Terms & conditions

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

1. Contractual Relationship & Acceptance

1.1 Parties & Nature
These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) form a legally binding contract between Bolzen Programming Egypt, LLC (Commercial Registration No. 233401), operating under the trade name “Free Now” (“Free Now,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), and you, the user of the Free Now platform (“User,” “Customer,” or “Professional Partner”/“Provider”). By downloading, installing, registering, accessing, or using the Free Now mobile application, website, or related services (collectively, the “Services”), you represent that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.

1.2 Electronic Consent & Updates

• Electronic Signature: Clicking “Accept,” creating an account, or continuing to use any portion of the Services constitutes your electronic signature and implies legal acceptance of these Terms.under Egyptian e-signature regulations (e.g., Law No. 15 of 2004
• Ongoing Updates: These Terms may be periodically reviewed and updated (see Section 15). Your continued use following any announced changes signifies acceptance.

1.3 Authority
If you access or use the Services on behalf of a company, organization, or another entity, you affirm you have the legal authority to bind such entity to these Terms.

---

2. Definitions

• User: Any individual or entity accessing or using the Free Now platform, including Customers and Professional Partners.
• Customer: A User who requests or books services (e.g., caregiving, tutoring) via the platform.
• Professional Partner (Provider): An independent service professional offering services through the platform (e.g., caregivers, tutors, hairdressers).
• Booking: A reservation for a service initiated by a Customer and accepted by a Provider.
• Escrow: The secure holding of Customer funds pending OTP verification of successful service delivery.
• OTP (One-Time Password): A unique code used to confirm both the start and the end of a service engagement.
• Subscription: A recurring fee that may apply to Professional Partners (and possibly Customers using premium features) to maintain platform privileges.
• Minor Transactional Fee: A small fee or commission that may be charged to Customers per transaction or for specific features.

---

3. About Free Now

3.1 Platform Facilitator
Free Now is a technology platform that connects Customers needing specific services with verified Professional Partners. Free Now does not employ, manage, or control Professional Partners and is not responsible for their actions or omissions.

3.2 Independent Contractors
Professional Partners act as independent contractors. No employer‐employee, agency, or partnership relationship exists between Free Now and any Provider. Professional Partners are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining licenses, permits, or certifications required under Egyptian law, as well as for fulfilling any tax or social insurance obligations.

3.3 Verification Limitations
While Professional Partners undergo a thorough verification process (including ID checks, possible criminal records checks, health screenings), Free Now cannot guarantee the reliability, honesty, or suitability of each Provider. Customers are encouraged to exercise due diligence when choosing a service provider.

3.4 Medical & Healthcare Disclaimer

• No Healthcare Services by Free Now: Even when Professional Partners offer caregiving, nursing, or health‐adjacent services, Free Now is not a healthcare entity. We do not monitor or supervise medical advice or clinical decisions.
• Emergencies: In case of medical emergencies, Users should contact local emergency services (e.g., dial 123) and not rely on Professional Partners for emergency intervention unless explicitly stated and licensed to do so.

---

4. Eligibility & Account Registration

4.1 Minimum Age & Capacity
Users must be at least 18 years old with full legal capacity to enter into binding contracts under the laws of Egypt.

4.2 Account Requirements

• Accurate Information: You agree to provide truthful, current information, including name, contact details, and relevant IDs.
• Customer Verification: Customers typically verify identity through national ID, facial recognition, and OTP checks.
• Provider Verification:
  1. Online: Submission of valid government ID, profile photo, and relevant details.
  2. In-Person: At an authorized partner center (e.g., Shaghalni) for criminal record checks, health certificates, and credential reviews.
• Blue Verified Badge: Granted only after successful completion of both verification stages.

4.3 No Third-Party Use of Provider Accounts
Professional Partners must not share, transfer, or allow unauthorized persons to use their verified account. Account lending or impersonation is strictly prohibited. Violations may lead to immediate suspension or permanent deactivation.

4.4 Duplicate Accounts
Creating multiple accounts to circumvent bans, exploit promotions, or otherwise abuse the system is prohibited. Duplicate accounts may be permanently deactivated with no notice.

4.5 Contact Updates
You must promptly update any changes to your email, phone number, or other contact information to ensure continued receipt of official communications (e.g., changes to these Terms, dispute notices).

---

5. Booking, Payment & Escrow

5.1 Booking Process

• Initiation: Customers create a service request, specifying date, time, location, and service details.
• Provider Confirmation: Professional Partners must confirm or reject the booking within the timeframes stated in the app (generally 30 minutes during normal hours, or by 9:30 AM if requested overnight). Unconfirmed bookings may auto-cancel.
• OTP Verification:
  • Start: An initial OTP to confirm service commencement.
  • Completion: A second OTP to confirm service end. If no completion OTP is entered within 24 hours after the scheduled end, the system auto‐confirms and releases funds.

5.2 Fees, Commissions & Subscriptions

1. Provider Transaction Commission: Each booking completed may incur a commission withheld from the Provider’s payout. Rates are subject to change with prior notice (e.g., 30 days).
2. Provider Subscription: Professional Partners may pay a recurring fee to maintain active status or to unlock premium features (like priority search listing). Non‐payment can lead to restricted account functions or suspension.
3. Customer Transactional Fee: Customers may be charged a minor fee per booking or for enhanced features.
4. Premium Services: Both Customers and Professional Partners may opt into advanced or special features for an additional one‐time or recurring fee.
5. Fee Revisions: Free Now reserves the right to revise fee structures. Such revisions will be communicated in the app and via email. Continuing to use the Services after notice constitutes acceptance.

5.3 Escrow System

• Holding of Funds: For online transactions, Customer payments are held in a secure escrow until OTP‐verified completion.
• Release to Provider: Once the service is confirmed as complete, Provider payouts are typically processed within 24–48 hours, although bank holidays, local weekends, or pending investigations may cause delays.
• Cash Payments: Professional Partners may optionally accept cash. Even in these cases, an OTP confirmation is required to finalize the booking record in the system.
• Payment Failures: For card or digital payment failures, the system will retry automatically within 24 hours. Continued failures may lead to booking cancellation or account suspension.

5.4 Late Arrivals & Schedule Changes

• Provider Delay: If a Provider is more than [30] minutes late without notice, the Customer may elect to cancel the booking without penalty, receiving a full refund.
• Customer Delay: If a Customer is not present or contactable within [30] minutes of the scheduled start, the Provider may cancel, and Free Now may charge the Customer a partial or full fee (e.g., 50% or 100%), depending on circumstances and prior notices.

5.5 Recurring or Ongoing Bookings

• Long‐Term or Repetitive Services: Customers and Professional Partners who agree to recurring engagements (e.g., weekly nanny shifts) must process each booking through the Free Now platform. If monthly or weekly fees apply, they are likewise transacted via the platform’s escrow/commission system.
• Cancellation & Rescheduling: Standard cancellation policies (see Section 6.1) typically apply unless otherwise stated in writing by Free Now. Consistent no‐shows, reschedules, or delays without proper notice may incur additional penalties.

---

6. Cancellations, Refunds & Extensions

6.1 Customer-Initiated Cancellations

• >24 Hours Before Service: Full refund of prepaid amounts.
• <24 Hours Before Service: A 50% refund (the remaining 50% is a cancellation fee).
• Long-Term/Recurring Bookings:
  • 72+ Hours Notice: Full refund for upcoming sessions.
  • <72 Hours Notice: 50% penalty (25% distributed to the Provider, 25% to Free Now).
• Mid-Service Cancellation: The completed portion is fully payable; the remainder is refunded at 50%.

6.2 Provider-Initiated Cancellations

• >24 Hours Notice: No penalty to the Provider, and the Customer is refunded in full.
• <24 Hours Notice: A sliding penalty applies (10% to 50%), increasing with repeated offenses. Excessive cancellations may result in suspension or deactivation.
• Penalty Enforcement: Deductions occur automatically from the Provider’s next payout. Unsettled penalties may lead to additional fees or account holds.

6.3 Extensions & Overbooking

• Extensions: Possible only if the Provider’s schedule permits. Charges for extra time are based on the Provider’s hourly or per‐session rate.
• Overbooking: The system is designed to prevent conflicting bookings requiring the Provider’s simultaneous presence. Attempting to override or exploit this system may lead to restricted booking privileges.

6.4 Refund Method & Timeline
Refunds generally process via the original payment method within [5–10] business days, subject to processing times of banks or payment gateways.

---

7. Insurance, Property Damage & Liability

7.1 No Insurance Provided
Free Now does not offer or carry insurance coverage (e.g., liability, property, or health). Professional Partners and Customers are responsible for their own insurance needs.

7.2 Property Damage & Theft

• Disclaimer: Free Now disclaims liability for any property damage, loss, or theft during a service.
• User Responsibility: Customers should secure valuables and personal property. If theft or damage occurs, the affected party should promptly contact local law enforcement. Free Now may, at its discretion, provide support by sharing relevant booking or communication logs.

7.3 Confidentiality for Caregiving & Sensitive Services

• Confidential Information: Professional Partners may learn personal or health‐related details about Customers (e.g., children, elderly parents). Professional Partners must treat such information as confidential and not disclose it to unauthorized parties.
• Breach: Failure by a Provider to maintain confidentiality can result in immediate suspension or termination, and possible legal consequences.

7.4 Local Labor & Employment Compliance

• No Employment Relationship: Free Now is not a party to any employer‐employee relationship between a Customer and a Provider, even for recurring or long‐term engagements.
• No Social Insurance or Worker Benefits
  Free Now does not provide social insurance, worker benefits, or any form of employment protection to Professional Partners. Each Provider is an independent contractor and must handle personal obligations (e.g., taxes, social insurance contributions) under Egyptian law.
• Legal Obligations: Both Customers and Professional Partners must comply with all applicable Egyptian labor, employment, or social insurance laws for extended or repeated service arrangements.

7.5 House Rules & On-Site Conduct

1. Respect the Premises: Professional Partners must respect a Customer’s home environment, abiding by reasonable “house rules” (e.g., no smoking, no additional guests, noise restrictions).
2. Customer Obligations: Customers must ensure the service environment is safe and hazard-free. Any known risks (e.g., unfenced pools, aggressive pets, faulty stairs) must be disclosed in advance.
3. Violations: Serious or repeated breaches of on-site rules may result in immediate booking cancellation, refunds/penalties, or account action (e.g., suspension).

---

8. Safety, Emergency Stop & Dispute Resolution Process

8.1 Safety Policy
All Users must adhere to a zero‐tolerance policy for harassment, abusive conduct, discrimination, or illegal activity. Free Now collaborates with law enforcement when necessary.

8.2 Emergency Stop

• Activation: Either party may activate an “Emergency Stop” if unsafe or threatening behavior occurs.
• Immediate Cancellation: The booking is suspended or canceled, and any escrowed funds remain on hold pending investigation.
• Investigation: Free Now’s support team may request in‐app chat logs, photos, or other evidence to determine outcomes (e.g., refunds, partial payments, suspensions).

8.3 Dispute Resolution

1. Internal Mediation: Disputes (regarding payment, quality of service, etc.) should first be referred to Free Now’s internal support. We facilitate but do not guarantee any particular resolution.
2. Dispute Timing: Non‐urgent disputes must typically be raised within [72 hours] of service completion; urgent safety or misconduct issues may be reported at any time, although prompt reporting is encouraged.
3. Regulatory Recourse: If internal mediation fails, Users may seek assistance from Egyptian regulatory or governmental authorities.
4. Optional Arbitration: If both parties agree, unresolved disputes can proceed to binding arbitration at the Cairo Regional Center for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA). By opting for arbitration, you waive class action or representative proceeding rights.
5. Small Claims & Injunctive Relief: Either party may pursue small‐claims court for eligible monetary claims or seek injunctive relief in any competent court to protect intellectual property or prevent irreparable harm.

8.4 Governing Law & Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of Egypt. In the absence of arbitration, disputes shall be resolved exclusively by the courts of Cairo.

---

9. User Conduct Policy

9.1 Respect & Lawful Use
All Users must:

• Refrain from harassment, discrimination, or harmful behavior.
• Follow Egyptian laws and platform policies.
• Not misrepresent identities or personal information.

9.2 Ratings & Reviews

• Accuracy: Free Now does not verify the truthfulness of user-generated ratings or reviews.
• Moderation: We reserve the right to remove or hide reviews that contain defamatory content, inappropriate language, or violate any law or our Terms.
• Manipulation: Offering rewards, discounts, or threats to influence reviews is prohibited and may lead to suspension.

9.3 Prohibited Activities

• Fraud: Misrepresenting identity, forging documents, or booking services without intent to pay.
• Repeated No‐Shows: Consistently failing to honor bookings can lead to warnings or bans.
• System Exploits: Attempting to override scheduling, payment, or security protocols.

9.4 Enforcement
Violations may result in warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent account deactivation. Severe misconduct (e.g., fraud, harm, theft) may be escalated to law enforcement.