Terms and Conditions

1.1 Binding Agreement

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Localbuddy, a digital platform operated in the Philippines ("Localbuddy," "we," "our," or "us"). By accessing, browsing, or using our website, services, or any portion of the Platform, you confirm that:

• You have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms
• You are bound by all policies incorporated by reference herein (such as the Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy)
• You have the legal authority to enter into a binding agreement, whether as an individual or on behalf of a business entity

1.2 Voluntary Acceptance

Use of the Platform is entirely voluntary. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must immediately discontinue use of the Platform. Continued access or use of any Localbuddy features shall constitute acceptance of these Terms in full.

1.3 Electronic Signature and Legal Effect

By using the Platform, clicking on any "Agree," "Register," or similar button, or submitting any form, you provide your electronic signature and agree to be legally bound in accordance with Republic Act No. 8792 (E-Commerce Act of 2000) and other applicable laws.

2.1 Overview of the Platform

Localbuddy is a digital service and business discovery platform designed to connect individuals, freelancers, and registered businesses within the Philippines. The Platform serves both as a directory and a marketplace by facilitating service visibility, user engagement, and lead generation through interactive and user-driven features.

2.2 Core Functionalities

Localbuddy provides the following services through its website and related tools:

• Service Listings & Business Profiles with service categories, descriptions, operating hours, and contact information
• Task Posting & Matching System where users can submit task requests and receive offers from service providers
• Account Verification using valid government-issued IDs, business permits, or other supporting legal documents
• Advertising and Promotional Tools including featured listings, homepage promotions, and priority placement
• Community Forum for questions, advice, and business reviews
• Internal Messaging and Notifications for communication between users

2.3 Platform Role

Localbuddy acts solely as an intermediary platform connecting service seekers and service providers. We do not provide the actual services and are not responsible for the quality, timing, or legality of services provided by third-party service providers.

3.1 Eligibility Requirements

To register and maintain an account on Localbuddy, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age or the age of legal capacity under Philippine law
• Have the mental and legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement
• Provide accurate and truthful information during registration
• Comply with all applicable Philippine laws and regulations

3.2 Business and Freelancer Accounts

All businesses, freelancers, and service providers are required to register for an account and provide valid legal documents, including government-issued identification cards, business permits or licenses, and supporting documentation when applicable.

3.3 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activities under your account. You agree to use strong passwords, change them regularly, and immediately notify Localbuddy of any unauthorized access.

4.1 Compliance with Laws

All users must conduct all activities on the Platform in compliance with all applicable Philippine laws, regulations, and industry standards. You must secure any necessary permits, licenses, or approvals required for the services you offer.

4.2 Accuracy and Honesty

You agree to provide only true, accurate, and up-to-date information in all listings, profiles, and communications. Avoid making false, misleading, or exaggerated claims about services, pricing, or qualifications.

4.3 Professional Conduct

Service providers must perform their services with reasonable skill, care, and professionalism, fulfill accepted tasks as agreed, and respond to messages and inquiries within a reasonable period.

6.1 Paid Features and Services

Localbuddy provides both free and paid services including subscription plans, promotional advertisements, sponsored placements, and other optional services designed to enhance business exposure.

6.2 Accepted Payment Methods

Localbuddy currently accepts GCash, bank transfer, and debit/credit cards. We reserve the right to add more payment options in the future, including PayPal and other digital wallets.

6.3 Refunds and Cancellations

Payments for subscriptions, ads, or other paid services are generally non-refundable. However, Localbuddy may, at its sole discretion, issue partial refunds in cases of duplicate payments or platform errors. Requests must be made within seven (7) days from the date of payment.

7.1 General Disclaimer

Localbuddy offers its services strictly on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not warrant that the Platform will be free from interruption, errors, or security vulnerabilities, or that user profiles and listings are accurate, reliable, or lawful.

7.2 No Liability for User Transactions

Localbuddy is not a party to any transaction, agreement, or engagement made between users. We are not liable for any damages, loss, misconduct, fraud, or dissatisfaction arising from user interactions.

9.1 Data Collection

Localbuddy collects personal information (name, ID, mobile number, email), business information (permits, certifications), transactional data, communications data, and technical data in accordance with the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173).

9.2 Purpose of Data Collection

Your information is collected for account creation and verification, service facilitation, payment processing, customer support, security and fraud prevention, platform improvement, marketing and promotions, and legal compliance.

9.3 Data Security

We implement industry-standard security practices including encryption, secure servers, and regular security audits. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

9.4 User Rights

Under the Philippine Data Privacy Act, you have the right to access, correct, object to processing, request erasure, and data portability of your personal information.

10.1 User Responsibility

You are solely responsible for the accuracy, lawfulness, and appropriateness of any content you submit. Your content must not infringe intellectual property rights, be fraudulent, defamatory, offensive, or violate any applicable laws.

10.2 License Granted to Localbuddy

By submitting content, you grant Localbuddy a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, publicly display, and distribute your content on the Platform and through marketing materials.

10.3 AI-Generated Content

If you submit AI-generated or machine-assisted content, you must disclose this where required and ensure it complies with all content guidelines. Use of AI to manipulate, impersonate, or deceive is strictly prohibited.

11.1 Grounds for Termination

Your account may be suspended or terminated for violation of Terms, illegal or fraudulent activity, harmful behavior, inappropriate listings, misuse of AI or automation, repeated violations, or refusal to comply with moderation processes.

11.2 Termination Due to Inactivity

Accounts that remain inactive for 12 consecutive months may be terminated. Prior to termination, Localbuddy will issue at least two warnings via email or SMS.

11.3 Voluntary Termination

Users may delete their account at any time through account settings. Once deleted, the account and associated data will be marked for permanent removal within a reasonable period.

12.1 Platform Provided "As Is"

Localbuddy provides the Platform on an "as is" and "as available" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, non-infringement, and uninterrupted access.

12.2 Third-Party Content

Localbuddy does not warrant the quality, legality, or safety of services offered by users, the accuracy of advertisements or business documents, or the reliability of third-party tools and integrations.

13.1 Ownership of Platform Content

All intellectual property rights in the Localbuddy Platform—including website design, source code, logos, trademarks, and marketing materials—are the exclusive property of Localbuddy, protected under Philippine and international laws.

13.2 Trademarks

"Localbuddy" and all associated marks are proprietary trademarks. Users are prohibited from using these marks in any way that implies affiliation, causes confusion, or damages the brand reputation.

13.3 Reporting Violations

If you believe your intellectual property rights have been infringed, you may file a formal notice through our contact channels with a clear description of the material and evidence of ownership.

14.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, including the Civil Code, Consumer Act, Data Privacy Act, Electronic Commerce Act, and Intellectual Property Code.

14.2 Amicable Settlement

Both parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes amicably in good faith before resorting to arbitration or litigation. The complaining party must send a formal written notice and engage in discussions for thirty (30) calendar days.

14.3 Jurisdiction

Claims involving ₱100,000 or less may be filed in local Municipal or Regional Trial Courts. Disputes exceeding this amount or involving complex matters shall be filed exclusively in the proper courts of Metro Manila.

15.1 Right to Modify

Localbuddy reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time to reflect changes in laws, add or update features, respond to security risks, or update payment and refund policies.

15.2 Notification of Changes

For material changes, Localbuddy will provide reasonable advance notice through homepage announcements, login prompts, or email/SMS notifications. Minor updates may be made without individual notice, but the "Last Updated" date will reflect the latest revision.

15.3 Acceptance

Continued use of the Platform after updated Terms have been posted constitutes acceptance. Users who disagree may decline and request account termination.

16.1 General Policy

All purchases are generally non-refundable except as expressly provided or required by Philippine consumer protection laws. Refunds are processed in good faith on a case-by-case basis.

16.2 Eligibility for Refunds

Refunds may be considered for service failure due to system errors, duplicate or erroneous payments, unavailability of purchased services, or as required by regulatory authorities.

16.3 Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed within 7 to 30 business days using the original payment method. Users must submit valid proof of payment and identification documents.

17.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device by the website being visited. They contain data that can be retrieved later to recognize users, improve functionality, and customize the user experience.

17.2 Types of Cookies Used

Localbuddy uses strictly necessary cookies (essential for operation), performance and analytics cookies (to understand user interactions), functional cookies (to remember preferences), advertising cookies (for relevant ads), and AI-powered personalization cookies (for content recommendations).

17.3 User Control

Users may modify browser settings to block or delete cookies. However, disabling necessary cookies may result in limited functionality. You may change cookie preferences or withdraw consent at any time through account settings.