Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction & Scope

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern access to and use of the SQRZ platform, websites, applications, and related services (collectively, the "Platform").

SQRZ provides digital infrastructure for professional profiles, booking management, structured payment workflows, advertising services, and related growth support tools for independent professionals and organizations.

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you may not use the Platform.

SQRZ may update these Terms from time to time. Continued use of the Platform after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Contracting Entity

Your contractual relationship depends on your location:

• If you are located in the European Union, you contract with SQRZ GmbH, registered in Germany.
• If you are located in the United States or outside the EU, you contract with SQRZ Enterprises, Inc., registered in New York, USA.

Each entity operates the Platform within its respective jurisdiction. Governing law and dispute resolution provisions are set forth in Section 17.

3. Account Registration & Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering binding contracts to use the Platform. The Platform is intended for professional and business use.

You agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Maintain the security of your account credentials
• Notify SQRZ immediately of unauthorized access

You are responsible for all activity occurring under your account.

4. Platform Services Overview

SQRZ provides infrastructure services including, but not limited to:

• Public professional profile pages
• Structured booking pipeline tools
• Communication channels
• Booking-related financial workflow tools ("Booking Wallet")
• Subscription plans
• Managed advertising and growth services ("SQRZ Grow")
• Job board and referral ecosystem

4.1 Platform Role & Independent Professional Status

SQRZ operates as a digital infrastructure platform that enables independent professionals and clients to connect, manage bookings, and structure project-related workflows. SQRZ is not an employer, staffing or recruitment agency, talent agency or representative, production company, contracting party to bookings, joint employer, or financial institution.

All service agreements and booking contracts are concluded directly between Users and their respective clients. SQRZ does not supervise, direct, or control the performance of services. Users are solely responsible for negotiating, agreeing to, and fulfilling the terms of their professional engagements.

Users acknowledge that they operate as independent professionals and are solely responsible for:

• Determining their tax obligations
• Paying applicable income tax, VAT, or sales tax
• Social security and pension contributions
• Insurance coverage
• Business registration requirements
• Compliance with local labor laws and regulations

4.2 No Recruitment or Hiring Responsibility

SQRZ is not a recruitment agency, staffing firm, or employer. The Platform enables independent professionals and clients to connect. SQRZ does not conduct hiring evaluations, verify professional qualifications beyond payment provider requirements, guarantee availability of professionals, guarantee replacement professionals, or assume responsibility for hiring decisions.

In the event of cancellation or non-performance by a User, SQRZ may provide access to alternative professionals through the Platform infrastructure but does not guarantee availability or outcome.

5. Subscription Plans & Fees

SQRZ may offer Free, Creator, Grow, and Enterprise plans. Paid subscriptions:

• Renew automatically unless cancelled
• Are billed in advance
• Are non-refundable once the billing period has started

Advertising budgets and Grow program fees are governed by Section 6. SQRZ reserves the right to adjust pricing with reasonable notice.

6. Advertising & Grow Program Addendum

6.1 Nature of Service

SQRZ Grow provides managed advertising execution and growth infrastructure services. SQRZ does not guarantee specific booking volumes, revenue outcomes, advertising performance, or return on investment.

6.2 Advertising Budgets

Advertising budgets are advance payments for campaign execution and media buying services. They are not custodial funds and are not held in escrow. Once allocated to campaign cycles or deployed to advertising platforms, advertising budgets are non-refundable. SQRZ determines timing and allocation within defined growth cycles.

6.3 Campaign Structure & Control

Campaign objectives are defined collaboratively but executed under SQRZ strategic direction. SQRZ retains discretion over tactical campaign adjustments, audience configuration, and budget pacing. Frequent short-term objective changes may not align with long-term growth strategy.

6.4 Pixel & Tracking Infrastructure

Campaigns may operate within SQRZ-managed tracking clusters segmented by vertical, geography, or tier. SQRZ does not sell personal data. Users may install their own tracking tools where permitted by subscription tier.

6.5 Audience & Infrastructure Ownership

Campaign configuration, optimization systems, and tracking infrastructure remain part of the SQRZ platform environment. Users retain ownership of their brand, uploaded materials, direct client relationships, and first-party lead data.

7. Booking & Payment Infrastructure

7.1 Booking Wallet

The "Booking Wallet" is a structured allocation and workflow interface within the Platform designed to organize deposits, project budgets, and collaborator payments per booking. The Booking Wallet is not a bank account, escrow account, stored value account, or custodial financial service. All funds are processed and held by Stripe or the applicable licensed payment provider. SQRZ does not hold, custody, or control user funds.

7.2 Payment Processing

Payments processed through the Platform are facilitated by Stripe Connect or other licensed third-party payment providers. SQRZ does not store or process full payment card details and does not hold client funds in custody. Users must complete any identity verification, onboarding, or compliance procedures required by the payment provider.

Users are responsible for:

• Stripe account setup
• Applicable processor fees
• Chargebacks
• Refunds
• Taxes

The Platform may provide split-payment functionality. All fund custody remains with the payment processor.

7.3 Responsibility for Service Delivery

Users are solely responsible for contracts, service delivery, performance, and cancellations. In the event of cancellation or non-performance, SQRZ may provide access to alternative professionals via its platform infrastructure but does not guarantee availability or replacement.

7.4 Merchant of Record & Payment Responsibility

For all professional services booked through the Platform, the applicable professional User acts as the Merchant of Record for the underlying service. SQRZ does not act as seller of record for professional services and is not a party to service contracts between Users and clients. SQRZ's role is limited to providing technical infrastructure and facilitating payment processing via Stripe Connect or other licensed third-party payment providers.

The professional User is solely responsible for:

• Invoicing obligations
• Tax reporting and remittance
• VAT or sales tax compliance
• Refund handling
• Chargebacks and disputes
• Regulatory compliance related to their services

8. User Content & Intellectual Property

Users retain ownership of content uploaded to the Platform. Users grant SQRZ a limited, non-exclusive license to host, display, and promote such content for platform operation and campaign execution. Users confirm they have legal rights to all uploaded materials.

9. Embedded Third-Party Services

Profiles may contain embedded third-party services (e.g., video platforms, event widgets). Such services operate under their own terms and privacy policies. Loading of certain third-party tools may depend on user consent under the Cookie Policy.

10. Data & Privacy

Data processing is governed by the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Data Processing Addendum (where applicable).

11. Acceptable Use

Users may not:

• Engage in illegal activity
• Misrepresent services
• Infringe intellectual property
• Conduct fraud
• Misuse advertising budgets
• Circumvent platform payment systems
• Use the Platform to facilitate the solicitation of sexual services or the promotion of unlawful adult services

SQRZ reserves the right to suspend accounts for violations.

12. Referral & Affiliate Relationships

SQRZ may participate in referral or affiliate partnerships with third-party service providers, job platforms, event organizers, or software vendors. SQRZ may receive compensation when users engage with third-party services through provided links. Such compensation does not influence eligibility, ranking, or professional opportunities within the SQRZ ecosystem. SQRZ does not sell personal data to affiliate partners. SQRZ is not responsible for third-party platforms' content, hiring decisions, or data practices.

13. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available." SQRZ does not guarantee bookings, revenue, advertising performance, platform uptime, or client behavior.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SQRZ's liability is limited to the total amount paid by the user in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim. SQRZ is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

15. Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless SQRZ from claims arising from:

• Content violations
• Contract disputes
• Misrepresentation
• Improper advertising materials
• Service non-performance

16. Termination & Suspension

SQRZ may suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms. Upon termination:

• Active campaigns may be stopped
• Access to certain data may be limited
• Subscription fees remain non-refundable

17. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

For EU users: These Terms are governed by the laws of Germany.

For US and non-EU users: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York.

Dispute resolution procedures shall be determined in accordance with applicable regional law.

Addendum: SQRZ Grow

This Addendum forms part of the SQRZ Terms of Service and applies to users enrolled in SQRZ Grow programs.

1. Scope of Grow Services

SQRZ Grow provides structured growth infrastructure services, including:

• Campaign strategy and execution
• Advertising deployment
• Tracking configuration and audience segmentation
• Performance monitoring
• Optimization cycles ("growth waves")
• Booking infrastructure alignment

SQRZ Grow is designed to build long-term demand infrastructure around a User's professional profile. SQRZ Grow provides managed advertising and growth infrastructure services. It does not guarantee specific booking volumes, revenue outcomes, conversion rates, or performance metrics.

2. Nature of Relationship

SQRZ Grow operates as a structured growth infrastructure environment. SQRZ is not a traditional advertising agency, booking agency, talent representative, or fiduciary marketing advisor.

The User remains fully responsible for:

• Their professional offer
• Pricing decisions
• Service delivery
• Client relationships
• Contractual obligations

3. Campaign Structure & Control

Grow campaigns operate in defined strategic cycles ("growth waves"). Campaign objectives are defined collaboratively but executed under SQRZ strategic direction. SQRZ retains discretion over:

• Tactical campaign configuration
• Budget pacing
• Audience segmentation
• Creative testing
• Platform-specific adjustments

Frequent short-term objective changes may not align with long-term growth strategy and may be declined or deferred.

4. Advertising Budgets

4.1 Nature of Advertising Budgets

Advertising budgets submitted under SQRZ Grow represent advance payments for managed campaign execution and media buying services. Advertising budgets are not custodial funds, are not held in escrow, and are not refundable once allocated to campaign cycles. SQRZ retains discretion over campaign timing and allocation within defined growth cycles.

4.2 Allocation & Deployment

Advertising budgets may be deployed across various advertising platforms. SQRZ determines deployment timing, platform allocation, campaign pacing, and optimization adjustments. Minor residual amounts may remain within platform systems due to platform billing mechanics.

4.3 Non-Refundability

Once advertising budgets are allocated to campaign cycles or deployed to advertising platforms, they are non-refundable.

5. Advertising Accounts & Pixel Infrastructure

5.1 Account Ownership

Grow campaigns may operate within SQRZ-managed advertising accounts and infrastructure. Users do not obtain ownership rights to SQRZ advertising accounts or associated system-level configurations.

5.2 Pixel Clusters & Segmented Infrastructure

Grow campaigns may utilize segmented tracking environments ("pixel clusters") structured by tier, industry vertical, and geographic region. These clusters are part of SQRZ's proprietary growth infrastructure.

5.3 Audience & Infrastructure Retention

Audience modeling logic, campaign optimization data, segmentation frameworks, and aggregated performance intelligence remain part of SQRZ's platform infrastructure. Such infrastructure is not transferred upon termination, is not subject to data portability claims, and is retained in aggregated or system-bound form. SQRZ does not sell personal data.

6. User Responsibilities

The User represents and warrants that:

• All professional information provided is accurate
• All advertising materials are legally owned or licensed
• Campaign content complies with applicable advertising laws
• The User holds necessary rights for creative materials
• Services offered are lawful and deliverable

The User remains responsible for service fulfillment and contractual obligations.

7. Intellectual Property for Campaign Execution

The User grants SQRZ a limited, non-exclusive, worldwide license to use uploaded materials, adapt creative assets, conduct testing variations, and distribute advertising creatives — solely for purposes of campaign execution and optimization. Ownership of original materials remains with the User.

8. No Performance Guarantee

SQRZ does not guarantee:

• Booking volume
• Revenue outcomes
• Conversion rates
• Advertising performance
• Return on advertising spend
• Lead volume
• Growth velocity

Grow is a structured infrastructure service, not a performance guarantee.

9. Term & Termination

Grow programs may operate under defined terms (e.g., 3, 6, or 12 months). Early termination terms are governed by the subscription agreement. Upon termination:

• Active campaigns may be wound down
• Advertising deployment ceases
• Reporting access may be limited
• Campaign infrastructure remains part of SQRZ systems

Advertising budgets already allocated are non-refundable.

10. Data & Reporting

SQRZ provides summarized performance reporting. Raw advertising dashboards may not be directly accessible unless explicitly agreed. SQRZ retains discretion over reporting structure, frequency, and format.

11. Platform Dependency & External Factors

Campaign performance may be influenced by factors beyond SQRZ control, including:

• Advertising platform algorithm changes
• Platform suspensions or policy changes
• Creative disapprovals
• Regulatory restrictions
• Market fluctuations
• Audience behavior

SQRZ is not liable for performance impacts caused by such external factors.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, SQRZ's liability under Grow services shall not exceed the total Grow service fees paid in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim. SQRZ shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

13. Force Majeure

SQRZ shall not be liable for delays or performance failures resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including platform outages, governmental actions, regulatory changes, service provider disruptions, technical failures, or market disruptions.

14. Campaign & Content Eligibility

SQRZ is designed as a professional infrastructure platform for creative, technical, and service-based professionals. It is not a general-purpose commerce or product marketplace. SQRZ reserves the right to decline, suspend, or terminate campaigns or accounts that conflict with platform positioning, legal compliance, advertising platform rules, or financial service provider requirements.

The following are not permitted within SQRZ Grow campaigns:

• Pornographic or explicit adult content
• Promotion of sexual services
• Escort services or prostitution-related services
• Content involving minors
• Gambling services
• Cannabis-related products or services
• Unlicensed financial or crypto investment promotions
• Political campaign messaging
• High-risk or regulated products requiring specialized licensing
• Any activity that may jeopardize payment processors or advertising accounts

14.1 Artistic & Performance Context

Artistic, theatrical, or performance-based nudity may be permitted where it is presented within a legitimate artistic or performance context, does not constitute explicit sexual content, and complies with applicable law and advertising platform policies. SQRZ retains sole discretion in determining eligibility.

14.2 Minor Protection

The Platform is strictly limited to individuals aged 18 or older. SQRZ maintains zero tolerance for minor representation, content involving minors, or marketing directed at minors. Violation may result in immediate termination.

14.3 Product Sales Limitation

SQRZ permits the promotion of products that are directly connected to a User's professional creative or service-based identity (e.g., books, recordings, courses, event tickets, branded merchandise). SQRZ is not intended for general retail businesses, dropshipping operations, arbitrage commerce, or high-volume product reselling. Platform participation does not guarantee advertising eligibility.

14.4 Professional Integrity Requirement

SQRZ is designed for professionals whose services, coaching, consulting, or educational offerings are directly connected to their real-world creative, technical, or professional expertise. The Platform may not be used primarily for funnel-based marketing businesses, lead arbitrage models, "get rich quick" programs, generic online business coaching unrelated to a verifiable professional craft, multi-level marketing schemes, or pure information-product monetization ecosystems.

14.5 Influence & Creator Eligibility

SQRZ supports professionals whose influence is directly connected to their creative, technical, or professional expertise. Influence-based monetization (including brand partnerships, education, ticket sales, consulting, or community-driven work) is permitted where it reflects a genuine professional practice. The Platform is not intended for purely promotional or personality-driven monetization models lacking a substantive professional foundation. SQRZ retains discretion in determining whether a profile reflects a legitimate professional identity.

Data Processing Addendum (DPA)

This Data Processing Addendum ("DPA") forms part of the SQRZ Terms of Service (the "Agreement") and applies where SQRZ processes Personal Data on behalf of a User acting as Data Controller.

1. Purpose & Scope

This DPA applies where SQRZ processes Personal Data on behalf of the User in the course of providing platform services. It applies only to processing activities where the User qualifies as a Controller and SQRZ qualifies as a Processor under applicable data protection laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This DPA does not apply where SQRZ acts as an independent Controller (e.g., platform analytics, core pixel infrastructure, or SQRZ-managed Grow campaign clusters).

2. Definitions

For purposes of this DPA:

• Personal Data — any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.
• Processing — any operation performed on Personal Data.
• Controller — the entity that determines the purposes and means of processing.
• Processor — the entity that processes Personal Data on behalf of the Controller.
• Subprocessor — a third party engaged by SQRZ to process Personal Data.
• GDPR — Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

3. Subject Matter & Duration

The subject matter of processing consists of the provision of SQRZ platform services, including:

• Hosting professional profiles
• Managing booking pipelines
• Facilitating communications
• Processing booking-related metadata
• CRM and lead management support
• Advertising support where applicable

Processing shall continue for the duration of the User's account and any applicable data retention period required by law or contractual necessity.

4. Nature & Purpose of Processing

SQRZ processes Personal Data solely for the purpose of providing the services described in the Agreement. Processing activities may include:

• Storage and hosting of profile data
• Structured booking workflow management
• Communication routing
• Recording booking metadata
• Managing lead data submitted through profile forms
• Supporting campaign infrastructure for User-directed marketing
• Processing payment-related metadata (excluding payment card details)

5. Categories of Data Subjects

Data subjects may include:

• Profile visitors
• Clients
• Booking contacts
• Collaborators and invited team members
• Leads submitted through profile forms

6. Types of Personal Data

Depending on User configuration, SQRZ may process:

• Names
• Email addresses
• Professional descriptions
• Booking details
• Communication content
• Tracking identifiers
• UTM parameters
• Payment status metadata
• Technical usage data

7. SQRZ Obligations as Processor

Where acting as Processor, SQRZ shall:

1. Process Personal Data only on documented instructions from the User.
2. Ensure persons authorized to process Personal Data are bound by confidentiality obligations.
3. Implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures.
4. Not disclose Personal Data to unauthorized third parties.
5. Assist the User in responding to data subject rights requests where reasonably possible.
6. Assist with breach notification obligations where applicable.
7. Upon termination of services, delete or return Personal Data, unless retention is required by law.

SQRZ shall inform the User if, in its opinion, an instruction infringes applicable data protection law.

8. Subprocessors

The User authorizes SQRZ to engage subprocessors for the provision of services. Subprocessors may include:

• Payment processors (e.g., Stripe)
• Advertising platforms (e.g., Meta, Google, LinkedIn)
• CRM systems (e.g., HubSpot)
• Hosting providers (e.g., Vercel)
• Database providers (e.g., Supabase)
• Cloud infrastructure providers

SQRZ shall ensure that subprocessors are bound by data protection obligations consistent with this DPA. SQRZ may update subprocessors from time to time. An updated list will be made available upon request or via the Privacy Policy.

9. International Data Transfers

Personal data may be transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Where required, SQRZ implements appropriate safeguards, including Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and data processing agreements with subprocessors.

10. Security Measures

SQRZ implements appropriate technical and organizational measures, including:

• Encryption in transit
• Role-based access controls
• Restricted administrative access
• Secure hosting infrastructure
• Authentication safeguards
• Regular security review practices

Security measures are designed to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of Personal Data.

11. Audit & Compliance Rights

Upon reasonable request, SQRZ shall provide information necessary to demonstrate compliance with this DPA. On-site audits shall only be permitted where legally required and subject to reasonable notice and confidentiality protections. SQRZ may satisfy audit requests through documentation, certifications, or third-party reports where applicable.

12. Hierarchy

In the event of conflict between this DPA and the Agreement, this DPA shall prevail with respect to data protection matters.

Joint Controller Annex

This Annex forms part of the Data Processing Addendum and clarifies controller roles under applicable data protection laws.

1. Independent Controller Model (Default for Grow)

For SQRZ Grow campaigns executed within SQRZ-managed advertising accounts and segmented pixel clusters, SQRZ acts as an independent Data Controller for:

• Campaign tracking infrastructure
• Audience segmentation
• Conversion measurement
• Campaign optimization
• Vertical and geographic cluster configuration

Users participating in Grow do not control or configure the underlying tracking architecture unless explicitly agreed in writing.

2. User as Independent Controller

Users act as independent Controllers where they install their own tracking tools, operate their own advertising accounts, export and independently use lead data, or conduct direct marketing outside SQRZ infrastructure. In such cases, Users are solely responsible for establishing lawful basis, providing privacy disclosures, managing consent obligations, and responding to data subject requests.

3. Joint Controllership (Limited Scenarios)

Joint controllership may arise only where both SQRZ and the User explicitly determine the purposes and means of processing, such as custom enterprise advertising configurations or shared pixel infrastructure under mutual agreement. Such arrangements require separate written agreement. Absent such agreement, SQRZ Grow campaigns operate under SQRZ's independent controller framework.

4. Data Subject Rights

For Grow campaigns managed by SQRZ, SQRZ is responsible for handling data subject requests relating to campaign tracking infrastructure, segmented pixel clusters, and platform-based advertising analytics. Users remain responsible for requests relating to direct client relationships, contracts, and independently stored CRM data. Parties agree to cooperate in good faith where overlap occurs.

5. Transparency

SQRZ's Privacy Policy describes Grow-related campaign tracking and segmentation. Users must ensure that their own privacy notices accurately reflect any independent tracking or marketing they conduct outside SQRZ infrastructure.

6. No Sale of Data

SQRZ does not sell personal data. Segmented audience infrastructure used for Grow campaigns remains purpose-bound and confined to platform operations.

7. Liability Allocation

Each party remains responsible for its own compliance with applicable data protection laws. Nothing in this Annex creates broader liability than required by law.

8. Campaign Infrastructure & Segmented Intelligence

For SQRZ Grow campaigns executed within SQRZ-managed advertising accounts and tracking clusters, audience segmentation logic, campaign configuration models, optimization data, and aggregated performance insights remain part of SQRZ's platform infrastructure. Such infrastructure is not transferred upon termination of services, is not subject to portability claims, is retained in aggregated or system-bound form, and is not used to identify individual former users' clients. Personal data relating directly to a User's identifiable contacts remains subject to applicable data protection rights.