Research Session Recording and Submission Terms

Research Session Recording and Submission

Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: July 19, 2026

THESE TERMS ARE IMPORTANT AND AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THESE TERMS PRIOR TO SIGNING UP FOR THE PROGRAM OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY SESSION. THESE TERMS CONTAIN A BINDING ARBITRATION CLAUSE AND A CLASS ACTION WAIVER. THESE TERMS ALSO CONTAIN YOUR CONSENT TO BE RECORDED (INCLUDING YOUR SCREEN, VOICE, AND AUDIO) AND A GRANT OF BROAD, PERPETUAL RIGHTS IN THE RECORDINGS, FEEDBACK, AND OTHER MATERIALS YOU SUBMIT. PLEASE READ THESE TERMS SO THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

Section 1 – Introduction & Consent to Terms

This Research Session Recording and Submission Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) is entered into and made effective on the date of your (as defined below) acceptance, between TalkShop Digital, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TalkShop”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) and the individual who has agreed to these Terms (herein “you”, “your”, or “reviewer”). TalkShop operates a peer mentor marketplace and platform, more particularly described on our “Website” at https://talkshop.io/ (referred to herein as our “Platform”).

These Terms apply to all individuals who participate in TalkShop’s paid or unpaid student reviewer research program (the “Program”, including any program offered under the name “Lens” or any successor name) and who participate in Sessions or submit Research Materials (each as defined below) to TalkShop (herein the “Service”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not sign up for the Program, participate in any Session, or submit Research Materials.

Eligibility. You represent and warrant that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age, that you have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms, and that, if you will receive Compensation, you satisfy the eligibility, work authorization, and tax documentation requirements communicated to you by TalkShop. The Program is not open to minors.

You acknowledge and agree that by clicking on the button labeled “SUBMIT”, “ACCEPT”, “AGREE”, or such similar links as may be designated by TalkShop to accept these Terms, you are submitting a legally binding electronic signature and entering into a legally binding contract. You acknowledge that your electronic submissions constitute your agreement and intent to be bound by these Terms. Pursuant to any applicable statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances, or other laws, including without limitation the United States Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, P.L. 106-229 (the “E-Sign Act”), YOU HEREBY AGREE TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. Further, you waive any rights or requirements under any statutes, regulations, rules, ordinances, or other laws in any jurisdiction which require an original signature.

Section 2 – The Program; Sessions; Research Materials

The purpose of the Program is for TalkShop to obtain candid research input from student reviewers regarding schools, educational institutions, digital platforms, and related topics. As part of the Program, you will participate in recorded research sessions (each, a “Session”) during which you may browse, search, view, or otherwise interact with social media platforms, websites, search engines, artificial intelligence chat tools or large language models (“LLM Tools”), or other digital products and services, and during which you may respond to interview questions, including questions posed by automated or AI-powered voice or chat agents.

“Research Materials” means, collectively, any and all materials and information you submit to TalkShop or that are captured, generated, or recorded in connection with a Session or the Program, including without limitation: screen recordings and screen captures; audio and voice recordings; video recordings; recordings of your interactions with LLM Tools, including your prompts and the outputs displayed; interview and survey responses; written feedback, ratings, and commentary; usage and technical data; and any other content you provide in connection with the Service.

Sessions and Research Materials will be based on written or recorded instructions provided to you by TalkShop, which shall include, for example: the subject(s), tasks, approximate length, platforms or tools to be used, and any other technical or content requirements (herein the “Instructions”). Instructions will be provided to you by electronic or other means. If the Instructions provide a deadline, you agree to complete the Session or provide the Research Materials on or before the listed deadline.

In order to receive Compensation (as defined below), you agree to complete Sessions and deliver Research Materials that materially comply with the Instructions. Failure to materially comply with the Instructions may preclude you from receiving Compensation, and TalkShop shall have no obligation to pay you Compensation for materially deficient Sessions or Research Materials. TalkShop reserves the right to review, edit, redact, or reject any Research Materials, at its sole discretion. Participation does not guarantee that your Research Materials will be used by TalkShop.

All Sessions and Research Materials must also comply with the following “Session Guidelines”:

Your Own Accounts and Devices. You will use only your own devices and your own personal accounts on any third-party platform or LLM Tool, and you are solely responsible for complying with the terms of service of each third-party platform, website, or tool you use during a Session.
No Third-Party Private Information. You will not display, capture, or include: private messages, direct messages, group chats, or other private communications of any other person; content from private or closed accounts belonging to others; or the image, voice, name, or personal information of any other individual, unless you have obtained that individual’s prior consent.
Protect Your Own Sensitive Information. Before and during each Session, you are solely responsible for closing, hiding, or disabling anything you do not want recorded, including notifications, open tabs, passwords, financial or banking information, health information, government identification numbers, and other sensitive personal information.
Honest Opinions. All feedback, ratings, and responses you provide must reflect your honest, genuine opinions and actual experiences.
Originality. Any content you personally create and submit must be original to you and must not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, or rights of publicity.
Lawful Conduct. You will not engage in any unlawful activity during a Session, and Research Materials must not contain viruses, malware, or other harmful code or materials, and must not contain nudity, sexually explicit material, threats, harassment, hate speech, or other unlawful or objectionable material except as may appear incidentally in third-party content you are asked to review.

Section 3 – Consent to Recording

You acknowledge that Sessions are recorded, and YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO THE RECORDING OF YOUR SCREEN, VOICE, AUDIO, AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, CAMERA VIDEO DURING SESSIONS, including recordings made by automated systems or AI-powered voice or interview agents. You acknowledge that this paragraph constitutes notice of recording, and you waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim arising under any federal, state, or local law governing the recording of communications with respect to recordings made in accordance with these Terms.

You agree not to permit any other person to be present, audible, or visible during a Session. If the voice, image, or personal information of any other person nevertheless appears in your Research Materials, you represent and warrant that you obtained that person’s consent to be recorded and to the uses described in these Terms, and you agree to indemnify TalkShop for any claim arising from the presence of that person or their information in your Research Materials.

TalkShop does not use your recordings to create biometric identifiers, biometric information, voiceprints, faceprints, or similar identifiers for the purpose of identifying you, and nothing in these Terms authorizes TalkShop to do so without your separate written consent.

Section 4 – License, Permission, and Use

By agreeing to these Terms and participating in the Program, you grant TalkShop, its affiliates, sublicensees, and agents a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and transferable license to use, host, store, reproduce, distribute, transmit, modify, adapt, translate, excerpt, redact, analyze, publicly perform, publicly display, and create derivative works from the Research Materials, in whole or in part, in any media or format now known or later developed. Without limiting the foregoing, this license includes the right to use the Research Materials, including your voice and likeness as contained within the Research Materials, for the following purposes:

Research and Analysis. Internal research, analysis, benchmarking, product development, and quality assurance.
Client Deliverables. The creation, preparation, and delivery of audits, reports, insights, presentations, recordings, excerpts, and other deliverables for TalkShop’s clients and prospective clients, including schools, educational institutions, and other organizations.
Data Products. The creation of aggregated, de-identified, or statistical data, insights, and data products, which TalkShop may use, disclose, license, and commercialize without restriction.
Technology Development. The training, testing, evaluation, and improvement of TalkShop’s software, systems, analytical tools, and machine learning or artificial intelligence models.
Marketing. Marketing, advertising, and promotion of TalkShop’s business and services, subject to Section 5 (Personal Information).

This license specifically includes the right for TalkShop to grant sublicenses of any or all of these rights to third-party entities (including, without limitation, schools, educational institutions, or other organizations that may purchase or otherwise acquire sublicense rights to the Research Materials or deliverables derived from them, for their own use, distribution, or incorporation in connection with TalkShop’s services or offerings). For the avoidance of doubt, no additional compensation, royalties, fees, or other payments of any kind will be due or payable to you (or any other person or entity) in connection with any use of the Research Materials, any such sublicenses, their exercise, or any revenue or benefits derived therefrom.

You retain ownership of your original contributions to the Research Materials, subject to the license granted to TalkShop (and its affiliates and sublicensees) under these Terms. You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights to grant this license. You acknowledge that Research Materials may incidentally include third-party content displayed on platforms or LLM Tools during a Session; you make no representation as to that third-party content, and TalkShop is responsible for its own determination of how such materials are used.

You waive any right to inspect or approve TalkShop’s use of the Research Materials. Neither TalkShop nor a sublicensee is obligated to use the Research Materials, and nothing in these Terms guarantees such use. TalkShop and its sublicensees may, in their sole discretion, determine how and whether to utilize the Research Materials in connection with its/their business.

If you change your mind about granting the license outlined herein, you have until (i) the payment of the Compensation, or (ii) fifteen (15) days following the applicable Session or submission, whichever is shorter, to revoke this license. Once you are paid the Compensation or it has been fifteen (15) days since your Session or submission, whichever is shorter, this license shall become irrevocable.

You agree not to do anything that would impair TalkShop’s or its sublicensees’ ability to use your Research Materials (including but not limited to a DMCA takedown) and agree to indemnify TalkShop, its sublicensees, and any of their agents, employees, or otherwise, and be responsible for any such actions.

Section 5 – Personal Information; De-Identification

TalkShop will not disclose your personally identifying information (such as your legal name, contact information, or student identification number) (“PII”) to its clients or in publicly distributed materials without your separate written consent, except: (i) to TalkShop’s service providers, contractors, and professional advisors who are subject to confidentiality obligations; (ii) as required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of TalkShop or others; (iii) in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets; or (iv) to the extent such information appears within the Research Materials themselves as described below.

Where TalkShop shares Research Materials or excerpts externally, TalkShop will use commercially reasonable efforts to de-identify, redact, aggregate, or anonymize them, or to attribute them only by non-identifying descriptors (for example, “second-year student, West Coast private university”). You acknowledge, however, that Research Materials may inherently contain information that could identify you, including your account handles, profile pages, on-screen content, or the sound of your voice, and that complete de-identification of screen and voice recordings cannot be guaranteed. You are solely responsible for excluding from your Sessions any information you do not want captured, and you assume the risk of any information you display, speak, or submit during a Session.

Information that has been de-identified or aggregated is not PII, and TalkShop may create, use, retain, license, and commercialize de-identified and aggregated information without restriction, both during and after the Term.

TalkShop will maintain commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect Research Materials in its possession. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and TalkShop does not warrant or guarantee the security of any information.

Section 6 – Third-Party Platforms and Accounts; Assumption of Risk

Sessions may involve your use of third-party platforms, websites, applications, and LLM Tools. Your use of any third-party platform or tool is governed solely by your own agreement with that third party. You are solely responsible for your accounts, your compliance with third-party terms of service, and any consequences of your use, including any suspension, restriction, or termination of your accounts by a third party. TalkShop is not a party to your agreements with third parties, has no responsibility for the acts, omissions, content, or policies of any third party, and shall have no liability to you arising from any third-party platform, tool, or service.

You acknowledge and agree that your participation in the Program is voluntary, and you knowingly and freely assume all risks related to your participation, including risks related to the capture of information on your screen or in your environment, the conduct of third-party platforms, and the use of the Research Materials as permitted by these Terms.

Section 7 – Compensation

In consideration of your completion of Sessions and submission of Research Materials that materially comply with the Instructions, TalkShop agrees to pay you those amounts as described to you in the written request for your participation (herein the “Compensation”). The Compensation is being paid to you in consideration of the consents, permissions, releases, and licenses outlined herein, and for your Service, and you agree that the Compensation is adequate consideration for the same. Certain Program activities may be unpaid; where no Compensation is offered, you agree that the opportunity to participate in the Program constitutes adequate consideration for these Terms.

Compensation will be made available to you through a third-party application shortly after TalkShop has reviewed your Session or Research Materials to ensure material compliance with the Instructions. If your Session or Research Materials do not materially comply with the Instructions, you may be given the opportunity to complete a new Session or submit new Research Materials. Otherwise, you will not be paid the Compensation. If you are not paid Compensation, TalkShop will not use your Research Materials, and no license will be granted hereunder to TalkShop.

TalkShop may require, as a condition of payment, that you provide accurate tax documentation (such as an IRS Form W-9) and satisfy any eligibility or work authorization requirements communicated to you. Payments may be reported to tax authorities as required by law, and you are solely responsible for all taxes on amounts paid to you.

Since your Compensation will be made available to you through a third-party application, it is your duty to ensure that you have input all required information to obtain the Compensation. Failure to do so will be borne solely by you. If you fail to obtain the Compensation after it is made available to you, you agree that your license and permissions granted hereunder will be granted with the consideration of participation in the Program and the benefits that may come from such participation, which you agree is adequate consideration. It is your duty and responsibility to read the relevant terms of the third-party application that we use for payment. We are not related to the third-party payment application(s) and have no responsibility for their conduct.

By agreeing to these Terms, you hereby waive any and all rights to claims of additional payment or royalties in connection with any commercialization, use, or otherwise in connection with your Research Materials, voice, likeness, or otherwise.

Section 8 – TalkShop Intellectual Property

The contents of TalkShop’s Platform, the Instructions, and TalkShop’s research methodologies, survey instruments, interview scripts, software, and deliverables are protected by United States and international intellectual property laws and are owned exclusively by TalkShop or licensed to TalkShop. You may not, and may not cause or encourage others to, reproduce, distribute, display, sell, transfer, assign, license or use for commercial purposes any such materials (the “Intellectual Property”) without TalkShop’s prior written consent. All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved to TalkShop. TalkShop and its name, logos, slogans, or otherwise are trademarks or service marks (“Marks”) of TalkShop. All rights in these Marks are reserved by TalkShop. You do not have any authority to use TalkShop’s Marks, or the marks of TalkShop’s clients or sublicensees, in any manner, except as expressly permitted in writing.

Section 9 – Confidential Information

You acknowledge and agree that you may be granted access to certain information that is treated as confidential and proprietary by TalkShop, including, without limitation: the Instructions; the identities of TalkShop’s clients and prospective clients; the subjects, schools, or institutions you are asked to research; survey instruments and interview questions; unreleased products or features; research findings; and information pertaining to TalkShop’s operations, strategies, marketing, or other distinguishing elements, regardless of whether spoken, printed, electronic, or in any other form or medium (collectively, the “Confidential Information”). You agree not to disclose Confidential Information to any third party and not to use Confidential Information, directly or indirectly, for any purpose other than your participation in the Program. You agree not to publicly post about, screenshot, or otherwise share the contents of any Session, Instructions, or research assignment without TalkShop’s prior written consent.

Section 10 – Term

This Agreement shall have a term of fifteen (15) years (the “Term”). Termination of this Agreement does not alter any obligations, promises, warranties, agreements, licenses, consents, or releases granted hereunder. All sections of this Agreement shall survive termination.

Section 11 – Waivers and Releases

By accepting these Terms, you hereby waive any and all rights, claims, or causes of action of any kind arising out of or in connection with TalkShop’s recording of your Sessions and use of your Research Materials, voice, and likeness in accordance with these Terms, and forever release and discharge TalkShop and its owners, agents, employees, affiliates, sublicensees, and related parties from any and all causes of action, demands, litigation, costs, fees, or otherwise that you may suffer as a result of this limited engagement, except for those arising out of the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of TalkShop or its sublicensees.

You hereby release, defend, indemnify, and hold TalkShop and its sublicensees harmless from any and all claims, demands, costs (including attorneys’ fees) and causes of action of any kind or nature whatsoever, now and in the future, including without limitation defamation, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, misappropriation of likeness, violation of rights of publicity, and claims under any law governing recordings, data protection, or personal information, arising out of or in connection with the recording of Sessions or the use of your Research Materials, voice, likeness, and appearance in accordance with these Terms, in connection with TalkShop’s business or endeavors, or the business or endeavors of its sublicensees.

You acknowledge that TalkShop and its sublicensees will rely on the permissions and consents outlined herein, potentially at substantial cost to TalkShop and its sublicensees, and you agree not to assert any claim of any nature whatsoever (including any claims for injunctive relief or money damages) against TalkShop or its sublicensees or related parties relating to the exercise of these permissions or to the use of your likeness, voice, or Research Materials, unless in material breach of these Terms.

Section 12 – Relationship

Nothing contained in these Terms shall be regarded as creating an employment, joint venture, agency, or partnership relationship between you and TalkShop, who are, at all times, independently contracting third parties. You are not entitled to any employee benefits, and you are solely responsible for your own taxes. You further acknowledge that the Program is commercial market research conducted by a private company and is not an academic study conducted by or on behalf of any school or institutional review board.

Section 13 – Disclaimers

THIS ENGAGEMENT IS BEING PROVIDED TO YOU “AS IS” AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TALKSHOP AND ITS OWNERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS EXCLUDE ALL REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SESSIONS, ASSIGNMENTS, OR AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION. WE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF THIS LIMITED ENGAGEMENT, OR ANYTHING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, INCLUDING ANY ACTION TAKEN BY A THIRD-PARTY PLATFORM WITH RESPECT TO YOUR ACCOUNTS.

Section 14 – Limitation of Liability

WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU NOR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, EVEN IF WE WERE ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN NO EVENT SHALL TALKSHOP’S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL DAMAGES, LOSSES AND CAUSES OF ACTION EXCEED THE TOTAL COMPENSATION WE PAID YOU, OR ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100) IF NO COMPENSATION WAS PAID.

YOU AGREE THAT NO CLAIMS OR ACTION IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, OR IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS MAY BE BROUGHT MORE THAN ONE (1) YEAR AFTER THE CAUSE OF ACTION RELATING TO SUCH CLAIM OR ACTION AROSE.

Section 15 – Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify and hold TalkShop, its agents, employees, directors, officers, owners, etc., as well as its clients and sublicensees, harmless for any loss, damages or costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, resulting from any claim, action, or demand arising from (i) your breach of these Terms; (ii) your breach of applicable law; (iii) your breach of any third-party platform’s or LLM Tool’s terms of service; or (iv) the presence in your Research Materials of any other person’s voice, image, likeness, private communications, or personal information.

TalkShop agrees to defend, indemnify and hold you harmless for any loss resulting from any claim, action, or demand arising from TalkShop’s material breach of these Terms, except to the extent primarily caused by your actions.

Section 16 – General Provisions

Entire Agreement. Except for (i) the Instructions, and (ii) Compensation information, these Terms contain the entire agreement between you and TalkShop as to the matters set forth herein. If you have also agreed to TalkShop’s Content Submission and Use Terms & Conditions, that agreement governs content you create for publication, and these Terms govern your participation in the Program; in the event of a conflict with respect to the Program, these Terms control.

Waiver. The failure by TalkShop to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of TalkShop’s right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of these Terms.

Assignment. You may not assign, pledge, delegate, or otherwise transfer any of your rights or obligations under these Terms without TalkShop’s prior written consent. TalkShop may freely assign these Terms.

Applicable Law and Mandatory Binding Arbitration. These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of California. All disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to mandatory binding arbitration in Palo Alto, California.

Class Action Waiver. To the extent permitted by applicable law, you and TalkShop agree that any dispute arising out of these Terms, your Service, your Sessions, or TalkShop’s use of your Research Materials is personal to you, and that any disputes, if any, will be resolved solely through individual arbitration and will not be brought as a class arbitration, class action or any other type of similar proceeding.

Severability. If any provision of these Terms shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators finds that any provision of these Terms is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.