Terms of Service

Last Updated: [Insert Date]
Welcome to VettingMate, your trusted platform for comprehensive background checks and identity verification. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) outline the legal agreement between you (“User”, “you”, or “your”) and VettingMate Limited (“VettingMate”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), the provider of the VettingMate platform and services. By using our platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms, which govern your access to and use of our services, website, mobile application, and any associated tools or functionalities (collectively, the “Platform”).
Please read these Terms carefully before using our services. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use or access our Platform.
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1. Definitions
For the purposes of these Terms, the following definitions apply:
• “Services” refers to the background checks, identity verification, credit score assessments, employment verification, criminal record checks, incident reporting, and other services provided by VettingMate on its Platform.
• “User” refers to any individual or entity that accesses or uses the Platform and its Services.
• “Platform” refers to the website (www.VettingMate.com), mobile applications, and any other digital channels through which VettingMate offers its Services.
• “Content” refers to any information, reports, data, text, images, videos, or other materials submitted, provided, or accessed through the Platform.
• “Personal Data” refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person, such as name, address, phone number, and biometric data.
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2. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the Platform and Services, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms, as well as any additional terms and policies that apply to specific services offered on the Platform. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and any other documents referenced herein.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you should refrain from using the Platform and Services. You are encouraged to review these Terms regularly for any changes.
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3. Eligibility
To use the Platform, you must:
• Be at least 18 years of age or have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement in your jurisdiction.
• Provide truthful, accurate, and complete information when registering an account.
• Have the legal right to provide any information you submit, including but not limited to personal details, biometric data, and other sensitive information.
If you are accessing or using the Services on behalf of an organisation, you represent that you have the authority to bind the organisation to these Terms.
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4. User Registration
4.1 Creating an Account
To use the Services, you must create an account by providing the necessary personal details. This may include:
• Full name, date of birth, and contact details.
• Biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition information (if applicable).
• Nationality, gender, employment details, and educational qualifications.
• Criminal history, credit history, and other relevant personal information.
You must ensure that the information you provide is accurate, complete, and up to date. You agree to update your account details as necessary to keep them accurate and current.
4.2 Account Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials, including your username and password. You must notify VettingMate immediately if you suspect any unauthorised access to your account. You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account, whether or not authorised by you.
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5. Services Provided
VettingMate offers the following Services:
• Background Checks: We perform comprehensive background checks on individuals and businesses, including criminal record checks, credit checks, employment history verification, and educational qualifications.
• Identity Verification: We verify the identity of individuals by using biometric data (such as fingerprints or facial recognition) and government-issued identification documents.
• Incident Reporting: Users can report incidents related to individuals, businesses, or organisations, such as fraud, misconduct, or legal issues.
• Credit Score Assessment: We provide access to credit score reports to help users assess financial credibility.
• Reference Requests: Users can send or request references from employers or other relevant parties.
• Business Vetting: We verify the financial status, legal standing, and general reputation of businesses.
• Job Applications: Users can apply for jobs, send clearances to employers, or request references through the platform.
These services may be provided under different subscription models, depending on the level of access required.
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6. Privacy and Data Protection
VettingMate is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is processed in compliance with relevant data protection laws, including African data protection and privacy laws.
6.1 Relevant African Data Protection Laws
VettingMate complies with the data protection regulations and frameworks established in several African countries, including:
• Nigeria: The Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), which sets out how personal data must be handled, stored, and processed. Under the NDPR, VettingMate must obtain explicit consent before processing sensitive personal data and must also provide users with the right to access, rectify, or erase their data.
• South Africa: The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) governs the processing of personal information in South Africa. POPIA requires organisations to protect personal data from loss, misuse, and unauthorised access, and gives individuals the right to request access to and correction of their data.
• Kenya: The Data Protection Act, 2019 requires organisations to obtain consent for the processing of personal data, maintain transparency about the purposes of data processing, and uphold the rights of individuals, including the right to access, correct, and delete their data.
• Ghana: The Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) ensures the protection of personal information in Ghana. It provides individuals with the right to access their personal data and restricts the processing of sensitive information unless explicit consent is obtained.
6.2 Data Collection
We may collect the following types of personal data:
• Identification details (name, date of birth, gender, contact details).
• Biometric data (fingerprints, facial recognition, etc.).
• Employment history, educational qualifications, and professional references.
• Criminal and credit history, where applicable and permitted by law.
6.3 Data Usage
We use your data for the following purposes:
• To conduct the background checks and identity verifications you request.
• To communicate with you regarding your account, service requests, and updates.
• To comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements.
• To improve the Platform and Services provided.
6.4 Data Sharing
VettingMate may share your personal data with third parties only in the following circumstances:
• With your explicit consent to facilitate services (e.g., sending your background check report to a potential employer).
• With service providers and partners who assist us in operating the Platform, such as payment processors and data storage providers.
• When required by law or a valid legal request from a governmental authority, regulator, or court.
6.5 User Rights
Under applicable data protection laws, you have the following rights:
• Right to access: You have the right to request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification: You can request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Right to erasure: You can request the deletion of your personal data, subject to certain exceptions.
• Right to restrict processing: You may request that we limit the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.
• Right to object: You can object to the processing of your personal data for specific purposes.
For any requests related to your personal data, please contact us at [email protected].
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7. Prohibited Uses
You agree not to use the Platform for any unlawful purpose, including:
• Submitting false, misleading, or inaccurate information.
• Using the Platform to defraud, harass, or harm other users.
• Engaging in data mining, scraping, or any unauthorised collection of data from the Platform.
• Attempting to bypass security features or access the Platform’s backend systems.
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8. Payment and Subscription
8.1 Fees and Charges
VettingMate offers various subscription plans for individuals and businesses, with pricing based on the level of access and services requested. Details of subscription pricing will be provided during registration.
8.2 Payment Methods
Payments for services are processed through secure third-party payment providers. We accept payments through major credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and other methods as specified on the Platform.
8.3 Refund Policy
Refunds will only be issued in cases where services are not provided or there is an error on our part. Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the payment date.
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9. Limitation of Liability
VettingMate strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the services provided. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of background check results or other services, as these are based on information provided by third parties or publicly available sources.
In no event will VettingMate be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental damages arising from the use or inability to use the Platform or Services. Our total liability to you is limited to the amount you paid for the services in question.
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10. Termination of Service
VettingMate reserves the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform if you violate these Terms. You may terminate your account at any time by notifying VettingMate, after which your access to paid services will be discontinued at the end of the current billing cycle.
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11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of [Insert Country]. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation or arbitration, unless otherwise agreed upon.
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12. Amendments
VettingMate reserves the right to modify or update these Terms at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on the Platform. You are encouraged to review these Terms periodically for any updates.
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13. Contact Information
For any questions or concerns regarding these Terms or the Platform, please contact us at:
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: [Insert Contact Number]
• Address: [Insert Physical Address]