Blockchain & Technology Risk Disclosures

The use of blockchain technology involves inherent risks. By using the Service, you acknowledge and accept the following risks: 1.1 Network Risk The Arweave network is a decentralized protocol that is not owned or controlled by Vlaander LTD. The network may experience downtime, congestion, protocol changes, hard forks, soft forks, or cessation of operations. Any of these events could affect the availability or accessibility of proof records. 1.2 Permanence Risk While Arweave is designed for permanent data storage, the actual permanence of data depends on the continued operation and economic viability of the Arweave network and its endowment mechanism. There is no absolute guarantee that data will remain accessible in perpetuity. 1.3 Gateway Risk Access to data on the Arweave network is typically via HTTP gateways (e.g., arweave.net). These gateways are operated by third parties and may be subject to downtime, rate limiting, censorship, or discontinuation. Loss of gateway access does not destroy the underlying data but may affect your ability to retrieve it. 1.4 Smart Contract and Protocol Risk Blockchain protocols may contain bugs, vulnerabilities, or design flaws that could be exploited or cause unintended behavior. Vlaander LTD has no ability to fix or patch vulnerabilities in the Arweave protocol.

2.1 SHA-256 Algorithm The Service uses the SHA-256 hash algorithm. While currently considered cryptographically secure, future advances in computing (including quantum computing) or cryptanalysis may render SHA-256 vulnerable. If SHA-256 is compromised, the integrity guarantees of proof records may be diminished. 2.2 Hash Collision While the probability of a hash collision (two different inputs producing the same SHA-256 output) is astronomically low, it is not zero. Vlaander LTD makes no warranty against the occurrence of hash collisions.

The regulatory environment for blockchain technology and digital evidence is evolving. Future laws, regulations, or governmental actions may affect: (a) The legality of using blockchain-based timestamping services; (b) The admissibility of blockchain records as evidence; (c) Data protection obligations related to immutable storage; (d) Payment processing requirements; or (e) The operation of the Arweave network or similar decentralized protocols.

4.1 Service Continuity Vlaander LTD does not guarantee the perpetual operation of the Service. The Service may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time. While proof records on Arweave remain independent of the Service, verification endpoints, the cached lookup index, and the frontend interface are dependent on Vlaander LTD's continued operation. 4.2 Wallet and Key Management Vlaander LTD's ability to write proof records to Arweave depends on maintaining a funded Arweave wallet with valid cryptographic keys. Compromise, loss, or depletion of the wallet could affect the Service's ability to issue new proofs. 4.3 Third-Party Dependencies The Service depends on multiple third-party infrastructure providers (Cloudflare, Flutterwave, Arweave). Failure or disruption of any of these providers could affect the availability or functionality of the Service.

Once data is written to the Arweave blockchain, it cannot be modified, corrected, or deleted by any party, including Vlaander LTD. This immutability means: (a) Errors in metadata (title, description) cannot be corrected after proof issuance; (b) Proof records containing unintended information will persist permanently; (c) If you accidentally include sensitive information in metadata, it cannot be removed; (d) Even if a proof record is associated with content later found to be infringing, illegal, or harmful, the blockchain record cannot be deleted; and (e) Compliance with data protection regulations requiring data erasure (such as GDPR's "right to be forgotten") may be technically impossible for blockchain-stored data. YOU SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN PROVIDING METADATA OR INITIATING PROOF TRANSACTIONS. REVIEW ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING, AS ERRORS CANNOT BE RECTIFIED AFTER ISSUANCE.

6.1 Non-Refundable Payments All payments are final and non-refundable. Once payment is received and the proof process is initiated, the transaction cannot be reversed. This applies regardless of whether errors occur in the hash, metadata, or any other user-provided data. 6.2 Currency Fluctuations Proof prices may be quoted in multiple currencies. Exchange rate fluctuations between the time of price display and payment processing may result in differences from the expected amount. Vlaander LTD is not responsible for any such differences. 6.3 No Investment Value Proof records have no monetary, investment, or speculative value. They are purely functional records of timestamp evidence. They cannot be traded, transferred for value, or used as financial instruments.

By using the Service, you acknowledge that you: (a) Understand the risks described in this document; (b) Accept full responsibility for your use of the Service and the accuracy of information you provide; (c) Have independently evaluated whether the Service is suitable for your intended purpose; (d) Have consulted or had the opportunity to consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific use case; (e) Will not hold Vlaander LTD responsible for any losses arising from the risks described herein; and (f) Understand that this is not an exhaustive list of risks and that additional risks may exist. If you do not understand or accept these risks, you should not use the Service.