RE-CAPS Platform Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: July 28, 2026

Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Welcome to the RE-CAPS (Research & Capstone Archive and Publication System) platform operated by Cebu Technological University - Daanbantayan Campus. By creating an account and using this platform, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions. Please read these terms carefully.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By registering for an account on the RE-CAPS platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, as well as our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, you must not use this platform.

2. Eligibility and Account Registration

2.1 Authorized Users: This platform is exclusively available to:

• Current students enrolled at Cebu Technological University - Daanbantayan Campus
• Faculty members and teachers employed by the institution
• Authorized librarians and administrative staff
• Designated system administrators

2.2 Account Accuracy: You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration. You must update your information promptly if any changes occur. Providing false or misleading information may result in immediate account suspension or termination.

2.3 Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. You agree to:

• Create a strong, unique password
• Not share your account credentials with others
• Immediately notify system administrators if you suspect unauthorized access
• Accept full responsibility for all activities conducted under your account

3. Intellectual Property Rights

3.1 Ownership of Submitted Content: When you upload research papers, capstone projects, or other academic materials to the platform:

• You retain ownership of your intellectual property rights
• You grant RE-CAPS a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, display, reproduce, and distribute your work within the platform for educational and research purposes
• You affirm that you have the right to submit the content and that it does not violate any third-party rights

3.2 Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: You agree to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. Specifically:

• All submitted work must be original or properly cited
• Plagiarism, as defined by Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines), is strictly prohibited
• Violations will be reported to university authorities and may result in disciplinary action
• You acknowledge that submitted works may be checked using plagiarism detection tools

3.3 Citation and Attribution: When accessing research materials from other users, you agree to:

• Properly cite and attribute all sources in accordance with academic standards
• Not reproduce, distribute, or publish others' work without proper authorization
• Use materials solely for educational, research, or reference purposes

4. Acceptable Use Policy

4.1 Permitted Uses: You may use the RE-CAPS platform to:

• Search and access archived research and capstone projects
• Upload and manage your own academic work (for authorized roles)
• Collaborate with other users through the platform's communication features
• Utilize the AI chatbot assistant for research guidance
• Generate citations and references for academic work

4.2 Prohibited Activities: You agree NOT to:

• Upload content that is defamatory, obscene, offensive, or illegal
• Infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to system resources or other users' accounts
• Distribute malware, viruses, or harmful code
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) to extract data without permission
• Manipulate, delete, or modify content you are not authorized to change
• Engage in any activity that disrupts platform functionality or interferes with other users
• Use the platform for commercial purposes without authorization
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users

5. Data Privacy and Protection

5.1 Compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012): We are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with Philippine data privacy laws.

5.2 Information Collection: We collect the following information:

• Personal identifiers (name, student/employee ID, email address)
• Academic information (program, college affiliation, year)
• Authentication data (Google account information, encrypted passwords)
• Usage data (search history, accessed projects, chat conversations)
• Technical data (IP address, device information, browser type)

5.3 Use of Information: Your information is used to:

• Provide and maintain platform services
• Authenticate users and prevent unauthorized access
• Improve platform functionality and user experience
• Generate analytics and usage reports (anonymized)
• Communicate important updates and notifications
• Comply with legal obligations and institutional requirements

5.4 Data Security: We implement industry-standard security measures including:

• Encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/SSL)
• Secure password hashing (bcrypt/scrypt)
• Firebase Authentication security protocols
• Regular security audits and monitoring
• Access controls and role-based permissions

5.5 Your Rights: Under RA 10173, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data stored in the system
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Object to processing in certain circumstances
• Request deletion of your data (subject to retention requirements)
• Lodge complaints with the National Privacy Commission

6. AI Chatbot Services

6.1 Service Description: The RE-CAPS AI chatbot provides research assistance using artificial intelligence technology powered by multiple providers (Mistral AI, Groq, Google Gemini, OpenRouter).

6.2 Limitations and Disclaimers:

• AI responses are generated automatically and may contain errors or inaccuracies
• Chatbot guidance should not replace proper academic research and verification
• Users are responsible for verifying information provided by the AI
• The university is not liable for decisions made based on AI-generated content
• Conversation history may be stored for service improvement purposes

6.3 Appropriate Use: The AI chatbot should be used to:

• Search and discover relevant research projects
• Receive guidance on research methodology
• Generate properly formatted citations
• Understand project abstracts and summaries

7. Content Moderation and Removal

7.1 Review Process: Authorized administrators and librarians reserve the right to:

• Review submitted content for compliance with academic standards
• Remove content that violates these terms or institutional policies
• Request modifications to uploaded materials
• Temporarily suspend access to projects under investigation

7.2 Reporting Violations: Users can report inappropriate content or violations through the platform's reporting mechanism. All reports will be investigated promptly and confidentially.

8. Service Availability and Modifications

8.1 Service Continuity: While we strive to maintain 99.9% uptime, we do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The platform may be temporarily unavailable due to:

• Scheduled maintenance and updates
• Technical difficulties or system failures
• Security threats or breach responses
• Force majeure events

8.2 Modifications: We reserve the right to:

• Modify, suspend, or discontinue any feature without prior notice
• Update these Terms and Conditions at any time
• Change pricing or access policies for institutional users

8.3 Notice of Changes: Material changes to these terms will be communicated via:

• Email notifications to registered users
• In-platform announcements and banners
• Updated "Last Modified" date in this document

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 Platform Use: Your use of the RE-CAPS platform is at your own risk. The platform and all content are provided "as is" without warranties of any kind.

9.2 No Liability for User Content: We are not responsible for:

• Accuracy, quality, or legality of user-submitted content
• Intellectual property infringement by users
• Losses arising from reliance on platform content
• Consequences of unauthorized access to your account

9.3 Maximum Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claims shall not exceed the amount you paid to access the platform (if applicable), or PHP 1,000, whichever is less.

10. Account Termination

10.1 Voluntary Termination: You may request account deletion by contacting system administrators. Note that:

• Some data may be retained for legal or archival purposes
• Published research may remain accessible to maintain academic record integrity
• Deletion requests are processed within 30 business days

10.2 Involuntary Termination: We may suspend or terminate your account if:

• You violate these Terms and Conditions
• You engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• You are no longer affiliated with the institution
• Required by law or institutional policy

10.3 Effects of Termination: Upon termination:

• Your access to the platform will be revoked immediately
• Certain content may be retained per institutional archival policies
• You remain bound by obligations that survive termination (e.g., confidentiality, IP rights)

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

11.1 Jurisdiction: These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

11.2 Venue: Any disputes arising from these terms shall be resolved in the appropriate courts of Cebu, Philippines.

11.3 Dispute Resolution Process:

1. Initial contact with platform administrators
2. Escalation to institutional authorities if unresolved
3. Mediation through university dispute resolution mechanisms
4. Legal action as a last resort

12. Miscellaneous Provisions

12.1 Severability: If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full effect.

12.2 Entire Agreement: These Terms and Conditions, along with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and RE-CAPS regarding platform use.

12.3 No Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

12.4 Assignment: You may not assign your rights or obligations under these terms without our prior written consent.

13. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact:

14. Acknowledgment and Consent

By clicking "I Agree" below, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. You also confirm that you have the authority to enter into this agreement and that the information you provided during registration is accurate and complete.

Thank you for being part of the RE-CAPS academic community. Together, we advance knowledge and research excellence.