SCKIN

User Agreement

SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia – Chatbot Terms of Use

Last updated: December 2, 2025

By using the SickleCellPedia chatbot (called Drepanopedia in French), you agree to these Terms.

1. About the Service

  • The SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia chatbot (the "Chatbot") is operated by Sickle Cell Knowledge and Information Network, Inc. (SCKIN), a New York–based non-profit.
  • The Chatbot is available through third-party apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger ("Platforms").

2. Medical Information Only

  • SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia provides general information about sickle cell disease.
  • It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
  • Using SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia does not create a doctor–patient relationship.
  • Always talk to a qualified clinician before making any medical decisions.
  • In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital.

3. Age and Global Use

  • You should be 18+, or using the Chatbot with the knowledge and supervision of a parent/guardian.
  • People from any country may use SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia, but the information may not match local guidelines.

4. How You May Use SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia

You agree to:

  • Use SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia for personal, non-commercial use only.
  • Not use it for illegal, harmful, or abusive purposes.

You must not:

  • Copy or collect large amounts of answers to resell, republish, or use them to build a competing service.
  • Use bots, scripts, or scraping tools to access SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia.
  • Overload the Chatbot with excessive or automated use that harms performance for others.

We may limit or block access if we believe your use is abusive, excessive, or violates these Terms.

5. Your Messages and Our Right to Use Them

"User Content" means the questions and messages you send to SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia and any feedback you provide.

  • Please avoid sharing unnecessary personal identifiers (e.g., full legal name, exact address, ID numbers).
  • By using SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia, you give SCKIN a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to:
    • Use and analyze your messages to operate, maintain, and improve SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia;
    • Use your messages (in de-identified or aggregated form) for research, publications, and presentations;
    • Create and use de-identified or aggregated datasets, tools, and models, including for commercial purposes, such as licensing or selling them.

We will not sell information that directly identifies you, such as your name, phone number, or direct contact details.

6. Free Now, May Be Paid Later

  • SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia is currently free.
  • We may introduce paid features or fees in the future. We will give notice, and using paid features will be optional.

7. Third-Party Platforms and Services

  • Your use of WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or other Platforms is governed by their own terms and privacy policies.
  • We may use third-party service providers (including AI providers) to run and improve SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia.
  • SCKIN is not responsible for the Platforms' own data practices.

8. No Warranties; Use at Your Own Risk

  • SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia is provided "as is" and "as available."
  • We do not guarantee that information is complete, up-to-date, or suitable for your specific situation.
  • We do not guarantee that SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia will always be available or error-free.
  • You use SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia at your own risk.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent allowed by law:

  • SCKIN is not liable for any indirect or consequential damages (including lost data, lost profits, or health outcomes) arising from your use of SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia.
  • If we are found liable, our total liability is limited to USD $100 (or the lowest higher amount required by your local law).
  • SCKIN is not responsible for any medical decisions or outcomes based on information from SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia. Always consult a clinician.

10. Governing Law

  • These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, USA.
  • Disputes may be brought in the courts of New York County, New York, unless your local law requires another forum.

11. Changes

We may update these Terms from time to time. We will update the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of SickleCellPedia / Drepanopedia means you accept the updated Terms.

12. Contact Information

If you have any questions, you may contact us: contact@sckin.org

Résumé en français – Conditions d'utilisation (Drepanopedia)

Avant d'utiliser Drepanopedia – résumé rapide

  • Ce chatbot donne des informations générales sur la drépanocytose, pas des conseils médicaux.
  • Il ne remplace pas votre médecin. Demandez toujours l'avis d'un professionnel de santé avant de changer un traitement ou de prendre une décision médicale.
  • Ne l'utilisez jamais en cas d'urgence. Appelez le numéro d'urgence de votre pays ou allez à l'hôpital.
  • Nous pouvons utiliser et analyser vos questions pour améliorer Drepanopedia et pour la recherche.
  • Nous pouvons publier et/ou vendre des données ou modèles agrégés et dé-identifiés, mais nous ne vendons pas d'informations qui vous identifient directement (comme votre nom ou votre numéro de téléphone).
  • Drepanopedia est pour votre usage personnel uniquement. Merci de ne pas copier les réponses pour les revendre, créer un service concurrent ou utiliser des robots/scrapers.
  • En cas d'abus ou d'usage très intensif, nous pouvons limiter ou couper votre accès.

En continuant, vous confirmez que vous avez lu et accepté ces points.

Pour toute question ou demande concernant vos données, contactez-nous à contact@sckin.org.