Terms of Service

1. Scope of Services & Platform Role

Hanioo is a specialized digital aggregation and coordination platform designed to bridge language gaps globally. Our role and the scope of services provided include:

• 1.1 Intermediary Technology Platform: Hanioo operates as an online marketplace and coordination system that connects individuals, organizations, and corporate clients (“Clients”) with independent, verified freelance interpreters, translators, and language specialists (“Service Providers”). Hanioo facilitates discovery, booking scheduling, communication, and secure payment processing.
• 1.2 Independent Contractor Status: Service Providers listed on the Platform are independent professional contractors and are neither employees, partners, nor agents of Hanioo. Hanioo does not direct or control the linguistic performance, speech, or independent translation work of Service Providers during assignments.
• 1.3 Supported Service Channels: The Platform enables bookings across multiple modalities, including Video Call Interpretation (remote video conferencing), On-site Interpretation (in-person physical attendance), Certified Document Translation, Corporate & Event Bookings, and Telephone Interpretation across more than 120 language pairs.

2. User Eligibility & Accounts

To access certain features of the Platform or schedule bookings, you must create a verified account and satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• 2.1 Age and Legal Capacity: You must be at least 18 years of age (or the legal age of majority in your jurisdiction) and possess full legal capacity to enter into a binding contract to use the Platform.
• 2.2 Accurate Account Information: You agree to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information during registration and booking, and to update such information promptly to maintain its accuracy.
• 2.3 Credential Confidentiality: You are responsible for safeguarding your login credentials (username, password, or authentication tokens) and for any activities or actions under your account. You must notify Hanioo immediately upon becoming aware of any unauthorized access or breach of security.
• 2.4 Identity Verification (KYC): Hanioo reserves the right to conduct Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identity checks, certificate validations, and government identification reviews (such as Passport or national ID cards) for both Clients and Service Providers to maintain a trusted and secure ecosystem.

3. Booking Requests & Confirmations

All booking inquiries and service scheduling through Hanioo follow a structured confirmation procedure:

• 3.1 Inquiry as an Offer: Submitting a service inquiry, quote request, or booking application constitutes an offer by the Client to procure language services according to the specified languages, dates, duration, and requirements.
• 3.2 Formal Confirmation: A booking is finalized and binding only when Hanioo or the assigned Service Provider formally confirms acceptance of the booking details, schedule, and quoted rate, and the Client completes any required advance payment or deposit.
• 3.3 Technical Preparation & Trial Calls: For remote video or audio interpretation, the Client is responsible for ensuring stable internet connectivity, compatible hardware, and meeting software (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or Webex). Brief technical trial checks prior to major sessions are encouraged.

4. Fees, Payments & Invoicing

Financial transactions conducted through the Platform adhere to transparent and secure procedures:

• 4.1 Quoted Rates: Service fees are quoted based on language pair, session modality, duration, technical complexity, and any applicable preparation or certified documentation fees. All fees are communicated clearly prior to confirmation.
• 4.2 Secure Payment Processing: Payments are processed via authorized, PCI-DSS compliant third-party payment gateways (including Razorpay, Stripe, or direct bank transfer). Client funds are securely secured until the assignment is successfully rendered.
• 4.3 Invoicing & Taxes: Digital tax invoices are generated for completed bookings. Applicable goods and services taxes (GST, VAT, or local sales taxes) will be calculated and displayed in accordance with statutory tax regulations.

5. Cancellations & Refund Policy

To protect the scheduled time of both Clients and professional interpreters, the following cancellation guidelines apply:

• 5.1 Client Cancellations: Clients may cancel a confirmed booking by providing advance written notice through the Platform. Cancellations made more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled start time may be eligible for a full refund minus administrative processing fees. Cancellations made within 24 to 48 hours may be subject to a 50% cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to commencement, or client no-shows, are non-refundable.
• 5.2 Service Provider Unavailability: In the unlikely event that an assigned interpreter becomes unavailable due to an emergency or illness, Hanioo will make reasonable commercial efforts to supply a qualified replacement of equal proficiency. If a replacement cannot be provided, the Client is entitled to a 100% refund for the affected session.
• 5.3 Force Majeure: Neither party shall be held liable for failure or delay in performance caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including natural disasters, acts of war, government restrictions, or general telecommunications outages.

6. User Conduct & Non-Circumvention

All users must observe fair, lawful, and ethical standards when interacting on the Platform:

• 6.1 Professional and Respectful Communication: Users agree to treat interpreters, clients, and support coordinators with dignity and respect. Defamatory, abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or unlawful communication is strictly prohibited.
• 6.2 Strict Non-Circumvention Covenant: Clients and Service Providers introduced through the Hanioo Platform agree not to circumvent, bypass, or solicit direct off-platform engagement or payment without the express written permission of Hanioo. Any attempt to solicit off-platform business discovered through Hanioo constitutes a material breach of these Terms and may result in immediate account termination and claims for damages.
• 6.3 Prohibited Content: You may not use the Platform to upload, interpret, or translate materials that promote hate speech, illegal activities, intellectual property infringement, malware, or child exploitation.

7. Confidentiality & Data Protection

Confidentiality is fundamental to our linguistic and interpretation services:

• 7.1 Interpretation Confidentiality: All spoken dialogue, written briefs, business discussions, medical records, or legal documents shared for or during an interpretation session are strictly confidential.
• 7.2 Professional Nondisclosure Standards: Service Providers on Hanioo agree to stringent nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) and professional codes of ethics, binding them not to disclose, record, or use client information for any purpose outside the assigned linguistic assignment.
• 7.3 Data Privacy Compliance: Personal data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, conforming to applicable data protection legislation including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) and GDPR principles where relevant.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

The distribution of intellectual property rights on the Platform is governed as follows:

• 8.1 Hanioo Platform IP: The Hanioo name, logos, software, website designs, graphics, code, and matching algorithms are the exclusive intellectual property of Honey Universal Digital Private Limited. Users receive a limited, revocable, non-exclusive license to use the Platform solely for its intended purposes.
• 8.2 Client Materials & Translations: Clients retain full ownership and intellectual property rights in the original texts and reference materials submitted for translation. Upon receipt of full payment, all intellectual property rights in certified translations produced for the Client transfer to the Client.

9. Limitation of Liability & Disclaimers

Please read this section carefully, as it outlines the limits of our legal obligations:

• 9.1 Platform "As-Is": The Platform, booking algorithms, and coordination features are provided on an “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” basis without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied.
• 9.2 Independent Service Delivery: Because linguistic sessions are performed in real-time by independent professionals, Hanioo disclaims direct liability for errors in interpretation, cultural misunderstandings, speaker pacing, or consequences arising from decisions made based on real-time interpretation.
• 9.3 Cap on Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Honey Universal Digital Private Limited, its directors, officers, or employees be liable for any indirect, punitive, special, incidental, or consequential damages. Hanioo’s aggregate liability for any direct claim arising from a booking shall not exceed the total fees paid by the Client to Hanioo for the specific booking in dispute.

10. Governing Law, Dispute Resolution & Contact Us

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, or validity thereof shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

For questions, legal notices, or inquiries concerning these Terms of Service, please contact: