Terms of use
Terms of use
Terms of Use
Last updated: [20205/09/14] Welcome to LubaHeritagesConnect, a digital platform dedicated to the preservation, sharing, and celebration of cultural heritage in collaboration with communities, knowledge holders, and cultural practitioners. This platform is operated by Tiako Djomatchoua Murielle Sandra, a PhD candidate, in partnership with local and diasporic Luba communities. By accessing or using our website, mobile application, or any associated services (collectively referred to as the “Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. Please read them carefully. If you have questions, concerns, or represent a community whose heritage is featured, we invite you to contact us using the information provided at the end of this document.
3. User Responsibilities
By using the Service, you agree to:
5 Community Rights & Control
We recognize that not all knowledge should be publicly accessible. Therefore:
Last updated: [20205/09/14] Welcome to LubaHeritagesConnect, a digital platform dedicated to the preservation, sharing, and celebration of cultural heritage in collaboration with communities, knowledge holders, and cultural practitioners. This platform is operated by Tiako Djomatchoua Murielle Sandra, a PhD candidate, in partnership with local and diasporic Luba communities. By accessing or using our website, mobile application, or any associated services (collectively referred to as the “Service”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. Please read them carefully. If you have questions, concerns, or represent a community whose heritage is featured, we invite you to contact us using the information provided at the end of this document.
1. Definitions
- “We”, “Us”, “Our” refers to LubaHeritagesConnect, the operator of LubaHeritagesConnect.
- “You”, “Your”, “User” refers to any individual or group accessing or contributing to the Service.
- “Community” means any cultural, linguistic, Indigenous, diasporic, or local group whose heritage, knowledge, or traditions are represented on the platform.
- “Contributor” is any User who uploads, shares, or creates Content (text, images, audio, video, stories, etc.) on the Service.
- “Cultural Heritage Content” includes traditional knowledge, oral histories, rituals, languages, crafts, music, spiritual practices, and other expressions of cultural identity.
- “Service” includes the website, mobile app, forums, archives, and any tools or features offered under LubaHeritagesConnect.
2. Purpose & Ethos
LubaHeritagesConnect is built on the following core principles:
LubaHeritagesConnect is built on the following core principles:
- Community Ownership: Cultural heritage belongs to the communities that create and sustain it.
- Ethical Stewardship: We act as respectful custodians, not owners, of shared knowledge and information.
- Inclusivity & Accessibility: The platform is open, multilingual, and designed for a diverse range of users.
- Privacy & Sustainability: Hosted in Switzerland on renewable energy via Infomaniak, with zero data monetization and complete GDPR compliance.
3. User Responsibilities
By using the Service, you agree to:
- Respect cultural boundaries – Do not share sacred, restricted, or sensitive knowledge without explicit community consent.
- Acknowledge sources – When using or republishing Content, always credit the originating community and contributor.
- Avoid misuse – Do not use for commercial, political, or exploitative purposes without permission.
- Be respectful – Engage in discussions with empathy, especially when addressing sensitive topics such as identity, trauma, or colonialism.
- Report Concerns – If your Content is misattributed, offensive, or shared without your permission, please get in touch with us immediately.
4. ContribuContentntent
We welcome contributions from community members, artists, researchers, and allies. By uploading Content, you confirm that:
If your community uses Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels or Local Contexts notices, we support their integration. Contact us to apply labels such as “Sacred”, “Family Restricted”, or “No Commercial Use”.
We welcome contributions from community members, artists, researchers, and allies. By uploading Content, you confirm that:
- You have the right and permission to share the material, especially if it involves the voices or cultural expressions of others.
- You respect community protocols — some knowledge may be gender-specific, age-restricted, or sacred.
- You understand that you retain ownership of Content.
- You grant LubaHeritagesConnect a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display, archive, and share Content for non-commercial, educational, and cultural preservation purposes.
- You may request the removal or update of Content at any time.
If your community uses Traditional Knowledge (TK) Labels or Local Contexts notices, we support their integration. Contact us to apply labels such as “Sacred”, “Family Restricted”, or “No Commercial Use”.
5 Community Rights & Control
We recognize that not all knowledge should be publicly accessible. Therefore:
- Communities may request restricted-access Content (e.g., visible only to approved members).
- Communities may request the removal or takedown of Content that they deem inappropriate or that has been shared without consent.
- We support ethical metadata standards (e.g., TK Labels, Mukurtu, Local Contexts) to reflect cultural protocols.
6. Data & Privacy
Your privacy is protected. We collect minimal data and store it securely in Switzerland.
Your privacy is protected. We collect minimal data and store it securely in Switzerland.
- We collect non-personal data (e.g., browser type, pages visited) via encrypted logs to improve the Service.
- We collect personal data (e.g., name, email) only if you register, contribute, or contact us — and only with your consent.
- You may access, correct, or delete your personal data at any time.
- You can opt out of cookies by clicking the banner on your first visit.
7 Intellectual Property & Licensing
If this project involves collaboration with academic institutions or museums, we require all partners to sign Benefit-Sharing Agreements and Repatriation Protocols to ensure equitable access and return of knowledge.
- User-generated Content remains the property of the contributor or community.
- We encourage open licensing (e.g., Creative Commons – CC BY-NC-SA) for educational reuse, but respect requests for all rights reserved.
- Content marked with TK Labels or Custom Community Licenses must be followed strictly.
- Reproducing, selling, or misusing cultContent without permission may result in removal and legal action.
If this project involves collaboration with academic institutions or museums, we require all partners to sign Benefit-Sharing Agreements and Repatriation Protocols to ensure equitable access and return of knowledge.
8. Third-Party Links & Services
Our platform may link to external archives, museums, or community initiatives. These are not under our control. We are not responsible for their content, policies, or practices. Always review their terms before sharing personal or cultural information.
. Moderation & Enforcement
We reserve the right to:
10. Service Changes & Sustainability
In the event of project closure, digital assets will be preserved in a trusted, community-governed archive such as Mukurtu, with continued respect for access protocols.
11. Limitation of Liability
While we strive for accuracy and respect, we do not guarantee the completeness or validity of all content. Users access the Service at their own risk. We are not liable for:
12 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
The laws of Switzerland govern these Terms. Any disputes will be resolved amicably through dialogue, with priority given to community-led mediation and resolution. Legal action, if necessary, will be pursued in the courts of Switzerland.⚠️ Optional – for international projects:
For cross-border disputes involving Indigenous communities, we recognize the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and commit to resolving conflicts through culturally appropriate mechanisms.
13. Changes to These Terms
We reserve the right to update these Terms to reflect community feedback, legal changes, or platform evolution. Updates will be posted here with a revised date. Your continued use of the Service after changes are published constitutes acceptance.Effective date: [2025/09/14]
1 Consent
By using LubaHeritagesConnect, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Use.
15. Contact Us
We value dialogue — especially with cultural communities and contributors.📧 General inquiries: [contact@lubaheritagesconnect.com]
📧 Privacy & data requests: [contact@lubaheritagesconnect.com]
📧 Community & cultural concerns: [lubaheritagesconnect.com]
📬 Postal Address:
Our platform may link to external archives, museums, or community initiatives. These are not under our control. We are not responsible for their content, policies, or practices. Always review their terms before sharing personal or cultural information.
. Moderation & Enforcement
We reserve the right to:
- Remove content that violates these Terms, especially if it is harmful, offensive, or shared without consent.
- Suspend or ban Users who repeatedly misuse the platform.
- Cooperate with communities in decisions about content visibility or removal.
10. Service Changes & Sustainability
- We may update or modify the Service to enhance performance, improve accessibility, or enhance security.
- In the event of significant changes (e.g., redesign, migration), we will notify Users and Contributors in advance.
- If the project ends or is transferred, all cultural content will be returned to the communities or archived in accordance with ethical guidelines. No data will be sold.
In the event of project closure, digital assets will be preserved in a trusted, community-governed archive such as Mukurtu, with continued respect for access protocols.
11. Limitation of Liability
While we strive for accuracy and respect, we do not guarantee the completeness or validity of all content. Users access the Service at their own risk. We are not liable for:
- Misinterpretation or misuse of cultural content.
- Technical failures or data loss (though we take strong precautions).
- Actions of third parties who access content through the platform.
12 Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
The laws of Switzerland govern these Terms. Any disputes will be resolved amicably through dialogue, with priority given to community-led mediation and resolution. Legal action, if necessary, will be pursued in the courts of Switzerland.⚠️ Optional – for international projects:
For cross-border disputes involving Indigenous communities, we recognize the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and commit to resolving conflicts through culturally appropriate mechanisms.
13. Changes to These Terms
We reserve the right to update these Terms to reflect community feedback, legal changes, or platform evolution. Updates will be posted here with a revised date. Your continued use of the Service after changes are published constitutes acceptance.Effective date: [2025/09/14]
1 Consent
By using LubaHeritagesConnect, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Use.
15. Contact Us
We value dialogue — especially with cultural communities and contributors.📧 General inquiries: [contact@lubaheritagesconnect.com]
📧 Privacy & data requests: [contact@lubaheritagesconnect.com]
📧 Community & cultural concerns: [lubaheritagesconnect.com]
📬 Postal Address:
Rue du Doyenné 16
1180 Uccle, Belgium
🌐 Website: lubaheritagesconnect.com
1180 Uccle, Belgium
🌐 Website: lubaheritagesconnect.com