Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: January 15, 2026

1. BINDING AGREEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

1.1 Formation of Contract

This Master Service Agreement ("Agreement") is a legally binding contract between Helpora.in ("the Platform") and any individual or entity ("the User") who accesses, crawls, scrapes, or otherwise interacts with the domain Helpora.in or any of its sub-domains, mobile applications, or associated services.

1.2 Implied Consent through Use

The User acknowledges and agrees that access to the Platform is a privilege, not a right. By the mere act of entering the Website, the User provides irrevocable and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. If the User does not agree to every clause contained herein, they must immediately cease all use of the Platform and exit the domain. Continued stay on the Platform for more than sixty (60) seconds, or the clicking of any interface element, shall be deemed as a "Digital Signature" of acceptance.

1.3 Unilateral Right to Amend

Helpora.in reserves the absolute and exclusive right to modify, add, delete, or update any portion of these Terms and Conditions at any time, at its sole discretion, without prior notice, post-facto notification, or justification to the User. * It is the User’s sole responsibility to review these Terms every time they access the Platform. The version of the Terms posted at the time of a specific "Interaction" or "Mishappening" shall govern that instance, but the Platform reserves the right to apply updated terms retroactively where permitted by law to protect the integrity of the community.

1.4 Electronic Record

This Agreement is rendered as an electronic record under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (and its subsequent amendments) and does not require physical or digital signatures to be valid and enforceable. The Platform’s server logs, which record the User’s IP address and session data, shall serve as conclusive evidence of the User’s acceptance of these terms.

1.5 Capacity to Contract

By using the Platform, the User represents and warrants that they are at least 18 years of age and possess the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract. If the User is using the Platform on behalf of a household or an organization, they represent that they have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

2. NATURE OF SERVICE (THE "DIRECTORY" CLAUSE)

2.1 Passive Intermediary Status

Helpora.in functions exclusively as a digital directory and passive information conduit. The Platform provides a centralized venue for the display of contact information pertaining to domestic staff, vendors, and service providers (collectively referred to as "Service Providers"). The User expressly acknowledges that Helpora.in does not act as a staffing agency, employment bureau, or service aggregator.

2.2 Absence of Employer-Employee Relationship

The User acknowledges and agrees that:

No Employment: Helpora.in is not the employer, co-employer, or master of any Service Provider listed on the Platform.

No Agency: No Service Provider has the authority to bind Helpora.in in any contract, nor does Helpora.in represent any Service Provider as its agent or contractor.

Direct Engagement: Any engagement, hiring, or transaction occurs strictly and exclusively between the User and the Service Provider. Helpora.in is not a party to any such oral or written agreement.

2.3 Disclaimer of Endorsement and Quality

The listing of a Service Provider on Helpora.in does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee by the Platform.

Quality of Work: Helpora.in makes no warranty regarding the skills, punctuality, honesty, reliability, or professional capability of any Service Provider.

Suitability: The responsibility to determine if a Service Provider is fit for the User's specific requirements rests solely with the User.

2.4 Crowdsourced Information Accuracy

The data displayed on Helpora.in (including names, phone numbers, and categories) is provided "as-is" and is often crowdsourced from community members or the Service Providers themselves.

Accuracy: Helpora.in does not verify the real-time accuracy of phone numbers or the current availability of Service Providers.

Stale Data: The User acknowledges that Service Providers may change contact details or cease working in the society without notice to the Platform. Helpora.in shall not be liable for any inconvenience or loss resulting from outdated or incorrect information.

2.5 Non-Intervention in Disputes

Helpora.in will not act as an arbitrator, mediator, or witness in any dispute between a User and a Service Provider. This includes, but is not limited to, disputes over:

Wage negotiations or unpaid salaries.

Performance of duties.

Attendance and leave management.

Behavioral grievances.

3. ABSOLUTE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

3.1 Total Exclusion of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Helpora.in, its founders, administrators, and affiliates (collectively, "the Helpora Parties") shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, special, or consequential damages whatsoever. This exclusion applies regardless of whether the alleged liability is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other basis, even if the Helpora Parties have been advised of the possibility of such damage.

3.2 Disclaimer Regarding "Mishappenings" and Criminal Acts

The User expressly acknowledges that domestic service involves inherent risks. Helpora.in hereby disclaims all liability for any "mishappening" or criminal act occurring within a residential society, private household, or public space. This includes, but is not limited to:

Crimes against Property: Theft, burglary, robbery, extortion, or intentional damage to household assets.

Crimes against Person: Physical assault, battery, harassment (sexual or otherwise), verbal abuse, or kidnapping.

Negligence: Accidental damage, fire hazards, or medical emergencies caused by the Service Provider’s actions or omissions. The User agrees that any criminal or civil recourse shall be pursued exclusively against the Service Provider in their individual capacity.

3.3 Physical Injury and Occupational Hazards

Helpora.in assumes no "Duty of Care" regarding the physical safety of the User or the Service Provider.

User Safety: Helpora.in is not liable for any injury or health complication arising from the presence of a Service Provider in the User's home.

Provider Safety: The User is solely responsible for ensuring a safe working environment. Helpora.in is not liable for any workplace injuries, accidents, or fatalities sustained by a Service Provider while performing duties for the User.

3.4 Financial Loss and Transactional Risks

All financial dealings between the User and the Service Provider are conducted at the User's sole risk. Helpora.in is not liable for:

Loss of Advances: Monetary losses resulting from the User paying salary advances or loans to a Service Provider who subsequently fails to perform duties.

Wage Disputes: Claims for unpaid wages, overtime, or severance pay made by the Service Provider.

Cyber Fraud: Any losses resulting from a User clicking on external links or third-party advertisements that may appear on the Platform.

3.5 Maximum Liability Cap

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that Helpora.in is found liable by a court of competent jurisdiction despite the exclusions above, the total aggregate liability of the Helpora Parties for any and all claims shall not exceed the amount of INR 100 (One Hundred Indian Rupees only) or the actual membership fee paid by the User to Helpora.in in the last 30 days, whichever is lower.

3.6 Absolute Indemnification

The User agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Helpora Parties from any and all third-party claims, lawsuits, legal fees, government fines, or damages arising out of:

The User’s interaction or contract with a Service Provider.

Any breach of these Terms by the User.

Any injury or property damage caused by a Service Provider while in the service of the User.

4. PRIVACY POLICY AND COMPREHENSIVE DATA TRACKING DISCLOSURE

4.1 Consent to Behavioral Monitoring

The User acknowledges and provides explicit, informed consent for Helpora.in to monitor, record, and retain a log of all interactions performed on the Platform. This is a mandatory condition of use. If the User does not consent to being tracked, they must exit the Platform immediately.

4.2 Scope of Data Collection

Helpora.in utilizes advanced tracking protocols (including but not limited to JavaScript event listeners and LocalStorage) to capture the following "Behavioral Metadata":

Identity Markers: User email address, IP address, and browser user-agent string.

Interaction Logs: Every instance of a staff profile being viewed, every "Click-to-Call" event, and every search query entered.

Temporal and Device Data: Exact timestamps of actions, device type (Mobile/Desktop), and unique Session IDs.

Navigation Path: The sequence of pages visited and the duration of stay on specific elements.

4.3 Purpose of Extreme Logging

The User agrees that this data collection is conducted for the following legitimate interests:

Security and Accountability: To create an audit trail in the event of a "mishappening" or criminal investigation involving a Service Provider.

Fraud Prevention: To identify "scraping" bots or users attempting to harvest the database for commercial purposes.

Service Optimization: To analyze community demand and ensure the most relevant staff are displayed.

Legal Defense: To provide evidence of the User’s acceptance of terms and their specific interactions in the event of a legal dispute.

4.4 Data Retention and Storage

Data is stored in secure, cloud-based environments. While Helpora.in employs industry-standard encryption, the User acknowledges that no digital storage system is 100% secure.

No Liability for Breaches: Helpora.in shall not be held liable for unauthorized access, data leaks, or "hacks" resulting from vulnerabilities in third-party cloud infrastructure (e.g., Google Cloud/Google Sheets).

Archiving: Helpora.in reserves the right to archive or delete logs after 90 days or at its sole discretion to maintain system performance.

4.5 Mandatory Disclosure to Authorities

Notwithstanding any privacy preference, Helpora.in reserves the absolute right to share any and all User logs with:

Law Enforcement: Upon receipt of a valid request or if the Platform believes a crime has been committed.

Society Management: If a User’s behavior is deemed detrimental to the safety or harmony of the residential community. The User hereby waives any "Privacy Tort" or claim against Helpora.in for such disclosures made in good faith.

4.6 Cookies and Local Storage

The Platform uses LocalStorage to maintain User state (e.g., keeping you logged in and fixing "Guest" identity bugs). The User acknowledges that clearing browser cache or disabling LocalStorage may degrade the Platform’s functionality and that Helpora.in is not responsible for any resulting service interruptions.

5. STAFF VERIFICATION AND "IDENTIFICATION" DISCLAIMER

5.1 Limited Definition of "Verified"

The User acknowledges that any "Verified" tag, badge, or icon displayed on a Service Provider’s profile is strictly symbolic and indicates only that a digital copy of an identification document (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID) was submitted to the Platform. "Verified" does NOT constitute:

A criminal background check or police verification.

A verification of the Service Provider's current residential address.

A character certificate or a guarantee of honesty and integrity.

An endorsement of the Service Provider’s professional skills.

5.2 No Physical or Forensic Verification

The User expressly agrees that Helpora.in does not perform:

Forensic Audits: We do not verify the authenticity of the digital documents provided using forensic or government-link tools.

Physical Vetting: We do not visit the homes of Service Providers or interview their previous employers to confirm their history.

Real-Time Monitoring: We do not track if a Service Provider’s legal status or criminal record has changed since the time of their initial listing on the Platform.

5.3 User’s Absolute Duty of Due Diligence

The "Verified" status is provided merely as a starting point for the User's own investigation. The User assumes total and final responsibility for performing their own due diligence before allowing a Service Provider into their private residence. This includes, but is not limited to:

Requesting to see original physical ID documents.

Obtaining a copy of the Service Provider’s formal Police Verification certificate.

Conducting independent reference checks with previous employers.

Interviewing the Service Provider to assess suitability for the household.

5.4 Disclaimer of Liability for Fraudulent Documents

Helpora.in shall not be held liable for any damages, losses, or "mishappenings" resulting from a Service Provider providing forged, stolen, or expired identification documents to the Platform. If a Service Provider successfully deceives the Platform’s digital submission process, the User agrees that Helpora.in is a fellow victim of said fraud and holds no liability toward the User for such deception.

5.5 Society Management vs. Helpora.in

In cases where verification is handled by the local Society Management Committee (MC) or Resident Welfare Association (RWA), the User acknowledges that Helpora.in is merely a "Display Agent" for that information. Any grievance regarding the failure of the verification process must be directed to the respective MC/RWA and not to Helpora.in.

6. USER CONDUCT, FRAUD PREVENTION, AND PLATFORM INTEGRITY

6.1 Prohibited User Activities

The User agrees to utilize the Platform strictly for personal, non-commercial residential assistance. The following actions are strictly prohibited and constitute a material breach of this Agreement:

Data Harvesting & Scraping: The use of any automated system, including "robots," "spiders," "offline readers," or "scrapers," to access the Platform or harvest staff contact details for the purpose of building a competing database or for commercial solicitation.

Impersonation: Falsely representing oneself as an administrator of Helpora.in, a member of the Society Management Committee, or a Service Provider.

System Interference: Any attempt to circumvent, disable, or interfere with the security-related features of the Platform or features that prevent or restrict the use or copying of any Content.

Malicious Reporting: Utilizing the "Report" or "Review" functionality to settle personal vendettas, spread unverified rumors, or harass Service Providers.

6.2 Protection Against Review Fraud

The User acknowledges that the integrity of the Platform relies on honest feedback.

Biased Reviews: Users are prohibited from posting reviews for themselves, family members, or friends to artificially inflate ratings.

Extortion: Users shall not threaten Service Providers with negative reviews on Helpora.in to extort lower prices or free services.

Right to Delete: Helpora.in reserves the absolute, unilateral right to remove, edit, or "shadow-ban" any review or user comment that it deems, in its sole discretion, to be fraudulent, defamatory, or harmful to the community, without providing notice or justification to the author.

6.3 Database Security and Intellectual Property

The compilation of Service Provider data on Helpora.in is the exclusive Intellectual Property of the Platform.

No Redistribution: The User is prohibited from copying, distributing, or publishing staff lists obtained from the Platform onto other public forums, WhatsApp groups, or competing websites.

Trade Secrets: The specific organization, categorization, and "Verification" status logic used by Helpora.in are protected trade secrets. Any attempt to reverse-engineer the Platform’s logic will result in immediate legal action.

6.4 The "Nuclear Option" (Termination of Access)

Helpora.in reserves the right, without notice and at its sole discretion, to terminate the User's license to use the Platform and to block or prevent future access to and use of the Platform.

No-Explanation Ban: We may terminate access for any reason or no reason at all.

Liability Release: Helpora.in shall not be liable to the User or any third party for any termination of access. Upon termination, all "Pending" logs in the user's buffer will be discarded.

6.5 Reporting of Fraudulent Helpora Officials

Official Conduct Policy: No representative of Helpora.in will ever contact a User to request:

Bank Account details or OTPs.

Payment for "Premium" staff placement via external links.

Personal login credentials. Any User who falls victim to such a request from an individual claiming to represent Helpora.in agrees that the Platform is not liable for the resulting financial loss. The User's only recourse is to report the incident to the Platform for internal blocking.

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) AND OWNERSHIP RIGHTS

7.1 Ownership of Platform Assets

The User acknowledges and agrees that Helpora.in (including its website, domain name, logos, UI/UX design, underlying code, Google Apps Script logic, and database architecture) is the exclusive property of the Platform’s founders and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws of India and international treaties. Nothing in these Terms grants the User any right, title, or interest in the Platform’s proprietary assets.

7.2 Database Rights and "Sweat of the Brow"

The User expressly acknowledges that the compilation of Service Provider data on Helpora.in is the result of significant investment, time, and effort ("Sweat of the Brow").

Proprietary Compilation: Even if individual phone numbers are public knowledge, the specific selection, coordination, and arrangement of these numbers into the Helpora directory constitutes a protected "Original Work."

Prohibition of Extraction: The User is strictly prohibited from extracting, downloading, or reproducing the database in bulk. Any unauthorized use of the data for commercial purposes or the creation of a derivative directory shall be considered Theft of Intellectual Property and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

7.3 License to User-Generated Content (Reviews & Reports)

By posting reviews, comments, or staff reports on the Platform, the User provides Helpora.in with a perpetual, irrevocable, world-wide, royalty-free, and sub-licensable license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, and publicly display such content.

Waiver of Moral Rights: The User waives any "moral rights" or claims of ownership over their reviews.

Liability for Content: While Helpora.in owns the license to display the content, the User remains solely responsible for the legality and accuracy of what they write. Helpora.in is not liable for any defamatory content posted by a User, and the User agrees to indemnify Helpora.in against any libel suits arising from their posts.

7.4 Protection of "Verification" Logic

The specific criteria, internal workflows, and visual badges used to denote "Verified" status are the intellectual property of Helpora.in. The User is prohibited from copying the "look and feel" of the Helpora verification system for any other community or commercial project.

7.5 Trademark Protection

The name "Helpora," "Helpora.in," and the associated logos are trademarks of the Platform. The User may not use these marks in any way that suggests an official endorsement or affiliation without express written consent from the Platform’s administrators.

8. FORCE MAJEURE, GOVERNING LAW, AND JURISDICTION

8.1 Force Majeure (Events Beyond Control)

Helpora.in shall not be held liable or responsible for any delay, failure, or disruption of service resulting directly or indirectly from acts of nature, forces, or causes beyond its reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to:

Technical Infrastructure Failure: Internet outages, telecommunications failures, power grid surges, or disruptions in third-party cloud hosting services (specifically Google Cloud, Google Drive, or Google Apps Script).

Acts of God: Fires, floods, storms, earthquakes, or other natural disasters.

Societal Disruptions: Riots, strikes, labor disputes, civil unrest, war, or government-mandated lockdowns (e.g., pandemic restrictions).

Regulatory Changes: New legislation or court orders that make the operation of the Platform illegal or commercially unviable. In any such event, the Platform’s obligation to perform is suspended for the duration of the event, and Helpora.in shall have no liability for data loss or service unavailability during this period.

8.2 Governing Law

This Agreement, and the relationship between the User and Helpora.in, shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of India, without regard to its conflict of law principles. The Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, shall serve as the primary regulatory framework for any data-related disputes.

8.3 Exclusive Jurisdiction

The User expressly agrees that any legal action, suit, or court proceedings arising out of or relating to these Terms and Conditions shall be instituted exclusively in the courts of competent jurisdiction located in [Insert Your City, e.g., Bengaluru, Karnataka], India.

The User hereby irrevocably consents to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waives any objection based on "inconvenient forum" (forum non conveniens).

Any claim must be brought in the User’s individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding.

8.4 Statute of Limitations

The User agrees that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to the use of Helpora.in must be filed within six (6) months after such claim or cause of action arose, or be forever barred and waived.

8.5 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that specific provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary. The remaining provisions of the Terms shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be binding and enforceable.

9. CONTENT MODERATION, EDITORIAL CONTROL, AND THE "RIGHT TO SILENCE"

9.1 Absolute Editorial Discretion

Helpora.in acts as an intermediary for User-Generated Content (UGC), including staff reviews, ratings, and incident reports. The User acknowledges and agrees that the Platform reserves the absolute, unilateral, and final right to monitor, review, flag, filter, modify, refuse, or remove any content, in whole or in part, at its sole discretion, without providing any prior notice, post-facto justification, or compensation to the author.

9.2 The "Right to Silence" and Content Removal

Helpora.in is under no legal obligation to host, display, or maintain any review or report posted by a User.

Safe Harbor Activation: To maintain "Intermediary Safe Harbor" status under applicable cyber laws, the Platform may immediately "silence" or delete any content upon receiving a complaint, a legal notice, or if the content is deemed "high-risk," without verifying the underlying truth of the claim.

No Censorship Liability: The User waives any claim of "Freedom of Speech" or "Censorship" against Helpora.in. The Platform is a private domain, and the removal of a User's post does not constitute a violation of any constitutional or civil rights.

9.3 Content Standards and Prohibited Material

By posting any content, the User warrants that the information is factual and based on first-hand experience. The following types of content are strictly prohibited:

Defamation and Libel: Content that is intended to baselessly ruin the reputation of a Service Provider.

Hate Speech: Content that targets a Service Provider’s religion, caste, gender, or regional origin.

Private Information: Posting the personal home address or private family details of a Service Provider (doxing).

Coerced Content: Reviews written under duress or in exchange for financial incentives.

9.4 Immunity from User Defamation

The User is the sole "Author" and "Publisher" of their reviews.

Indemnity for Libel: If a Service Provider or any third party initiates legal action (including criminal defamation) due to a review posted by the User, the User shall be solely responsible for the legal defense.

Platform Immunity: Helpora.in shall not be named as a co-respondent in such suits. If Helpora.in is dragged into litigation due to a User’s review, the User agrees to pay all of the Platform’s legal fees, court costs, and any damages awarded.

9.5 Anonymous Reporting and Identification

While Helpora.in may allow the display of "Anonymous" reviews to protect residents, the Platform maintains internal logs (as per Clause 4) of the author’s identity.

Disclosure Rule: Helpora.in reserves the right to reveal the identity of a reviewer to law enforcement or in response to a court order if the review is alleged to be part of a criminal act or a malicious conspiracy.

10. STATUTORY INTERMEDIARY STATUS AND "SAFE HARBOR" PROTECTION

10.1 Definition as an Intermediary

The User acknowledges and agrees that Helpora.in is an "Intermediary" as defined under Section 2(1)(w) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended) and other applicable global digital safety laws. The Platform’s role is strictly limited to providing a digital infrastructure where information provided by third parties (Users and Service Providers) is stored and transmitted.

10.2 Limitation of Liability for Third-Party Content

In accordance with Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, Helpora.in shall not be liable for any third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by it. The Platform does not:

Initiate the transmission: We do not choose which users see which specific staff profiles; the user initiates the search.

Select the receiver of the transmission: The User decides who to contact.

Select or modify the information: The Platform acts as a "Mirror." We do not alter the core data (phone numbers, names) provided by the community, except for formatting or moderation as per Clause 9.

10.3 Due Diligence and Compliance

Helpora.in maintains its "Safe Harbor" status by observing due diligence and following the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code. By using the Platform, the User agrees that Helpora.in fulfills its legal obligations by:

Providing a mechanism to report/flag inappropriate content.

Acting "expeditiously" to remove or disable access to content that is found to be unlawful or in violation of these Terms upon receiving "Actual Knowledge" (e.g., a court order or official notice).

10.4 No General Monitoring Obligation

The User acknowledges that while Helpora.in performs automated tracking for security (as per Clause 4), it has no general obligation to actively monitor the Platform for illegal activity or to pre-screen the thousands of data points uploaded by the community. The responsibility to report illegal or infringing content lies solely with the User.

10.5 Immunity from Content-Based Lawsuits

Because Helpora.in is a passive intermediary, the User agrees not to name the Platform, its founders, or its administrators as parties in any litigation involving:

Defamation: Claims arising from reviews written by other users.

Copyright Infringement: Claims regarding profile photos or documents uploaded by Service Providers.

Privacy Violations: Claims regarding the listing of phone numbers that were provided by community members.

10.6 "Notice and Take Down" Procedure

If any User or third party believes that any content on Helpora.in violates their rights or the law, they must follow the Platform’s "Notice and Take Down" procedure by emailing the Administrator with specific details. The User agrees that Helpora.in’s only liability is to investigate and, if necessary, remove the content within a reasonable timeframe (typically 36 to 72 hours). No financial damages shall be payable for the period during which the content was live.

11. TERMINATION OF SERVICE (THE "KILL SWITCH" CLAUSE)

11.1 Unilateral Right to Discontinue

Helpora.in reserves the absolute and unconditional right to terminate, suspend, or discontinue the Platform—or any specific feature, database, or society-specific directory—at any time, for any reason, or for no reason at all. This "Kill Switch" may be exercised by the Platform’s administrators without prior notice, without liability for damages, and without any obligation to provide a "grace period" for Users to transition their data.

11.2 Grounds for Immediate Termination of Access

While Helpora.in may terminate service globally, it also reserves the right to terminate an individual User’s access or an entire Society's access immediately if:

Technical Instability: The User’s interaction pattern threatens the stability of the Google Apps Script or Spreadsheet backend.

Legal Risk: The Platform determines that continuing to provide service in a specific jurisdiction or society poses a high risk of litigation or regulatory scrutiny.

Non-Compliance: Any breach of the Terms of Service, specifically regarding data scraping or harassment of staff.

11.3 No Liability for Data Loss

The User acknowledges that Helpora.in is a community resource and not a permanent data storage service.

Waiver of Data Recovery: In the event of a system shutdown or "Kill Switch" activation, Helpora.in is under no obligation to provide the User with a backup, export, or copy of their reviews, logs, or saved staff lists.

Irretrievability: Once a session is terminated or a database is purged, that data may be permanently irretrievable. The User agrees to hold Helpora.in harmless for any resulting inconvenience or loss of information.

11.4 Disclaimer of "Continuity of Service"

Helpora.in does not warrant that the service will be continuous, uninterrupted, or error-free. The User agrees that:

No Uptime Guarantee: We are not liable for "Downtime" caused by maintenance, script errors, or Google service outages.

No Reliance: The User should not rely on Helpora.in as their sole method of contacting emergency or essential services. The termination of the platform shall not be considered a "failure of duty" because no such duty of continuous service exists.

11.5 Survival of Terms Post-Termination

Upon termination of the Platform or the User’s access, all provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including, without limitation:

Clause 3 (Limitation of Liability)

Clause 4 (Data Tracking Consent for past logs)

Clause 7 (Intellectual Property Ownership)

Clause 8 (Governing Law and Jurisdiction) This ensures that even after the site is "dead," a user cannot sue you for things that happened while it was "alive."

11.6 No Financial Refunds or Compensation

Since Helpora.in is provided (in this tier) as a community service, the User acknowledges that they have no "paid right" to the service. Termination of service does not entitle the User to any financial compensation, "damages for loss of opportunity," or any other monetary claim.

12. NO PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND INFORMATIONAL DISCLAIMER

12.1 Not a Substitute for Professional Counsel

The User acknowledges and agrees that all information, data, templates, and "suggested" salary ranges provided on Helpora.in are for general informational and community-sharing purposes only.

No Legal Advice: Helpora.in does not provide legal, labor, or employment advice.

No Financial Advice: Any data regarding prevailing market rates for domestic services (e.g., salaries for maids, cooks, or drivers) is based on crowdsourced estimates and does not constitute financial or economic counseling.

12.2 Compliance with Local Labor Laws

The User is solely and exclusively responsible for ensuring that their engagement of a Service Provider complies with all local, state, and federal laws, including but not limited to:

The Minimum Wages Act: The User must independently verify the statutory minimum wage in their specific jurisdiction.

Child Labor Laws: The User is responsible for ensuring that any individual they hire is above the legal working age.

Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH): The User is responsible for maintaining a safe workspace as required by law. Helpora.in does not audit or guarantee that any listing or salary suggestion on the Platform complies with these or any other legal statutes.

12.3 Accuracy of "Market Rates" and "Slabs"

Any feature on the Platform that suggests "Market Rates" or "Standard Salary Slabs" for a particular residential society is based on historical, unverified community inputs.

User’s Risk: If a User pays a Service Provider based on Helpora’s "suggested rate" and the Service Provider subsequently quits, sues for underpayment, or performs poorly, Helpora.in shall have zero liability for such outcomes.

Negotiation: The User is encouraged to negotiate terms directly with the Service Provider based on their own judgment.

12.4 No Reliance on "Standard Forms"

If the Platform provides templates for "Nanny Agreements," "Staff Registration Forms," or "Duty Lists," these are provided as illustrative examples only.

Use at Own Risk: These templates may not be legally enforceable in a court of law.

Modification Required: The User is advised to consult a legal professional before using any document or form found on the Platform for a formal contract.

12.5 Disclaimer of "Expert" Status

Helpora.in does not claim to be an expert in domestic human resources or community management. The Platform administrators are "Passive Facilitators." Any communication from the Platform (via emails, tooltips, or WhatsApp updates) is provided on an "as-is" basis without any warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.

13. SYSTEM INTEGRITY AND ABSOLUTE ANTI-SCRAPING POLICY

13.1 Ownership of Compiled Data

The User acknowledges that the database of Service Providers, phone numbers, and ratings on Helpora.in is a proprietary "Compilation" protected under the Copyright Act. While individual phone numbers may exist elsewhere, the specific arrangement, categorization, and "Verification" status on this Platform are the exclusive Intellectual Property of Helpora.in.

13.2 Strict Prohibition of Automated Access (Anti-Scraping)

The use of any automated system to access, "crawl," "scrape," "mine," or "index" the Platform is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

Bots and Spiders: Use of any script, robot, or "spider" to harvest data.

Bulk Extraction: Manually or automatically copying more than 10 staff profiles within a 24-hour period for any purpose other than hiring personal domestic help.

Database Mirroring: Attempting to create a "mirror" or a secondary copy of the Helpora directory on any other website, mobile app, or WhatsApp group.

13.3 Prohibition of Reverse Engineering

The User shall not, and shall not permit any third party to:

Decompile or Reverse Engineer: Attempt to discover the source code of the Google Apps Script backend or the frontend tracking logic (trackUser).

API Abuse: Bypass any headers or security protocols used to limit access to the data-save functions.

Load Testing: Conduct unauthorized "stress tests" or "load tests" that could cause the Google Sheet to hit its execution quotas, thereby denying service to other community members.

13.4 Liquidated Damages for Data Theft

The User agrees that because it is difficult to calculate the exact financial damage caused by data scraping, any User found to be in violation of this Anti-Scraping policy shall be liable to pay Helpora.in a sum of INR 50,000 (Fifty Thousand Rupees) as liquidated damages for every 100 data points scraped, in addition to any legal costs incurred by the Platform to stop the theft.

13.5 Detection and "Trap" Data

Helpora.in reserves the right to use "Honey-pots" or "Trap Data" (fake entries) to identify scrapers. If a User is found to have accessed or shared these specific trap entries, it shall serve as conclusive forensic evidence of a breach of System Integrity, and the Platform may immediately terminate the User's access and initiate legal proceedings.

13.6 Liability for System Instability

If a User’s unauthorized automated access causes the Platform to hit its Google Cloud/Script quotas (resulting in a system-wide crash), that User shall be held fully liable for the cost of restoration and any loss of reputation or community trust suffered by Helpora.in.

14. SERVER-SIDE PERFORMANCE, LATENCY, AND QUOTA LIMITATIONS

14.1 Acknowledgement of Third-Party Infrastructure

The User acknowledges that Helpora.in is built upon third-party cloud infrastructure (specifically Google Cloud and Google Apps Script). The performance, speed, and availability of the Platform are strictly bound by the "Quotas and Limits" imposed by these third parties. The User agrees that Helpora.in has no control over these external variables.

14.2 Disclaimer of Real-Time Synchronization

The User expressly understands that the Platform does not guarantee real-time data processing.

Synchronization Lag: Due to server-side latency or "batching" of data (as described in our technical architecture), there may be a delay between a User action (such as reporting a staff member) and that action appearing in the database.

Outdated Information: Helpora.in is not liable if a User views "stale" or outdated information caused by a synchronization delay or a failure in the Google Sheets backend to refresh.

14.3 Quota-Related Service Disruptions

Google Apps Script imposes strict limits on "Simultaneous Executions" and "URL Fetch" calls.

System Throttling: If the Platform exceeds its daily or hourly quota due to high traffic (1,000+ users), the system may "throttle" or temporarily disable certain features (e.g., the "View Phone Number" button may stop working).

No Liability for Denial of Service: The User agrees that such interruptions are a known technical constraint and do not constitute a breach of service. Helpora.in shall not be liable for any inconvenience, loss of time, or inability to contact a Service Provider during these periods of technical "throttling."

14.4 "Best Effort" Delivery Only

Access to Helpora.in is provided on a "Best Effort" basis. The Platform does not guarantee any specific "Uptime" percentage or "Response Time" (latency).

Emergency Exclusion: The User is strictly warned NOT to rely on Helpora.in for time-sensitive or life-critical situations (e.g., finding a medical attendant during a sudden emergency). If the server fails to respond during such an event, the User holds Helpora.in harmless for the outcome.

14.5 Local Device and Network Performance

The User is responsible for their own internet connectivity and device performance.

Browser Compatibility: Helpora.in is not liable for performance degradation caused by outdated browsers, low battery modes, or poor network signal on the User’s device which may interfere with the "Async Buffer" (logging system).

Data Costs: Any data charges incurred by the User while the Platform is "flushing logs" or loading staff lists are the sole responsibility of the User.

15. THE "COMMUNITY SANITY" AND ANTI-HARASSMENT CLAUSE

15.1 Prohibition of Weaponized Reporting

The User acknowledges that the "Report Staff," "Review," and "Comment" features are provided solely for the safety and benefit of the community. The User is strictly prohibited from using these features to:

Settle Personal Disputes: Reporting a Service Provider because of a disagreement unrelated to their professional conduct (e.g., personal arguments, wage negotiations, or ego clashes).

Harassment: Systematically posting negative content to intimidate, bully, or coerce a Service Provider.

Vigilantism: Using the platform to organize "boycotts" or "blacklists" against individuals without documented proof of a crime.

15.2 Truthfulness and Documentation

By submitting a negative report or a "Red Flag," the User warrants that the information is 100% truthful, accurate, and based on first-hand experience. * Hearsay Prohibited: Users must not report "rumors" they heard from neighbors or third parties.

Proof of Incident: In the event of a dispute, Helpora.in reserves the right (but not the obligation) to request the User to provide evidence of the incident (e.g., CCTV footage, police complaints, or written communication). Failure to provide such evidence may result in the immediate removal of the report and a permanent ban on the User.

15.3 Liability for Defamation and Libel

The User is cautioned that Service Providers have legal rights under the law to protect their reputation.

User Responsibility: If a User posts a false report accusing a Service Provider of theft, physical abuse, or other crimes, and that Service Provider initiates a Defamation or Libel lawsuit, the User shall be solely and personally liable for all legal consequences.

Helpora’s Immunity: The User agrees that Helpora.in is a "Passive Facilitator" and shall not be held liable for the defamatory nature of any User-generated report.

15.4 Disclosure of Identity to Affected Parties

Notwithstanding any privacy settings, Helpora.in reserves the absolute right to disclose the identity, contact details, and activity logs of a User to the affected Service Provider or their legal representative if:

A formal legal notice for defamation is served to the Platform.

The Platform has reason to believe the User is engaging in a malicious "smear campaign."

A court order requires such disclosure. The User hereby waives all privacy claims regarding such disclosure when malicious intent is suspected.

15.5 Zero-Tolerance for Hate Speech

Any report or review that contains language targeting a Service Provider’s caste, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or regional origin will be deleted instantly. The User’s account will be permanently blacklisted, and their data may be turned over to law enforcement if the content violates the Indian Penal Code (IPC) regarding hate speech or inciting communal disharmony.

15.6 Finality of Moderation

Helpora.in serves as the final arbiter of "Community Sanity." We reserve the right to "Cleanse" the database of any content we deem toxic, sensationalist, or non-constructive to the community’s welfare. Our decision to remove or keep a report is final and not subject to appeal by the User.

16. AUDIT & LOGGING CONSENT (THE "TRACKUSER" CLAUSE)

16.1 Mandatory Consent to High-Fidelity Tracking

By accessing the Platform, the User provides irrevocable and explicit consent for Helpora.in to monitor and record every digital interaction performed by the User. This is a critical security requirement of the Platform. The User acknowledges that Helpora.in utilizes a proprietary "Audit Script" (the trackUser protocol) which logs metadata for every event, including but not limited to:

Interaction Markers: Every click on a Service Provider's profile, "View Phone" event, search query, and navigation shift.

System Metadata: IP addresses, browser fingerprints, session durations, and device identifiers.

Temporal Logging: Precise timestamps (Server and Client-side) for every action performed.

16.2 Purpose of Persistent Logging

The User acknowledges that this level of tracking is strictly necessary for the following legal and operational purposes:

Security Audit Trail: To provide law enforcement with a verifiable "Chain of Evidence" in the event of a criminal act (e.g., theft or assault) involving a Service Provider whose details were accessed via the Platform.

Abuse Detection: To identify and block "Scrapers" or malicious actors attempting to harvest the database.

Liability Verification: To verify whether a User actually accessed specific Terms of Service or disclaimers before performing an action.

System Health: To debug script errors and latency issues inherent in the Google Apps Script environment.

16.3 Use of Logs in Legal Proceedings

The User agrees that all logs captured by the trackUser script shall be considered admissible evidence in any legal proceeding, arbitration, or dispute between the User and Helpora.in, or between the User and a Service Provider.

Waiver of Objection: The User waives any right to object to the authenticity or "invasive nature" of these logs, as they have been informed of this tracking prior to using the service.

Third-Party Disclosure: Helpora.in reserves the right to share specific interaction logs with Society Management Committees (SMCs) if a User’s behavior is flagged as suspicious or harmful to the residential community.

16.4 Data Storage and Integrity Disclaimer

While Helpora.in employs industry-standard logic to ensure logs are "flushed" to the database (Google Sheets), the User acknowledges the following:

Asynchronous Gaps: Due to network latency or script timeouts, certain interaction logs may fail to record. Helpora.in is not liable for "Incomplete Logs" or any loss of data resulting from server-side execution errors.

No "Right to Erasure" for Audit Logs: To maintain the safety of the community, the User acknowledges that "Security Audit Logs" (which track who viewed which maid/driver) are exempt from standard "Delete My Data" requests for a period of no less than 180 days.

16.5 Identification of "Guest" vs. "Registered" Users

The User acknowledges that the Platform uses LocalStorage and unique SessionIDs to track even "Guest" users.

Persistence: Clearing browser cookies may reset the User’s visible identity, but the Platform’s backend may still correlate IP and behavior patterns to maintain a continuous security profile.

No Anonymity: The User agrees that they have no expectation of absolute anonymity when accessing a community safety database like Helpora.in.

16.6 Indemnification against Privacy Claims

The User agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Helpora.in from any claims, damages, or legal fees arising from the User’s alleged "Loss of Privacy" or "Data Intrusion." By clicking any button on the Platform, the User re-affirms their consent to this comprehensive audit protocol.

17. THE "ZOMBIE DATA" AND ARCHIVAL ACCURACY DISCLAIMER

17.1 No Warranty of Real-Time Accuracy

The User acknowledges that Helpora.in is a historical repository of community information. The Platform does not guarantee that any Service Provider listed is currently available, active, or reachable at the provided contact details. The User expressly accepts that the database may contain "Zombie Data"—information that was accurate at the time of entry but has since become obsolete, incorrect, or misleading.

17.2 Disclaimer of "Stale" Information

The User agrees that Helpora.in is not responsible for any "mishappening" or inconvenience caused by:

Disconnected Numbers: Phone numbers that have been deactivated or reassigned by telecommunications providers to new, unrelated individuals.

Absconded Staff: Profiles of Service Providers who have left the residential society or the profession without notifying the Platform or the community.

Identity Shifts: Situations where a phone number formerly belonging to a verified Service Provider is now operated by a third party.

17.3 User’s Risk in Outbound Communication

The act of calling or messaging a number found on Helpora.in is performed at the User’s sole risk. Helpora.in shall not be liable for:

Harassment: Any verbal abuse or harassment received by the User if they mistakenly call a person who is no longer a Service Provider.

Privacy Intrusions: Any claims of privacy violation made against the User by a third party who now owns a "Zombie" phone number listed on the Platform.

Financial Scams: Any attempts by unauthorized individuals (who may have acquired an old staff SIM card) to solicit advances or payments from the User.

17.4 No "Active Verification" Obligation

The User acknowledges that Helpora.in does not perform recurring "Ping Tests" or monthly phone call verifications to check if a Service Provider is still active. The Platform relies on "Passive Crowdsourcing"—meaning data is only updated if a community member manually reports a change. The absence of a "Red Flag" on a profile does not imply that the data is fresh or verified.

17.5 "Last Updated" and Metadata Limitations

While the Platform may show a "Date Added" or "Last Interaction" timestamp, the User agrees that these markers are for reference only and do not constitute a guarantee of current validity. Helpora.in is not liable for technical glitches that may display an incorrect "Last Seen" status for a Service Provider.

17.6 Right to Archive without Notice

To prevent the accumulation of "Zombie Data," Helpora.in reserves the right to archive, hide, or delete profiles that have not been "vouched for" or interacted with for a specific period (e.g., 180 days). The User agrees that the disappearance of a previously saved profile does not entitle the User to any data recovery or support.

18. COOKIE AND LOCALSTORAGE DISCLOSURE (CLIENT-SIDE DATA STORAGE)

18.1 Technical Necessity of Local Storage

The User acknowledges and agrees that Helpora.in utilizes LocalStorage, SessionStorage, and browser-based Cookies (collectively, "Client-Side Storage") to function effectively. These technical tools are strictly necessary for the Platform's core operations, including but not limited to:

Session Persistence: Keeping the User logged in or identified across page refreshes.

Identity Management: Storing the User's Email or unique identifier to prevent "Guest" identity bugs.

Activity Buffering: Temporarily holding interaction logs before they are "flushed" to the Google Sheets backend via the trackUser script.

Performance Optimization: Caching UI elements to reduce server-side load and latency.

18.2 Explicit Consent to "Tracking Cookies"

By continuing to use the Platform, the User provides unambiguous consent for Helpora.in to place and access cookies on the User’s device. These cookies may track the User’s path through the site, the frequency of visits, and interaction with Service Provider profiles. This data is essential for the security audit trail described in Clause 4 and Clause 16.

18.3 User Responsibility for Browser Settings

The User acknowledges that they have the ability to disable or clear Client-Side Storage through their browser settings. However, the User agrees that:

Feature Degradation: Disabling these tools may result in the Platform becoming unusable, inaccessible, or prone to errors.

Waiver of Support: Helpora.in shall not be liable for any system failure, data loss, or inability to access staff profiles resulting from the User’s refusal to accept cookies or local storage files.

18.4 Security of Client-Side Data

While Helpora.in does not store highly sensitive personal financial information in local storage, the User acknowledges that data stored in a browser’s local storage is generally not encrypted by the browser.

Shared Device Risk: If the User accesses Helpora.in from a shared or public device (e.g., a community kiosk or a neighbor's phone), it is the User’s sole responsibility to clear the browser cache and storage upon exiting.

No Liability for Device Theft: Helpora.in is not liable for any unauthorized access to the User’s identity or activity history resulting from the theft, loss, or unauthorized use of the User’s physical device.

18.5 Third-Party Scripts and Cookies

The User acknowledges that the Platform is built on the Google ecosystem. Consequently, Google-related scripts (Google Fonts, Google Apps Script, or Google Analytics) may set their own cookies on the User’s device.

Third-Party Policies: The User agrees that Helpora.in has no control over, and no liability for, the data collection practices of these third-party infrastructure providers. The User’s recourse for such cookies lies solely with the third-party provider (e.g., Google's Privacy Policy).

18.6 Data Retention in LocalStorage

The User agrees that certain "Interaction Tokens" may remain in their browser’s local storage indefinitely unless manually cleared. Helpora.in is not liable for any "data residue" remaining on the User’s device after they have ceased using the Platform.

19. "FAIR USE" POLICY AND ANTI-DDOS PROTECTION

19.1 Definition of Fair Use

The Platform is provided as a shared community resource. The User agrees to a "Fair Use" standard of interaction. "Fair Use" is defined as manual, human-speed navigation for the purpose of identifying domestic help for the User’s own household. Any interaction pattern that exceeds typical human behavior—such as rapid-fire clicking, automated refreshing, or multi-tab data extraction—is considered a violation of this Agreement.

19.2 Prohibition of Denial-of-Service (DoS) Activities

The User is strictly prohibited from engaging in any activity that places an "unreasonable or disproportionately large load" on the Platform’s infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to:

Scripted Requests: Using custom scripts or "Auto-Refresh" browser extensions to ping the Google Apps Script backend.

Coordinated Attacks: Participating in any group effort to flood the Platform with traffic to cause service interruptions for other residents.

Buffer Stuffing: Attempting to overwhelm the trackUser logging system with high-frequency dummy events.

19.3 Automated Throttling and "Blacklisting"

The User acknowledges that Helpora.in employs automated security triggers to protect system integrity.

Self-Defense Mechanism: If the system detects a User exceeding "Fair Use" thresholds (e.g., more than 20 server-side requests in 60 seconds), the Platform may automatically throttle, suspend, or permanently blacklist that User’s IP address or Email ID.

No Liability for Accidental Bans: Helpora.in shall not be liable for any "False Positives" where a legitimate User is accidentally blocked by the security system. The User agrees that the protection of the community database outweighs the individual User’s right to uninterrupted access.

19.4 Liability for Infrastructure Costs

If a User’s intentional or negligent "High-Load" activity results in Helpora.in incurring financial costs—such as being forced to upgrade Google Cloud tiers or hiring technical consultants to recover a crashed database—the User agrees to be fully liable for the reimbursement of these costs.

19.5 Right to "Silent" Degradation

During periods of high traffic (e.g., a society-wide emergency or peak morning hours), Helpora.in reserves the right to "Silently Degrade" the service. This means we may disable high-resource features (like real-time search or detailed logging) without notice to prevent a total system collapse. The User agrees that this is a necessary measure for "Community Stability" and waives any claim for "Incomplete Service."

19.6 Indemnity Against Third-Party DoS

In the event that a third-party (hacker or competitor) launches a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on Helpora.in, the User acknowledges that the Platform is a victim. Helpora.in is not liable for any data breach, service outage, or "Security Leak" that occurs during the chaos of a cyber-attack.

20. THE "AUTO-ARCHIVING" AND DATA PURGATION STRATEGY

20.1 Right to Periodic Purgation

To ensure optimal platform performance and to adhere to Google Cloud’s technical storage constraints, Helpora.in reserves the absolute right to perform "Auto-Archiving" or permanent "Purgation" of data. The User acknowledges that Helpora.in is a dynamic, real-time directory and not a permanent archival service or long-term storage vault.

20.2 Criteria for Archiving

The Platform may, at its sole discretion and without prior notice, archive or delete data based on the following "Freshness Thresholds":

Inactivity: Profiles of Service Providers that have not been "clicked," "viewed," or "reported" for a period exceeding 180 days.

Obsolete Logs: Interaction logs (clicks, searches, and timestamps) that are older than 90 days.

Redundancy: Duplicate entries or entries with disconnected phone numbers identified during periodic system audits.

20.3 Disclaimer of Data Persistence

The User agrees that they have no "Right to Persistence" regarding any information found on the Platform.

Loss of Favorites: If a User relies on a specific profile for their household needs and that profile is archived due to inactivity, Helpora.in is not liable for any resulting loss of contact or inconvenience.

Review Deletion: Historical reviews or "Red Flags" may be purged to make room for more current, relevant safety data. The User waives any claim to "Historical Record Keeping."

20.4 Technical Failure during Archive

The User acknowledges that the archiving process involves complex "Server-Side Scripts." Helpora.in shall not be liable for:

Accidental Deletion: The unintended removal of an active profile during a mass-cleanup event.

Broken Links: Situations where a User's "Saved" or "Bookmarked" link leads to a 404 error because the underlying data has been moved to cold storage or purged.

20.5 No "Backup on Demand" Service

Helpora.in does not provide a data recovery service. If data is purged or archived, the Platform is under no legal or technical obligation to retrieve that data for a User, even if the User claims it is essential for a legal dispute or personal reference.

20.6 The "Pending" Status Disclaimer

Information marked as "Pending," "Under Review," or "Archived" is provided with zero warranty of accuracy. The User is strictly warned not to engage Service Providers whose profiles have been moved to these states, as the data is likely "Zombie Data" (as per Clause 17) and poses an increased security risk.

21. AMENDMENTS, UPDATES, AND FINAL ACCEPTANCE

21.1 Right to Modify Without Notice

Helpora.in reserves the absolute and unilateral right to change, modify, add, or remove portions of these Terms and Conditions at any time and at its sole discretion. * No Prior Notification: You acknowledge that Helpora.in is under no obligation to provide prior notice of these changes. We will not send emails or notifications regarding minor or major updates to this document.

Effective Immediately: Any changes will be effective immediately upon being posted to the Platform’s "Terms and Conditions" page.

21.2 Deemed Acceptance

Your continued use of the Platform following the posting of changes will mean that you accept and agree to the revisions. It is the User’s sole responsibility to check these Terms periodically for updates. If you do not agree with the modified Terms, your only recourse is to immediately stop using the Platform. ### 21.3 No Waiver of Rights The failure of Helpora.in to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.