Terms of Service.

1. Who These Terms Apply To

These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a legally binding agreement between you and AuthentiKate, Inc., a Delaware C-corporation ("AuthentiKate," "we," "us," or "our").

These Terms apply to:

• Consumers who use the AuthentiKate app (free, no account) to verify whether someone contacting them is a genuine, verified figure.
• Figures who use AuthentiKate Verified (paid subscription) to create a verified profile, generate verification codes, and manage their team.
• Website visitors at authentikate.com.

By accessing or using our services, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use our services.

Enterprise, business, and agency use is governed by separate written agreements. If you are an enterprise customer or prospective partner, contact sales@authentikate.com.

2. Definitions

• "Services" means the AuthentiKate consumer app, the AuthentiKate Verified figure app, our website at authentikate.com, and any related software, APIs, or features.
• "Consumer app" means the free AuthentiKate mobile application used by members of the public to run verification checks.
• "Verified app" means the AuthentiKate Verified mobile application available to verified figures by paid subscription.
• "Figure" means any individual or entity who has applied for and received verified status on AuthentiKate.
• "Verification code" means the short-lived, one-time code generated by a figure through the Verified app, which a consumer can enter in the consumer app to confirm the figure's identity.
• "Verified result" means the outcome produced when a valid, unexpired, unused code is correctly submitted for the right figure on the right channel.
• "CKY" means Customer Knows You — our proprietary verification approach.

3. Eligibility

To use our Services, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher).
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.
• Not be prohibited from using the Services under applicable law.

Our services are not directed to children under 13 in the United States, or under 16 in the European Economic Area. The Verified app requires identity verification through a third-party KYC provider, which includes age verification. Minors may not register for or use the Verified app.

4. Acceptable Use

4.1 Permitted Use

You may use the Services only for their intended purpose: verifying whether a person or brand contacting you is the authentic, verified figure they claim to be, or (for figures) generating and managing verification codes for your verified profile.

4.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Impersonate any person, figure, or entity through, or in connection with, our Services.
• Attempt to defeat, circumvent, or game the verification system — including by probing for valid codes through repeated entries, testing expired codes, or attempting to reverse-engineer the code generation mechanism.
• Scrape, harvest, or systematically extract data from our Services by automated means, including scrapers, bots, or spiders.
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Services or attempt to derive our source code, algorithms, or proprietary methods.
• Use the Services for any illegal purpose, including fraud, impersonation, phishing, or harassment.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of our systems, databases, or infrastructure.
• Interfere with or disrupt the Services, servers, or networks connected to the Services.
• Transmit malware, viruses, or harmful code through or in connection with the Services.
• Resell, sublicense, or redistribute the Services or verification credentials without our written consent.
• Misrepresent the meaning of a verification result — including using a verified result to falsely claim that AuthentiKate has endorsed or vouched for the content, views, or actions of a figure beyond their identity.

4.3 Figure Responsibilities

If you use the Verified app as a verified figure, you are additionally responsible for:

• Keeping your declared social handles accurate. Only declare social accounts that genuinely belong to you. Declaring accounts that are not yours is grounds for immediate account suspension.
• Keeping your registered devices secure. Only registered devices that have passed AuthentiKate's device ceremony may access your account. You must notify us immediately at support@authentikate.com if a registered device is lost, stolen, or compromised.
• Managing your team responsibly. You are responsible for the actions of team members you add to your account. Revoke access promptly when a team member's authority ends.
• Providing accurate information. All information you submit — including identity documents, social handles, and profile content — must be accurate and up to date.
• Not sharing verification codes inappropriately. Codes generated in the Verified app are intended to be shared with a specific person for a specific verification interaction. Codes are single-use and short-lived by design.

5. Account Registration and Security (Verified App)

5.1 Account Creation

To use the Verified app, you must complete our registration and identity verification process. This includes:

• Providing your name and email address.
• Passing identity verification (KYC) through our third-party provider, Veriff, which requires a government-issued photo ID and a liveness check.
• Registering a device through an in-person or video ceremony with AuthentiKate.

5.2 Passkey Authentication

The Verified app uses passkeys (WebAuthn) for authentication. There are no passwords. Your passkey is bound to your device's hardware security (Secure Enclave on iOS, TEE on Android). You are responsible for maintaining the security of your registered devices and must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access.

5.3 One Account Per Person

Each individual may maintain one account. Entities (businesses, brands) are associated with at least one authorized human account holder. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent any restriction is prohibited.

6. What a Verification Result Means — and Does Not Mean

6.1 What a Verified Result Means

A Verified result means precisely this: a valid, unexpired, unused verification code was produced and is associated with the figure whose name and handle you searched for, via the channel you specified.

A Verified result is evidence that:

• A code was generated by a device registered to a verified figure's account, or by an authorized team member on that account.
• The code was not expired, not previously used, and not revoked at the time of entry.
• The code was entered for the correct figure on the correct channel.

AuthentiKate does not verify the content of any communication. A Verified result relates to the identity of the figure — not to the authenticity, accuracy, or legitimacy of any particular message, instruction, financial request, or claim made during a conversation.

6.2 What a Verified Result Does Not Mean

A Verified result is not:

• A guarantee that the person you are currently speaking with is present at the time of code entry.
• An endorsement by AuthentiKate of any request, statement, or action by the figure.
• Protection against all forms of fraud — for example, a legitimate figure who is themselves acting in bad faith, or whose account has been compromised by a team member.
• Legal or financial advice about any transaction or decision.

6.3 What a Cannot Verify Result Means

A Cannot Verify result means that the specific code entered did not produce a valid verification for the figure and channel combination at that moment. The reasons this can occur include: the code was expired, already used, incorrect, revoked, or entered for the wrong figure or channel. A rate-limiting restriction may also apply.

A Cannot Verify result is not an accusation of impersonation. We deliberately do not disclose the specific reason for a negative result, and we do not confirm or deny whether a particular figure is or is not registered in our system. This design protects figures' privacy and prevents bad actors from using our service to probe the system.

If you suspect impersonation regardless of the verification result, you should use appropriate channels — including law enforcement if warranted — and may file an anonymous report through the consumer app.

7. AuthentiKate Verified — Subscription Terms

7.1 Pricing

AuthentiKate Verified is available by annual subscription at $120 USD per year per verified figure profile. Pricing is subject to change with at least 30 days' notice to existing subscribers before any change takes effect on their renewal date.

7.2 Billing

Subscriptions are billed annually in advance through Stripe, our payment processor. Your subscription begins on the date your verified profile is activated and renews automatically on each anniversary of that date unless cancelled.

By subscribing, you authorize AuthentiKate to charge your payment method for the subscription fee on each renewal date until you cancel. You are responsible for ensuring your payment information remains accurate and up to date.

7.3 Auto-Renewal and Cancellation

Your subscription renews automatically each year. To prevent renewal, you must cancel before your renewal date. You can cancel at any time through the Verified app or by contacting support@authentikate.com. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current paid period; your access continues until then.

7.4 Refunds

Subscription fees are generally non-refundable. We will issue a refund in the following circumstances:

• Your application for verified status was rejected after payment was collected (full refund).
• We terminate your account without cause before the end of your subscription period (pro-rated refund for unused months).
• Applicable law requires a refund (for example, statutory cooling-off periods in certain jurisdictions).

Refunds are not issued for changes of mind after verification is completed, or for accounts suspended or terminated due to violations of these Terms.

7.5 Failed Payments

If a payment fails, we will attempt to notify you by email and retry the charge. If payment remains outstanding after reasonable notice, we may suspend or terminate your Verified app access. Suspension does not erase your verified profile; access is restored upon receipt of the outstanding payment.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 AuthentiKate's Rights

The Services — including all software, code, algorithms, databases, designs, user interfaces, trademarks, and content created by AuthentiKate — are owned by AuthentiKate, Inc. and are protected by intellectual property laws. These Terms do not grant you any ownership interest in the Services.

8.2 Trademarks

AuthentiKate, AuthentiKate Verified, CKY, Customer Knows You, and associated logos and marks are trademarks of AuthentiKate, Inc. You may not use these marks without our prior written consent.

8.3 Your Profile Content

You retain ownership of content you submit to create your verified profile (bio, avatar, handle declarations, personalized messages). By submitting this content, you grant AuthentiKate a limited, non-exclusive license to display it to consumers who run a verification on your profile. This license ends when you close your account.

8.4 Feedback

If you provide us with feedback, suggestions, or ideas about the Services, you grant AuthentiKate an unrestricted, perpetual, royalty-free license to use that feedback for any purpose, without obligation or compensation to you.

9. Privacy

Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Services, you agree to the Privacy Policy.

10. Third-Party Services

The Services integrate with third-party providers including Veriff (identity verification), Stripe (payments), and others listed in our Privacy Policy. We are not responsible for the services, terms, or privacy practices of these third parties. Your interactions with them are governed by their own terms.

11. Termination

11.1 Termination by You

You may stop using the consumer app at any time. Verified app subscribers may cancel as described in Section 7.3. To close your Verified account entirely, contact support@authentikate.com.

11.2 Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services:

• For material violation of these Terms.
• For non-payment of subscription fees after notice.
• If your account poses a security risk to the platform or other users.
• If required to do so by law or court order.
• For any other reason, with 30 days' prior notice to you.

Termination for cause (e.g., Terms violation) does not entitle you to a refund.

11.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to access the Services ceases. We will handle your data as described in the Privacy Policy. Provisions that by their nature survive termination — including Sections 6, 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15 — will continue to apply.

12. Disclaimers

In particular, and without limiting the foregoing:

• AuthentiKate does not guarantee that a Verified result will protect you from all fraud. Verification confirms that a valid code was produced — it does not independently guarantee the intentions or conduct of any figure or team member.
• AuthentiKate does not represent that every person who should be registered in our system is registered, or that seeded but unclaimed figure profiles are complete or accurate.
• The availability of the verification service depends on connectivity, device compatibility, and other factors outside our control.

Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion of implied warranties. In those jurisdictions, the above exclusions apply only to the extent permitted by law.

13. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence.
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
• Any liability that cannot be limited or excluded by applicable law.

Some jurisdictions do not allow limitation of liability for certain types of damages. In those jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless AuthentiKate, Inc. and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your violation of these Terms.
• Your violation of any applicable law or third-party rights.
• Content you submit or actions you take through the Services.
• Your misrepresentation of a verification result to any third party.
• Your negligence or willful misconduct.

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Informal Resolution First

Before filing any formal claim, you agree to contact us at support@authentikate.com and attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will do the same. Most concerns can be resolved quickly and directly.

15.2 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. If you are a consumer in a jurisdiction where mandatory local consumer protection laws apply, those laws continue to apply to the extent they cannot be contractually overridden.

15.3 Arbitration

If informal resolution fails, any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules (for consumers) or Commercial Arbitration Rules (for businesses), as applicable. The arbitration shall take place in the State of Delaware, conducted in English. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

15.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any arbitration or proceeding will be conducted on an individual basis. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration. This waiver does not apply where it is prohibited by applicable law.

15.5 Exceptions to Arbitration

Either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction for:

• Infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property.
• Breach of confidentiality obligations.
• Unauthorized access to systems or data.

16. General Provisions

16.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any subscription or enterprise agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and AuthentiKate regarding the Services and supersede any prior agreements.

16.2 Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the effective date at the top of this page and notify Verified app users by email or in-app notification at least 14 days before the change takes effect. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16.3 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your account without our prior written consent. AuthentiKate may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with notice to you.

16.4 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force.

16.5 Waiver

Failure by AuthentiKate to enforce any provision of these Terms is not a waiver of our right to enforce it in the future.

16.6 Force Majeure

AuthentiKate will not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, government action, power or internet outages, or failures of third-party infrastructure.

16.7 Export Compliance

You agree to comply with all applicable US export and re-export control laws and regulations. You represent that you are not located in a country subject to US embargo and are not listed on any US government denied-party list.

16.8 No Partnership or Agency

These Terms do not create a partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between you and AuthentiKate.

16.9 Enterprise and Business Use

Use of the Services by businesses, talent agencies, industry bodies, and enterprise customers is governed by separate written agreements. These Terms govern individual use only. Contact sales@authentikate.com for enterprise terms.

17. Contact