1.1 Scope and Application 

Guesthouse Exchange acts as an intermediary platform provider and maintains social media pages, online communities, discussion groups, and digital communication platforms (referred to as the “Social Media Platforms”).

These platforms may be operated, administered, or moderated by Guesthouse Exchange and include but are not limited to Facebook Pages, Facebook Groups, Instagram accounts, and any other similar online communication channels used for community engagement and interaction among users.

1.2 Platform Role and Nature of Service

Guesthouse Exchange provides communication infrastructure and community networking platforms only and acts solely as an intermediary facilitator of user interaction.

Guesthouse Exchange:

Does not investigate, verify, or guarantee the identity, qualifications, legitimacy, or conduct of users;

Does not participate in agreements, negotiations, or transactions between users; and

Does not act as agent, broker, publisher, or representative of any user.

Participation in Social Media Platforms occurs at each user’s own discretion and risk.

1.3 User-Generated and Third-Party Content

Content published on Guesthouse Exchange Social Media Platforms may include posts, comments, reviews, advertisements, messages, or other material submitted by users, followers, advertisers, or members of the public (“User Content”).

Guesthouse Exchange:

Does not create, control, pre-approve, or verify User Content;

Makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, legality, reliability, or completeness of such content; and

Does not endorse opinions expressed by users.

All User Content reflects the views of the individual author and not those of Guesthouse Exchange.

1.4 Limitation of Liability for User Content

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Guesthouse Exchange shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, reputational, or economic loss or damage arising from:

User Content published on Social Media Platforms;

reliance placed on User Content;

inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, unlawful, or harmful statements made by users or third parties; or

disputes, transactions, or interactions between users or between users and third parties.

Users rely on information shared within Social Media Platforms entirely at their own risk.

1.5 Defamation and Legal Responsibility

Guesthouse Exchange expressly disclaims liability for defamatory, false, misleading, abusive, or unlawful content posted by any user or third party.

Responsibility for compliance with applicable laws, including South African defamation, privacy, and electronic communications laws, rests solely with the individual who publishes the content.

Guesthouse Exchange shall not be regarded as the publisher or originator of User Content for purposes of defamation, delictual liability, or related legal claims, except where required by law.

Guesthouse Exchange shall not be required to adjudicate factual disputes between users or determine the truthfulness of contested statements.

1.6 Content Moderation and Removal Rights

Guesthouse Exchange reserves the right, but assumes no obligation, to monitor, review, restrict, suspend, or remove User Content at its sole discretion and without prior notice where such content:

Is unlawful, defamatory, misleading, or fraudulent;

Infringes intellectual property, privacy, or personal rights;

Is abusive, threatening, discriminatory, or offensive;

May expose Guesthouse Exchange or users to legal or reputational risk; ormay harm the goodwill, reputation, or safe functioning of the platform or community.

Failure to remove content does not constitute approval, endorsement, or acceptance of such content.

Guesthouse Exchange may suspend or terminate user access where conduct is inconsistent with these Terms.

1.7 No Duty to Monitor

Guesthouse Exchange does not undertake any obligation to actively monitor user activity or User Content.

Any moderation actions are performed voluntarily for community management purposes only and shall not create any duty of care, editorial responsibility, or assumption of publisher liability.

1.8 Notice and Takedown Procedure

Guesthouse Exchange acts as an intermediary platform provider.

Where Guesthouse Exchange receives a lawful written notice alleging that specific content is unlawful or infringes rights, Guesthouse Exchange may investigate and remove, restrict, or disable access to such content within a reasonable time and at its sole discretion.

Guesthouse Exchange cannot monitor all content in real time and shall not incur liability for User Content posted prior to receiving such notice.

1.9 User Indemnity

By posting or sharing content on Guesthouse Exchange Social Media Platforms, users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Guesthouse Exchange, its owners, directors, employees, contractors, agents, administrators, and partners from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or legal expenses (including attorney-and-client costs where permitted by law) arising from:

Content posted by the user;

Breach of these Terms and Conditions;

Violation of any law or third-party rights; or

Disputes arising between users or third parties connected to user activity.

1.10 No Professional or Business Advice

Content shared on Social Media Platforms is provided for general informational, networking, and community discussion purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, accommodation, business, or professional advice.

Users acknowledge that reliance on any information shared within the community is entirely at their own risk.

1.11 Third-Party Platform Rules 

Use of Guesthouse Exchange Social Media Platforms remains subject to the terms, policies, and community standards of the relevant third-party platform, including but not limited to Facebook’s Terms of Service and Community Standards.

Where platform rules conflict with these Terms, applicable law and mandatory platform requirements shall prevail to the extent required.

FACEBOOK COMMUNITY ADDENDUM

1.12 Facebook Pages and Groups

Guesthouse Exchange administers Facebook Pages and Groups for networking, discussion, and promotional purposes only.

Accordingly:

Posts and comments remain the sole responsibility of the individual posting them;

The approval of membership does not imply endorsement of any member, service, or statement.

Guesthouse Exchange acts solely as a networking facilitator and is not a party to any agreement, booking, transaction, or arrangement concluded between users; and

Guesthouse Exchange is not responsible for business dealings, disputes, or losses arising between users.

Guesthouse Exchange reserves the right to remove posts, restrict participation, limit visibility, or ban users where conduct is considered harmful, misleading, abusive, disruptive, or legally risky.

Guesthouse Exchange may take any action reasonably necessary to protect the integrity, reputation, or safe functioning of its community.

PUBLIC COMMUNITY GUIDELINES (“HOUSE RULES”) 

(This summary version may be displayed or pinned on social media platforms.)

By participating in Guesthouse Exchange online communities, users acknowledge and agree that:

Posts and comments represent the views of the individual author only;

Guesthouse Exchange is not responsible for inaccurate, misleading, or harmful information shared by users;

Unlawful, defamatory, abusive, or misleading content may be removed without notice;

Users are responsible for their own conduct and any consequences arising from their posts; and

Participation does not imply endorsement by Guesthouse Exchange.

Participation in the community constitutes acceptance of these guidelines and the applicable platform’s community standards.

1.13 Administrator and personal liability protection 

Users acknowledge and agree that the Social Media Platforms operated under Guesthouse Exchange are administered by individuals acting solely in their representative capacity on behalf of Guesthouse Exchange.

To the fullest extent allowed by applicable law:

No administrator, moderator, owner, employee, contractor, or representative of Guesthouse Exchange shall incur personal liability for any User Content, user conduct, or interactions occurring on the Social Media Platforms;

All actions taken by administrators or moderators, including content moderation, removal decisions, or participation management, are performed on behalf of Guesthouse Exchange and not in a personal capacity; and

Users waive any claim against such individuals personally arising from or related to platform participation, User Content, or enforcement of these Terms.

Any claim or dispute arising from use of the Social Media Platforms shall be brought solely against Guesthouse Exchange as the operating entity and not against any individual acting on its behalf, except where liability cannot legally be excluded under applicable law.