic demographics, and preferences). Our Privacy Policy describes what we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, data retention, and your rights. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection and use of information in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
Researcher Data Collection
When you enroll in a study, researchers may collect additional data pursuant to that study's consent form. Researchers are solely responsible for obtaining proper informed consent, for protecting study-related data, and for complying with applicable data protection laws, institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee requirements, and any contractual obligations. The Platform facilitates lawful data transfer to Researchers as described in the Privacy Policy but is not responsible for researchers' practices.
Data Security
We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect personal data in our possession. However, no system can be guaranteed secure; we cannot promise absolute security and are not responsible for unauthorized access beyond our reasonable control.
Participant Control and Deletion
You may access, update, or request deletion of your account data in accordance with the Privacy Policy. Certain data may need to be retained to comply with legal obligations or for legitimate business purposes.
Disclaimer; No Warranty; "As Is"
THE PLATFORM, ITS CONTENT, AND ALL SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, TIMELINESS, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or free from defects or harmful components. We do not endorse, guarantee, or certify any research study, researcher, or study results available through the Platform.
Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL WE, OUR AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR CONTRACTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS, YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PLATFORM, YOUR PARTICIPATION IN ANY STUDY, OR ANY OTHER INTERACTIONS THROUGH THE PLATFORM (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION), EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR DIRECT DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM WILL BE LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM; OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (USD 100). IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID US, THE LIMIT SHALL BE USD 100. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES; IN THAT EVENT, SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Platform, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your breach of these Terms; (b) your negligence or willful misconduct in using the Platform or participating in a study; (c) your violation of applicable law or the rights of any third party; or (d) your representations or warranties being untrue or inaccurate.
Right to Terminate
Suspension and Termination
We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform, delete or restrict your account, and refuse current or future use of the Platform for any reason, including if you violate these Terms, engage in prohibited conduct, or create legal liability for us. We may impose temporary suspensions pending investigation. Actions may be taken with or without prior notice.
Effects of Termination
Termination does not limit our rights to pursue other remedies under law. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (including but not limited to Indemnification, Disclaimer, Limitation of Liability, Data Retention, and Governing Law) will survive.
Participant Account Acknowledgments and Agreements
By creating a Participant account, you expressly agree and acknowledge the following:
- Research Participation. The Platform connects you to academic research studies and researchers. It is a recruitment and matchmaking service only and does not provide counseling, therapy, medical advice, or mental health services.
- Voluntary Participation. Participation in any study is voluntary. You may decline to participate and may withdraw from a study at any time in accordance with that study's consent form and procedures.
- No Counseling Relationship. Participating in a study does not create a counselor-client, therapist-patient, physician-patient, or similar professional relationship with the Platform or with researchers.
- Informed Consent. Each study provides its own informed consent materials describing purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality practices, and compensation. It is your responsibility to read and agree to each study's consent information before participating.
- Compensation. Any compensation is determined by the researcher. The Platform does not control, guarantee, or mediate payments; any disputes about compensation should be addressed to the research team.
- Privacy. The Platform collects only minimal information necessary for recruitment and matching. Researchers may collect additional study-specific information and are responsible for protecting that data and complying with applicable privacy laws and ethical requirements.
- Appropriate Use. You agree to provide accurate information, to interact respectfully with researchers and other users, and not to misuse the Platform or attempt to mislead researchers.
- Platform Role. The Platform acts as a neutral recruitment service and is not responsible for study design, conduct, outcomes, adequacy of safety procedures, or regulatory compliance of individual studies.
Researcher Account Acknowledgments and Agreements
By creating a Researcher account, you expressly agree and acknowledge the following:
- Academic & IRB-Approved Use Only. All studies posted on the Platform must be for bona fide academic research. Before recruiting participants, researchers must have obtained IRB approval or an IRB-documented exemption as required by applicable law and institutional policy.
- Ethical Responsibility. You are solely responsible for obtaining informed consent, ensuring ethical study conduct, protecting participant safety, and complying with all applicable institutional, legal, regulatory, and professional standards.
- No Counseling Services. You will not provide counseling, therapy, diagnosis, supervision, or crisis intervention via the Platform unless part of an approved study with appropriate oversight and safeguards.
- Confidentiality & Data Protection. You must protect participant confidentiality, securely store and process any study data collected, and comply with applicable data protection and privacy laws.
- Compensation Transparency. Any compensation offered for participation must be clearly disclosed in study materials and honored as described. You are responsible for administering payments and resolving any disputes.
- Appropriate Recruitment. You will not misrepresent your study, seek unnecessary sensitive information, or recruit for non-research purposes.
- Platform Role. You acknowledge the Platform is a recruitment and matchmaking service only. The Platform does not guarantee participant quality, study outcomes, IRB approval, or that participants will enroll.
- Enforcement. Accounts may be suspended or removed for ethical violations, failure to provide oversight documentation, or breach of platform policies. Serious breaches may be reported to affiliated institutions, funders, or regulatory bodies.
Reporting Concerns and Safety
If you have concerns about a study's conduct, informed consent, participant safety, data handling, or researcher behavior, report them to the research team, the affiliated institution, and, if applicable, the IRB or ethics committee. You may also contact us; we will review reports and take appropriate action consistent with these Terms.
Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
Governing Law
These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to them will be governed by the laws of the applicable jurisdiction, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
Dispute Resolution
If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, you and we agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the applicable courts, except where applicable law requires a different forum.
Miscellaneous
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any other documents incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Platform regarding your use of the Platform.
Assignment
We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets. You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent.
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Contact
For questions about these Terms, to report violations, or to request assistance, contact us at the email address listed on the site.