Terms & Conditions

1. AGREEMENT TO TERMS

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and SOM AUTO MARKET ("Platform," "we," "us," or "our"), registered in Somaliland under Business License No. SAM-2024-001. By accessing, browsing, listing, purchasing, or using any service on our platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety. If you do not agree, you must immediately cease all use of the Platform.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes affecting your rights will be communicated via email to registered users or via a prominent notice on the Platform.

2. ELIGIBILITY & ACCOUNT REGISTRATION

To use SOM AUTO MARKET, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and legally competent to enter contracts under Somaliland law;
• Provide accurate, current, and complete registration information including valid national ID, phone number, and email address;
• Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials and notify us immediately of any unauthorized access;
• Not create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions, bans, or verification requirements;
• Not use the Platform for any illegal purpose or in violation of Somaliland’s Commercial Code or Cybercrime Law.

We reserve the right to request identity verification (KYC) at any time. Accounts that fail verification will be suspended without refund.

3. LISTING STANDARDS & RULES

All vehicle listings must comply with the following mandatory standards:

• Accurate Representation: Photos must be original, unedited images of the actual vehicle. Stock photos, AI-generated images, or photos stolen from other listings are strictly prohibited. Descriptions must truthfully reflect the vehicle’s condition, mileage, accident history, and modifications.
• Odometer & VIN Integrity: Tampering with odometers or providing false chassis/VIN numbers is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate permanent bans and reporting to Somaliland authorities.
• Pricing Integrity: Listed prices must reflect genuine asking prices. "Bait-and-switch" pricing is prohibited.
• Prohibited Content: Listings may not contain weapons, drugs, stolen vehicles, personal contact information in descriptions, discriminatory language, or external links to competing platforms.
• Dealer vs. Private: Dealers must maintain active business licenses and submit updated documentation annually. Private sellers are limited to selling vehicles they personally own.

4. FEES, SUBSCRIPTIONS & PAYMENTS

Certain features of the Platform (e.g., Pro Dealer Subscriptions, Listing Boosts, Featured Ads) require payment. By purchasing these services, you agree to the following:

• Billing: Payments are processed securely via integrated gateways (Zaad, eDahab, or other approved methods). All fees are quoted in USD unless otherwise stated.
• Auto-Renewal: Subscription plans (e.g., Monthly Pro) will automatically renew at the end of each billing cycle unless canceled at least 24 hours before the renewal date.
• No Refunds: All payments for digital services, boosts, and subscriptions are non-refundable once processed, except as required by Somaliland consumer law.
• Price Changes: We reserve the right to change subscription pricing with 30 days' prior notice to active subscribers.

5. USER CONDUCT & PROHIBITED ACTS

You agree not to:

• Scrape, crawl, or use automated bots to extract data from the Platform;
• Harass, threaten, or defraud other Users via our messaging system;
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, hack, or disrupt the Platform's infrastructure;
• Post spam, phishing links, or unsolicited commercial messages;
• Circumvent Platform fees by directing users to off-platform transactions to avoid subscription limits.

6. "AS-IS" DISCLAIMER & LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

We do not act as an agent, broker, or party to any transaction. We do not verify the mechanical condition, title status, or legal ownership of vehicles beyond basic identity checks.

Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, SOM AUTO MARKET shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Platform, including but not limited to fraud, misrepresentation, mechanical defects, or physical injury during meetings. Our total aggregate liability shall never exceed the amount you paid to us in the last 12 months, or $100 USD, whichever is greater.

7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & DMCA

All Platform content (text, graphics, logos, software, UI) is owned by SOM AUTO MARKET and protected under Somaliland and international copyright laws. User-submitted content grants us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display and promote such content solely within the Platform.

DMCA / Copyright Takedowns: If you believe your copyrighted work (e.g., photos) has been stolen and posted on our Platform, send a formal notice to our Legal Department (see Section 11) with proof of ownership. We will remove infringing content within 48 hours of valid verification.

8. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SOM AUTO MARKET, its directors, employees, and affiliates from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of your use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of a third party.

9. TERMINATION & SUSPENSION

We may suspend or terminate your access immediately, without notice or refund, for:

• Breach of these Terms or Community Guidelines;
• Fraudulent activity, chargebacks, or payment abuse;
• Harassment, threats, or illegal conduct toward other Users;
• Repeated policy violations after warnings;
• Request by law enforcement or regulatory authorities.

Upon termination, all unpaid fees become immediately due, and you lose all access to account data, listings, and messages.

10. GOVERNING LAW & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

These Terms are governed exclusively by the laws of the Republic of Somaliland. Any dispute arising from these Terms or Platform use shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Hargeisa, Somaliland, under the rules of the Somaliland Chamber of Commerce. Class actions and jury trials are expressly waived. The prevailing party in any dispute shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

11. LEGAL CONTACT INFORMATION

All legal notices, DMCA takedowns, and formal communications must be sent in writing to: