Terms of Service

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Agreement

By using SPEAQ, you agree to these Terms of Service. SPEAQ is a quantum-resistant communication platform operated by Plexaris Technology Consulting (Franciscus van Bokhorst), registered in The Netherlands. If you do not agree with these terms, do not use SPEAQ.

No Registration Required

SPEAQ does not require an email address, phone number, real name, or any other personal identifier to use the platform. Your SPEAQ ID is generated locally on your device and is not linked to your real identity. You are solely responsible for safeguarding access to your device and your SPEAQ identity.

End-to-End Encryption

Text messages are end-to-end encrypted on your device with AES-256-GCM (NIST standard) and forwarded by SPEAQ as opaque ciphertext. Voice and video media use WebRTC DTLS-SRTP standard encryption. Voice and video signaling (SDP/ICE) is also encrypted between peers since the 2026-04-25 update. Key exchange uses FIPS 203 ML-KEM-768 (NIST post-quantum, via the @noble/post-quantum library). FIPS 204 ML-DSA-65 implementation is present for wallet/transaction signing. SPEAQ does not retain plaintext copies of message content.

Objectionable Content Policy and Zero Tolerance for Abuse

SPEAQ has a zero-tolerance policy for objectionable content and abusive behavior. By using SPEAQ, you agree that you will not use the platform to send, share, post, transmit, or otherwise distribute any of the following:

Content that promotes, glorifies, or incites violence against any individual or group
Sexually explicit material involving minors, or any form of child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
Content that constitutes harassment, bullying, hate speech, threats, or intimidation
Content that promotes or facilitates illegal activity, including drug dealing, weapons trafficking, terrorism, or human trafficking
Content that infringes on intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or trade secrets of others
Spam, scams, fraud, phishing attempts, or impersonation
Malware, viruses, or other malicious code

How enforcement works on a zero-knowledge platform. Because messages are end-to-end encrypted, SPEAQ servers never see the content of communications between users. Enforcement therefore relies on user-driven reporting and identity-level moderation:

You can report any received message that violates this policy by long-pressing the message and choosing Report. The report shares the offending message with SPEAQ moderators with your consent (only you, the recipient, can decrypt the message).
You can block any SPEAQ ID at any time. Blocked users can no longer send you messages, and your block automatically files an abuse report.
SPEAQ moderators review every report within 24 hours. Confirmed violations result in the offending SPEAQ ID being suspended from the SPEAQ network relay (network-level eject). Suspended SPEAQ IDs cannot connect to the relay or send messages.
Repeat offenders, or single severe violations (CSAM, terrorism, immediate threats), result in permanent network suspension and, where required by law, reporting to law enforcement.
SPEAQ also applies client-side filtering for known offensive language patterns. Flagged messages are blurred on the recipient's screen with a Reveal option.

Reporting abuse to SPEAQ directly. If you observe behavior that requires our immediate attention (CSAM, threats of imminent harm, or terrorism), email abuse@thespeaq.com with the SPEAQ ID of the offending user and a description of the violation. We respond to such reports within 24 hours.

Your acceptance. By using the SPEAQ app or website, you acknowledge that you have read this policy and agree to comply with it. Violations may result in immediate and permanent removal from the SPEAQ network without prior notice.

Q-Credits

Q-Credits (QC) are a digital currency used within the SPEAQ ecosystem. Key terms:

1 Q-Credit is backed by 0.01 gram of gold (once mainnet launches)
Maximum supply is 21,000,000 QC
Q-Credits are earned through Proof of Contribution (see section below)
Your wallet and private keys are stored locally on your device
SPEAQ cannot access, freeze, or confiscate your Q-Credits
Transactions will be verified by the network once mainnet launches (currently tracked locally, see Pre-Chain Status)

Pre-Chain Status and Migration Policy

The SPEAQ public blockchain is not yet launched. Your current Q-Credits are tracked locally on your device as a pre-chain loyalty record, not as on-chain tokens. Until mainnet launches, QC has no market value, is not listed on any exchange, cannot be converted to or from fiat currency, and exists only as a loyalty tracker between SPEAQ participants.

Contribution rewards are double-signed (by your private key and the relay server as witness) and stored in your local ledger. At mainnet launch, only entries with both valid signatures are eligible for migration.

Migration policy (Option C - Hybrid Snapshot):

At mainnet launch (estimated Q3-Q4 2026) a snapshot is taken of all pre-chain balances
Each SPEAQ ID can submit a signed claim to convert its pre-chain balance into on-chain tokens
The per-account cap is 500 QC per SPEAQ ID (balance above this does not migrate)
Migrated tokens are funded from the Early Adopters allocation (2% of the 21,000,000 QC total supply)
Claims are cryptographically verified against the contribution ledger before being honored
Pre-chain balances above the cap, or without valid signed contributions, do not carry over

Mainnet launch timing is subject to change based on development progress, testnet validation, and governance readiness. Final migration rules will be published at least 30 days before mainnet launch in a Migration Policy document referenced from this page.

Not a Financial Institution

SPEAQ is not a bank, payment processor, or regulated financial institution. Q-Credits are a utility token within the SPEAQ ecosystem. SPEAQ does not provide financial advice, investment services, or guarantees regarding the value of Q-Credits. You use Q-Credits at your own risk and are responsible for understanding the regulatory requirements in your jurisdiction.

Proof of Contribution

SPEAQ Chain uses Proof of Contribution (DPoC) consensus, not Proof of Work. Contribution rewards are earned by contributing to the network, not by consuming energy.

Initial block reward: 0.5 QC per block (30-second intervals)
Halving occurs every 2,100,000 QC distributed (halving schedule modeled after Bitcoin)
Maximum supply: 21,000,000 QC - hard cap, no inflation
Contribution types: message relay, proof validation, data storage, mesh networking, translation, user onboarding
Top 21 validators selected by contribution score with geographic diversity
Finality: 2/3 majority (14/21 validators must confirm each block)
Malicious validators are slashed (lose their position and score)

Contribution reward rates are determined by the protocol and decrease over time through halving events. SPEAQ does not guarantee any specific reward rate, token value, or return on contribution. Past contribution performance is not indicative of future results.

Blockchain & Network

SPEAQ Chain is a decentralized, permissionless blockchain. By participating as a node operator or validator, you acknowledge:

Transactions are irreversible once confirmed by the network
Blockchain data is public and permanent - transaction hashes, block heights, and encrypted amounts are visible to all participants
SPEAQ cannot reverse, cancel, or modify transactions
Network consensus rules are enforced by software, not by any person or entity
Hard forks or protocol upgrades may occur with community consensus
Node operators are responsible for maintaining their own infrastructure
The network may experience downtime, delays, or disruptions

Cryptographic Security

Cryptographic primitives currently active (as of 2026-04-25 audit):

AES-256-GCM (NIST) - symmetric encryption for text messages, file content, and Q-Credits payment payloads
Double Ratchet - forward secrecy, fresh derived key per message
FIPS 203 ML-KEM-768 (NIST-standardized post-quantum, via @noble/post-quantum)
ECDSA P-256 (NIST, pre-quantum) - signed key exchange between contacts
SHA-256 (NIST) - hashing of identity records and witness records
HMAC-SHA256 (NIST) - server-side mining receipt tags (relay-internal authentication, not double-signed)
WebRTC DTLS-SRTP - voice and video media encryption. PWA call signaling additionally encrypted with AES-256-GCM keys derived from the Kyber-768 shared secret (zero-knowledge against the relay). Native iOS/Android signaling parity on roadmap.
FIPS 203 Kyber-768 ACTIVE (PWA + native, 2026-04-25). FIPS 204 ML-DSA-65 ACTIVE in PWA (E1 hardening), in relay AUTH hybrid (with ECDSA P-256), and in chain block dual-signing. FIPS 205 SPHINCS+ ACTIVE in chain block dual-signing. CLSAG ring signatures, Pedersen commitments + Bulletproofs in chain.

While these algorithms are currently considered secure against both classical and quantum computers, no cryptographic system can guarantee absolute security indefinitely. SPEAQ will upgrade its cryptographic stack as standards evolve.

Risk Acknowledgment

By using SPEAQ and Q-Credits, you acknowledge and accept:

Digital currencies are volatile and may lose value
Regulatory frameworks for digital currencies vary by jurisdiction and may change
Loss of private keys means permanent loss of Q-Credits with no recovery possible
Software bugs, despite extensive testing (118+ automated tests, 24 formal proofs), may exist
Network attacks, while mitigated by quantum-resistant cryptography, cannot be entirely ruled out
SPEAQ is open-source software provided without warranty

Your Responsibility

Because SPEAQ operates on a zero-knowledge architecture, you are responsible for:

Backing up your wallet and private keys - lost keys cannot be recovered
Keeping your device secure - your data lives on your device
Remembering your PIN - SPEAQ cannot reset it for you
Complying with the laws of your jurisdiction
The content you send through the platform

Prohibited Use

You may not use SPEAQ for any activity that is illegal in your jurisdiction, including but not limited to: distributing malware, facilitating fraud, or engaging in activities that harm the SPEAQ network or its users. While SPEAQ cannot monitor your communications due to end-to-end encryption, violation of these terms may result in exclusion from the network.

Limitation of Liability

SPEAQ is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. Plexaris Technology Consulting shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use of SPEAQ, including but not limited to: loss of data, loss of Q-Credits, loss of access to your wallet, or interruption of service. Your use of SPEAQ is at your own risk.

Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The Netherlands. Any disputes arising from these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of The Netherlands.

Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. Changes will be communicated through the app and published at thespeaq.com/terms. Continued use of SPEAQ after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Privacy

Your privacy is fundamental to SPEAQ. Please review our Privacy Policy for details on how we protect your data.

Contact

For questions about these Terms of Service, contact us at legal@thespeaq.com.

SPEAQ is developed by Plexaris Technology Consulting, The Netherlands.

SPEAQ Freely.