Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Paragon. These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Paragon ("we," "our," or "us") regarding your use of our donation platform and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Service.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of any material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

Description of Service

Paragon is a secure donation platform that connects individuals in need with generous donors. Our Service includes:

• User profile creation and management
• Secure donation processing through third-party payment processors
• QR code generation for easy donation sharing
• Communication tools for donors and recipients
• Platform analytics and reporting

We act as an intermediary platform and do not directly process payments. All financial transactions are processed by our trusted third-party payment processor, Stripe.

User Accounts

Account Creation

To use our Service, you must create an account by providing accurate, complete, and current information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

Account Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
• You must provide accurate and truthful information
• You are responsible for keeping your account information up to date
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• You may not create multiple accounts or share your account with others

Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion. You may terminate your account at any time by contacting our support team.

Acceptable Use Policy

Permitted Uses

You may use our Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree to:

• Provide accurate and truthful information in your profile
• Use the Service in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• Respect the privacy and dignity of other users
• Use the Service for its intended purpose of facilitating donations
• Maintain the security of your account and information

Prohibited Uses

You may not use our Service for any of the following purposes:

• Fraudulent or deceptive activities
• Harassment, abuse, or intimidation of other users
• Violation of any applicable laws or regulations
• Distribution of malware, viruses, or harmful code
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Creating fake profiles or impersonating others
• Spam, unsolicited communications, or mass messaging
• Commercial use without our express written permission

Content Standards

All content you post on our platform must be appropriate, respectful, and comply with our community guidelines. We reserve the right to remove any content that violates these standards.

Donations and Payments

Donation Processing

All donations are processed through our third-party payment processor, Stripe. We do not directly handle payment information or process transactions. By making a donation, you agree to Stripe's terms of service and privacy policy.

Platform Fees and Processing Costs

Paragon charges platform fees to cover operational costs, payment processing, and service maintenance. These fees are clearly disclosed at the time of donation and may include:

• Payment processing fees charged by third-party processors (e.g., Stripe)
• Platform service fees to cover operational costs and service maintenance
• Additional fees as disclosed during the donation process

Fee Structure: Our current fee structure includes Stripe processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 CAD) and Paragon platform fees (2.1%). Total fees may vary based on donation amount and payment method. All fees are clearly disclosed before payment confirmation.

Payout Discretion and Processing

Platform Discretion: All payouts to recipients are processed at Paragon's sole discretion. We reserve the right to:

• Delay or suspend payouts for security, compliance, or verification purposes
• Withhold payouts pending account verification or documentation
• Suspend payouts if we suspect fraudulent activity or policy violations
• Require additional verification or documentation before processing payouts
• Modify payout schedules or methods at our discretion

Payout Processing Times

While we strive to process payouts promptly, processing times may vary based on:

• Account verification status and compliance requirements
• Banking and payment processor processing times
• Security and fraud prevention measures
• Regulatory and compliance requirements

Donation Refunds and Cancellations

Donations are generally non-refundable. However, we may consider refund requests in exceptional circumstances, such as technical errors or fraudulent activity. Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the donation.

Refund Processing: Approved refunds will be processed at our discretion and may take 5-10 business days. Processing fees may not be refundable. We reserve the right to deny refund requests that do not meet our criteria.

Recipient Responsibilities

Recipients are responsible for:

• Providing accurate information about their needs and circumstances
• Using donations for their stated purposes
• Maintaining appropriate records of donation usage
• Complying with all applicable tax obligations
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date account information for payouts
• Responding promptly to verification requests

Tax Implications

Recipients are responsible for reporting donations as income and paying any applicable taxes. We do not provide tax advice and recommend consulting with a tax professional.

Tax Reporting: We may provide tax documentation to recipients as required by law, but recipients are solely responsible for their tax obligations and compliance.

Intellectual Property Rights

Our Rights

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by Paragon and are protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws.

Your Content

You retain ownership of any content you post on our platform. By posting content, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute your content in connection with the Service.

User-Generated Content

You are solely responsible for any content you post on our platform. You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to post such content and that it does not violate any third-party rights.

Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and comply with legal obligations. You may request deletion of your data at any time, subject to certain limitations.

Platform Discretion and Risk Management

Platform Authority

Paragon operates as an intermediary platform and reserves the right to exercise discretion in all aspects of service delivery, including but not limited to:

• Account approval, suspension, or termination
• Payout processing and timing
• Fee structure and modifications
• Content moderation and removal
• Platform access and feature availability

Risk Management and Compliance

We implement various risk management measures to protect the platform and users, including:

• Fraud detection and prevention systems
• Identity verification and account validation
• Transaction monitoring and analysis
• Compliance with anti-money laundering regulations
• Security measures to prevent unauthorized access

Service Modifications

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our service at any time, including but not limited to:

• Fee structures and payment processing methods
• Platform features and functionality
• User interface and experience
• Service availability and access
• Terms of service and policies

Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance under these Terms that is due to causes beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, government actions, or technical failures beyond our control.

Disclaimers and Limitations

Service Availability

We strive to provide continuous service availability, but we do not guarantee that the Service will be available at all times. We may experience downtime for maintenance, updates, or technical issues.

No Warranties

The Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We disclaim all warranties, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or use, arising out of or relating to your use of the Service.

Third-Party Services

Our Service may integrate with third-party services, such as payment processors. We are not responsible for the availability, content, or practices of such third-party services.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Paragon and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising from your use of the Service or violation of these Terms.

Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ontario, Canada, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Dispute Resolution Process

Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the Canadian Arbitration Association.

Class Action Waiver

You agree that any arbitration or court proceeding shall be limited to the dispute between you and Paragon. You waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration.

Termination

Termination by You

You may terminate your account and stop using the Service at any time by contacting our support team.

Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice, for any reason, including violation of these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion.

Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately. We may delete your account and data, though certain information may be retained as required by law.

General Provisions

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Paragon regarding the use of the Service.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: