Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account or using K9 Beacon in any way, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, do not use the service. These terms apply to all users of the platform, including service dog handlers (“Customers”) and authorised staff members.

2. Description of Service

K9 Beacon provides a web-based platform that allows service dog handlers to create a digital medical identification profile linked to a QR code and NFC chip. The platform enables bystanders and emergency responders to access relevant information about the handler in the event of an emergency.

3. Medical Disclaimer

Specifically:

• K9 Beacon is not a substitute for a physical medical alert bracelet, medical ID card, or other certified medical identification product.
• We make no guarantee that first responders, EMTs, or bystanders will scan your tag, have a compatible device, or act on the information displayed.
• We make no guarantee that the information you enter is medically accurate, complete, or up to date — that responsibility lies solely with you.
• In an emergency, always carry a physical backup medical ID in addition to your K9 Beacon tag.

4. Eligibility and Account Registration

You must be at least 18 years of age, or 13 years of age with the consent of a parent or guardian, to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering and to keep your account credentials secure. You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.

5. Accuracy of Information

You are solely responsible for the accuracy of all information you enter into your K9 Beacon profile. You agree to:

• Enter only truthful and accurate medical and personal information.
• Keep your profile up to date, particularly medication lists and emergency contacts.
• Create profiles only for yourself or for a person for whom you have explicit legal authority to act (e.g., a minor child or a person under your guardianship).
• Not enter information intended to mislead, deceive, or harm any person.

6. PIN Security

The Tier 2 medical data on your card is protected by a PIN that you set. You are responsible for keeping this PIN confidential and for sharing it only with people you trust, such as family members or treating physicians. K9 Beacon staff cannot retrieve your PIN. If you forget your PIN, you must reset it from within your account, which will also reset the PIN embedded in any previously written NFC chips.

7. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use K9 Beacon to:

• Enter false, misleading, or fraudulent information.
• Impersonate another person or create a card on behalf of someone without their consent or legal authority.
• Attempt to access Tier 2 medical data of another user through brute-force or any other unauthorised means.
• Interfere with the platform’s infrastructure, security, or other users’ accounts.
• Use the service for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.

8. Service Availability

We aim to provide a reliable service but do not guarantee uninterrupted availability. The platform may be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance, unexpected outages, or events beyond our control. Because the QR code links to an online card, it requires internet access at the time of scanning to display the most current data. The NFC chip can store a limited subset of data for offline use, but this data may not reflect recent updates to your profile.

You acknowledge these limitations and agree that K9 Beacon is not liable for any harm resulting from unavailability of the service during an emergency.

9. Intellectual Property

The K9 Beacon name, logo, and all platform code and design are the property of K9 Beacon and its operators. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of the platform without written permission. The information you enter into your profile remains your own; by entering it, you grant us a limited licence to store and display it as described in these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, K9 Beacon and its operators are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, the service — including but not limited to damages resulting from failure of a first responder to scan your tag, inaccurate information entered by you, or service unavailability during an emergency.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless K9 Beacon, its operators, and any affiliated parties from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your violation of these Terms, your use of the service, or any inaccurate information you enter into the platform.

12. Termination

You may close your account at any time. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if we determine that you have violated these Terms. Upon termination, your card will be deactivated and your data will be deleted in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Use at any time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page. Continued use of K9 Beacon after any changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms. For material changes, we will notify you by email.

14. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of K9 Beacon shall be resolved through binding arbitration or in the courts of the jurisdiction in which K9 Beacon operates, as applicable.

15. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms of Use, please contact us through the K9 Beacon website. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 10 business days.