1. A neutral marketplace, not a party to gigs

sidequest is a technology platform that connects people who need help ("clients") with independent people who offer to help ("helpers"). We are not an employer, agency, contractor, or agent, and we are not a party to any gig. Clients and helpers contract directly with each other; helpers are independent and act on their own behalf.

2. Eligibility

You must be 18 or older. Helpers must be verified college students: a live face scan plus a valid .edu. One account per person; banned users may not re-register.

3. Verification is not a guarantee

Face scan and .edu checks are not background checks and are not a guarantee of any user's identity, character, or safety. You decide who to engage and interact with others at your own risk.

4. Assumption of risk

Gigs involve real-world, in-person interactions and may involve physical activity and entering homes. You knowingly assume all related risks, including property damage and injury, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

5. On-platform only

Communication and payment must stay within sidequest. Arranging payment off-platform voids your protections and may result in removal.

6. Payments & taxes

Clients authorize payment at booking; funds are held by our payment processor (Stripe) and released to the helper on completion. Helpers are independent and solely responsible for their own taxes.

7. Conduct & safety

Follow our Community Guidelines and the law. Pranks and dares must be legal, safe, and consensual. Don't use sidequest for anything illegal or unsafe.

8. "As is" · limitation of liability · indemnification

The platform is provided "as is," without warranties. To the fullest extent permitted by law, sidequest is not liable for the acts of users or for any gig, our total liability is capped, and you agree to indemnify us and to release claims arising from disputes between users.

9. Arbitration & governing law

Disputes are resolved by binding individual arbitration with a class-action waiver. These Terms are governed by Wyoming law and operated by FLOWBET LLC d/b/a sidequest. See the full Terms of Service for details, including your right to opt out of arbitration.

What we collect

Your name, email, and (for helpers) phone; verification info (a school .edu and/or government ID, handled by our providers); a live face scan; your profile, skills, gig details, messages, and ratings; and approximate location for matching. Payment and tax details are handled by Stripe. sidequest never sees full card numbers or SSNs.

Your face scan

The liveness check runs on your device. Facial-geometry processing happens locally and is not sent to our servers as a biometric template. It produces a photo of your face, which we store as your profile photo and use to confirm you're a real, live person. We don't sell it or use it for ads.

How we use it

To run the platform, verify identity and age, match gigs, process payments, keep the community safe (including AI screening of gig text), prevent fraud, and comply with law.

Who we share with

Other users see your name, photo, skills, and public ratings. We use service providers (Stripe for payments & identity, Google Firebase for hosting, Anthropic for AI pricing/safety, and a masked-calling provider) bound to act only for us. Real phone numbers stay private via masked relay. We don't sell your personal information.

Your controls & rights

Edit your profile, or request to access or delete your data, anytime (subject to legal/tax retention). Depending on where you live, you may have additional privacy rights. Control notifications and location in your device settings.

✓ Be real

Use your real name and a current face scan. Impersonation or fake profiles are removed immediately.

✓ Show up & follow through

Only accept gigs you'll actually do. Repeated no-shows or cancellations hurt your rating and can get you removed.

✓ Keep it on-platform

Never ask to pay or be paid off-app, and never share personal contact info to dodge our protections. Reporting someone who tries is encouraged.

✓ Respect everyone & their space

No harassment, discrimination, or unsafe behavior. Homes and personal property are treated with care. You're responsible for your own safety. Stop if a situation feels unsafe.

✓ Pranks & dares: keep them consensual

Fun gigs (dares, surprises, hype) must be legal, safe, and consensual. Anyone targeted must be a friend who's in on it. You're fully responsible for the gig and its consequences.

✗ Zero tolerance

Violence, theft, weapons, drugs, harassment, or anything involving minors results in a permanent ban and may be reported to authorities.

For clients

You pay the helper's rate plus a small service fee (10%). Your card is authorized when you book and the money is held securely. The helper is only paid once you confirm the gig is done (or automatically 24 hours after it's marked complete).

For helpers

You keep 100% of your rate. sidequest's fee is paid by the client, not taken from you. Payouts go to your bank via Stripe, usually within 1 to 2 days (instant cash-out available for a small fee). For lessons & coaching you set your own hourly rate (within guardrails).

Taxes

Helpers are independent. sidequest is not your employer and doesn't withhold taxes. You're responsible for reporting and paying tax on what you earn, and you may receive tax forms as required by law.

Cancellations

Free to cancel up to 1 hour before the gig. After a helper is on the way, a partial fee may apply to cover their time. Helpers who cancel late or no-show may be charged and rated down.

Refunds & disputes

If something goes wrong, open a dispute from Help & safety. We hold the funds, review the evidence (completion proof, photos, and the in-app chat), and Sidequest makes the final call: release, refund, or split. Proof of completion protects both sides, which is why many quests (especially fun quests) require a photo or video to finish.