Terms of Use
SkillSwap (also referred to as Skill Connect)
Version: 1.1
Last updated: 28 May 2026
Status: Draft for product and Stripe marketplace launch — requires review by qualified legal counsel before publication.
Important notice
These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern access to and use of the SkillSwap platform delivered primarily as a Telegram Mini App and related services (collectively, the “Platform” or “Service”).
The Platform is operated by [Platform Operator Legal Name] (“we”, “us”, “our”), with registered address at [Address], contact email: support@redskill.online.
By accessing or using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
Nothing in these Terms constitutes legal, tax, or financial advice. Replace bracketed placeholders before production use.
1. Definitions
- Seeker — a user who searches for, books, and pays for expert sessions.
- Expert — a user who offers paid consultation sessions and may receive payouts for completed services.
- Session — a scheduled one-to-one digital consultation (including video), typically time-boxed, offered through the Platform.
- Booking — a confirmed reservation of a Session time slot between a Seeker and an Expert.
- Platform balance — an internal accounting balance displayed in the app (in EUR, USD, or legacy display units), used to pay for Bookings where supported; it is not a bank account, e-money institution, or deposit account.
- SkillCoin — where still available, a non-transferable promotional or legacy in-app unit with no cash value outside the Platform; not legal tender.
- Stripe — Stripe, Inc. and its affiliates, our payment services provider for card payments, balance top-ups, and (for Experts) Stripe Connect onboarding and payouts.
- Connected Account — a Stripe Connect Express (or equivalent) account linked to an Expert for identity verification and payouts.
- Report (Complaint) — a moderation report submitted by a participant about another participant’s conduct, safety, or Platform use in connection with a Booking; it does not by itself pause payment settlement unless we treat it as a Session Dispute under these Terms.
- Session Dispute — a report requesting payment review for a Booking (e.g. quality, no-show, technical failure, billing). While open, settlement of held funds may be paused pending our review.
2. Nature of the Service
2.1. SkillSwap is a marketplace that helps Seekers discover Experts and book paid Sessions. Experts are independent providers, not employees, agents, or partners of the Platform Operator unless expressly agreed in writing.
2.2. We provide technology (scheduling, video session access where integrated, notifications, internal ledger, and payment orchestration). We do not guarantee the quality, legality, or outcome of any Session.
2.3. The Service is not a bank, payment institution, or stored-value wallet provider. Regulated movement of funds to and from payment cards and bank accounts is performed by Stripe (and financial institutions behind Stripe), subject to Stripe’s terms and applicable law.
2.4. First international launch is EU-oriented, with supported booking currencies including EUR and USD, as shown in the app at the time of Booking.
3. Eligibility
3.1. You must be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher) and have legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.
3.2. You must use the Service in compliance with applicable laws, including sanctions, export controls, and marketplace rules in your country of residence.
3.3. Experts must complete identity and payout onboarding (including Stripe Connect requirements) before receiving withdrawals, where required by us or Stripe.
3.4. We may refuse, suspend, or terminate access at our discretion, including for fraud, abuse, chargebacks, or violation of these Terms.
4. Accounts and access
4.1. Access is primarily through Telegram. You are responsible for securing your Telegram account and device.
4.2. Profile data (name, photo, language, timezone, and similar settings) must be accurate and kept up to date.
4.3. You may operate in Seeker and/or Expert mode where the app allows. Financial and compliance rules apply per role.
4.4. We may link your Platform account to your Telegram user ID and maintain activity logs for security, support, and reconciliation.
5. Expert listings and Sessions
5.1. Experts create public or private (individual invite) Sessions, set price, duration, category, and availability subject to app limits.
5.2. Experts represent that they have the right and qualification to offer the services described and that Session content complies with applicable law.
5.3. We may moderate, hide, pause, or remove listings that violate these Terms or harm the Platform.
5.4. Session delivery may use third-party video infrastructure (e.g. Daily.co or successors). Your use of such tools may be subject to additional third-party terms.
6. Booking and payment flow
6.1. Booking. When a Seeker books a Session, funds required for the Booking are typically reserved on the Seeker’s Platform balance (escrow-style hold) until the Session is completed, cancelled under these Terms, or otherwise settled.
6.2. Payment methods. Depending on availability:
- payment from Platform balance funded by prior Stripe Checkout top-up (or equivalent); and/or
- direct card payment via Stripe Payment Intents or Checkout, as implemented.
6.3. Prices and fees. At Booking, an immutable financial snapshot may be recorded, including customer amount, platform fee (currently 5% of the Session price unless otherwise shown), and Expert earnings. Taxes may apply depending on jurisdiction; Seekers and Experts are responsible for their own tax obligations unless we state otherwise.
6.4. No completion guarantee. Payment for a Booking does not guarantee that either party will attend, that technology will work flawlessly, or that a particular result will be achieved.
6.5. Currency. Amounts are processed in the currency shown at checkout (EUR or USD). Conversion, if any, is handled by Stripe or your card issuer under their rules.
7. Stripe and third-party payment terms
7.1. Card payments, Connect onboarding, transfers, and payouts are processed by Stripe. By paying or receiving payouts, you also agree to Stripe’s applicable agreements, including the [Stripe Services Agreement](https://stripe.com/legal) and, for Experts, [Stripe Connected Account Agreement](https://stripe.com/connect-account/legal).
7.2. We are not responsible for Stripe outages, account restrictions, payout delays caused by Stripe risk review, or actions Stripe takes under its policies.
7.3. Balance top-up. When you add funds via Stripe Checkout, successful payment credits your Platform balance for use inside the Service only. Top-ups that are not used for a completed Booking may be subject to refund policies we publish separately.
7.4. Webhooks and reconciliation. We rely on Stripe events to update payment status. In case of discrepancy, our internal ledger and investigation outcome prevail for Platform access; external settlement follows Stripe’s records.
7.5. Experts — Stripe Connect. To withdraw earnings, Experts must complete Stripe Connect onboarding (identity, tax, and bank details as required). Payouts are initiated from available Expert balance to the Connected Account and then to the Expert’s bank per Stripe’s schedule and manual payout settings we configure.
7.6. We do not store full card numbers on our servers; card data is handled by Stripe.
8. Cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds
8.1. Cancellation window. Cancellation of a Booking is generally not permitted later than 5 minutes before the scheduled Session start time, unless the app explicitly allows otherwise.
8.2. Seeker cancellation — more than 1 hour before start. If the Seeker cancels with at least one (1) hour before start (and within the allowed cancellation window), reserved funds are typically returned to the Seeker’s Platform balance (or refunded per our policy for card-funded amounts).
8.3. Seeker cancellation — less than 1 hour before start (“late cancellation”). If the Seeker cancels when less than one hour remains before start, reserved funds are generally not refunded to the Seeker; amounts may be released to the Expert (after platform fee) in accordance with product rules.
8.4. Expert cancellation. If the Expert cancels, the Seeker typically receives a full refund of reserved funds to Platform balance (or equivalent refund path for card payments).
8.5. Rescheduling. Seekers may reschedule only where the app permits and subject to slot availability and deadlines stated in the app (e.g. not later than one hour before start).
8.6. Private invite links. For individual invite Sessions, cancellation may affect whether the invite link can be reused, depending on timing and whether a late cancellation occurred.
8.7. Refunds to the original payment method, where applicable, may take several business days and are subject to Stripe and card network processing times.
9. Session completion, no-show, and settlement
9.1. After the Session, funds held for the Booking are settled according to internal rules, typically after the scheduled end time plus a short processing window.
9.2. Successful completion. A Session is treated as successfully completed when both participants spent at least 5 minutes total in the video call during the scheduled slot (reconnections are summed). Expert earnings (Session price minus platform fee) are then credited to the Expert’s available balance for payout, and the Seeker’s hold is released accordingly.
9.3. No-show and attendance. After the scheduled slot ends, the Platform classifies the outcome based on total time in the video call within the slot. A participant is a no-show if they spent less than 5 minutes in video (including reconnections). Possible outcomes include:
- Seeker no-show — funds may be forfeited to the Expert (subject to platform fee);
- Expert no-show — funds may be refunded to the Seeker;
- Neither party — outcome per published product rules.
9.4. Ratings and reviews after no-show or cancellation are submitted voluntarily by participants in the app (where available).
9.5. Settlement and payout eligibility depend on accurate system records, completion status, open Session Disputes, chargeback state, and Stripe Connect account status.
9.6. Session Disputes. If a participant opens a Session Dispute before funds are settled, automatic settlement of the Booking hold may be suspended until we resolve or reject the Dispute. The scheduled settlement time may be extended by up to seventy-two (72) hours from the time the Dispute is opened (or longer if we notify you that additional review is required).
10. Expert payouts and withdrawals
10.1. Experts may request withdrawal of available balance only after Connect onboarding is complete and compliance checks pass.
10.2. Withdrawals are executed via Stripe Transfer and Payout to the Connected Account. Minimum amounts, fees, and timing may apply and will be shown in the app.
10.3. We may delay or block withdrawals for fraud prevention, dispute investigation, legal compliance, or incorrect payout details.
10.4. Experts are solely responsible for tax reporting on income received through the Platform.
11. Chargebacks, reports, and session disputes
11.1. Card chargebacks
11.1.1. Seekers may dispute card charges with their card issuer (chargeback). If a chargeback occurs, we and Stripe may debit connected balances, reverse settlements, suspend withdrawals, or restrict accounts.
11.1.2. A chargeback is separate from an in-app Report or Session Dispute. You should use the in-app process below where available; chargeback abuse may lead to account suspension.
11.2. In-app reports and complaints
11.2.1. Who may report. Only the Seeker or Expert who participated in a Booking may submit a Report about that Booking.
11.2.2. One report per participant. Each participant may submit one Report per Booking. To add information, contact support and reference the Booking number.
11.2.3. How to submit. Reports may be submitted through in-app flows, including (where available): during or after a video Session, from session history, after rating a Session, or via the support / emergency contact flow linked to a Booking.
11.2.4. Categories. You must select a category that best describes the issue, such as: expert no-show, seeker no-show, consultation quality, technical problems, payment or refund concerns, conduct or safety, or other.
11.2.5. Complaints (moderation). A Report marked as a complaint (including conduct or safety issues, or where you do not request payment review) is used for moderation, account safety, and quality improvement. Complaints do not automatically pause settlement of held funds, unless we reclassify the matter or open a Session Dispute at our discretion.
11.2.6. Cooperation. You agree to provide accurate information and to cooperate with reasonable requests for evidence (session metadata, attendance/join logs, in-app chat where available, and communications relevant to the Booking).
11.3. Session disputes (payment review)
11.3.1. When it applies. If you request payment review (financial dispute), the Report is treated as a Session Dispute. This typically applies when you believe funds should be refunded to the Seeker or released to the Expert contrary to the automatic settlement outcome.
11.3.2. Effect on settlement. While a Session Dispute is pending or under review, we may mark the Booking as disputed and hold (pause) automatic settlement of escrowed funds until the Dispute is resolved, rejected, or closed with no financial change.
11.3.3. Review period. We aim to review Session Disputes within seventy-two (72) hours of submission. Complex cases may take longer; we may notify you if extended review is needed.
11.3.4. Notifications. We may notify both participants when a Session Dispute is opened and when a decision is issued. Status may be shown in session history in the app.
11.3.5. After settlement. If funds have already been settled or paid out before a Dispute is opened, in-app payment review may be limited; you may still contact support, and card chargeback rules (Section 11.1) may apply where relevant.
11.4. Moderation decisions
11.4.1. We review Reports and Session Disputes in good faith using app records and information you provide. Outcomes may include, without limitation:
- Full refund to Seeker — reserved or held amounts returned to the Seeker (subject to payment method and ledger rules);
- Pay Expert — held amounts released to the Expert per platform fee rules;
- Reject — the Report or Dispute is declined; the Booking may return to its prior or completed state;
- No action — the matter is closed without changing the financial outcome.
11.4.2. Our decision on in-app Reports and Session Disputes is final for Platform purposes (access, internal balances, and settlement). It does not prevent you from exercising mandatory consumer rights or using external dispute resolution where applicable law requires.
11.4.3. We may warn, restrict, suspend, or terminate accounts based on Reports, repeated Disputes, fraud, or abuse of the reporting system.
11.5. Relationship to session rules
11.5.1. Automatic rules (no-show detection, cancellation windows, Section 8) may still apply before or alongside a Dispute. Opening a Dispute does not guarantee a refund or payout.
11.5.2. Low session ratings may prompt you to describe a problem; submitting a Report or Dispute is optional and subject to the rules above.
11.5.3. Disputes between Seeker and Expert should be raised through the in-app process where possible. We may, but are not obliged to, provide support beyond the published review process.
12. SkillCoin and promotional credits
12.1. SkillCoin or similar units, if offered, have no monetary value outside the Platform, are non-transferable, and may be modified or discontinued at any time.
12.2. Promotional credits do not create a right to cash redemption unless expressly stated.
13. Prohibited conduct
You must not:
- violate law or third-party rights;
- offer or request illegal, harmful, harassing, discriminatory, or sexually exploitative services;
- circumvent payments, fees, or Stripe Connect requirements (off-platform payment solicitation where prohibited);
- impersonate others or provide false compliance information;
- abuse refunds, chargebacks, or cancellation rules;
- scrape, reverse engineer, or overload the Service;
- use the Service where prohibited by Stripe, Telegram, or applicable sanctions.
We may report violations to authorities and payment providers.
14. Reviews and content
14.1. Users may leave ratings and reviews subject to app rules. Reviews must be honest and not defamatory or abusive.
14.2. You grant us a non-exclusive license to use content you submit (profile text, reviews, Session descriptions) to operate and promote the Service.
14.3. We may remove content that violates these Terms without notice.
15. Privacy
Personal data is processed as described in our Privacy Policy ([link or path to privacy policy]). Payment data is processed by Stripe under its privacy notice.
16. Intellectual property
The SkillSwap name, logos, software, and design are owned by the Platform Operator or licensors. You receive a limited, revocable license to use the app for personal or business use as permitted by these Terms.
17. Disclaimers
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.
WE DO NOT WARRANT UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION, ACCURATE EXPERT ADVICE, OR SPECIFIC SESSION OUTCOMES.
18. Limitation of liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW:
- WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL.
- OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) EUR 100 OR (B) THE FEES YOU PAID TO US IN THE THREE (3) MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.
Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in those cases, our liability is limited to the fullest extent permitted by law.
19. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Platform Operator, its affiliates, and personnel from claims arising from your use of the Service, your Sessions, your breach of these Terms, or your violation of law or third-party rights.
20. Suspension and termination
We may suspend or terminate your account at any time for breach of these Terms, risk, or legal requirements. You may stop using the Service at any time.
Provisions that by nature should survive (payment obligations, liability limits, indemnity, governing law) survive termination.
21. Changes
We may update these Terms. Material changes will be notified via the app, Telegram, or email where available. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance unless prohibited by law.
22. Governing law and disputes
22.1. These Terms are governed by the laws of [Jurisdiction — e.g. Netherlands], excluding conflict-of-law rules.
22.2. Courts of [City, Jurisdiction] have exclusive jurisdiction, unless mandatory consumer protection law in your country of residence requires otherwise.
22.3. EU consumers may also use the EU Online Dispute Resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.
23. Contact
Support: support@redskill.online or Telegram: [@skillswap_support_bot — confirm handle before publication]
Legal / privacy: privacy@redskill.online
Platform Operator: [Legal name and registration number]
Annex A — Summary of key payment and cancellation rules (non-contractual)
This summary is for convenience only. The binding text is in the sections above.
| Topic | Rule (as implemented in product) |
|--------|-------------------------------------|
| Platform fee | 5% of Session price (Expert receives remainder on successful settlement) |
| Top-up | Via Stripe Checkout; credits Platform balance |
| Booking hold | Funds reserved until settlement or refund |
| Expert payout | Stripe Connect Express; manual payout schedule |
| Cancel deadline | Not later than 5 minutes before Session start |
| Seeker late cancel | < 1 hour before start → typically no refund to Seeker |
| Expert cancel | Typically full refund to Seeker |
| Video participation | ≥ 5 minutes total in slot per participant |
| No-show | Determined after slot end if < 5 minutes in video |
| Currencies | EUR, USD (as shown in app) |
| In-app Report | One per participant per Booking; categories include quality, no-show, technical, conduct |
| Session Dispute | Payment review; may pause settlement up to ~72 hours while reviewed |
| Dispute outcomes | Full refund to Seeker, pay Expert, reject, or no action (Platform decision) |
*End of Terms of Use*