Acceptable Use Policy
AqNova Marketplace Policies & Disclosures
AQNOVA MARKETPLACE
Global Legal Footer Framework
Comprehensive Compliance & Platform Governance Reference
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
Governing Permitted & Prohibited Conduct for All Platform Users — Global Edition
Effective Date: April 7, 2026 | Version 1.0 | Arivon Holding Corporation
| ⚠ IMPORTANT NOTICE THIS ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY ("AUP") IS LEGALLY BINDING ON ALL PLATFORM USERS — INCLUDING BUYERS, VENDORS, VISITORS, REFERRAL PARTNERS, AND THIRD-PARTY INTEGRATORS. BY ACCESSING OR USING THE AQNOVA PLATFORM IN ANY CAPACITY, YOU AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THIS AUP IN FULL. VIOLATIONS MAY RESULT IN ACCOUNT SUSPENSION, TERMINATION, FINANCIAL LIABILITY, AND REFERRAL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. THIS POLICY IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE PLATFORM TERMS & CONDITIONS (SECTION 2) AND OPERATES AS AN EXTENSION THEREOF. |
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This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP," "Policy") defines the standards of conduct that govern all access to and use of the AqNova Marketplace ("Platform"), operated by Arivon Holding Corporation ("AqNova," "we," "us," "our"). This Policy applies to all users without exception — including Buyers, Vendors, unregistered Visitors, Referral Partners, and Third-Party Integrators accessing the Platform through the AqNova API.
This AUP is a living document. AqNova updates it periodically to address evolving threats, regulatory developments, and operational experience. Users will be notified of material updates in accordance with the amendment procedures in the Platform Terms & Conditions (Section 2.2). Continued use of the Platform following the effective date of any update constitutes acceptance.
| AUP Structure — Six Core Prohibited Activity Categories 2.3.1 — Prohibited & Restricted Items: Listing or selling items on the prohibited and restricted list 2.3.2 — Misrepresentation: Product origin, certifications, and sustainability credential fraud 2.3.3 — Unauthorized Platform Access: Scraping, data harvesting, and automated access 2.3.4 — Payment Circumvention: Off-platform transactions and payment system bypass 2.3.5 — Review & Rating Integrity: False reviews, manipulation, and incentivized feedback 2.3.6 — Fraud, Abuse & Legal Violations: Catch-all fraud, abuse, and applicable law violations Each section sets out the prohibited conduct, the legal framework underpinning the prohibition, and the enforcement consequences applicable to violations. |
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2.3.1 Prohibited & Restricted Items — Listing & Sales Prohibitions
The following framework governs which products may and may not be listed for sale on the AqNova Platform. AqNova's prohibited and restricted items list reflects both Platform policy requirements and the applicable legal obligations of a globally operating marketplace under the laws of all jurisdictions where the Platform operates. The complete and regularly updated Prohibited Products list is maintained at [aqnova.co/legal/prohibited-products].
A. Absolute Prohibitions — Products Banned on the Platform
The following product categories are unconditionally prohibited on the Platform in all circumstances, regardless of jurisdiction, certification, or claimed exemption. No Vendor exception or special approval process exists for these categories:
| ABSOLUTE PROHIBITIONS — ZERO TOLERANCE The following items may NEVER be listed, advertised, or sold on AqNova under any circumstances: 1. WEAPONS & ARMAMENTS — Firearms, handguns, rifles, shotguns, and all regulated firearms (US Gun Control Act; EU Firearms Directive 2021/555/EU; UK Firearms Act 1968; equivalent national laws). — Prohibited weapons: brass knuckles, switchblades, ballistic knives, and items prohibited by applicable national law. — Military-grade armaments, landmines, cluster munitions (Ottawa Treaty; CCM). — Undetectable firearms (3D-printed untraceable weapons; US UDEPA). 2. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES & DRUGS — Narcotics, controlled drugs, psychoactive substances, and their analogues without the requisite regulatory authorization in both origin and destination countries. — Drug paraphernalia designed primarily for consumption of controlled substances. — Products containing banned substances on the WADA Prohibited List (athletic context). 3. HUMAN TRAFFICKING & EXPLOITATION — Any product, service, or content that facilitates or promotes human trafficking, forced labor, sexual exploitation, or debt bondage. — Content, imagery, or materials depicting child sexual abuse (CSAM). — Products promoting or enabling child labor in violation of ILO conventions. 4. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) COMPONENTS — Items on US Commerce Control List (CCL) EAR99 exclusion or ECCN-controlled categories without the requisite export license. — Biological agents, chemical precursors, or nuclear materials subject to IAEA oversight. — Dual-use goods listed under EU Regulation 2021/821 without required authorization. 5. COUNTERFEIT & INFRINGING GOODS — Goods bearing counterfeit trademarks, fake certification marks, or unauthorized brand identifiers. — Unauthorized reproductions of copyrighted works (pirated software, media, books). — Goods falsely claiming to be certified (organic, Fair Trade, CE-marked, etc.). 6. STOLEN & ILLICITLY OBTAINED GOODS — Goods obtained through theft, fraud, smuggling, or any other illegal means. — Goods subject to active criminal forfeiture proceedings. — Conflict minerals and goods financed through sanctioned activities. 7. LIVE ANIMALS & ENDANGERED SPECIES — Live animals (except where explicitly permitted under applicable law and AqNova policy). — Products derived from CITES Appendix I species without documented legal exemptions. — Ivory, rhino horn, and protected wildlife products in violation of national and international wildlife protection law. 8. CHILD SAFETY — Any product or content that exploits, harms, endangers, or sexualizes minors. — Goods designed to facilitate unauthorized access to or contact with children. |
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C. Jurisdiction-Specific Prohibitions
In addition to the above absolute and conditional prohibitions, specific products are prohibited in certain jurisdictions due to local law. AqNova applies geo-restrictions to enforce these prohibitions. Vendors are responsible for verifying and complying with applicable local law in each jurisdiction where they offer their products. The following are illustrative examples — this list is not exhaustive:
| Jurisdiction | Locally Prohibited Products (Examples) | Applicable Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| India | Beef and beef-derived products (prohibited in multiple states); products made from cow leather in states where applicable. | State-specific Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Animals Acts. |
| Saudi Arabia / GCC Countries | Alcohol; pork products; gambling-related items; products conflicting with Islamic law; items with religious imagery deemed offensive. | Saudi Basic Law; GCC consumer protection regulations; applicable sharia-based national laws. |
| China | VPN software; certain political content; products requiring import licenses not held by the vendor. | Cybersecurity Law 2017; E-Commerce Law 2019; applicable import licensing regulations. |
| EU (all Member States) | Products containing substances of very high concern (SVHC) above concentration limits without REACH authorization; products not meeting GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation) standards from December 2024. | REACH Regulation 1907/2006; GPSR (EU) 2023/988. |
| Nigeria | Products not registered with NAFDAC (food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices); adulterated or substandard products; items restricted by the FCCPA 2019. | NAFDAC Act; FCCPA 2019; Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Act. |
| Brazil | Products not registered with ANVISA where required; GMO foods without mandatory disclosure; products containing prohibited ingredients under ANVISA resolutions. | ANVISA RDC resolutions; CDC (Consumer Defense Code); Lei de Biosseguranca 11,105/2005. |
| Canada — Quebec | Products with non-compliant French-language labeling; products prohibited under provincial consumer protection law. | Charter of the French Language (Bill 96); Quebec Consumer Protection Act. |
| South Korea | Certain cosmetics without MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) approval; items restricted under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Expeditious Processing of Customs Clearance. | MFDS Cosmetics Act; Customs Act. |
| Australia | Products not meeting mandatory safety standards published by the ACCC; goods subject to mandatory recalls; therapeutic goods not listed on ARTG. | Competition and Consumer Act 2010; Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. |
| United States — California | Products containing Prop 65 listed chemicals above safe harbor limits without required warning; single-use plastic bags; certain PFAS-containing products under California PFAS laws. | California Health & Safety Code §25249.6 (Prop 65); applicable state environmental laws. |
D. Reporting Prohibited Listings
Any Platform user who encounters a listing they believe violates this Section 2.3.1 is encouraged to report it through the Platform's listing report function ("Report this listing" button on every product page) or by emailing compliance@aqnova.co with the listing URL and a brief description of the concern. AqNova will review all reports within 3 Business Days and take appropriate action, which may include listing removal, vendor investigation, and notification of regulatory authorities.
2.3.2 Misrepresentation of Product Origin, Certifications & Sustainability Credentials
Misrepresentation of any material fact relating to a product — including its origin, manufacturing standards, certifications, sustainability credentials, or regulatory compliance status — is one of the most serious violations of this AUP and of applicable consumer protection law. AqNova's marketplace is built on the promise of curated, authentic, sustainable products. Misrepresentation directly undermines that promise and constitutes fraud against Buyers.
A. Prohibited Misrepresentations — Product Origin
The following conduct relating to product origin is strictly prohibited:
False country of origin: claiming a product was manufactured in a country it was not (e.g., labeling Chinese-manufactured goods as "Made in USA" or "Made in Germany" to command a premium or evade import duties).
Tariff evasion through misrepresentation: deliberately misrepresenting country of origin on customs documentation to evade applicable tariff duties, anti-dumping measures, or countervailing duties. This constitutes customs fraud under applicable law in all jurisdictions.
"Assembled in" misrepresentation: claiming "assembled in" a country of origin when the substantial transformation of the product did not occur in that country, contrary to applicable rules of origin (US CBP criteria; EU Rules of Origin Regulation; WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin).
Supply chain misrepresentation: falsely claiming that a product was produced by a specific manufacturer, cooperative, artisan, or source when it was not.
Conflict-free or ethical sourcing misrepresentation: claiming minerals, materials, or products are conflict-free, responsibly sourced, or ethically produced without maintaining required documentation (US Dodd-Frank Section 1502; EU Conflict Minerals Regulation 2017/821).
B. Prohibited Misrepresentations — Certifications
The following conduct relating to certifications and quality marks is strictly prohibited:
Displaying, claiming, or implying a certification that the Vendor does not currently hold and that has been issued by a recognized certifying body (e.g., displaying USDA Organic, Fair Trade, EU Organic, B Corp, FSC, GOTS, Oeko-Tex, CE, UKCA, BIS, or equivalent marks without valid, current certification).
Displaying expired certifications as if current and valid.
Displaying certifications that apply to one product variant or SKU on a different, uncertified variant or product.
Creating or displaying counterfeit or fabricated certification marks that resemble recognized certification logos.
Misrepresenting the scope of a certification (e.g., claiming an ingredient is certified organic when only a portion of the ingredients are certified and the finished product certification is not held).
Falsely claiming regulatory clearance (e.g., claiming FDA approval, CE marking, NAFDAC registration, or equivalent regulatory clearance without holding the applicable authorization).
| Legal Framework — Certification Misrepresentation Certification misrepresentation may constitute violations of the following applicable laws: United States: FTC Act Section 5 (deceptive acts); USDA NOP regulations (7 C.F.R. Parts 205) Federal False Statements Act (18 U.S.C. § 1001); Lanham Act (false advertising). European Union: EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC; Regulation 1151/2012 (protected designations of origin); EU Green Claims Directive (proposed). United Kingdom: Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008; Fraud Act 2006; Trade Descriptions Act 1968. Canada: Competition Act s. 74.01 (misleading representations); Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. Brazil: CDC Art. 66 (misleading advertising); Decree 6523/2008. Nigeria: FCCPA 2019 s. 130 (prohibition of misleading conduct); NAFDAC Act. Australia: Australian Consumer Law s. 29 (false representations); ACL s. 33. India: Consumer Protection Act 2019 s. 2(47) (unfair trade practice); Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. |
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C. Prohibited Misrepresentations — Sustainability Credentials
Given AqNova's positioning as a curated sustainable marketplace, greenwashing — the practice of making false, misleading, or exaggerated environmental or sustainability claims — is treated as a particularly serious violation of this AUP. The following conduct constitutes greenwashing and is strictly prohibited:
Vague and unsubstantiated environmental claims: using terms such as "eco-friendly," "green," "sustainable," "natural," "clean," or "planet-positive" without specific, verifiable, and substantiated evidence of the claimed environmental attribute.
Misleading comparative claims: claiming a product is "greener" or "more sustainable" than a competitor's product without a credible, transparent comparative lifecycle assessment.
False carbon neutrality claims: claiming a product or company is "carbon neutral," "net zero," or "climate positive" without holding a recognized, audited, and current certification from a credible verification body.
Selective disclosure: highlighting one positive environmental attribute (e.g., "made from recycled plastic") while omitting material negative environmental impacts that a reasonable buyer would consider material to their purchasing decision.
Irrelevant certifications: displaying environmental certifications that are irrelevant to the product's actual environmental impact to create a false impression of overall sustainability.
False lifecycle claims: claiming products are "biodegradable," "compostable," or "recyclable" without qualification where these properties apply only under specific industrial conditions not readily accessible to consumers, or where the claim is factually inaccurate.
AqNova actively monitors the Platform for greenwashing using automated scanning tools and human review. Vendors found to be greenwashing will have their listings removed, their accounts suspended, and may be referred to applicable consumer protection or advertising regulatory authorities, including the FTC (US), ASA (UK), ARPP (France), ACCC (Australia), and equivalent bodies.
D. Misrepresentation — Enforcement & Legal Consequences
| Violation Severity | Platform Enforcement Action | Potential Legal Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Minor / Technical (e.g., expired certification still displayed; vague unsubstantiated claim) | Warning + mandatory listing correction within 5 Business Days. Re-review required before listing reactivation. | Regulatory compliance notice. No referral for minor isolated incidents. |
| Moderate (e.g., false organic claim without certification; misleading country of origin in listing copy) | Immediate listing removal. 30-day account review. Mandatory compliance documentation submitted within 14 days. | Potential FTC / CMA / ACCC inquiry referral. Regulatory disclosure to applicable authority where required by law. |
| Serious (e.g., fabricated certification marks; false "FDA Approved" claims; deliberate country of origin fraud) | Immediate account suspension. Full investigation. Listing removal across all accounts. Permanent ban likely. | Mandatory referral to FTC, FDA, CBP, ACCC, or applicable authority. Civil and criminal liability exposure. |
| Egregious / Systemic (e.g., organized counterfeit certification ring; CITES violation misrepresented as certified legal; systematic tariff evasion) | Immediate permanent ban. Forfeiture of held funds pending legal process. Cooperation with law enforcement. | Criminal referral. Cooperation with DOJ, Interpol, applicable national law enforcement and regulatory bodies. |
A. Prohibited Automated & Large-Scale Access
The following automated or large-scale access activities are strictly prohibited without AqNova's prior written authorization:
Web scraping: using any bot, spider, crawler, scraper, script, browser extension, or automated tool to systematically extract content from the Platform — including product listings, prices, vendor information, review data, or search results — in any volume.
Data harvesting: systematically collecting Platform data for the purpose of building competitive databases, price comparison tools, market intelligence services, or any other commercial application without a written data licensing agreement with AqNova.
API abuse: using the AqNova API (where available) for purposes other than those explicitly authorized in the applicable API Terms of Service; exceeding API rate limits; using API access tokens shared between multiple users or entities; or using API data feeds to power competing marketplace infrastructure.
Account farming: creating or operating multiple accounts to systematically collect data, test Platform behavior, exploit promotions, or circumvent rate limits or access controls.
Caching & republication: systematically caching Platform content (product listings, images, descriptions, pricing) and republishing it on third-party websites, applications, or databases without express written license from AqNova.
Credential stuffing: using automated tools to test large volumes of credential combinations against Platform login systems.
Denial-of-service: sending traffic volume to the Platform in a manner that degrades its performance or availability for legitimate users, whether intentionally or as a byproduct of automated access.
D. Technical Protection & Detection
AqNova employs a range of technical measures to detect and prevent unauthorized automated access, including rate limiting and IP-based throttling; bot detection and CAPTCHA systems; behavioral analytics to identify non-human access patterns; honeypot traps to identify scraping bots; and TLS fingerprinting and browser integrity checks. Circumventing any of these technical protection measures is itself a violation of this AUP and applicable law, independent of the underlying data access.
2.3.4 Payment System Circumvention & Off-Platform Transactions
AqNova's payment infrastructure provides security, fraud protection, and dispute resolution for all parties. Circumventing this infrastructure — by directing buyers to pay outside the Platform or by conducting transactions through unauthorized channels — undermines buyer protections, enables fraud, deprives AqNova of its legitimate Platform Fees, and in some cases violates applicable law.
A. Prohibited Payment Circumvention Conduct
The following conduct is strictly prohibited for all Platform users:
Vendor-Side Prohibited Conduct
Soliciting buyers to pay outside the Platform: directly or indirectly encouraging, requesting, or instructing a buyer to make payment via bank transfer, PayPal, cryptocurrency wallet, mobile money, cash, or any other payment method outside AqNova's official checkout process, in connection with any order that originated on the Platform.
Directing buyers to external websites for payment: including links, QR codes, or instructions in product listings, messaging, invoices, or packaging inserts that direct buyers to external payment pages.
Issuing unauthorized invoices: sending buyers invoices for Platform orders through external invoicing systems (not through AqNova's official invoicing tools) to redirect payment off-platform.
False cancellation to rebook off-platform: cancelling a Platform order and then soliciting the buyer to repurchase the same item directly from the Vendor outside the Platform.
Inserting contact information in packaging: placing business cards, flyers, or inserts in order packaging that solicit direct contact or future purchases outside the Platform. Note: AqNova-approved branded inserts for customer service purposes are permitted; solicitation of off-platform transactions is not.
Buyer-Side Prohibited Conduct
Soliciting off-platform payments: requesting or agreeing to purchase items outside the Platform in response to Vendor solicitation, or independently soliciting Vendors to conduct off-platform transactions to avoid Platform fees or buyer protection requirements.
Providing payment information to Vendors outside Platform channels: sharing credit card numbers, bank account details, or other payment credentials directly with Vendors through Platform messaging or external channels.
General Prohibited Conduct
Using the Platform solely to identify suppliers and then conducting all business directly: the Platform's search, discovery, and communication tools may not be used as a lead-generation tool to establish commercial relationships that are then conducted entirely off-platform.
Payment structuring: breaking up transactions into smaller amounts to circumvent Platform payment limits, fee thresholds, or AML reporting obligations.
B. Why Off-Platform Transactions Are Prohibited
Off-platform transactions are prohibited for substantive reasons that protect all parties:
| The Cost of Going Off-Platform FOR BUYERS: You lose all AqNova Buyer Protection. There is no Buyer Protection claim, no chargeback support from AqNova, and no dispute resolution — you transact entirely at your own risk. AqNova cannot recover funds lost in off-platform transactions. FOR VENDORS: You lose AqNova's payment security infrastructure, fraud prevention, and the trust signals that drive buyer confidence. You also expose yourself to liability for Platform fee evasion and potential account termination. FOR THE MARKETPLACE: Off-platform transactions undermine the Platform's viability, reduce resources available for buyer protection, and enable money laundering and fraud by removing transaction transparency. |
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C. Legal Basis for Payment Circumvention Prohibition
In jurisdictions where AqNova operates as a payment service or financial intermediary, soliciting off-platform payments may also violate applicable payment services regulation, including:
EU Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2, Directive 2015/2366/EU): provisions governing the security of electronic payment transactions and the obligations of payment service users.
UK Payment Services Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/752): equivalent UK payment security framework.
US Bank Secrecy Act and FinCEN regulations: structuring and money transmission provisions applicable to off-platform payment arrangements.
FINTRAC (Canada): reporting obligations for suspicious transactions and structuring under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.
CBUAE regulations (UAE) and equivalent central bank regulations in operating jurisdictions governing unauthorized money transmission.
D. Reporting Off-Platform Solicitation
Buyers who receive solicitations from Vendors to transact outside the Platform should not comply and should report the solicitation immediately via the Platform's "Report a Message" function or by emailing trust@aqnova.co. AqNova will investigate all reports and take appropriate enforcement action, including immediate suspension of the soliciting Vendor.
2.3.5 Review & Rating Integrity — False Reviews, Manipulation & Incentivized Feedback
Authentic, honest buyer reviews are fundamental to the AqNova marketplace. They enable buyers to make informed purchasing decisions, enable vendors to improve their products and services, and maintain the overall integrity of the Platform's trust infrastructure. Any attempt to manipulate the review and rating system — whether by vendors, buyers, or third parties — is a serious violation of this AUP and, in many jurisdictions, of applicable consumer protection and competition law.
A. Prohibited Vendor Conduct — Review Manipulation
Incentivized reviews in exchange for compensation: offering, providing, or promising any benefit — including refunds, discounts, free products, gift cards, cash, or preferential treatment — in exchange for leaving a positive review, any review, or for modifying or removing an existing review.
Review gating: selectively soliciting reviews only from buyers who have already expressed satisfaction (before they leave their review), while not soliciting or discouraging reviews from dissatisfied buyers. This practice skews the review set and is prohibited.
Purchasing fake reviews: paying third-party services, individuals, or networks to create fabricated reviews for the Vendor's products.
Coordinated review groups: organizing or participating in review exchange schemes, "review clubs," or mutual positive review networks — including via social media groups, messaging platforms, or third-party services — to generate artificial positive reviews.
Review threats or coercion: contacting buyers to pressure them to remove, modify, or not post a negative review, including through threats of legal action, refund withdrawal, or other coercive measures.
False flagging of competitor reviews: reporting competitor reviews as policy violations without genuine good-faith belief that a violation occurred, with the intent to have legitimate reviews removed.
Manipulating review helpfulness ratings: orchestrating campaigns to mark competitor reviews as "not helpful" or own reviews as "helpful" through artificial means.
B. Prohibited Buyer Conduct — Review Integrity
Submitting a review for a product the buyer has not purchased or received: reviews must be based on genuine, first-hand purchasing and product experience.
Submitting multiple reviews for the same product: buyers may submit one review per verified order. Multiple accounts used to submit multiple reviews for the same product is prohibited.
Accepting vendor inducements to post reviews: buyers who accept payment, discounts, or free products in exchange for a review must disclose this material connection in the review (where disclosure is permitted by Platform tools) and in any case must not allow the inducement to bias the content of the review.
Extortion via reviews: threatening to post a negative review unless a vendor provides a refund, discount, or other benefit to which the buyer is not otherwise entitled.
Competitor targeting: submitting negative reviews for a competitor's products without having genuinely purchased and experienced them.
C. Prohibited Third-Party Conduct
Operating review manipulation services: providing services that generate fake reviews, manipulate review helpfulness ratings, or coordinate inauthentic review activity on the Platform.
Impersonating buyers: creating fake buyer accounts to submit reviews on behalf of vendors or to attack competitor vendors.
D. Legal Framework — Review Manipulation
Review manipulation and incentivized reviews without disclosure are regulated across all of AqNova's operating jurisdictions. The following legal framework applies:
| Jurisdiction / Law | Applicable Prohibition |
|---|---|
| United States — FTC Endorsement Guides (16 C.F.R. Part 255, amended 2023) | Material connections between reviewers and vendors must be clearly disclosed. Fake reviews are prohibited as deceptive acts under FTC Act Section 5. FTC's final rule on fake reviews and testimonials (effective 2024) provides for civil penalties up to USD $51,744 per violation. |
| United States — State Consumer Protection Laws | All 50 states have consumer protection statutes prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices that encompass fake review schemes (e.g., California Business & Professions Code § 17500). |
| European Union — Omnibus Directive (2019/2161/EU) | Consumer reviews must originate from genuine purchase experiences. Platforms facilitating consumer reviews must take reasonable and proportionate steps to check that reviews are submitted by consumers who purchased the product. False reviews may result in fines up to 4% of annual turnover in the Member State. |
| European Union — Digital Services Act (DSA) | Obligation on platforms to implement proportionate measures against manipulation of reviews and ratings as part of systemic risk mitigation obligations for Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). |
| United Kingdom — Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 | False reviews constitute a misleading commercial practice. From 2024: CMA has strengthened powers to challenge fake review practices. Consumer Protection (Secondary Deposits etc.) Act 2024 further strengthens enforcement. |
| Canada — Competition Act s. 74.01 | Misleading representations and deceptive marketing practices, including fake or undisclosed paid reviews, are prohibited and enforceable by the Competition Bureau. |
| Australia — Australian Consumer Law s. 18 | Misleading or deceptive conduct, including fake reviews and undisclosed paid endorsements, prohibited. ACCC has issued guidance on fake review enforcement and has pursued enforcement actions. |
| Brazil — CDC Art. 37 | Misleading advertising, including through fake consumer reviews or undisclosed incentivized reviews, is prohibited. PROCON and SENACON have enforcement authority. |
| South Africa — CPA s. 41 | False implied endorsements and misleading marketing communications, including through fake reviews, prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act. |
| India — Consumer Protection Act 2019 & Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Guidelines | Fake endorsements and undisclosed paid reviews constitute unfair trade practices. ASCI guidelines require disclosure of material connections in all endorsements. |
E. Review Integrity — Detection & Enforcement
AqNova employs multi-layered review integrity controls:
Verified purchase requirement: all product reviews are linked to a verified purchase transaction. Reviews from non-purchasers are not accepted.
Algorithmic fraud detection: machine learning models analyze review patterns, reviewer behavior, account age, geographic clustering, and language similarity to identify suspicious review clusters and coordinated manipulation campaigns.
Periodic review audits: AqNova's Trust & Safety team conducts periodic manual audits of high-volume review activity, newly onboarded vendor review patterns, and flagged accounts.
Third-party tip intake: AqNova accepts tips from competitors, buyers, and researchers regarding suspected review manipulation at trust@aqnova.co.
| Enforcement Consequences — Review Manipulation First confirmed violation (Vendor): Removal of all non-compliant reviews; formal warning; mandatory compliance training completion. Listing restriction for 30 days. Second confirmed violation (Vendor): Removal of all non-compliant reviews; 90-day account suspension; permanent notation on vendor compliance record. Third confirmed violation or systematic manipulation (Vendor): Permanent account ban; forfeiture of held payouts; potential referral to FTC, ACCC, CMA, or applicable regulator. Buyers found submitting fake reviews: Review removal; account warning; repeat violations result in account termination. Third-party review manipulation services: Immediate permanent ban; legal action for tortious interference and applicable statutory violations. |
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2.3.6 Fraud, Abuse & Violations of Applicable Law
This section serves as a comprehensive catch-all provision governing all forms of fraud, abuse, and unlawful activity on the Platform not addressed in Sections 2.3.1 through 2.3.5. The categories below represent the most common and most serious forms of Platform abuse that AqNova has identified and actively monitors for. This list is illustrative and non-exhaustive — any activity that constitutes fraud, abuse, or a violation of Applicable Law is prohibited regardless of whether it is specifically enumerated here.
A. Financial Fraud
Purchase Fraud & Payment Fraud
Placing orders using stolen, cloned, or fraudulently obtained credit cards, debit cards, bank account credentials, or digital wallet accounts.
Placing orders with no genuine intent to pay or take delivery of the goods.
Using synthetic identity fraud — combining real and fabricated personal information — to create fraudulent buyer or vendor accounts.
Triangulation fraud: operating as a fraudulent vendor who takes orders and payment on the Platform, fulfills them using stolen credit cards on legitimate third-party retailers, and disappears with the Platform payouts.
Money laundering through the Platform: using the Platform's transaction infrastructure to legitimize proceeds of crime by making purchases with illicitly obtained funds and then requesting refunds to clean payment instruments.
Chargeback & Refund Fraud
Filing chargebacks with a payment provider for transactions where the Buyer received the goods as described ("friendly fraud" or "first-party misuse").
Falsely claiming non-delivery of goods that were in fact received, for the purpose of obtaining a refund while retaining the goods.
Return fraud: returning a different, inferior, damaged, or counterfeit item in the place of the genuine item received, to fraudulently obtain a refund.
Refund farming: systematically exploiting AqNova's Buyer Protection or Vendor refund policies through coordinated false claims designed to extract refunds at scale.
B. Account Fraud & Identity Deception
Creating multiple accounts to circumvent enforcement actions: registering new buyer or vendor accounts after a prior account has been suspended or banned.
Account takeover: using phishing, credential stuffing, social engineering, or malicious software to gain unauthorized access to another user's Platform account.
Identity impersonation: registering as a vendor while impersonating a legitimate, recognized brand, manufacturer, or artisan cooperative.
Proxy accounts: allowing a suspended or banned user to operate through another user's account, or operating an account on behalf of a sanctioned or prohibited person.
Misrepresenting business structure: registering as an individual seller while operating an undisclosed commercial enterprise, or registering as a business while operating as an individual to evade applicable business verification requirements.
C. Platform Manipulation & Algorithmic Abuse
Search rank manipulation: engaging in artificial click fraud, view inflation, or other tactics designed to artificially improve a product's visibility in Platform search results without genuine consumer engagement.
Promotional code abuse: exploiting welcome discounts, promotional credits, or referral bonuses by creating multiple accounts or using fraudulent referral schemes.
Founding Vendor Program fraud: providing false information in a Founding Vendor Program application to qualify for the 0% commission benefit without meeting the genuine eligibility requirements.
Referral Partner Program fraud: fabricating vendor referrals, submitting referrals for entities that are not genuine new vendors, or claiming referral commissions for vendors that were independently sourced by AqNova.
A/B testing exploitation: systematically probing Platform algorithms or pricing systems to identify exploitable patterns, and then using that knowledge to gain unfair commercial advantage.
D. Harassment, Threatening Conduct & Platform Safety
Communicating threats of violence, harm, legal action without legal basis, or reputational damage to other Platform users through Platform messaging or associated channels.
Stalking, doxxing, or publishing the private personal information of any Platform user without their consent.
Engaging in discriminatory conduct on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, in any Platform interaction.
Using Platform communication tools to transmit unsolicited commercial communications (spam), phishing messages, or malicious links.
Coordinated harassment campaigns: organizing or participating in coordinated efforts to harass, discredit, or damage the reputation of another Platform user.
E. Intellectual Property Violations
Listing or selling goods that infringe third-party patents, registered trademarks, copyright, industrial designs, or other intellectual property rights.
Using AqNova's trademarks, logos, or brand assets in a manner not authorized by AqNova's Brand Guidelines, including in third-party marketing, social media, or advertising.
Unauthorized use of other vendors' product images, descriptions, or proprietary content in competing listings.
Attempting to register domain names, social media handles, or brand identifiers confusingly similar to AqNova or established Platform Vendor brands for purposes of deception.
F. Legal Compliance Violations — Jurisdiction-Specific
The following represent key jurisdiction-specific legal compliance violations that are prohibited on the Platform:
| Jurisdiction / Legal Area | Prohibited Conduct & Legal Basis |
|---|---|
| United States — FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) | Offering, paying, or authorizing bribery of foreign government officials in connection with Platform activities. 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1 et seq. |
| United States — Anti-Money Laundering (BSA / FinCEN) | Structuring transactions to evade reporting thresholds; knowingly facilitating the movement of proceeds of crime through Platform transactions. 31 U.S.C. § 5324. |
| European Union — Anti-Money Laundering Directives (AMLDs) | Transactions that facilitate money laundering or terrorist financing in violation of EU 6AMLD and national implementing legislation. |
| United Kingdom — Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) | Conducting or facilitating transactions involving proceeds of crime. Criminal penalties up to 14 years imprisonment. |
| All Jurisdictions — Sanctions Violations | Transacting with sanctioned individuals, entities, or countries in violation of OFAC, EU, UN, or OFSI sanctions programs, or equivalent national programs. Zero tolerance; immediate account action. |
| Canada — CASL (Anti-Spam Legislation) | Sending commercial electronic messages without valid consent; using false or misleading sender information; installing malicious software on users' devices through Platform communications. |
| Brazil — LGPD & Marco Civil | Unauthorized collection, processing, or transfer of personal data of Brazilian data subjects in violation of LGPD; unauthorized interception of internet communications in violation of Marco Civil da Internet (Law 12,965/2014). |
| Nigeria — NITDA Regulations | Processing Nigerian personal data in violation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and NITDA Data Protection Regulations; unauthorized access to Nigerian information systems in violation of the Cybercrimes Act 2015. |
| India — IT Act & DPDPA | Unauthorized access to computer systems (IT Act 2000 s. 43, 66); processing of personal data of Indian residents in violation of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. |
| Australia — Privacy Act / ACL | Unauthorized collection or misuse of Australian individuals' personal information (Privacy Act 1988, APPs); misleading or deceptive conduct in trade or commerce (Australian Consumer Law s. 18). |
| South Africa — POPIA | Processing of personal information of South African data subjects without compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013; applicable POPIA enforcement by the Information Regulator. |
| Korea — PIPA | Processing personal information of Korean residents without compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act; applicable PIPC enforcement actions. |
G. Enforcement Framework — Escalating Consequences
AqNova applies a graduated enforcement model proportionate to the severity, frequency, and intent of AUP violations. The following framework applies across all categories of AUP violation:
| Severity Level | Characteristics | Enforcement Response |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 — Minor / Technical | First-time violation; low impact; likely inadvertent; promptly remedied upon notice. | Written warning; mandatory corrective action within stated period; compliance monitoring for 90 days. No public disclosure. |
| Level 2 — Moderate | Repeat violation of same or related policy; moderate harm to buyers, vendors, or Platform integrity; pattern of non-compliance emerging. | Listing removal or restriction; formal suspension notice; 14-day cure period; compliance bond may be required. Escalated monitoring for 180 days. |
| Level 3 — Serious | Deliberate, intentional, or reckless violation; significant harm or risk of harm; organized conduct; use of deceptive means to conceal violation. | Immediate account suspension; investigation; enhanced KYC required; payout hold; permanent notation on compliance record. Likely termination. |
| Level 4 — Egregious / Criminal | Fraud; sanctions violation; child safety violation; money laundering; organized criminal activity; identity deception at scale. | Immediate permanent ban; forfeiture of held funds pending legal process; mandatory referral to law enforcement and applicable regulatory authorities; full cooperation with investigation. |
Before imposing Level 2 or 3 enforcement actions on Vendors (unless the nature of the violation precludes it), AqNova will provide a written notice of the violation with a reasonable opportunity to respond. This process is consistent with AqNova's obligations under EU Platform-to-Business Regulation (EU 2019/1150) for EU/UK Vendors and reflects AqNova's commitment to procedural fairness for all Vendors globally.
2.3.7 Reporting Violations & AUP Contacts
AqNova encourages all Platform users and third parties to report suspected AUP violations through the appropriate channel. Reports made in good faith are always welcomed and will not result in any adverse action against the reporter.
| AUP Reporting & Compliance Contacts General AUP Violations & Misconduct: compliance@aqnova.co Prohibited / Counterfeit Listings: compliance@aqnova.co [Subject: Prohibited Listing] Greenwashing / Sustainability Fraud: compliance@aqnova.co [Subject: Greenwashing Report] Unauthorized Scraping / Data Harvesting: security@aqnova.co Off-Platform Solicitation Reports: trust@aqnova.co Fake Review Reports: trust@aqnova.co [Subject: Review Integrity] Financial Fraud / Money Laundering Tip: aml@aqnova.co Intellectual Property Infringement (DMCA): dmca@aqnova.co Child Safety Concerns: safety@aqnova.co [URGENT — reviewed within 2 hours] Law Enforcement & Government Inquiries: legal@aqnova.com Accessibility: accessibility@aqnova.co Registered Office: Arivon Holding Corporation C/O Arivon Holding Corporation, 2571 Saturn Avenue, Unit #265 Huntington Park, CA 90255, USA California File Number: B20250418195 | EIN: 41-3210066 | D-U-N-S: 142957477 GB EORI: GB511467217000 Nigeria (Sahara Eagle Ltd) — Reg: 1957145 | Tax ID: 31052811-0001 | NEPC Reg: 0030281 |
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AqNova Marketplace | Global Legal Footer Framework | Section 2.3: Acceptable Use Policy
© 2026 Arivon Holding Corporation. All rights reserved. Effective April 7, 2026. Version 1.0.
THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR PLATFORM GOVERNANCE PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. CONSULT QUALIFIED LEGAL COUNSEL FOR JURISDICTION-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE.