Terms of Service
Last updated: 27 October 2025
Summary (non‑binding): We create curated researcher profiles from public sources that you can claim, edit, and share. Claimed profiles are publicly accessible on Akanaba and may be featured across our public pages and official channels; you can delete your profile at any time. We index publications and other research outputs and personalize recommendations based on your profile and activity. See the Privacy Policy for details.
1) Definitions
- Visitor: Anyone browsing the Service without an account.
- Registered User: An individual with an account.
- Member: A Registered User with a paid subscription.
- Institution: A university, research institute, society, publisher, or similar organization using Akanaba.
- Partner Institution: An Institution with a paid or contractual partnership with Akanaba.
- User Content: Any content submitted by users (e.g., text, images, posts, projects, metadata and links, comments, profile bios).
- Public Source Content: Publicly available scholarly metadata and assets (e.g., from ORCID, Crossref, OpenAlex, publisher and institutional sites) we use to assemble Auto‑Curated Profiles and provide recommendations.
2) Acceptance of Terms
By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms and referenced policies ( Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, Copyright & Notice Policy).
3) Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher) and act in a professional/academic capacity to use the Service. If you use the Service on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization.
4) Accounts & Security
You are responsible for your credentials and account activity. We offer SSO via ORCID (Google sign‑in may be offered). Notify us of unauthorized use or security incidents.
5) Service Status
The Service is provided “as is/available.” Features may change, be limited, or withdrawn to protect performance and security.
6) Subscriptions & Payments
Plans, pricing, and renewal terms are provided at checkout. Subscriptions auto‑renew after advance email notice. Taxes may apply. Payments are processed by third parties; we do not store full card numbers. Refunds: non‑refundable after 30 days, unless required by law.
7) Profiles & Visibility
- Visibility is the default. Researcher profiles (claimed or automatically curated) are public and may appear across public-facing Akanaba pages and official channels (e.g., LinkedIn), including the landing page, Minds, Members, directories, and statistics/leaderboards.
- Auto‑Curated Profiles. We assemble profiles from Public Source Content. Unclaimed profiles remain public unless the researcher verifies identity and requests removal; we will correct mistakes on request.
- Claimed Profiles. When you claim a profile, you control its contents and assume responsibility for accuracy and rights (including any cover image). You may delete your claimed profile at any time. A private profile mode is not available at this time.
- Spotlight opt‑out. You may request removal of your profile from featured/spotlight placements (e.g., homepage carousels), while your basic public listing remains.
8) What We Show
We typically display partial publication information (metadata, abstract excerpt, and a cover/thumbnail if available) and link/redirect to the original source. We also host and index items beyond publications (posts, books, projects, videos, images, datasets, methodologies, announcements). Third-party videos (e.g., YouTube) may be embedded and played on Akanaba subject to provider terms. If a record’s display metadata has been edited by a user (User-Contributed Display Metadata), we indicate that it has been edited; to view the original fields, follow the link to the source record.
9) Your Content on Akanaba
- Ownership. You retain ownership of your User Content (subject to third‑party rights).
- License. You grant us a worldwide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to host, store, reproduce, adapt (format/display), analyze, index, and communicate your User Content solely to operate and secure the Service, provide personalized recommendations and relevance ranking, and produce statistics and overviews.
- Responsibility. You are responsible for your User Content. We do not undertake a general obligation to monitor or verify it. We may remove content or profiles that are malicious, non‑academic, infringing, or otherwise unlawful/violative of these Terms.
10) Acceptable Use
Do not misuse the Service (e.g., illegal activity, IP/privacy violations, harassment, malware, scraping or automated collection, misrepresentation). Follow our Community Guidelines for content and conduct standards. We may remove malicious or non‑academic profiles and react to content that breaks the law or others’ rights; see our Copyright & Notice Policy (DMCA + DSA) for how to report illegal or infringing content.
11) Recommended Content
We personalize feeds, search, and suggestions based on your activity and profile. From time to time, placements may include clearly labeled Sponsored, Highlighted, or Promotional research content relevant to your interests. Akanaba is subscription-based, not ad-based: we do not run third-party ad networks or targeted display advertising. Ads that appear inside third-party embeds (e.g., YouTube) are controlled by those providers.
12) Third‑Party Services
We may link to or integrate third‑party services (e.g., sign‑in, analytics, embeds like YouTube). Their terms and privacy policies apply to their services.
13) Disclaimers
The Service is provided “as is.” We do not guarantee accuracy or availability. Content does not constitute professional advice.
14) Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect/special/consequential damages or lost profits/data/goodwill. Aggregate liability is capped at the greater of €50 or fees paid in the preceding 12 months.
15) Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Akanaba Ltd., its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, and agents from any third-party claims, damages, liabilities, and costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your User Content, your use of the Service, or your breach of these Terms or law.
16) Suspension & Termination
We may suspend or terminate your Akanaba account/profile (and/or remove or restrict access to specific content or features) if you breach these Terms, our Community Guidelines, or applicable law, or if your use poses risk to users or the Service.
You may stop using the Service at any time. To close your account/profile, use the in-product controls (where available) or contact support@akanaba.org. How we handle your data after closure is governed by our Privacy Policy.
The following provisions survive termination: the sections titled “Disclaimers; No Professional Advice,” “Limitation of Liability,” “Indemnification,” and “Governing Law & Venue,” as well as any licenses/rights reasonably necessary for lawful archival/backup or as required by law.
17) Changes
We may update these Terms; material changes will be noticed in‑product or via email. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.
18) Governing Law & Venue
Florida law governs. Exclusive venue is in the state or federal courts of [County], Florida, unless consumer law requires otherwise.