At crcle, we are dedicated to fostering a secure and trusted environment for academic and professional networking. We prioritse your privacy and data protection, ensuring that all personal information is handled with care and in compliance with the UK GDPR and applicable data protection laws. These Terms of Service ("Terms") outline how you can use crcle™ and what you can expect from us in return.This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your information, and outlines your rights regarding your personal data.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By registering for or using crcle, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms, as well as our Privacy Policy.

You must:

• Be at least 16 years old, or meet the minimum age requirement in your country.

2. Eligibility

To use crcle, you must:

• Provide accurate and up-to-date registration information.

• Ensure you meet the age requirements listed above.

3. Identity Verification

To maintain a safe and trusted community, crcle requires users to complete identity verification. Verification is carried out by Fourthline, our regulated Know-Your-Customer (KYC) provider. By registering for or using crcle, you authorise the sharing of your personal information with Fourthline solely for the purpose of verifying your identity and preventing fraud, in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Verification may be required to access or continue using certain features. Failure to complete or pass verification may result in suspension or denial of access to the platform.

4. Accounts and Security

• You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential.
  You must not share or transfer your account to anyone else.
  If you suspect unauthorised access, notify us immediately at: connect@crcle.me

5. Acceptable Use

When using crcle, you agree to:

• Use the platform only for lawful academic or professional networking.

• Treat other users with respect, avoiding harassment, discrimination, or abuse.

• Refrain from spamming, phishing, or engaging in malicious activities.

• Not attempt to hack, disrupt, or compromise the platform’s security.

6. Content and Messaging

You retain ownership of the content you upload but grant crcle a limited licence to use it for platform functionality.
Private messages are end-to-end encrypted. However, you remain responsible for ensuring your content is lawful and appropriate.
We may remove content that violates these Terms.

Metadata:
While message content is encrypted, we collect limited metadata (e.g. sender and recipient IDs, timestamps, message size, delivery status) to ensure security, detect fraud, and improve services. Metadata is not used for advertising or profiling and is handled in line with our Privacy Policy.

7. GDPR and User Rights

As a UK company, we comply with the UK GDPR. You have the right to:

• Access a copy of your personal data.

• Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

• Delete your personal data in certain circumstances (“right to be forgotten”).

• Restrict processing if you contest the accuracy of your data.

• Object to processing based on legitimate interest.

• Request data portability in a structured, machine-readable format.

• Withdraw consent at any time where processing relies on consent.

8. Legal Basis & Data Processing

We process personal data under the following legal bases:

• Consent: Where you explicitly agree to data processing.

• Contractual necessity: To provide you with our services.

• Legitimate interest: For security, fraud prevention, and service improvements.

• Legal obligation: When required to comply with law or regulation.

9. Data Retention

We keep your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in our Privacy Policy, or as required by law.
When no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymised.
Metadata: Retained for up to 3 years to support platform security, fraud prevention, and compliance. Metadata is not used for advertising or profiling

10. International Data Transfers

If we transfer your personal data outside the UK or EU, we apply appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) to protect it.

11. Data Breach Notification

If a data breach affects your personal data, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities within the legally required timeframe.

12. Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate these Terms.

• Engage in fraudulent, illegal, or harmful behaviour.

• Impersonate another user or misrepresent your identity

13. Limitation of Liability

crcle is provided on an “as is” basis; uninterrupted or error-free service is not guaranteed.
We are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform.

14. Privacy & Data Protection

Your use of crcle is subject to our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, process, and protect your data (including metadata).

15. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of crcle after updates means you accept the revised Terms.

15. Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us at: connect@crcle.me