Terms of Service

About SecureLync

SecureLync is a secure, encrypted file-sharing service that enables time-limited, encrypted file transfer between parties. Files are encrypted on the sender's device before upload using AES-256-GCM and can only be decrypted by the recipient using a unique link.

SecureLync runs on Cloudflare's global infrastructure and acts solely as a transfer conduit. We do not access, inspect, or retain the contents of files beyond what is technically necessary to deliver the service.

SecureLync is operated by an individual based in South Africa and is subject to the laws of the Republic of South Africa, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA).

Eligibility

By using SecureLync you confirm that:

• You are at least 16 years of age. If you are under 16, you may not use this service under any circumstances.
• You have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement.
• Your use of the service does not violate any applicable law in your jurisdiction.

Acceptable Use

You may use SecureLync only for lawful purposes. The following are strictly prohibited:

• Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — Uploading, sharing, or distributing any material that sexually exploits minors is absolutely prohibited and will result in immediate account termination, file deletion, and referral to law enforcement without notice.
• Malware and harmful software — Distributing ransomware, viruses, spyware, trojans, or any software designed to cause harm, gain unauthorised access, or disrupt systems.
• Illegal content — Any material that is illegal under the laws of South Africa or the recipient's jurisdiction, including hate speech, incitement to violence, or material that infringes third-party rights.
• Copyright infringement — Sharing copyrighted material without authorisation from the rights holder.
• Privacy violations — Sharing personal data of third parties without their consent, including identity documents, financial records, or intimate images without consent.
• Harassment and threats — Using the service to threaten, intimidate, or harass any individual.
• Security circumvention — Attempting to bypass, probe, or attack the platform's security controls, including brute-forcing credentials or access tokens.

Account Responsibility

You are solely responsible for all activity that occurs under your account, including files uploaded and links shared. You must maintain the confidentiality of your credentials and immediately notify us of any unauthorised access.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any account that violates these terms, without prior notice where the violation poses a risk of harm.

Recipient Responsibility

As a file recipient, by ticking the acknowledgment box and proceeding to download you confirm that:

• You have read and understood these Terms of Service.
• You are solely responsible for verifying the identity of the sender and the safety of the files you download.
• You will scan downloaded files with your own antivirus software before opening them.
• You are solely responsible for how you use any files downloaded through SecureLync.
• SecureLync's security indicators (scan badges) are provided for reference only and do not guarantee the safety of any file.

This acknowledgment is logged server-side with a timestamp and your IP address for legal audit purposes.

Security Scanning

SecureLync performs hash-based security checks against multiple threat intelligence databases at upload time. Only the SHA-256 fingerprint of each file is transmitted — file contents are never sent to any scanning service. These checks detect known threats only and are not infallible. Novel malware, heavily modified files, and zero-day threats may not be detected. Always run your own antivirus scan on downloaded files.

Service Availability and Warranties

SecureLync is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without any warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Uninterrupted or error-free service availability
• Complete protection against all malware or harmful content
• Recovery of data lost due to infrastructure failures, including Cloudflare outages or R2 storage failures
• Recovery of encryption keys — if the share link is lost, the files cannot be decrypted by anyone, including SecureLync
• Fitness for any particular purpose

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, SecureLync and its operators shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from:

• Files shared through the platform, including malicious or harmful content
• Service interruptions, data loss, or infrastructure failures
• Unauthorised access to your account due to compromised credentials
• Any use or misuse of files downloaded through SecureLync
• Loss of encryption keys or share links resulting in inaccessible files

Our total liability in any matter arising from this service shall not exceed ZAR 500 (five hundred rand).

Content Takedown — ECTA / DMCA

SecureLync complies with takedown obligations under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) of South Africa (Sections 75–78) and, where applicable, the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

If you believe that content shared through SecureLync infringes your copyright or other legal rights, please submit a written notice to our abuse contact (below) including:

• Your full name, organisation (if applicable), and contact details
• A description of the content you believe infringes your rights
• The URL or token of the alleged infringing content
• A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use is not authorised
• Your signature (physical or electronic)

We will respond to valid notices within 48 hours and will disable access to the content pending investigation. Abusive or false takedown notices may result in legal liability.

Abuse Reporting

If you encounter content shared through SecureLync that you believe is illegal, harmful, or violates these terms — including CSAM, malware distribution, or threats — please report it immediately to our abuse contact. We investigate all credible reports and cooperate fully with law enforcement.

Data Retention

Token expiry, file deletion, and account data are governed by our Privacy Policy and the Data Retention documentation. A summary:

• Encrypted file bytes are removed from storage automatically when a token expires.
• Download history is retained until you delete it or delete your account.
• All account data is permanently deleted when you delete your account — no retention period.
• Accounts with no activity for 30 consecutive days are subject to full data cleanup.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes arising from or related to these terms or your use of SecureLync shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa.

If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect changes in the law, our service, or security practices. The version number and date at the top reflect the most recent revision. Continued use of SecureLync after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms. Material changes will be communicated by updating the version number prominently.