Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using Synapse ("the Platform"), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

2. Description of Service

Synapse is a professional vetting and assessment platform that connects qualified candidates with opportunities. Our services include:

• Professional profile creation and management
• Skills assessments and evaluations
• Career matching and recommendations
• Educational verification services
• Professional networking opportunities

3. User Accounts and Registration

To access certain features of the Platform, you must register for an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and update your information to keep it accurate
• Maintain the security of your password and account
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

4. Identity Verification and Background Checks

4.1 Identity Verification

Synapse conducts direct verification of your identity with the relevant authorities and official identity registries. By using our platform, you explicitly consent to this ongoing verification process.

• Official Registry Integration: Your identity will be verified against official government and institutional records
• Continuous Verification: Identity validation is conducted automatically throughout your journey on the platform
• Identity Matching: Your provided personal details must match the records in the relevant official registries exactly
• Zero Tolerance Policy: Any discrepancies or false identity will result in immediate account ban

WARNING: Using someone else's identity or providing false information is a serious criminal offense under applicable laws and constitutes identity fraud. Offenders will be reported to law enforcement authorities.

4.2 Educational Credential Verification

All educational qualifications, degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be independently verified with the issuing institutions.

• Institution Contact: We directly contact universities, colleges, and training institutions to verify your credentials
• Document Authentication: Uploaded transcripts and certificates are checked for authenticity
• Qualification Validation: Degree names, graduation dates, and academic achievements are verified
• Mandatory Verification: All qualifications must be verified before your profile can be approved

WARNING: Claiming qualifications you do not possess, falsifying transcripts, or providing fake certificates constitutes fraud and will result in permanent account ban and potential legal prosecution.

4.3 Professional Experience Validation

We may verify your professional experience through:

• Employment history confirmation with previous employers
• Professional reference checks
• LinkedIn and professional network cross-verification
• Skills assessment and testing to validate claimed expertise

5. Fraud Prevention and Consequences

5.1 What Constitutes Fraud

The following actions constitute fraud and are strictly prohibited:

• Identity Fraud: Using a false identity, someone else's credentials, or fabricated identity documents
• Qualification Fraud: Claiming degrees, diplomas, or certificates you have not earned
• Document Forgery: Submitting forged, altered, or fake academic transcripts or certificates
• Experience Fraud: Falsifying employment history, job titles, or professional experience
• Skills Misrepresentation: Claiming skills, certifications, or competencies you do not possess
• Assessment Cheating: Using unauthorized assistance, plagiarism, or manipulation during assessments

5.2 Consequences of Fraud

If you are found to have provided false information or engaged in fraudulent activity:

• Immediate Account Ban: Your account will be permanently suspended without notice
• Blacklist Status: You will be permanently blacklisted from creating new accounts on our platform
• Legal Action: We reserve the right to pursue legal action and report criminal fraud to law enforcement
• Financial Liability: You may be held liable for any damages caused by your fraudulent actions
• Professional Reporting: Fraud may be reported to professional bodies, institutions, and potential employers
• Criminal Prosecution: Identity fraud and document forgery are criminal offenses under applicable international and local laws

By using Synapse, you acknowledge that fraud is a serious criminal offense with severe legal and professional consequences.

5.3 User Conduct and Responsibilities

You agree to:

• Provide accurate, truthful, and complete information at all times
• Update your information immediately if any details change
• Cooperate fully with verification processes and requests for supporting documentation
• Only submit documents and qualifications that genuinely belong to you
• Complete assessments independently without unauthorized assistance

You agree NOT to:

• Provide false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Use another person's identity or credentials
• Forge, alter, or falsify any documents
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Transmit harmful or malicious code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the Platform or verification systems

6. Data Protection Compliance (POPIA & GDPR)

Synapse is fully compliant with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

6.1 Global Data Protection Principles

In accordance with POPIA and GDPR, we ensure:

• Lawful Processing: All personal information is processed lawfully and transparently
• Purpose Specification: Information is collected for specific, legitimate purposes (verification, assessment, candidate matching)
• Data Minimization: We only collect information that is necessary for our services
• Information Quality: We take reasonable steps to ensure data accuracy and completeness
• Openness: You have the right to know what information we hold and how it's used
• Security Safeguards: We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data
• Data Subject Participation: You have rights to access, correct, and request deletion of your information as prescribed by applicable laws.

6.2 Consent for Verification

By using Synapse, you provide explicit consent for:

• Verification of your identification documents with official registries
• Verification of your educational qualifications with issuing institutions
• Contact with previous employers and professional references
• Processing of your personal information for platform services in line with POPIA and GDPR
• Sharing your verified profile with potential employers and opportunities

Your privacy is important to us. We collect, use, and protect your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, POPIA, and GDPR. Please refer to our detailed Privacy Policy for comprehensive information on data handling practices.

7. Intellectual Property

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

8. Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Synapse, its officers, directors, employees, or agents be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including without limitation, loss of profits, data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses.

9. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach the Terms.

10. Anti-Circumvention Policy (For Companies)

10.1 Introduction Fee Obligation

Any candidate introduced to your company via the Synapse platform who is subsequently hired within 12 months of first contact shall be subject to the applicable success fee, regardless of where the final hiring agreement is made.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Direct Hires: Full-time, part-time, or contract positions
• Contract-to-Hire: Temporary arrangements that convert to permanent employment
• Referrals: Candidates referred to affiliated companies, subsidiaries, or partner organizations
• External Communication: Hires made after communication moved to external channels (email, WhatsApp, phone, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Delayed Offers: Offers extended after the candidate is no longer active on the platform

10.2 What Constitutes "Introduction"

A candidate is considered "introduced" by Synapse when:

• You view the candidate's profile on the platform
• You shortlist or save the candidate
• You send a message to the candidate through the platform
• You schedule or conduct an interview with the candidate
• You access the candidate's contact information via the platform

10.3 Reporting Requirements

Companies are required to:

• Report all hires of platform-introduced candidates within 7 days of offer acceptance
• Confirm hire status when prompted by the platform after interviews
• Provide accurate information about employment start dates and terms

10.4 Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Invoice for Success Fee: The applicable success fee will be invoiced with supporting evidence of introduction
• Late Payment Penalties: Interest may be charged on overdue payments
• Account Suspension: Access to the platform may be suspended until fees are settled
• Legal Action: We reserve the right to pursue legal remedies for unpaid fees
• Industry Reporting: Non-compliance may be reported to relevant industry bodies

10.5 Fair Dealing Commitment

Synapse is committed to fair and transparent business practices. Our success fee is significantly lower than traditional recruitment agency fees (15-25% of salary). By paying the agreed fee, you continue to enjoy:

• Access to pre-vetted, qualified candidates
• Reduced hiring risk through our assessment system
• Replacement guarantee for unsuccessful hires
• Continued access to new talent

By using Synapse, you acknowledge that this platform is the source of candidate introduction and agree to honor the success fee for any resulting hires.

11. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will try to provide at least 30 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect.