Community Hives Terms of Service

Last Updated: 2025-01-01

1. Introduction

Welcome to Community Hives (“we,” “us,” or “our”). These Terms govern your access to and use of our services, including our website, emails, and any other interactions (collectively, the “Service”). By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service.

2. Privacy Policy Link

A separate Privacy Policy governs how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. You can find our Privacy Policy at: communityhives.com/community-hives-privacy-policy/. By using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the Privacy Policy.

3. Eligibility

By using our Service, you represent that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms. The Service is intended for users worldwide, and by accessing it, you confirm that it is lawful in your jurisdiction.

4. Description of Service

Our Service facilitates professional connections by matching users for one-on-one phone calls within their industry. Users provide information such as professional qualifications, user interests, roles, years of experience, city, country, and LinkedIn profile to enable effective matching. The Service does not guarantee successful matches or any specific outcomes from connections.
Community Hives does not charge membership fees to users. If you are required to pay fees, those fees are charged solely by the Administrator of your specific Community Hive. Community Hives is not responsible for any disputes or payment arrangements you have with that Administrator.

5. Sponsor and Affiliate Data Sharing

We may share aggregate metrics (e.g., open rates, click-through rates, and similar performance metrics) with sponsors to demonstrate the effectiveness of their sponsorship. No personally identifiable information (“PII”) will be shared with sponsors.

6. User Registration and Accounts

Registration Information: You agree to provide accurate and complete information during registration and to update it as necessary.
Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account information and for all activities that occur under your account.
Termination by User: You may terminate your account at any time by unsubscribing or contacting us directly.

7. User Consent and Data Collection

Personal Information Collected: We collect your name, email address, LinkedIn profile, cell phone number, professional qualifications, role, years of experience, city, and country.
No Sensitive Data: We do not collect or request sensitive personal data (e.g., racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, health data, etc.). We will also review questions that administrators ask to ensure they do not request such information.
Consent to Data Use: By providing your personal information, you consent to its collection, use, and disclosure as outlined in these Terms and our Privacy Policy.
Data Sharing with Matches: You consent to sharing your personal information (e.g., name, email, LinkedIn profile, and relevant professional details) with other users you are matched with.
Limited Data Sharing with Sponsors: Only aggregate metrics will be shared with sponsors. Sponsors do not receive PII unless you provide explicit consent for specific introductions or communications.Communication Consent: You consent to receive emails and communications from us related to the Service. You may opt out at any time.

8. Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy governs how we handle your personal information in more detail. By using the Service, you agree to the terms of the Privacy Policy.

9. Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct governs how users agree to interact with each other on the platform. By using the Service, you agree to the terms of the Code of Conduct.

10. Reporting Mechanism

If you encounter any user who violates these Terms or the Code of Conduct, you are encouraged to report the issue to us at support@communityhives.com. We will investigate reported violations and take appropriate action, which may include warnings, suspension, or termination of the user’s account.

10.1 Removal from a Single Hive vs. Platform

If you choose to leave or are removed from a specific Community Hive, that action does not automatically terminate your account on the overall Community Hives platform. However, if your conduct warrants it (e.g., serious violations of the Code of Conduct), Community Hives may suspend or terminate your entire platform account at its sole discretion.

11. Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:
Use the Service for any unlawful purpose.
Impersonate any person or entity.
Harass, abuse, or harm another person.
Share false or misleading information.
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Service.
Data Scraping or Automated Tools: Use bots, automated scripts, or other methods to scrape, crawl, or data-mine the platform, or to create automated or fraudulent accounts.

12. Intellectual Property Rights

Ownership: All content, features, and functionality on the Service are owned by us or our licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws.
License: We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the Service for personal, non-commercial use.
User Content: By submitting any content, you grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and display such content in connection with the Service.

13. Data Security and Retention

Security Measures: We implement standard security measures, including encryption (HTTPS and SSL), to protect your data. Data stored in databases is encrypted at rest.
Data Retention and Deletion: We retain your personal data indefinitely for historical matching records (e.g., if someone unsubscribes and later re-subscribes, we can recognize duplicate accounts).
Deletion Request: You may request full deletion of your data by contacting us at support@communityhives.com with the subject line “Data Request” and specifying the request type. If you request deletion, we will remove your data from our active databases and ensure it is not used for any matching or algorithm training going forward.
We may, however, retain limited data for audit or legal purposes, or as required by law.
Data Processing Halt: Upon your request to delete or cease processing your data, we will stop further data processing activities except where required by law or justified by a separate lawful basis (e.g., legal claims).Data Breach Notification: In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users as required by applicable laws.
Data Breach Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim liability for damages resulting from unauthorized access, disclosure, or breach of user data. We maintain commercially reasonable safeguards but cannot guarantee absolute security. In jurisdictions where liability cannot be disclaimed, our liability is limited as provided in the Limitations of Liability (§15) below.Call Recording and Consent: Calls arranged through the Service will only be recorded if every participant has explicitly consented in advance. Without full consent, recording is not permitted. Community Hives does not itself record calls by default.

14. Compliance with Laws

International Users: We comply with international data protection laws, including GDPR and CCPA, to the extent applicable.
User Rights: You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data. Contact us at support@communityhives.com to exercise these rights.
Age Restrictions: The Service is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors.

15. Limitation of Liability

No Warranty: The Service is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Limitation: To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Service or inability to use the Service.
Disclaimers: We do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of any information shared through the Service. Users may report inaccuracies or issues by contacting us directly via our support email.

16. Class Action Waiver

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to waive any right to participate in or be part of any class, collective, or representative action or proceeding against us or the admins of the community hive.

17. Electronic Signature and Acceptance

By creating an account, checking “I Agree,” or otherwise indicating acceptance of these Terms electronically, you consent to the use of electronic signatures and acknowledge that such electronic acceptance constitutes your legal signature to these Terms.

18. Disclaimer of Third-Party Conduct

We are not responsible for the actions, content, information, or data of third parties (including other users, admins, sponsors, or external websites linked within the Service). You release us, our directors, officers, employees, and agents from any claims and damages arising out of or in any way connected with any claim you have against such third parties.

19. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for delays or failures to perform any obligations under these Terms due to causes beyond our reasonable control, such as natural disasters, acts of government, war, terrorism, labor disputes, or internet disturbances.

20. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from any claims, losses, liabilities, expenses, and damages arising out of your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

21. Termination and Suspension

Suspension: We reserve the right to suspend your access to the Service if we suspect a violation of these Terms, illegal activity, or other misuse. We will notify you immediately via email if your account is suspended, stating the reason.
Termination: We may terminate your access to the Service at our discretion or if violations persist. We will provide a follow-up notice if your account is ultimately terminated.
Effect of Termination: Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately. However, any provisions that by their nature should survive termination (e.g., limitation of liability, indemnification) remain in effect.

22. Modifications to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes will be effective upon posting the updated Terms on our website.
User Notification & Consent: If we make significant changes, we will notify you via email or through the Service, and you must explicitly agree to the new Terms in order to continue using the Service. If you do not agree, you may discontinue use of the Service.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.

23. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.
Arbitration: If disputes between you and us arise that cannot be resolved informally, they shall be settled by binding arbitration in Ontario, Canada.
Exceptions: Either party may seek injunctive relief in court for intellectual property infringement or misuse of confidential information.

24. Third-Party Links and Services

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services, such as LinkedIn. We are not responsible for the content or practices of these third parties. Your interactions with third-party services are governed by their terms and policies.

25. Notices

Notices and communications may be sent to you via email or posted on our website. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

26. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

27. Entire Agreement

These Terms and our Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the Service and supersede any prior agreements.
If you join a Community Hive administered by a third party, you may be subject to that Admin’s terms in addition to these Terms. In the event of a conflict, these Community Hives Terms and Conditions take precedence.

28. Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms or the Service, please contact us:
Email: support@communityhives.com