Platform Terms of Use

1. About these Terms

These Platform Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of Cirql, a platform that connects local businesses and brands ("Businesses") with content creators and influencers ("Creators") for marketing campaigns. These Terms form a legally binding agreement between you and the Company under the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

By creating an account, accessing, or using Cirql, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Creator Terms & Conditions or Business/Brand Terms & Conditions (as applicable), Payment Terms, Refund & Cancellation Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, Community Guidelines, and all other policies referenced here (collectively, the "Agreement"). If you do not agree, do not use Cirql.

2. Eligibility

You may use Cirql only if you are at least 18 years of age and competent to contract under Indian law. If you use Cirql on behalf of a business or other entity, you represent that you are authorised to bind that entity, and "you" refers to that entity. Cirql is not intended for and must not be used by minors.

3. Nature of our service — intermediary status

Cirql is a technology platform and an intermediary within the meaning of the Information Technology Act, 2000. We provide the tools that allow Businesses and Creators to discover each other, agree campaign terms, communicate, exchange content, and process payments through escrow.

We are not a party to the contract formed directly between a Business and a Creator for any campaign. We do not create content, do not act as an advertising agency, and do not guarantee any specific marketing outcome, reach, engagement, or return on investment. Any performance figures, statistics, or illustrations shown on our marketing pages are indicative only and are not a promise of results.

We observe the due-diligence obligations applicable to intermediaries under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

4. Accounts, registration and verification

To use most features you must register and create an account, providing accurate, current and complete information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use.

We may verify the identity, authenticity or legitimacy of any user, including verifying a Creator's follower authenticity or a Business's registration details. Verification badges indicate that a user has completed our checks at a point in time; they are not a warranty of a user's conduct, quality, solvency, or the truth of any statement made by that user. You rely on any other user at your own risk.

5. Fees and subscriptions

Access to Cirql may be free or paid depending on the plan you select. Creator subscription tiers, Business campaign charges, platform commissions, and applicable taxes are described in our Payment Terms, which form part of this Agreement. We may change our fees prospectively on notice; continued use after a fee change constitutes acceptance.

6. Campaigns, escrow and payments

Campaign funds are held in escrow and released in accordance with the Payment Terms and Refund & Cancellation Policy. In summary, a Business funds a campaign into escrow; funds are released to the Creator after the Business approves the delivered content, and Creators are paid within 48 hours of approval, subject to deductions for platform commission and applicable taxes. Full mechanics, timelines, and auto-release rules are set out in the Payment Terms.

7. User content and licence

You retain ownership of content you submit, subject to the specific ownership and licensing rules for campaign deliverables set out in the Creator Terms & Conditions and Business/Brand Terms & Conditions. You grant the Company a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, display and use content you submit to the extent necessary to operate, promote and improve Cirql. You are solely responsible for content you submit and warrant that you have all rights necessary to submit it.

8. Acceptable use

Your use of Cirql must comply with our Acceptable Use Policy and Community Guidelines. Prohibited conduct includes, without limitation, circumventing the platform to transact off-platform in order to avoid fees, posting unlawful or infringing content, manipulating engagement metrics, and interfering with the platform's operation.

9. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or terminate your account, remove content, or restrict access, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe you have breached the Agreement or applicable law, or to protect users, third parties, or the platform. You may stop using Cirql at any time. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including fees due, licences granted, disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnity, and dispute resolution) survive.

10. Intellectual property

Cirql, the Company's names, logos, and all software, design, and content we provide are owned by or licensed to the Company and are protected by law. Except for the limited right to use Cirql under the Agreement, no rights are granted to you. See the Copyright & IP Notice for details and for how to report infringement.

11. Disclaimers and limitation of liability

Cirql is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. Our disclaimers and the limits on our liability are set out in the Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability, which forms part of this Agreement and which you should read carefully.

12. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers, employees and agents from claims, losses, and expenses arising out of your use of Cirql, your content, your campaigns, or your breach of the Agreement or applicable law.

13. Privacy and grievances

Our handling of personal data is described in the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. If you have a complaint about content, data, payments, or any other matter, you may contact our Grievance Officer as set out in the Grievance Redressal Framework.

14. Governing law and dispute resolution

This Agreement is governed by the laws of India. Subject to any right you may have as a consumer, the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at Hyderabad, Telangana. Disputes may, at the Company's election, be referred to arbitration by a sole arbitrator under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, seated at Hyderabad, conducted in English.

15. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will post the updated Terms with a revised effective date and, where the change is material, provide reasonable notice. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

16. Miscellaneous

Force majeure excuses delay or failure caused by events beyond our reasonable control. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remainder continues in effect. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver. You may not assign the Agreement without our consent; we may assign it. Notices to you may be given through the platform or to your registered email; notices to us should be sent to support@cirql.in.

Contact

Questions about these Terms: support@cirql.in. Our registered office and Grievance Officer details are in the footer of every page and in the Grievance Redressal Framework.