Helios Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

1. Purpose

This Acceptable Use Policy (“AUP”) governs how users may access and use the Helios platform, including all services, features, content, and payment systems. It is designed to protect the integrity of the Helios ecosystem and ensure safe, lawful, and professional interactions between companies, experts, vendors, and other participants.

This AUP is incorporated into and forms part of the Helios Terms of Service.

2. Scope

This AUP applies to all users of Helios, including but not limited to:

• Companies and SMEs
• Independent experts and consultants
• Vendors, partners, and associations
• Students and emerging talent

It applies to all activities conducted on or through the platform, including gigs, quick tasks, messaging, payments, and content sharing.

3. Prohibited Activities

You may not use Helios to engage in, promote, or facilitate any of the following:

3.1 Fraud and Deceptive Practices

• Misrepresenting your identity, credentials, certifications, or experience
• Submitting false proposals, deliverables, or claims
• Engaging in scams, phishing, or deceptive financial practices

3.2 Circumvention of the Platform

• Attempting to bypass Helios fees or payment systems
• Soliciting or accepting off-platform payments for services initiated on Helios
• Redirecting users to external channels to avoid platform transactions

3.3 Payment Abuse and Financial Misconduct

• Using unauthorized or stolen payment methods
• Initiating fraudulent chargebacks or disputes
• Manipulating billing flows, milestone approvals, or refunds
• Exploiting stored payment methods or off-session charging mechanisms without authorization

3.4 Intellectual Property Violations

• Uploading, sharing, or using content without proper rights or licenses
• Disclosing proprietary manufacturing processes, trade secrets, or confidential information without authorization
• Infringing on patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets

3.5 Platform Manipulation and Abuse

• Creating fake accounts or multiple accounts for deceptive purposes
• Manipulating ratings, reviews, search rankings, or engagement metrics
• Spamming messages, proposals, or listings
• Scraping, harvesting, or extracting data without permission

3.6 Security Violations

• Attempting to hack, disrupt, or compromise Helios systems
• Introducing malware, viruses, or malicious code
• Interfering with platform performance or availability

4. Marketplace Integrity (Gigs and Quick Tasks)

4.1 Proper Use of Gigs vs. Quick Tasks

• Gigs must be used for complex, multi-step, or longer-term engagements
• Quick Tasks must be used for short, simple, and clearly scoped work

You may not:

• Misclassify work to manipulate pricing or avoid appropriate engagement structures
• Fragment larger projects into multiple quick tasks to bypass fees or oversight

5. Payments, Billing, and Stripe Compliance

5.1 Authorized Use of Payment Systems

You must use Helios-approved payment systems for all transactions initiated on the platform. You agree not to:

• Circumvent Helios payment processing (including Stripe)
• Request or accept direct payments outside the platform
• Interfere with or misuse payment authorization flows

5.2 Stored Payment Methods and Consent

You may only use saved payment methods in accordance with user consent and Helios Terms. You may not:

• Charge a payment method without proper authorization
• Misrepresent the purpose, timing, or amount of charges
• Exploit off-session payment mechanisms

5.3 Transaction Integrity

All payments must reflect legitimate, agreed-upon services. You may not:

• Create fake transactions to inflate reputation or earnings
• Approve or dispute payments in bad faith
• Collude with other users to manipulate financial activity

6. Content and Communication Standards

You agree to maintain professional and lawful conduct in all interactions. You may not:

• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
• Share illegal, harmful, or misleading content
• Post content that is defamatory, obscene, or discriminatory
• Mislead users regarding services, pricing, or outcomes

7. Compliance with Laws and Regulations

You are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to:

• Anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws
• Anti-fraud and financial regulations
• Intellectual property laws
• Data protection and privacy laws
• Export control and trade compliance laws

8. Data Use and Confidentiality

You may not:

• Collect or use user data without proper authorization
• Share confidential or proprietary information obtained through Helios
• Use platform data for unauthorized competitive or commercial purposes

9. Enforcement and Remedies

Helios reserves the right to investigate and take action against violations of this AUP, including:

• Removal of content or listings
• Suspension or termination of accounts
• Freezing or reversing transactions
• Withholding payouts where appropriate
• Reporting to law enforcement or regulatory authorities

Enforcement actions may be taken at Helios’ sole discretion and without prior notice where necessary to protect the platform.

10. Reporting Violations

Users are encouraged to report suspected violations of this AUP. Helios may review reports and take appropriate action.

11. Updates to this Policy

Helios may update this AUP from time to time. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.

12. Relationship to Other Policies

This AUP should be read alongside:

• Helios Terms of Service
• Helios Privacy Policy
• Helios Code of Conduct
• Helios Payments and Billing Terms

In the event of conflict, the Terms of Service will prevail.