Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") sets out the rules for using the NetWorks website (networksevents.com) (the "Website") and the NetWorks speed networking platform (the "Platform"), operated by ExpoPlatform Limited ("ExpoPlatform", "we", "us").

This AUP forms part of and should be read alongside our Terms and Conditions. By using the Website or Platform, you agree to comply with this AUP.

1. Purpose

The Platform is designed to facilitate professional speed networking at events and conferences. This AUP exists to ensure that all users can participate in a safe, respectful, and productive environment.

2. General Standards of Conduct

When using the Website or Platform, you must:

• act honestly, professionally, and in good faith;
• treat other users with respect and courtesy;
• comply with all applicable laws and regulations;
• comply with any additional rules or guidelines set by the Organiser for a specific Networking Session; and
• use the Platform only for its intended purpose of professional networking.

3. Prohibited Uses

You must not use the Website or Platform to:

3.1 Unlawful or harmful activity

• engage in any activity that is unlawful, fraudulent, or deceptive;
• promote, incite, or facilitate violence, terrorism, or illegal activity;
• harass, bully, threaten, intimidate, stalk, or abuse any person;
• discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic;
• distribute, promote, or link to malware, viruses, or other harmful software; or
• facilitate or promote any form of money laundering, bribery, or corruption.

3.2 Spam and unsolicited communications

• send unsolicited commercial messages, advertisements, or promotional material to other users;
• use the Platform to build mailing lists or contact databases for purposes unrelated to the Networking Session;
• send bulk or automated messages to other users; or
• use contact information obtained through the Platform for cold outreach unrelated to the networking purpose.

3.3 Misrepresentation and fraud

• impersonate any person or entity, or falsely represent your affiliation with any person or entity;
• provide false, inaccurate, or misleading profile information;
• create multiple accounts for the same Networking Session without authorisation; or
• manipulate match votes, feedback, or ratings in a dishonest manner.

3.4 Intellectual property infringement

• infringe the intellectual property rights of ExpoPlatform, other users, or any third party;
• upload, share, or distribute content that you do not have the right to use; or
• use ExpoPlatform's or NetWorks' trademarks, logos, or branding without prior written consent.

3.5 Data misuse

• collect, harvest, or scrape personal data or other information from other users or the Platform;
• access or attempt to access other users' accounts or personal data without authorisation;
• use personal data obtained through the Platform in a manner that violates applicable data protection law; or
• share, sell, or distribute other users' personal data to third parties.

4. Networking and Communication Standards

The Platform is designed for professional networking. When communicating with other participants, you must:

• keep communications professional, relevant, and related to the networking purpose;
• respect other participants' time and boundaries during meetings;
• not use meetings or messaging to solicit, sell, or promote products or services unless this is appropriate to the networking context and the other participant has expressed interest;
• not engage in any form of sexual harassment, unwanted advances, or inappropriate personal comments;
• not record meetings or conversations without the knowledge and consent of all participants; and
• not share details of private meetings or conversations with third parties without the consent of the other participant.

5. Profile and Content Standards

All profile information and content you submit to the Platform must:

• be accurate, truthful, and not misleading;
• not contain offensive, defamatory, obscene, or inappropriate material;
• not contain personal data of other individuals without their consent;
• not infringe any third party's intellectual property rights or other rights;
• not contain any material that is illegal or promotes illegal activity; and
• be relevant to professional networking.

6. Security and Technical Restrictions

You must not:

• attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Platform, other users' accounts, or any systems or networks connected to the Platform;
• use automated tools, bots, scrapers, crawlers, or similar technology to access, extract data from, or interact with the Platform;
• interfere with or disrupt the Platform, servers, or networks connected to the Platform;
• attempt to reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code of the Platform or matching algorithm;
• introduce viruses, trojans, worms, or other malicious code to the Platform;
• attempt to circumvent any security measures, access controls, or usage limits;
• use the Platform in any way that could damage, overburden, or impair the Platform or interfere with other users' use; or
• probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Platform without prior written authorisation.

7. Reporting Violations

If you become aware of any violation of this AUP, please report it to us at support@expoplatform.com. You can also report concerns to the Organiser of the relevant Networking Session.

We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly. We will not penalise you for making a good-faith report.

8. Enforcement

8.1 Investigation

We may investigate any suspected violation of this AUP and may take any action we consider appropriate.

8.2 Actions we may take

If we determine that you have violated this AUP, we may (without limitation and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies):

• issue a warning;
• temporarily or permanently suspend your access to the Platform;
• remove any Content that violates this AUP;
• restrict your ability to participate in Networking Sessions;
• report the matter to the relevant Organiser;
• report the matter to law enforcement or regulatory authorities if we believe a criminal offence has been or may be committed; and/or
• take legal action against you.

8.3 Discretion

We act in our reasonable discretion when enforcing this AUP. The severity of our response will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the violation, taking into account whether it is a first or repeated offence.

8.4 No liability

We are not liable for any action we take in enforcing this AUP in good faith, including removal of Content or suspension/termination of accounts.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this AUP from time to time by posting the revised version on the Website. We will indicate the date of the most recent update at the top of this document. Material changes will be notified where practicable. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised AUP.

10. Governing Law

This AUP is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Nothing in this AUP affects your rights under the UK GDPR, EU GDPR, BDSG, or other applicable data protection law.

11. Contact Us

To report a violation or ask about this AUP: