Terms of Service

1.1 "Gig" refers to any service, task, or item listed by a User on the Platform.

1.2 "User" refers to any individual or entity that accesses, registers, or uses the Platform.

1.3 "Platform" refers to the Koogigo website, mobile application, and all associated services.

1.4 "Content" refers to text, images, reviews, and data posted by Users on the Platform.

2.1 Capacity: You represent that you have the full legal capacity to enter into this binding agreement.

2.2 Age (18+): You must be 18+ to use this platform independently. Minors require parental supervision (RA 10173).

2.3 Accuracy: You warrant that all information provided during registration is 100% accurate and truthful.

2.4 Verification Obligation: To maintain community safety, you agree to undergo our "Ordinary Diligence" verification process, which relies strictly on Google-authenticated academic email (.edu.ph) domain validation.

2.5 Digital Signature: Using the platform constitutes a legal digital signature under RA 8792.

3.1 C2C Venue: Koogigo is a digital bulletin board for Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) interactions. As per **RA 11967 (Internet Transactions Act)**, purely C2C transactions for personal, family, or household purposes are exempt from certain e-commerce regulations.

3.2 Casual Use Only: By using this platform, you declare that you are acting as a casual student user and not as an online merchant in the ordinary course of trade or business.

3.3 Neutral Intermediary: Koogigo acts solely as a neutral platform and does not participate, endorse, or guarantee any transaction or user conduct.

3.4 No Employment: Users are independent parties and are NOT employees, agents, or partners of Koogigo.

3.5 Brand Identity: The name "Koogigo" is a brand and does not guarantee student status of any user without our "Verified" badge.

4.1 Credential Security: You are 100% responsible for keeping your password and login data secure.

4.2 Phishing Immunity: Koogigo is not liable for losses arising from social engineering or phishing scams.

4.3 Unauthorized Use: You must report any suspected account breach immediately to our support team.

4.4 Identity Theft: We are not liable for computer-related identity theft committed by third parties (RA 10175).

4.5 Account Responsibility: You are liable for all activities that occur under your account credentials.

5.1 Anti-Hacking: Any attempt to gain unauthorized access to our servers is a crime under RA 10175.

5.2 Anti-Scraping: The use of bots, spiders, or scrapers to extract platform data is strictly prohibited.

5.3 Malware: You may not upload or transmit viruses, worms, or any malicious software code.

5.4 DoS Attacks: Flooding the platform with traffic or attempting denial-of-service attacks is prohibited.

5.5 Reverse Engineering: You are prohibited from attempting to decompile or reverse engineer our source code.

6.1 Gender-Based Harassment: We have zero tolerance for online sexual harassment (RA 11313).

6.2 Misogyny & Slurs: Misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist slurs are strictly banned.

6.3 Non-Consensual Media: Sharing intimate or private media without consent is a criminal offense.

6.4 Cyberstalking: Repeatedly following or messaging a user against their will is strictly prohibited.

6.5 Safe Environment: Koogigo reserves the right to report harassers to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.

7.1 RA 9208 Compliance: We strictly prohibit any activity relating to human trafficking or forced labor.

7.2 Zero Tolerance: Any user facilitating exploitation will be banned and reported immediately.

7.3 Child Protection: We comply with RA 7610 and have a zero-tolerance policy for child exploitation.

7.4 Modern Slavery: Any gig involving coercive labor or illegal restraint is strictly prohibited.

7.5 Duty to Cooperate: We will provide all necessary data to the NBI for trafficking investigations.

8.1 Illegal Substances: You may not list drugs, regulated chemicals, or medical prescriptions.

8.2 Dangerous Goods: Weapons, explosives, and hazardous materials are strictly prohibited.

8.3 Adult Content: No pornography, sexual services, or adult-oriented "gigs" are allowed.

8.4 Unlicensed Professions: No medical, legal, or financial advice without a valid license.

8.5 Counterfeits: Selling fake or pirated goods is a violation of RA 8293 and our terms.

9.1 No Cheating: Gigs that facilitate academic dishonesty (e.g., taking exams) are banned.

9.2 Ghostwriting: We prohibit services that violate your institution's academic honesty policy.

9.3 Institutional Rules: You are responsible for complying with your school's specific regulations.

9.4 Disciplinary Immunity: Koogigo is not liable for any bans or penalties imposed by your school.

9.5 Independence: We are NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with any University.

10.1 User-to-User: All payments are settled directly between users (e.g., GCash, Maya, Cash).

10.2 No Escrow: Koogigo does not currently provide escrow or payment processing services.

10.3 Tax Liability: Users are solely responsible for declaring income and paying taxes (RA 11976).

10.4 BIR Registration: You agree to comply with BIR Revenue Regulation No. 15-2024 if applicable.

10.5 No Tax Withholding: Koogigo does not withhold taxes from any user-to-user transactions.

11.1 No Monetary Value: Sparks are free platform credits and are NOT currency. They cannot be exchanged for, or converted into, Philippine Pesos or any other monetary instrument.

11.2 No Refunds: Sparks are provided gratuitously (free of charge). Because no payment is involved in obtaining Sparks, there is nothing to refund. All Spark usage is final.

11.3 Modification: We reserve the right to modify, adjust, or discontinue the Spark credit system at any time, with or without notice.

11.4 Anti-Gambling: Sparks may not be used for betting, wagering, or gambling purposes of any kind (RA 9287).

11.5 Revocation: We reserve the right to revoke, reduce, or zero-out Sparks from any account that violates these Terms or engages in abuse, fraud, or gaming of the credit system.

11-A.1 Ad-Supported Model: Koogigo is free to use. The platform generates revenue through Google AdSense display advertisements shown to users while browsing.

11-A.2 Ad Content: We do not control the specific ads displayed by Google AdSense. Ads are served based on your browsing behavior and Google's own policies.

11-A.3 Ad Blockers: You may use ad blockers, but doing so may reduce the platform's ability to provide free services to the student community.

11-A.4 No Ad Liability: Koogigo is not liable for any products, services, or claims made in third-party advertisements displayed on the platform.

11-A.5 Cookie Consent: By using the platform, you acknowledge that Google AdSense uses cookies and similar tracking technologies as described in our Privacy Policy.

12.1 Assumption of Risk: You acknowledge that in-person meetings carry inherent physical risks.

12.2 Public Spaces: We strongly advise meeting only in well-lit, populated, public locations.

12.3 No Background Checks: We do NOT perform criminal or character background checks on users.

12.4 Liability Waiver: We are not liable for any physical harm, theft, or assault occurring offline.

12.5 Safety Awareness: You are responsible for informing others of your meeting details for safety.

13.1 User Ownership: You retain ownership of the content you post on the Platform.

13.2 Usage License: You grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to display and use your content.

13.3 Third-Party IP: You represent that your posts do not infringe on any third-party copyrights.

13.4 Brand Assets: The "Koogigo" logo and designs are the exclusive property of our founders.

13.5 Feedback: Any ideas or feedback you provide may be used by us without compensation.

14.1 Good Faith Reliance (RA 11967, Art. 31): Koogigo is an online marketplace intermediary. Pursuant to Section 31 of Republic Act No. 11967 (Internet Transactions Act), Koogigo shall NOT be held civilly or criminally liable for any acts or omissions of its Users, provided that: (a) Koogigo did not have actual knowledge of the unlawful act; (b) Koogigo acted expeditiously to remove or disable access upon obtaining such knowledge; and (c) Koogigo did not receive a financial benefit directly attributable to the unlawful activity.

14.2 No Indirect Damages: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY PHILIPPINE LAW, KOOGIGO SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL, OR SERVICE INTERRUPTION.

14.3 Technical Errors: We are not liable for bugs, glitches, or server-side technical outages caused by third-party infrastructure providers (Supabase, Vercel, Google Cloud).

14.4 Third-Party Acts: We are not liable for the conduct, acts, or omissions of any other User, whether online or offline. Each User is solely responsible for their own conduct and any content they post.

14.5 Aggregate Liability Cap: Notwithstanding the above, if Koogigo is found liable by a competent Philippine court, our total maximum aggregate liability to you for all claims is strictly capped at ONE THOUSAND PHILIPPINE PESOS (₱1,000.00).

14.6 Essential Basis: The limitations set forth in this Section reflect a reasonable and fair allocation of risk. Koogigo would not be able to provide a free platform without these limitations. If you do not accept these limitations, your sole and exclusive remedy is to discontinue use of the Platform.

15.1 Your Breach: You will defend us against claims arising from your breach of these Terms.

15.2 Interaction Harm: You indemnify us against claims from other Users regarding your gigs.

15.3 IP Infringement: You will pay for our legal defense if your content infringes on others' IP.

15.4 Tax Penalties: You indemnify us against any tax fines resulting from your income declaration.

15.5 Legal Fees: You agree to cover all our legal costs arising from your misuse of the site.

16.1 Consent: By using the Platform, you consent to the processing of your personal data.

16.2 Purpose: Your data is used only for account management and platform operation.

16.3 Subject Rights: You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information.

16.4 Gov Requests: We will disclose data to the PNP or NBI when required by a lawful order.

16.5 Data Security: We implement standard security measures to protect your data from leaks.

17.1 Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

17.2 Venue: Any legal actions shall be filed exclusively in the courts of Taguig City.

17.3 Mediation: You agree to attempt good-faith mediation before filing any legal action.

17.4 Arbitration: Disputes may be submitted to binding arbitration under RA 9285.

17.5 Class Action: You waive the right to participate in any class-action lawsuit against us.

18.1 Redress Mechanism: We provide an internal system to address grievances (JAO 22-01).

18.2 Notice & Takedown: We will remove illegal content immediately upon valid notification.

18.3 Counter-Notice: Users have the right to appeal content removals via counter-notice.

18.4 Recidivism: Repeat offenders will be permanently banned to prevent further violations.

18.5 No Monitoring: We have no general obligation to monitor user content (RA 11967).

19.1 Platform Right: We can suspend your account at any time for any reason without notice.

19.2 User Right: You may terminate your account at any time by stopping platform use.

19.3 Content Removal: Upon termination, we may but are not required to delete your content.

19.4 Survival: Sections 13, 14, 15, and 17 shall survive any termination indefinitely.

19.5 Termination Notice: We are not liable for any losses caused by your account suspension.

20.1 Entire Agreement: These terms constitute the final and only agreement between us.

20.2 No Waiver: Our failure to enforce a provision does not mean we waive that right.

20.3 Severability: If one clause is found invalid, the rest of the terms remain in effect.

20.4 Force Majeure: We are not liable for delays caused by natural disasters or war.

20.5 Assignment: You may not sell or transfer your account or rights to any third party.

21.1 External Links: We are not responsible for the content or safety of third-party websites.

21.2 API Use: We may use third-party APIs (e.g., Supabase, Google) and are not liable for their failures.

21.3 Social Login: Login via third parties (Google, etc.) is at your own risk regarding their privacy policies.

21.4 Map Services: Location data provided by third-party maps is for convenience only and may be inaccurate.

21.5 Cloud Infrastructure: Our platform relies on cloud providers; we are not liable for their regional outages.

22.1 No SLA: Koogigo provides no Service Level Agreement or guaranteed uptime.

22.2 Response Times: Support response times are on a best-effort basis and may exceed 72 hours.

22.3 Bug Reporting: Users are encouraged to report bugs but we have no obligation to fix them immediately.

22.4 Maintenance: We reserve the right to take the platform offline for scheduled or emergency maintenance.

22.5 Data Loss: We are not liable for any data loss occurring during maintenance or technical upgrades.

23.1 Definition: Confidential Information includes all non-public technical and business data.

23.2 Non-Disclosure: You agree to keep all platform-related confidential information private.

23.3 Exceptions: Information in the public domain or required by law is not considered confidential.

23.4 Legal Compulsion: If ordered by a court, we will disclose confidential data to authorities.

23.5 Survival: Confidentiality obligations survive for 5 years after account termination.

24.1 Poaching: You agree not to solicit Koogigo users for competing platforms.

24.2 Direct Deals: Attempting to bypass platform transparency for "off-market" deals is prohibited.

24.3 Damages: You are liable for damages if you use platform data to build a competing database.

24.4 Monitoring: We may use automated tools to detect and prevent platform circumvention.

24.5 Reporting: Users must report any poaching attempts by other users or third parties.

25.1 Honest Opinion: Reviews must represent the actual, honest experience of the user.

25.2 No Fake Reviews: Creating "shill" accounts to boost ratings is strictly prohibited.

25.3 Review Removal: We reserve the right to remove reviews that contain profanity or hate speech.

25.4 Defamation: Koogigo is NOT liable for any defamatory statements made by users in reviews.

25.5 Bias: Paid reviews or reviews from family/friends without disclosure are prohibited.

26.1 PWD Access: We strive to maintain accessibility standards for Persons with Disabilities.

26.2 Universal Design: We implement universal design principles to ensure platform usability for all.

26.3 Support: PWD users can request assistance via our accessibility helpdesk.

26.4 No Discrimination: We strictly prohibit discrimination against PWD users in gig listings.

26.5 Feedback: We welcome feedback from the PWD community to improve platform accessibility.

27.1 Prohibited Gifts: Users may not offer gifts or bribes to Koogigo staff or agents.

27.2 Gov Officials: Using the platform to influence government officials is strictly prohibited.

27.3 Compliance: All interactions must comply with the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

27.4 Termination: Any user involved in bribery will have their account immediately terminated.

27.5 Reporting: We will report any bribery attempts to the Ombudsman or proper authorities.

28.1 Suspicious Activity: We monitor for patterns that suggest money laundering or illegal financing.

28.2 Cooperation: We will cooperate fully with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

28.3 ID Verification: We reserve the right to request identity verification for large-scale transactions.

28.4 No Washing: Using the platform to "clean" illegal funds is a criminal act and will be prosecuted.

28.5 Termination: Suspicious accounts will be frozen pending investigation by authorities.

29.1 Critical Infra: Users may not use the platform to target critical Philippine infrastructure.

29.2 No State Actors: Use of the platform by hostile foreign entities for espionage is prohibited.

29.3 Reporting: Any threat to national security detected on the platform will be reported to the NSC.

29.4 Cooperation: We will assist the Department of National Defense (DND) in security matters.

29.5 Termination: Any user engaging in cyber-warfare or espionage will be permanently banned.

30.1 Sustainable Use: Users are encouraged to minimize the environmental impact of their gigs.

30.2 Social Impact: Koogigo aims to empower students and create a positive social footprint.

30.3 Community Standards: All gigs must align with general Philippine social and moral standards.

30.4 Ethical Sourcing: Users are prohibited from providing services involving unethical labor practices.

30.5 Reporting: We will remove any gigs that advocate for environmental destruction or social harm.

31.1 Pandemic Compliance: Users must follow all current DOH guidelines during in-person meetings.

31.2 Physical Distance: When applicable, users should maintain safe physical distances for health.

31.3 Reporting Ills: Users should not attend in-person meetings if they are experiencing contagious symptoms.

31.4 Safety Protocols: Users are responsible for their own health gear (masks, sanitizers, etc.).

31.5 Disclaimer: Koogigo is not liable for any illness contracted during a user-to-user interaction.

32.1 Price Transparency: All listed prices must be clear and include any mandatory service fees.

32.2 Product Quality: Users are responsible for ensuring that any physical goods meet safety standards.

32.3 Advertising: Misleading or deceptive advertising of gigs is strictly prohibited.

32.4 Warranties: Any warranties provided for a gig are purely between the buyer and the seller.

32.5 Redress: Users can seek redress through our platform or the DTI for deceptive trade practices.

33.1 Electronic Records: All digital interactions on the platform are considered legal electronic records.

33.2 Signatures: Digital clicks (e.g., "Apply", "Confirm") are equivalent to hand-written signatures.

33.3 Time of Sending: A message is considered sent when it enters the recipient's digital system.

33.4 Attribution: Any action taken under your account is attributed solely to you.

33.5 Integrity: We use industry-standard encryption to ensure the integrity of electronic documents.

34.1 Restricted Countries: Use of the platform from sanctioned countries is strictly prohibited.

34.2 Prohibited Parties: Individuals on global or local sanctions lists may not register.

34.3 Compliance: Users are responsible for complying with all international export and trade laws.

34.4 Verification: We reserve the right to cross-reference user data with global sanctions databases.

34.5 Termination: Any user found in violation of trade sanctions will be immediately banned.

35.1 Case Studies: We may use anonymized gig data for marketing and impact case studies.

35.2 Logo Use: Users may not use the Koogigo logo for their own promotional materials without consent.

35.3 Testimonials: We may feature user reviews on our homepage or social media as testimonials.

35.4 Opt-out: Users can opt-out of being featured in marketing materials via account settings.

35.5 Disclaimer: Featured success stories do not guarantee similar results for all users.

36.1 No Warranty: Beta features are provided "as-is" for testing and may be unstable.

36.2 Data Loss: We are not liable for any data loss caused by experimental or beta platform tools.

36.3 Feedback: Users participating in beta tests agree to provide constructive feedback.

36.4 Discontinuation: We may remove any beta feature at any time without notice or explanation.

36.5 Liability: Your use of beta tools is at your own risk; no compensation is provided for failures.

37.1 AI Responsibility: Users are 100% responsible for any content generated by AI tools on the platform.

37.2 No Endorsement: AI-generated advice or summaries do not represent the views of Koogigo.

37.3 Copyright: Users must ensure AI-generated content does not infringe on existing IP rights.

37.4 Disclosure: Gigs heavily relying on AI generation should be disclosed to the client.

37.5 Removal: We will remove AI content that is found to be hallucinated, deceptive, or harmful.

38.1 Local Laws: Users accessing the site from abroad must comply with their local laws.

38.2 Cross-Border Data: You consent to your data being stored in cloud servers across multiple regions.

38.3 Dispute Forum: Any international dispute must still be settled in Taguig City, Philippines.

38.4 Choice of Law: The laws of the Philippines prevail over any international conflict of laws.

38.5 Access: We reserve the right to geoblock certain countries due to regulatory requirements.

39.1 Disclosure: Users must disclose any personal or financial conflicts of interest in their gigs.

39.2 Prohibited Deals: Bidding on your own gigs or friends' gigs to inflate ratings is prohibited.

39.3 Monitoring: We monitor for collusive behavior that undermines marketplace fairness.

39.4 Reporting: Users should report any unethical or suspicious behavior to platform moderators.

39.5 Termination: Ethical breaches will result in account review and potential permanent banning.

40.1 Casual User Declaration: I explicitly declare that I am using Koogigo for casual, personal student transactions and not as a business in the ordinary course of trade.

40.2 Verification Consent: I consent to the automatic domain-level verification of my student status via Google SSO authentication and acknowledge that no physical document scans or ID photos are processed or stored.

40.3 Independent Counsel: You acknowledge you had the opportunity to seek legal counsel before agreeing.

40.4 Binding Nature: This agreement is binding upon your heirs, executors, and administrators.

40.5 Final Acceptance: By clicking "I Agree", you enter this Legal Fortress and accept all terms.

41.1 Exhaustion of Remedy: As per **Section 24 of RA 11967**, you MUST first exhaust our internal redress mechanism by reporting any dispute to koogigoreport@gmail.com before filing any formal complaint with the DTI, courts, or government agencies.

41.2 7-Day Resolution Period: Any external legal action taken before the expiration of seven (7) calendar days from our receipt of your internal report is considered premature and a violation of these Terms.

41.3 Cooperation: You agree to provide all necessary evidence and cooperate in good faith during the 7-day resolution window.