Terms of Use Agreement
1. Introduction
Welcome to the Sikombo platform (the “Platform,” “Service”), operated by SIKOMBO AS (“Sikombo,” “we,” “our,” “us”). By accessing or using the Platform, you (“User,” “you”), whether as a tenant, janitor, or administrator, agree to be bound by these Terms of Use (“Terms”). If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.
2. Purpose of the Platform
Sikombo is a digital communication platform designed to streamline interactions between municipal housing administrators, maintenance staff (janitors), and tenants.
Current functionality includes:
- Secure, role-based registration and login
- Case creation for tenants to report housing-related issues (e.g., faults, complaints).
- Case management tools for administrators and janitors to track, assign, and update case statuses.
- Real-time chat functionality linked to specific cases, featuring AI-powered translation to bridge language barriers between participants.
- Ability to upload photos and files as evidence or documentation for cases.
- Basic profile management for all user roles.
Disclaimer: The Platform is a communication tool for non-life-threatening housing matters. It does not replace professional emergency services (e.g., police, fire, medical). In a life-threatening emergency, always contact your local emergency number immediately.
3. Accounts & Registration
- Invitation-Based Registration: User accounts are typically created following an invitation from your housing administration or municipality.
- Information Accuracy: You must provide and maintain accurate, current, and complete information as part of your account profile.
- Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. You are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your account and must notify us immediately of any suspected unauthorized use or security breach.
4. Acceptable Use
You agree to use the Platform lawfully and solely for its intended purpose of housing-related communication and case management. You will not:
- Upload or transmit any unlawful, harmful, harassing, discriminatory, or infringing content.
- Impersonate any person or entity, or attempt to bypass security measures.
- Reverse-engineer, decompile, introduce malware, or interfere with the operation of the Service.
- Utilize the Platform for commercial solicitation, advertising, or any purpose unrelated to your role as a tenant, janitor, or administrator within your designated organization.
- Misuse the case reporting system for matters unrelated to municipal housing.
- Intentionally submit sensitive personal data not required for case resolution (e.g., health information, financial details).
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access for any violation of these Terms.
5. Intellectual Property
- Platform Ownership: The Platform, including its software, configurations, design, and trademarks, is the exclusive property of SIKOMBO AS and is protected by intellectual property laws.
- User Content: You retain ownership rights to the content you create and upload, such as case descriptions, chat messages, and photos (“User Content”). By submitting User Content, you grant Sikombo a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, and distribute this content solely for the purpose of providing and operating the Service (e.g., showing a photo to a janitor or translating a message for an administrator).
- License to Use: Subject to these Terms, we grant you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes. Any commercial use, redistribution, or modification of Platform materials is strictly prohibited without our prior written permission.
6. AI Transparency & Limitations
- AI for Translation: You acknowledge that you are interacting with an AI system for language translation within the chat feature. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated translations may contain errors, inaccuracies, or may not be perfectly suited to every context.
- No Reliance on AI: Do not rely solely on AI-generated translations for critical, legal, or safety-related communication. Sikombo is not liable for misunderstandings or damages arising from translation inaccuracies. Where clarity is essential, consider using simpler language or alternative verification methods.
7. Privacy, Security & Data Handling
(Full details are described in our Privacy Policy.)
- Authentication: User identity and session management are handled by our third-party provider. Passwords and sensitive credentials are managed according to industry-standard security practices.
- Case & Chat History: Your case information and associated chat conversations are visible to the parties involved in that case, which may include you, assigned maintenance staff (janitors), and relevant administrators within your organization. These communications are not private in the sense of a personal messaging app and may be reviewed for case resolution and quality assurance purposes.
- External AI Processing: To provide real-time translation, the text of your chat messages is securely transmitted to our third-party AI service provider (e.g., OpenAI, DeepL). Your personal identifiers (name, email) are not sent with the text. These providers may process this anonymized text according to their own terms and privacy policies, which are independent of Sikombo. This may include using data for service improvement. We are not responsible for the data handling practices of these external providers beyond the scope of delivering the translation service.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, SIKOMBO AS shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages (including loss of data, opportunities, or business interruption) arising from the use of, or inability to use, the Service. Nothing in these Terms shall limit or exclude liability where it would be unlawful to do so, such as for death or personal injury caused by our gross negligence or for fraudulent misrepresentation.
9. Termination
Your right to use the Service is contingent on your status as an active tenant or an authorized employee/contractor of the managing organization. Your account may be suspended or terminated if this status changes. We may suspend or terminate your access immediately and without notice for any material breach of these Terms, security risks, or illegal activities. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease. Data will be retained or deleted in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable legal requirements.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may revise these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in the law or our Service. We will provide notice of material changes within the Platform or via email. Your continued use of the Platform after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.
Plain-Language Summary (Non-binding)
- Purpose: This app helps you (a tenant) report housing issues to your building's management and maintenance staff (janitors and admins).
- Your Account: Your account is managed by your housing provider. Keep your login details safe.
- Your Data: Your case details and chats can be seen by the staff assigned to help you. It's for work, not private conversation.
- AI Translation: The chat uses AI to translate messages. It might not always be perfect, so keep communication clear and simple. We send only your message text (not your name) to our AI partner for translation.
- Emergencies: Do not use this app for life-threatening emergencies. Call your local emergency number (e.g., 112).
- Responsibility: Use the app responsibly for housing issues only. We provide this service “as is,” and our liability is limited.