Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Itiyum ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using our website at itiyum.com, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the "Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms").

Itiyum is a comprehensive food and hospitality platform that connects food enthusiasts with restaurants, caterers, chefs, waiters, baristas, and other culinary professionals across South Africa and beyond. These Terms govern your use of our Platform and all related features, including but not limited to:

• Restaurant discovery and reservation services
• Specialist booking and hiring services
• Business advertising and promotion services
• Review and rating systems
• Wallet and rewards programs
• Social features and community interactions

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THE PLATFORM.

2. Eligibility

To use the Itiyum Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction
• Have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• Not be prohibited from using the Platform under applicable laws
• Provide accurate and complete registration information

For business accounts (restaurants, caterers, specialists), additional requirements may apply, including valid business registration, food handling certifications, and compliance with local health and safety regulations.

3. User Accounts

3.1 Account Registration

To access certain features of the Platform, you must create an account. When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Not share your account credentials with third parties
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized account access

3.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for all activities that occur under your account. Itiyum is not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to maintain account security.

3.3 Account Verification

We may require identity verification for certain account types, particularly for business accounts and specialists. Verification may include government-issued ID, business licenses, and professional certifications.

4. Services Description

Itiyum provides the following core services:

4.1 Restaurant Discovery

Browse, search, and discover restaurants, cafes, and food establishments. View menus, photos, reviews, ratings, operating hours, and location information.

4.2 Table Reservations

Book tables at participating restaurants. Manage reservations, receive confirmations, and access booking history.

4.3 Specialist Services

Connect with culinary professionals including:

• Chefs - Private dining, event catering, cooking classes
• Caterers - Event catering, corporate functions, private parties
• Waiters/Servers - Event staffing, private parties
• Baristas - Coffee services, beverage catering
• Bakers/Pastry Chefs - Custom cakes, pastries, desserts

4.4 Business Advertising

Businesses can advertise their services through banner ads, featured listings, sponsored content, and geo-targeted promotions.

4.5 Reviews & Ratings

Users can submit reviews and ratings for restaurants and specialists they have engaged with.

4.6 Wallet & Rewards

Earn and redeem credits, referral bonuses, and loyalty rewards through the Itiyum Wallet system.

5. User Types & Roles

Itiyum supports multiple user types with different capabilities:

5.1 Food Enthusiasts (Consumers)

General users who discover restaurants, make reservations, hire specialists, write reviews, and participate in the community.

5.2 Business Owners

Restaurant owners, cafe operators, and food establishment managers who list their businesses, manage profiles, respond to reviews, and create advertisements.

5.3 Specialists

Independent culinary professionals (chefs, caterers, waiters, baristas) who offer their services through the Platform. Specialists must maintain accurate profiles, respond to inquiries promptly, and deliver services as described.

5.4 Platform Administrators

Itiyum staff who manage platform operations, moderate content, resolve disputes, and ensure compliance with these Terms.

6. Bookings & Reservations

6.1 Restaurant Reservations

When making a restaurant reservation through Itiyum:

• Reservations are subject to restaurant availability and confirmation
• You must arrive within 15 minutes of your reserved time or risk cancellation
• No-shows may result in restrictions on future booking privileges
• Cancellation policies vary by restaurant and will be displayed at booking

6.2 Specialist Bookings

When hiring a specialist through Itiyum:

• Bookings are subject to specialist availability and acceptance
• Clear communication of event details, requirements, and expectations is required
• Deposits may be required depending on the service type
• Cancellation terms are set by individual specialists and displayed at booking
• Itiyum facilitates the connection but is not a party to the service agreement between you and the specialist

6.3 Booking Modifications & Cancellations

Modification and cancellation policies vary by provider. Always review the specific terms before confirming a booking. Late cancellations may incur fees.

7. Payments & Transactions

7.1 Payment Methods

Itiyum accepts various payment methods including:

• Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) via Zapper
• Itiyum Wallet credits
• Bank transfers (EFT)

7.2 Transaction Fees

Service fees may apply to certain transactions. All applicable fees will be clearly disclosed before you complete a transaction.

7.3 Refunds

Refund eligibility depends on the type of service and the provider's refund policy. Generally:

• Restaurant reservations: No charge for reservations; no-show fees may be non-refundable
• Specialist bookings: Subject to specialist cancellation policy
• Advertising: Pro-rated refunds may be available for unused portions
• Wallet credits: Non-refundable except where required by law

7.4 Currency

Transactions may be processed in multiple currencies depending on your location. Currency conversion fees may apply for international transactions.

8. Advertising Services

8.1 Ad Types

Itiyum offers various advertising options for businesses:

• Banner Ads - Display advertising on platform pages
• Featured Listings - Priority placement in search results
• Sponsored Content - Promoted posts and articles
• Geo-Targeted Ads - Location-based advertising by country and region

8.2 Advertising Standards

All advertisements must:

• Be truthful and not misleading
• Comply with applicable advertising laws and regulations
• Not contain offensive, discriminatory, or illegal content
• Clearly identify sponsored content as advertising

8.3 Ad Approval

Itiyum reserves the right to review, approve, reject, or remove any advertisement at our sole discretion.

9. User Content

9.1 Content Ownership

You retain ownership of content you submit to the Platform ("User Content"). However, by submitting content, you grant Itiyum a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, and display your content in connection with the Platform.

9.2 Content Standards

User Content must not:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe intellectual property rights of others
• Contain false, misleading, or defamatory information
• Include hate speech, harassment, or discrimination
• Contain malware, spam, or unauthorized advertising
• Violate the privacy or rights of third parties

9.3 Reviews & Ratings

When submitting reviews:

• Reviews must be based on genuine experiences
• Fake reviews are strictly prohibited and may result in account termination
• Businesses may not offer incentives for positive reviews
• Itiyum may remove reviews that violate our guidelines

10. Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any illegal purpose
• Impersonate others or misrepresent your identity
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or other accounts
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's operation
• Scrape, harvest, or collect user data without authorization
• Use automated systems (bots) to access the Platform
• Circumvent security measures or access restrictions
• Engage in fraudulent transactions or payments
• Harass, threaten, or intimidate other users
• Post spam, chain letters, or pyramid schemes
• Use the Platform to compete with Itiyum

11. Intellectual Property

11.1 Itiyum's Intellectual Property

The Platform, including its design, features, content, logos, trademarks, and software, is owned by Itiyum and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

11.2 Trademarks

"Itiyum," the Itiyum logo, and related marks are trademarks of Itiyum. You may not use these marks without prior written consent.

11.3 Copyright Claims

If you believe content on the Platform infringes your copyright, please contact us at legal@itiyum.com with details of the alleged infringement.

12. Limitation of Liability

12.1 Platform Availability

We strive to maintain Platform availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Platform may be unavailable due to maintenance, updates, or technical issues.

12.2 Third-Party Services

Itiyum connects users with third-party service providers (restaurants, specialists). We are not responsible for the quality, safety, or legality of services provided by third parties.

12.3 Disclaimer of Warranties

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

12.4 Limitation of Damages

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ITIYUM SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM.

13. Termination

13.1 Account Termination by User

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting support or using the account deletion feature in your settings.

13.2 Termination by Itiyum

We may suspend or terminate your account if:

• You violate these Terms
• We detect fraudulent or suspicious activity
• Required by law or legal process
• For prolonged inactivity (with notice)

13.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect.

14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to conflict of law principles.

14.2 Informal Resolution

Before initiating formal proceedings, you agree to contact us at support@itiyum.com to attempt informal resolution.

14.3 Arbitration

Any disputes not resolved informally shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Johannesburg, South Africa, in accordance with the Arbitration Act 42 of 1965 and applicable arbitration rules.

14.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree to resolve disputes on an individual basis and waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration.

15. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

For significant changes, we will provide notice via email or in-app notification at least 30 days before the changes take effect.

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us: