Terms and Polcies

Terms of use:      Privacy Policy    HIPAA Compliance Policy

TERMS OF USE

genus, genusConnect, theWall.AI, Mingle, genusCoach, CareVoice | Terms of Use
Revised: February 19, 2025

  1. Introduction

Welcome to Genus, where our mission is to build communities of care around every person in need. We harness the power of technology, communication, and artificial intelligence (AI) to foster deeper connections, improve relationships, and bring out the best in all of us.

genus represents family, our generation, our time for all of us to care better together.

By accessing or using Genus, you agree to these Terms of Use (“Terms”). These Terms govern your use of the Genus platform, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the “Services”). Please read these Terms carefully and contact us at support@genusconnect.org if you have any questions. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to helping you reconnect to what matters most.

  1. Definitions
  • “Genus,” “we,” “us,” or “our”: Refers to Genus, Inc., which owns and operates the Genus platform and Services.
  • “User,” “you,” or “your”: Any individual or entity that accesses or uses the Genus platform or Services, including registered members and visitors.
  • “Platform”: The Genus website, mobile applications, and any related online or offline services provided by Genus.
  • “Services”: All features, functionalities, tools, content, and information provided by or through Genus.
  • “Content”: Text, graphics, images, photos, videos, audio, data, software, and other materials made available through the Genus platform or Services.
  • “User Content”: Any Content that users submit, post, upload, or otherwise provide through the Genus platform or Services.
  • “Account”: The user account created to access and use the Genus platform and Services.
  • “Third-Party Services”: Services, websites, applications, or content provided by third parties that are made available or integrated with the Genus platform or Services.
  • “Beta Features”: Any new or experimental features, tools, or services that Genus may offer on a trial basis or in pre-release form.
  • “Communities of Care”: Groups or networks formed by Users, which may include family members, caregivers, or healthcare providers, for the purpose of sharing information, supporting each other, and coordinating care.
  1. User Eligibility and Registration
  1. Eligibility
    • You must be at least 13 years old to use Genus. If you are under 13, you may not use our Services. If you are under 18, you may only use Genus with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by these Terms on your behalf.
  2. Account Registration
    • Certain features require you to register for an Account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update it as needed.
  3. Account Security
    • You are responsible for safeguarding your password and for all activities under your Account. If you suspect unauthorized use, please contact support@genusconnect.org immediately.
  4. Account Termination
    • We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your Account at any time, for any reason (including violations of these Terms), without prior notice or liability.
  1. User Conduct and Responsibilities
  1. Compliance with Laws
    • You agree to use the Genus platform and Services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
  2. Prohibited Conduct
    • You will not:
      • Post content that is defamatory, harassing, obscene, or discriminatory.
      • Infringe on intellectual property or privacy rights.
      • Interfere with or disrupt the Genus platform or Services.
      • Attempt unauthorized access to any part of the Platform or other users’ Accounts.
      • Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation.
      • Engage in fraudulent, illegal, or unethical activities.
      • Harvest personal information without proper consent.
      • Use bots, crawlers, or automated scripts without our prior written consent.
  3. Reporting Violations
    • If you encounter any violation of these Terms, please notify us at support@genusconnect.org. We may investigate and take appropriate action, including removing content or suspending/terminating Accounts.
  1. SMS genusCODE Messaging Policy
  1. Opt-In
    • When you opt in to receive SMS messages from Genus, we’ll send a confirmation message to confirm your signup. Messages may include links, tips, or care resources.
  2. Opt-Out
    • You can cancel SMS at any time by texting “STOP.” We will send a confirmation message, and you will no longer receive SMS messages unless you opt in again.
  3. Help
    • Text “HELP” for instructions on how to use the service or to unsubscribe.
  4. Carriers & Rates
    • Message and data rates may apply. Major and minor U.S. carriers are supported. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
  5. Contact
    • For questions regarding SMS, email us at support@genusconnect.org.
  1. Artificial Intelligence and Personalization
  1. Use of AI
    • Genus uses AI technologies to provide personalized recommendations, content, and insights. We may store and utilize cached, human-approved answers to help deliver better responses, and we collect public requests or suggestions for improvement.
    • genusAI automatically removes private information (such as names, demographics, or Protected Health Information (PHI)) before sharing data with any Language or AI models.
  2. No Professional Advice
    • AI-driven suggestions are not intended as medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for critical decisions.
  3. Ethical Use
    • We strive to use AI ethically and securely. By providing feedback or suggestions, you help us refine our AI for the benefit of the Genus community.
  1. HIPAA Coverage and Healthcare-Related Disclaimer
  1. HIPAA Coverage
    • Genus operates as a Covered Entity or Business Associate (as applicable) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for certain Services. We safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) in compliance with HIPAA requirements.
  2. Not Medical Advice
    • Our Services support communication and coordination, but do not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed healthcare provider for specific medical questions.
  1. Inviting Healthcare Providers or Family Caregivers to Communities of Care
  • You may invite third parties—such as healthcare providers, family members, or caregivers—into your “community of care.” You acknowledge that by granting these individuals access, they may view or share information about your health or personal situation.
  • You assume responsibility for selecting who to invite and for verifying their identity and trustworthiness. Genus implements security best practices (e.g., encryption, access control), but we cannot be liable for disclosures made by those you invite into your community.
  • If you have any concerns about an invitee’s suitability, do not grant them access or promptly remove their access via your Account settings.
  1. DMCA / Intellectual Property Takedown Procedure
  1. Notice of Infringement
    • If you believe any User Content infringes your copyright, please send a written notice to:
      DMCA Compliance
      Genus Inc.
      Attn: Legal Department
      440 Burroughs St, Suite 169
      Detroit, MI 48202
      Office: 810-206-6890
      Support@genusConnect.org
      www.genusConnect.org
    • Include:
      • Identification of the work claimed to be infringed.
      • The URL or location of the allegedly infringing material.
      • Your contact info.
      • A statement that you have a good faith belief the use is not authorized.
      • A statement under penalty of perjury that the notice is accurate and you’re authorized to act.
      • Your physical or electronic signature.
  2. Response to Notices
    • We may remove or disable access to allegedly infringing material and terminate repeat infringers at our discretion.
  1. Beta Features

From time to time, we may offer Beta Features on a trial basis. These features are provided “as is” and may be altered or discontinued without notice. Your use of Beta Features is at your own risk.

  1. Intellectual Property Rights
  1. Ownership
    • All Genus-related Content is owned by Genus or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws.
  2. Limited License
    • We grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Genus platform for personal, non-commercial use, subject to these Terms.
  3. User Content
    • You retain ownership of any Content you post. By posting User Content, you grant Genus a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display it in connection with providing our Services.
  4. Trademarks
    • You may not use “Genus,” “GenusConnect,” or related marks without our prior written consent.
  1. Payment Terms (If Applicable)
  1. Fees
    • Some features or services may require fees. You agree to pay all applicable charges as described during signup.
  2. Billing & Renewal
    • Subscription-based services may auto-renew unless canceled before the end of the current subscription period.
  3. Refunds
    • Fees are generally non-refundable unless otherwise specified in a particular offer.
  4. Late Payments
    • We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access for unpaid fees.
  1. Termination and Suspension
  1. Termination by You
    • You can terminate your Account at any time. You remain responsible for any fees incurred before termination.
  2. Termination by Genus
    • We reserve the right to suspend or terminate Accounts for violations of these Terms or for any reason at our discretion.
  3. Effects
    • Upon termination, all licenses granted to you end. We may delete or retain your data as allowed by law or as outlined in our Privacy Policy.
  1. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
  1. “As Is” / “As Available”
    • The Genus platform and Services are provided without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
  2. No Professional Advice
    • All content (including AI insights) is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, legal, or financial advice.
  3. Limitation of Liability
    • To the fullest extent permitted by law, Genus shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential damages. Our total liability shall not exceed the amount you paid in the 12 months preceding the claim.
  1. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Genus, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from your use of the Services, breach of these Terms, or violation of any third-party rights.

  1. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
  1. Governing Law
    • These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
  2. Jurisdiction
    • You agree that any legal action shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in Macomb County, Michigan.
  3. Arbitration & Class Action Waiver
    • Any unresolved dispute shall be settled by binding arbitration under the American Arbitration Association (AAA). You waive the right to participate in class actions.
  1. Accessibility / ADA Compliance

We strive to make our Services accessible to all. If you encounter accessibility barriers or need assistance, please contact support@genusconnect.org so we can address your needs.

  1. Changes to the Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice. Continued use after changes become effective indicates your acceptance of the revised Terms.

  1. Miscellaneous
  1. Entire Agreement: These Terms and our Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and Genus regarding the Services.
  2. Severability: If any provision is deemed unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect.
  3. Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of our rights.
  4. Assignment: You may not assign these Terms without our written consent.
  5. Force Majeure: We are not liable for events beyond our reasonable control (e.g., natural disasters, governmental actions).
  6. Contact Information: For questions about these Terms, email support@genusconnect.org.

Thank you for being part of the Genus community!

PRIVACY POLICY

Genus, GenusConnect, TheWall.AI | Privacy Policy
Revised: February 19, 2025

  1. Introduction

At Genus, we value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how Genus (and your Authorized Care Partners, if applicable) collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use our website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the “Services”).
By using our Services, you agree to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Services.

  1. Definitions
  • “Personal Information”: Information that can identify you, such as your name, email address, phone number, demographics, or health-related data.
  • “Authorized Care Partners”: Organizations or individuals you have authorized to use Genus to provide you with care services, content, or coaching.
  • “User”: Any individual who accesses or uses our Services.
  • “User Content”: Data or content you submit, post, or provide through the Services.
  • “Third-Party Services”: Websites or services operated by third parties that may integrate with Genus or be linked on our platform.
  • “CCPA/CPRA”: The California Consumer Privacy Act (and the California Privacy Rights Act amendments) applicable to certain businesses that collect/process personal info of California residents.
  • “GDPR”: The EU General Data Protection Regulation.
  1. HIPAA Coverage and Notice
  1. HIPAA Compliance
    • Genus may act as a Covered Entity or Business Associate under HIPAA for certain Services. We safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rules.
  2. HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Where required, we provide a separate HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices describing how we handle PHI. This Privacy Policy supplements that notice and focuses on broader data practices.
  3. No Medical Advice
    • While we may process health-related data, the Services do not constitute medical advice or treatment. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for health-related questions.
  1. Information Collection and Use
  1. Information You Provide
    • When you register, use our Services, or communicate with us, you may provide Personal Information (e.g., name, email, phone number). We use this to manage your Account, offer Services, and personalize your experience.
  2. User Content
    • Any data (text, images, videos, etc.) you submit through Genus may be used to facilitate your care experience, including personalization and community support.
  3. Authorized Care Partners
    • With your explicit consent, we may receive information about you from Authorized Care Partners to better serve your needs.
  4. Third-Party Integrations
    • If you connect your Account to external platforms, we may collect information from those platforms to enhance your Genus experience.
  5. Automatically Collected Information
    • We gather data such as IP address, browser type, device ID, and usage patterns to improve our Services and user experience.
  6. Cookies and Similar Technologies
    • We use cookies, web beacons, and local storage to remember your preferences, track usage, and personalize content. You can adjust your browser settings to reject cookies, but some features may not function properly.
    • We also use Google Analytics (and potentially other analytics tools) to gather usage metrics and understand how users interact with our website and Services. Google Analytics may collect information such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited. You can learn more or opt out by visiting Google’s Ads Settings or using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
  7. Location Data (If Collected)
    • If we collect location information (e.g., via GPS), we use it for location-based features or personalized recommendations. You can typically disable location sharing in your device settings.
  1. Artificial Intelligence and Personalization
  1. AI Processing
    • Our AI analyzes and processes deidentified personal information to provide you with relevant recommendations, content, and suggestions. We may store cached, human-approved answers and gather public improvement requests to enhance AI performance.
  2. Removal of PHI
    • genusAI automatically removes private data, including names, demographics, or PHI, before sharing any information with Language or AI models.
  3. Feedback
    • We may periodically ask for feedback on AI-driven suggestions. Your feedback helps us improve our AI systems.
  4. No Guarantee of Accuracy
    • AI recommendations are provided “as is” and may not be error-free. Always exercise your own judgment or consult professionals for critical decisions.
  1. Data Retention
  1. Retention Period
    • We keep Personal Information only as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, to comply with legal obligations (including HIPAA’s 6-year retention standard if applicable), or to protect our legitimate interests.
  2. Deletion Requests
    • You can request deletion of your data at support@genusconnect.org. We will remove or deidentify your data unless legally required to retain it.
  3. Backup & Archiving
    • We may retain backup copies for a limited time to meet legal, security, or operational needs.
  1. Information Sharing and Disclosure
  1. Service Providers
    • We share your data with trusted third-party providers (e.g., hosting, analytics, payment processing) under strict confidentiality agreements. If these providers may handle PHI on our behalf, we enter into Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) as required by HIPAA.
  2. Authorized Care Partners
    • We share relevant data with your Authorized Care Partners (with your consent) to facilitate better care coordination.
  3. Legal Requirements and Protection
    • We may disclose information to comply with legal obligations or protect our rights and the rights of others (e.g., fraud prevention, responding to legal requests).
  4. Business Transfers
    • In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred. We will ensure the new entity respects this Privacy Policy or provides comparable protection.
  5. Aggregate or Deidentified Data
    • We may share non-personally identifiable data with partners for analytics, research, or marketing.
  1. No Professional Advice

Any content—including AI-driven insights—provided on Genus is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for specific guidance.

  1. Security Measures
  1. Encryption
    • We use SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit. Sensitive data may be encrypted at rest.
  2. Access Control
    • We limit data access to authorized personnel and service providers under confidentiality obligations.
  3. Incident Response
    • In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities as required by law.
  4. Employee Training
    • All staff receive HIPAA and privacy training upon hire and annually thereafter, ensuring our team remains aware of security best practices and compliance requirements.
  5. Contingency Planning
    • We maintain a contingency plan (including backups and disaster recovery procedures) to ensure that critical PHI and user data remain available in the event of an outage or other incident.
  1. Additional Disclosures for California Residents

If you are a California resident, you may have the following rights under CCPA/CPRA:

  1. Right to Know
    • Request info about the categories of Personal Information we collect, why we collect it, and with whom we share it.
  2. Right to Delete
    • Request that we delete your Personal Information (subject to certain exceptions).
  3. Right to Correct
    • Request correction of inaccurate Personal Information.
  4. Right to Opt-Out of Sale or Sharing
    • We do not sell your Personal Information for monetary consideration. If in the future we engage in any sale or share of data, you will have the right to opt out.
  5. No Discrimination
    • We will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.
  6. Shine the Light
    • California law allows residents to request information regarding certain types of data sharing for direct marketing purposes. We do not share personal data with third parties for direct marketing without your consent.
      To submit a request under CCPA/CPRA, please email support@genusconnect.org with “California Privacy Rights” in the subject line. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.
  1. GDPR and International Data Transfers
  1. Legal Bases
    • We rely on several legal bases to process data, including your consent, contractual necessity, and legitimate interests.
  2. Your Rights (EU/EEA Residents)
    • Access: Request a copy of your data.
    • Rectification: Correct inaccurate data.
    • Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): Request data deletion.
    • Restriction: Request we limit processing under certain conditions.
    • Data Portability: Obtain your personal data in a structured format.
    • Objection: Object to processing or withdraw consent at any time.
  3. Data Protection Officer (If Applicable)
    • If required under GDPR, we will appoint a Data Protection Officer. In the meantime, please address privacy concerns to support@genusconnect.org.
  4. International Transfers
    • Your data may be transferred to servers in the U.S. or other jurisdictions with different data protection laws. We use appropriate safeguards (e.g., standard contractual clauses) for such transfers.
  5. Right to Lodge a Complaint
    • If you believe we are not respecting your GDPR rights, you can file a complaint with a supervisory authority in your EU/EEA member state.
  1. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have inadvertently collected data from a child under 13, please contact us at support@genusconnect.org, and we will promptly delete it.

  1. Accessibility / ADA Statement

Genus strives to ensure that our Services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you experience any barriers or need assistance, please contact support@genusconnect.org, and we will address your needs as promptly as possible.

  1. Links to Other Websites

Our Services may contain links to external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

  1. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated (e.g., via email or a notice on our site). Your continued use of our Services after changes become effective indicates acceptance of the updated Policy.

  1. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Email: support@genusconnect.org
Mail: Genus Inc.
Attn: Privacy Officer
440 Burroughs St, Suite 169
Detroit, MI 48202
Office: 810-206-6890
Support@genusConnect.org
www.genusConnect.org

We are committed to respecting your privacy and ensuring your experience with Genus is safe and secure. Thank you for trusting us with your information.

HIPAA COMPLIANCE POLICY

  1. Compliance with HIPAA Regulations
    Genus is committed to protecting the privacy and security of users’ health information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and related federal and state laws. We implement appropriate safeguards to ensure that Protected Health Information (PHI) is handled securely and confidentially.
    We follow the “minimum necessary” standard, ensuring that only the least amount of PHI is accessed or disclosed to accomplish the intended purpose.
  2. Collection and Use of Protected Health Information (PHI)
    We collect and process PHI solely as necessary to provide care coordination, communication, and health-related services. This may include, but is not limited to:
  • Personal identifiers (e.g., name, date of birth)
  • Medical history and treatment details
  • Care team communications (messages, notes)
  • Appointment and medication reminders

All PHI is used strictly for the intended purposes outlined in this policy and in accordance with HIPAA regulations and other applicable laws. When Users invite healthcare providers or family caregivers into their Communities of Care, they assume responsibility for verifying the appropriateness of those individuals to access PHI.

  1. Data Security and Encryption
    To protect PHI from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss, Genus employs:
  • Encryption: All data, both in transit and at rest, is encrypted using industry-standard encryption protocols.
  • Access Controls: Role-based access ensures that only authorized individuals can view or modify PHI.
  • Audit Logging: System activities involving PHI are logged and monitored for security and compliance.

We periodically review and update our technical safeguards to address emerging threats and ensure continued HIPAA compliance.

  1. User Rights and Privacy
    Under HIPAA, users have the right to:
  • Access and review their PHI, and obtain copies.
  • Request corrections to their PHI if inaccurate or incomplete.
  • Control how their data is shared with third parties, to the extent permitted by law.
  • Receive notifications of any unauthorized access or security breaches affecting their PHI.

Users can exercise these rights by contacting Genus at the information listed in Section 7. We may require verification of identity before fulfilling requests.

  1. Disclosure of PHI
    Genus does not sell or share PHI without explicit user consent, except as allowed or required by HIPAA for:
  • Healthcare operations (e.g., treatment coordination, insurance claims).
  • Legal obligations (e.g., court orders, law enforcement requests).
  • Public health and safety (e.g., disease control, emergency response).

Third parties that process PHI on our behalf must adhere to Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards.

  1. Breach Notification Policy
    In the event of a data breach affecting PHI, Genus will notify affected users and regulatory authorities as required under HIPAA’s Breach Notification Rule. We will:
  1. Investigate the scope of the breach.
  2. Mitigate risks to prevent further unauthorized access.
  3. Notify users without unreasonable delay (and in no case later than 60 calendar days) with specific details about the breach and steps they can take to protect themselves.
  1. Training and Contingency Planning
  • Employee Training: All staff involved with handling PHI receive HIPAA-specific training upon hire and annually, ensuring compliance awareness and competence.
  • Contingency/Disaster Recovery Plan: We maintain a documented plan that includes regular backups, testing of failover procedures, and strategies to restore PHI availability in the event of system failures or disasters.
  1. Updates and Contact Information
    We may update this HIPAA Compliance Policy as needed to reflect changes in our practices or in HIPAA regulations. Significant updates will be communicated to users in a timely manner.

For questions about this HIPAA Compliance Policy, or to exercise your HIPAA-related rights, please contact:

Genus
Attn: Privacy Office
440 Burroughs St, Suite 169
Detroit, MI 48202
Office: 810-206-6890
Support@genusConnect.org
www.genusConnect.org