Legal

Terms of Use & Privacy Notice

Effective Date: July 29, 2026

Helo is an early product (MVP). These terms are provided in good faith but are not legal advice. By using Helo you accept the terms below.

These Terms of Use and Privacy Notice (“Terms”) form a binding agreement between you and Serenest LLC, doing business as Helo (“Helo, ” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By creating an account, checking the acceptance box, clicking “Agree and Continue,” or otherwise using Helo, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not access or use Helo.

1. Early-Stage MVP and Current Service Limitations

1.1 MVP status.

Helo is an early-stage minimum viable product and may also be described as a beta or test service. The Service may contain errors, experience interruptions, change substantially, or become temporarily or permanently unavailable. Features, interfaces, eligibility requirements, service areas, and operating procedures may be added, modified, restricted, suspended, or removed.

Helo does not guarantee that the Service will always be available, uninterrupted, secure, accurate, complete, or compatible with any particular device.

1.2 Current functionality.

The current version of Helo primarily provides technology tools that may allow users to:

(a) create profiles;

(b) post or discover local service opportunities;

(d) communicate with other users; and

(e) use other features expressly identified within the Service as currently available.

Availability may vary by user, location, device, and testing group.

1.3 Current limitations and optional identity-document review.

Helo currently offers an optional identity-document review process. A user may voluntarily submit a government-issued identification document, such as an identification card or driver’s license, for limited review by Helo.

Identity-document review is not required to use the Service. Accordingly, some users may have completed the review process while others may not have submitted any identification document.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, Helo’s review is limited to examining the information visible on the submitted document and checking it for apparent consistency with information associated with the user’s account. The review is not a comprehensive or forensic authentication process.

Helo does not currently provide:

(a) criminal, sex-offender, civil-record, credit, or employment background checks;

(b) verification of professional licenses, insurance, bonding, work authorization, references, experience, qualifications, or skills;

(d) payment processing, escrow, money transmission, refunds, chargebacks, or payment guarantees;

(e) insurance coverage, bonding, warranties, advance compensation, theft protection, reimbursement, or other financial protection;

(f) binding dispute resolution, adjudication, collection services, or enforcement of agreements between users;

(g) guaranteed cancellation penalties or compensation;

(h) emergency monitoring, security services, law-enforcement services, or emergency assistance; or

(i) any other feature presented only as planned, proposed, experimental, under development, or coming in the future.

1.4 Future and proposed features.

Helo may publish product descriptions, prototypes, mockups, demonstrations, waitlists, roadmaps, or other information concerning possible future features, including verification, credential review, platform payments, escrow, protection programs, insurance, refunds, cancellation policies, dispute support, matching tools, reputation systems, and automated trust or risk indicators.

These materials are provided for informational and product-development purposes only. They do not mean that a feature is currently available and do not constitute a promise, warranty, contractual commitment, or guaranteed release date. Helo may change, delay, limit, test, or decide not to release any proposed feature.

You must not rely on a proposed feature when deciding whether to hire, accept work, meet another user, disclose information, enter a property, perform services, or make or accept payment.

2. Helo’s Role

2.1 Technology marketplace.

Helo provides technology that helps people seeking services (“Clients”) discover and communicate with people offering services (“Workers”). “User” means any Client, Worker, or other person accessing Helo.

Except where Helo expressly agrees otherwise in a separate written agreement, Helo:

(a) does not provide the services advertised or arranged through the platform;

(b) does not employ, supervise, direct, control, or manage Workers;

(d) does not guarantee that any proposed job or service will be accepted, completed, lawful, safe, or satisfactory; and

(e) is not a party to any contract, transaction, payment arrangement, or dispute between users.

2.2 No endorsement.

Displaying, ranking, recommending, matching, or allowing communication with a user does not constitute Helo’s endorsement, certification, recommendation, or guarantee of that user.

Any profile label, score, automated suggestion, review, document notation, or badge that may be introduced in the future will have only the limited meaning expressly described with that feature. It will not constitute a guarantee of identity, safety, honesty, competence, licensing, insurability, or future conduct.

2.3 No agency relationship.

Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, agency, partnership, franchise, fiduciary, joint-venture, or similar relationship between Helo and any user.

3. Eligibility and Accounts

3.1 Age and authority.

You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into a binding contract. You may not use Helo on behalf of an organization unless you have authority to bind that organization. Helo is not intended for children or minors.

3.2 Accurate information.

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to promptly correct information that becomes inaccurate. You may not impersonate another person or create an account using information you are not authorized to use.

3.3 Account security.

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your credentials and for activity conducted through your account. Notify Helo promptly at helo.prod.connect@gmail.com if you believe your account has been accessed without authorization.

Helo is not responsible for losses resulting from your failure to protect your credentials, except to the extent applicable law provides otherwise.

4. Agreements Between Clients and Workers

4.1 Separate user agreement.

Clients and Workers are solely responsible for agreeing on all terms of their service relationship, including:

(a) the scope and standard of work;

(b) timing and location;

(d) materials, tools, permits, and access;

(e) cancellation and rescheduling;

(f) warranties or corrections;

(g) insurance and responsibility for damage; and

(h) any legally required notices or contract terms.

Helo is not responsible for preparing, interpreting, enforcing, or determining the validity of that agreement.

4.2 Written-contract requirements.

Users are responsible for determining whether applicable law requires a written service contract or particular disclosures.

Where the Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act or another applicable law requires a written contract, the Client and Worker are responsible for creating, retaining, and complying with a contract containing all legally required information. A Helo job post, profile, bid, match, message, or notification is not guaranteed to satisfy those requirements.

4.3 No authority to bind Helo.

No user may make representations, warranties, commitments, or promises on Helo’s behalf.

5. Worker Status, Taxes, Licenses, and Insurance

5.1 Relationship with Helo.

Workers use Helo as independent users of a technology marketplace. Helo does not intend to create an employer-employee relationship with Workers.

However, legal classification depends on applicable law and the actual circumstances of the relationship. Nothing in these Terms overrides non-waivable employment or worker-protection laws.

5.2 Worker responsibilities.

Workers are solely responsible for:

(a) determining whether they are legally permitted and qualified to provide a service;

(b) obtaining and maintaining required licenses, permits, registrations, certifications, insurance, and bonds;

(d) reporting income and paying applicable taxes;

(e) complying with labor, employment, immigration, health, safety, professional, and consumer-protection laws; and

(f) determining whether any person assisting them must be treated as an employee or contractor.

5.3 Client responsibilities.

Clients are responsible for determining whether their engagement creates obligations involving worker classification, payroll, withholding, insurance, workplace safety, written contracts, payment deadlines, permits, or other legal requirements.

Helo does not provide tax, employment, immigration, insurance, or legal advice.

6. Off-Platform Payments

6.1 Helo does not process payments.

Helo does not currently process, receive, hold, transmit, escrow, refund, or guarantee money. Clients and Workers arrange and settle payment directly with each other using payment methods they independently select.

6.2 Informational amounts.

Any price, quote, budget, estimated earnings, rate, fee, deposit, or other monetary amount displayed or discussed through Helo is user-provided or informational only. It does not create an obligation for Helo to collect or pay that amount.

6.3 Payment disputes.

Helo cannot issue refunds, reverse transfers, process chargebacks, collect unpaid amounts, or guarantee payment. Payment and refund disputes must be resolved directly between the Client, Worker, and relevant third-party payment provider.

Users should not send bank account credentials, payment-card numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, or other unnecessary financial information through Helo messages.

7. Verification, Safety, and User Judgment

7.1 Optional identity-document review.

Users may be given the option to submit a government-issued identification document for limited review. Participation is voluntary unless Helo expressly states otherwise for a particular feature or service category.

A user who does not submit an identification document may still be permitted to use Helo. Users are responsible for checking whether another user has completed the optional review before deciding whether to interact with that person.

7.2 Meaning of an identity-review status.

A label such as “ID Document Reviewed” means only that Helo reviewed an identification document submitted through the applicable review process. The label does not mean or guarantee that:

(a) the document is genuine, current, unaltered, or lawfully possessed;

(b) the person communicating through the account is always the person identified in the document;

(d) the user possesses any required license, insurance, bond, training, experience, qualification, or skill;

(e) the user will behave lawfully, honestly, professionally, or safely;

(f) the user will perform or pay for any service; or

(g) Helo endorses, recommends, certifies, employs, supervises, or guarantees the user.

The review reflects only the information and process available to Helo at the time of review. A user’s circumstances, document status, account access, or conduct may later change.

7.3 No review of unverified users.

If a user has no identity-review label, you should assume that Helo has not reviewed a government-issued identification document for that user. The absence of a label does not itself indicate misconduct, but it means you should not rely on Helo as having reviewed that user’s identity document.

7.4 Your independent responsibility.

Whether or not another user has completed identity-document review, you remain solely responsible for evaluating that user and deciding whether to communicate, hire, accept work, meet, share an address, provide access to property, or make or accept payment.

You should independently confirm information appropriate to the circumstances, which may include identity, contact information, licenses, insurance, references, experience, written service terms, pricing, and payment arrangements.

7.5 No safety guarantee.

Identity-document review reduces neither the need for personal judgment nor the risks inherent in meeting or hiring people through an online marketplace. Helo cannot guarantee that a user will behave lawfully or safely and does not monitor meetings, inspect properties, supervise services, or provide emergency assistance.

For an immediate threat, medical emergency, suspected crime, or dangerous situation, contact 911 or the appropriate local authority.

8. Prohibited Conduct and Services

You may not use Helo to:

(a) violate any law, regulation, court order, contractual obligation, or third-party right;

(b) commit or facilitate fraud, theft, violence, harassment, stalking, threats, discrimination, exploitation, or abuse;

(c) misrepresent your identity, experience, qualifications, licensing, insurance, pricing, availability, work, or intentions;

(d) post false jobs, fraudulent offers, deceptive reviews, spam, pyramid schemes, or requests for unauthorized payments;

(e) provide or request illegal goods or services;

(f) offer a regulated or licensed service without satisfying all applicable legal requirements;

(g) use Helo for emergency services or for medical, legal, financial, security, transportation, childcare, eldercare, or other regulated or high-risk services unless that category is expressly enabled by Helo and you satisfy all applicable requirements;

(h) upload malware, interfere with the Service, scrape data, access another account, bypass access controls, or reverse engineer the Service, except where applicable law expressly permits it;

(i) collect, use, disclose, or retain another user’s information for an unrelated purpose; or

(j) attempt to evade a suspension or restriction.

Helo may investigate reports and restrict content or accounts, but has no general obligation to monitor users or prevent misconduct.

9. User Content

9.1 Your responsibility.

You are responsible for content you submit, including profiles, job descriptions, offers, messages, photos, documents, reviews, reports, and feedback. You represent that you have the necessary rights to submit that content and that it does not violate law, confidentiality obligations, privacy rights, intellectual-property rights, or these Terms.

9.2 License to operate Helo.

You retain ownership of your content. You grant Helo a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, format, display, transmit, and otherwise use your content as reasonably necessary to operate, secure, improve, and provide the Service.

This license ends when the content is deleted, except for copies reasonably retained in backups, fraud and safety records, legal records, or content already shared with and retained by another user.

9.3 Reviews.

Reviews must reflect genuine experiences and must not contain knowingly false statements, retaliation, extortion, confidential information, or unlawful content.

9.4 Feedback.

If you submit product feedback or suggestions, you permit Helo to use them without restriction or compensation, provided that Helo will handle associated personal information as described in this Privacy Notice.

10. Platform Enforcement and Termination

Helo may, subject to applicable law:

(a) refuse, restrict, suspend, or terminate access;

(b) remove or limit content;

(d) preserve information relating to suspected fraud, safety incidents, or legal claims; and

(e) cooperate with lawful requests from authorities.

Helo may take these actions when it reasonably believes that they are necessary to protect users, Helo, third parties, or the integrity of the Service. Helo is not required to take action in every reported matter and does not guarantee that enforcement will prevent future harm.

You may stop using Helo at any time and may request account deletion as described below.

11. Third-Party Services

Helo may rely on third-party providers for hosting, databases, authentication, analytics, maps, email delivery, storage, messaging, error monitoring, and other infrastructure.

Third-party services are governed by their own terms and policies. Helo is not responsible for a third party’s independent services, availability, content, or conduct, except as required by law. Links to external websites do not constitute endorsement.

12. Disclaimers

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.”

Helo DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AND STATUTORY WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, ACCURACY, AVAILABILITY, SECURITY, AND QUIET ENJOYMENT.

Helo DOES NOT WARRANT OR GUARANTEE:

(a) THE IDENTITY, HONESTY, SAFETY, QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSING, INSURANCE, FINANCIAL CONDITION, OR CONDUCT OF ANY USER;

(b) THE QUALITY, LEGALITY, SAFETY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETION, OR RESULT OF ANY SERVICE;

(d) THAT USER CONTENT OR AUTOMATED OUTPUTS ARE ACCURATE;

(e) THAT A DISPUTE WILL BE RESOLVED; OR

(f) THAT A PLANNED FEATURE WILL BE RELEASED.

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain warranty exclusions. In those jurisdictions, these exclusions apply only to the extent permitted by law.

13. Limitation of Liability

13.1 Excluded damages.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Helo and its owners, officers, employees, contractors, affiliates, and service providers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages; lost profits, opportunities, goodwill, or data; or the cost of substitute services.

13.2 User interactions and services.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Helo is not liable for loss, non-payment, theft, fraud, property damage, personal injury, emotional distress, disputes, or other harm resulting from:

(a) services requested, offered, arranged, or performed by users;

(b) communications, meetings, payments, or other interactions between users;

(d) inaccurate user content;

(e) the conduct of a Client, Worker, or third party; or

(f) a user’s reliance on a proposed or unavailable feature.

13.3 Liability cap.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Helo’s total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to the Service or these Terms will not exceed the greater of:

(a) the amount you paid directly to Helo for use of the Service during the 12 months before the event giving rise to the claim; or

(b) USD $100.

13.4 Non-waivable liability.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited, including liability resulting from Helo’s fraud, willful misconduct, or gross negligence where such liability cannot be waived.

14. Indemnification

To the maximum extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Helo and its owners, officers, employees, contractors, affiliates, and service providers from claims, damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, penalties, and reasonable legal expenses arising from or relating to:

(a) services you request, offer, or provide;

(b) your agreement or dispute with another user;

(d) property damage, injury, non-payment, taxes, licenses, employment obligations, or regulatory violations attributable to you;

(e) your violation of these Terms or applicable law; or

(f) your infringement of another person’s rights.

This section does not require indemnification for losses caused solely by Helo’s own conduct to the extent such indemnification is prohibited by law.

15. User Disputes and Reports

15.1 Disputes between users.

Disputes concerning services, quality, cancellations, property, injury, payment, refunds, or user conduct are primarily between the Client and Worker.

Helo may, but is not obligated to, receive reports, request information, preserve records, restrict accounts, or voluntarily assist communication. Any assistance does not make Helo a party to the dispute or require Helo to reach a decision, pay compensation, or enforce an agreement.

15.2 Reports.

Reports may be sent to helo.prod.connect@gmail.com. Include relevant account information, dates, messages, and supporting materials, but do not email unnecessary financial credentials or highly sensitive identification documents.

15.3 Authorities.

Helo may disclose information when reasonably necessary to comply with law, respond to valid legal process, investigate fraud or safety threats, protect legal rights, or prevent serious harm.

16. Governing Law and Disputes with Helo

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except where applicable consumer law requires otherwise.

Before filing a claim against Helo, you agree to send a written description of the dispute to helo.prod.connect@gmail.com and allow 30 days for a good-faith attempt to resolve it.

Unless applicable law permits or requires a different venue, disputes between you and Helo must be brought in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois. Both parties consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.

Nothing in this section prevents either party from bringing an eligible individual claim in small-claims court or seeking urgent injunctive relief.

17. General Terms

17.1 Changes.

Helo may update these Terms as the Service evolves. Helo will post the updated version and effective date and, where reasonably practicable or legally required, provide additional notice of material changes.

Changes apply prospectively from their effective date. Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Service.

17.2 Assignment.

You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without Helo’s written consent. Helo may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, subject to applicable law.

17.3 Severability.

If any provision is found unenforceable, it will be limited or modified to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

17.4 No waiver.

Failure to enforce a provision does not waive the right to enforce it later.

17.5 Entire agreement.

These Terms and any policies expressly incorporated into them constitute the entire agreement between you and Helo concerning the Service, except for a separate written agreement signed by Helo.

18. Privacy Notice

18.1 Information collected in the current MVP.

Depending on the features you use, Helo may collect:

(a) account information, such as your name, email address, phone number if provided, account role, interface language, and authentication information;

(b) profile and marketplace information, such as your biography, services, experience, availability, rates, job posts, offers, messages, reviews, reports, photos, and files;

(c) optional identity-review information. If you voluntarily participate in identity-document review, Helo may collect an image or copy of a government-issued identification document, such as an identification card or driver’s license, together with information visible on that document, which may include your legal name, photograph, date of birth, document number, expiration date, address, and issuing jurisdiction;

(d) information about the outcome of the review, such as whether the document was accepted, rejected, expired, unreadable, or required additional review;

(e) location information, such as your city, ZIP code, approximate location, service area, job location, or exact address when you choose to provide it;

(f) technical and usage information, such as IP address, browser type, device information, timestamps, pages viewed, interactions, cookies, and error logs; and

(g) communications with Helo, including support requests, reports, survey responses, and product feedback.

Submitting an identification document is voluntary unless Helo clearly states that it is required for access to a specific feature. Users who do not submit an identification document may still use the portions of the Service made available to users without identity-document review.

18.3 Use of identity-review information.

Helo uses identity-review information only to:

(a) conduct the optional identity-document review;

(b) identify possible fraud, impersonation, duplicate accounts, altered documents, or misuse of the Service;

(d) investigate safety, fraud, or account-security reports;

(e) comply with applicable law and valid legal process; and

(f) maintain limited records showing that a review was performed and its outcome.

Helo does not use completion of identity-document review as a representation that the user is safe, qualified, licensed, insured, trustworthy, or free from a criminal history.

18.4 Sharing of identity documents.

Helo does not display a submitted identification document, document number, date of birth, or residential address to other users merely because the user completed identity-document review.

Helo may disclose identity-review information to service providers that store or assist in reviewing the information, subject to applicable contractual and security requirements. Helo may also disclose the information when required by law, in response to valid legal process, or when reasonably necessary to investigate fraud, impersonation, safety threats, or misuse of the Service.

18.5 Retention of identity documents.

Helo retains identification documents only for as long as reasonably necessary to complete the review, address fraud or security concerns, comply with legal obligations, and protect legal rights.

Helo may retain a limited record of the review after deleting the underlying document, including the review date, review result, document type, issuing jurisdiction, and internal account identifier.

Helo will dispose of identification documents and associated personal information using measures reasonably designed to make the information unreadable, unusable, or incapable of reconstruction.

Contact

Support: helo.prod.connect@gmail.com