Terms and Conditions

1.1 Overview of Rakata

Rakata is a student-focused online marketplace platform that enables students to list, discover, and connect to buy or sell goods and services within their respective campuses. The platform is designed to make it easier for students to access affordable items, sell their products, and exchange services in a safe and convenient environment.

1.2 Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using Rakata ("Platform"), you ("User") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, you should discontinue use of the Platform immediately.

1.3 Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions:

• "Platform" means Rakata's website, mobile application, and related services.
• "User" means any individual accessing or using the Platform.
• "Seller" means a User who lists goods or services for sale on the Platform.
• "Buyer" means a User who expresses interest in, or purchases, goods or services listed by a Seller.
• "Campus" means the designated university, polytechnic, or other higher institution community within which listings and activities take place.

2.1 Student Status

Users are primarily required to be students or affiliated with a recognized campus. Exceptions may be granted at Rakata's discretion.

2.2 Minimum Age

Users must be at least sixteen (16) years of age to use the Platform. By registering, you represent and warrant that you meet this age requirement.

2.3 Accurate Information

All information provided during registration or while using the Platform must be truthful, current, and accurate. Users must promptly update their details if any information changes.

2.4 Verification and Enforcement

Rakata reserves the right to verify the eligibility of Users at any time and to suspend or terminate accounts found to be in violation of these requirements.

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of Rakata, Users may be required to create an account. During account creation, Users must provide accurate and complete information.

3.2 User Responsibilities

Users are solely responsible for all activities carried out through their accounts and must ensure their conduct complies with these Terms.

3.3 Account Security

Users must keep their login details (such as email, phone number, and password) secure and must not share them with others. Any unauthorized use of an account should be reported to Rakata immediately.

3.4 Suspension or Termination

Rakata may suspend or permanently terminate a User's account without prior notice if:

• The User provides false or misleading information.
• The User engages in fraud, harassment, or illegal activity.
• The User violates these Terms and Conditions.

4.1 Role of Rakata

Rakata acts solely as a facilitator by providing a space for Users to connect. Rakata is not a party to any transaction between Buyers and Sellers and does not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or delivery of any goods or services listed.

4.2 Acceptable Listings

Users may only list goods and services that are legal, safe, and accurately described. All listings must include truthful details and fair representations of the product or service.

4.3 Prohibited Items

Users are strictly prohibited from listing, selling, or promoting:

• Illegal drugs or controlled substances.
• Weapons, explosives, or hazardous materials.
• Counterfeit or stolen goods.
• Adult, obscene, or sexually explicit content.
• Any other items or services that violate local laws, campus regulations, or Rakata policies.

4.4 User Conduct

• Users must treat one another respectfully in all communications.
• Harassment, abusive language, threats, or discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated.
• Spamming, fraudulent activities, or attempts to manipulate the Platform are strictly prohibited.

5.1 Seller Responsibilities

Sellers are solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and legality of the information provided in their listings. Misrepresentation may result in suspension or removal of the listing and/or Seller's account.

5.2 No Guarantee of Sales

Rakata provides a platform for listings but does not guarantee that products or services will sell or remain available. Sellers may remove or update their listings at any time.

5.3 Buyer Responsibilities

Buyers are responsible for reviewing and verifying all information about a product or service before making a purchase decision. Rakata strongly encourages Buyers to exercise caution, especially when meeting Sellers in person or making payments.

5.4 User Communication

At this stage of Rakata's operation, communication between Buyers and Sellers may occur directly through WhatsApp, phone calls, or other approved methods provided on the Platform. Rakata is not responsible for the content of these communications but may investigate reported abuse or fraudulent activity.

6.1 Current Fees (MVP Phase)

During the initial phase of Rakata (Minimum Viable Product), listing and using the Platform are free of charge. No commissions, service fees, or subscription fees are required.

6.2 Future Fees

Rakata reserves the right to introduce fees in the future, including but not limited to listing fees, commission fees, or subscription fees. Users will be notified of any changes in advance, and continued use of the Platform after notification will constitute agreement to the new fees.

6.3 Payments Between Users

Rakata does not currently process or handle payments between Buyers and Sellers. All transactions, including price negotiation and payment arrangements, are the sole responsibility of the Buyer and Seller. Rakata shall not be held liable for failed, delayed, or fraudulent payments.

7.1 User Content

Users retain ownership of all content they upload to the Platform, including product images, descriptions, and related materials.

7.2 License to Rakata

By posting content on Rakata, Users grant Rakata a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, display, and distribute such content solely for the purpose of operating, marketing, and promoting the Platform.

7.3 Promotional Use

Rakata may feature or share listings, images, and related content on its website, app, social media pages, newsletters, or promotional campaigns to increase visibility for Sellers.

7.4 Rakata's Intellectual Property

All intellectual property associated with Rakata, including its name, logo, design, software, and platform materials, remains the exclusive property of Rakata. Users may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or use Rakata's intellectual property without prior written permission.

7.5 Infringement Policy

Rakata respects intellectual property rights. If a User believes their content has been used without authorization, they should notify Rakata immediately for review and appropriate action.

8.1 Overview & Privacy Policy

Rakata respects your privacy. This section summarizes how Rakata collects, uses, stores, and shares personal data. For a complete description, please refer to our full Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

8.2 Categories of Personal Data Collected

We may collect and process the following types of information:

• Account information: name, email address, phone number, campus affiliation, profile photo, and other registration details.
• Listing data: product titles, descriptions, photographs, price, and other information you include in listings.
• Communications: messages between users (including WhatsApp numbers or phone numbers provided for transactions) and communications with Rakata support.
• Usage and technical data: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, pages viewed, timestamps, referral URLs, and similar analytics data.
• Payment data (if/when introduced): payment instrument data processed by third-party payment providers (Rakata does not store raw card data).
• Other information: any other personal data you choose to provide (e.g., student ID if you choose to add it).

8.3 How We Use Your Data

We use data to:

• Operate, maintain, and provide Rakata services (including listing display, search, and communication features).
• Facilitate connections between Buyers and Sellers and otherwise enable transactions.
• Provide customer support and respond to reports of abuse or disputes.
• Prevent, detect, and investigate fraud, security incidents, and other prohibited activities.
• Improve and personalize the Platform (analytics, product development, and recommendations).
• Send administrative communications, updates, and (where you opt in) promotional messages.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms.

8.4 Sharing & Third Parties

We may share personal data with:

• Service providers: hosting providers, analytics providers, messaging services, and other vendors who process data on our behalf.
• Legal and safety: government, regulators, or law enforcement when required by law or to protect rights/safety.
• Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of Rakata assets (with notice to affected Users).
• With consent: where you permit us to share data (e.g., for cross-promotion).

Where third parties process data, we use contractual and technical safeguards to protect that information.

8.5 International Transfers

Data may be stored and processed in countries other than the one in which you reside. By using the Platform you consent to cross-border transfers subject to applicable law. Rakata will take reasonable steps to ensure an adequate level of protection.

8.6 Security

Rakata implements reasonable technical and organizational security measures (e.g., access controls and encryption where appropriate) to protect personal data. However, no internet-based system is completely secure---Rakata cannot guarantee absolute security.

8.7 Data Retention

We retain personal data as long as necessary to provide services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and for legitimate business purposes. When data is no longer required, we will delete or anonymize it in accordance with our retention policies.

8.8 Your Rights & Choices

Where applicable, you may have rights including: access to your personal data, correction, deletion, objection to processing, and data portability. To exercise rights, contact Rakata using the contact details below and provide necessary verification. Rakata may need to retain certain data to comply with legal obligations or to protect users.

8.9 Children & Minors

Rakata's services are intended for users who meet the eligibility age in Section 2. If we learn that an account was created by someone below the minimum age, we will take steps to remove the account and related data in accordance with applicable law.

8.10 Contact for Privacy Concerns

For privacy requests or concerns, contact: [privacy@rakata.example] (replace with your real support email). Include relevant details so we can identify and respond to your request.

9.1 Platform Role & General Disclaimer

Rakata acts only as a venue that enables users to list, discover, and communicate about goods and services. Rakata is not a party to any transaction between Buyers and Sellers. Except as expressly provided in these Terms, Rakata does not make any representations or warranties about: the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of listings; the quality, safety, or legality of items sold; or the conduct of Users.

9.2 No Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Platform and all services provided by Rakata are provided "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" without warranties of any kind, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise (including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement).

9.3 Limitation and Cap on Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

• Rakata's total aggregate liability to you for any and all claims arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall not exceed the total amount of fees actually paid by you to Rakata in the twelve (12) months prior to the event giving rise to the claim.
• If you have not paid any fees to Rakata during that period, Rakata's aggregate liability shall be limited to a nominal amount (as permitted under local law).

9.4 Exclusion of Damages

In no event shall Rakata be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages (including loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of data, or business interruption), even if Rakata has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

9.5 Exceptions

Nothing in this section shall limit liability to the extent that applicable law prohibits such limitation (for example, liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or other liabilities that cannot be excluded under local law).

10.1 Informal Resolution Encouraged

If a dispute arises between Users (e.g., about a listing, payment, or transaction), we encourage the parties to attempt to resolve the matter directly between themselves first. Rakata may provide tools or guidance to help Users resolve disputes but is not required to intervene.

10.2 Reporting Problems to Rakata

If a User believes another User has violated these Terms or engaged in fraudulent or unlawful behavior, they should report the issue to Rakata through the Platform's reporting features or by contacting our support team at: [support@rakata.example] (replace with your real support email). Provide as much information as possible to assist our review.

10.3 Rakata's Role in Disputes

• Rakata may, at its discretion, investigate reports and take actions such as warning a User, removing listings, suspending or terminating accounts, or providing information to law enforcement.
• Rakata is not obligated to act as an arbiter of disputes and will not be a substitute for a court or formal dispute resolution forum.

10.4 Legal Remedies

If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, parties may pursue other remedies as set out under the Governing Law and Jurisdiction provisions of these Terms. Nothing in these Terms prevents either party from seeking urgent equitable relief (such as injunctive relief) in a competent court.

11.1 Termination by Rakata

Rakata may suspend or terminate a User's account and access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice, for any reason including but not limited to: violation of these Terms, fraudulent or illegal activity, misuse of the Platform, security risk, repeated complaints from other Users, or at Rakata's discretion.

11.2 Termination by User

You may close your account at any time through your account settings or by contacting support. Closing your account does not relieve you of obligations incurred prior to termination (for example, obligations relating to completed transactions).

11.3 Effects of Termination

• Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. Rakata may delete, or render inaccessible, any content associated with your account.
• Rakata may retain certain information about you as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention, recordkeeping, disputes).
• Termination does not relieve you of any liability that accrued prior to termination or for conduct that occurred before or after termination that would have given rise to liability.

11.4 Refunds

Unless otherwise specified in a separate written agreement, termination will not entitle you to refunds for fees already paid, except where required by applicable law.

11.5 Reinstatement

Reinstatement of a terminated account is at Rakata's sole discretion and may require verification and compliance with conditions set by Rakata.

11.6 Surviving Provisions

The following sections (and any other provisions necessary to interpret them) shall survive termination of these Terms: Intellectual Property, Privacy (as it relates to retained data), Limitation of Liability, Dispute Resolution, Governing Law, and any other provisions that by their nature are intended to survive.