1. Platform Description
Zoe Health Market ("Zoe," "the Platform," "we," "us," or "our") is a decentralized marketplace built on the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) that enables individuals ("Sellers") to list encrypted personal health data for purchase by verified researchers and pharmaceutical companies ("Researchers"). All transactions, consent records, and access events are logged immutably on-chain.
Zōe is a technology intermediary only. We do not collect, view, or process the underlying health data in any form. All data is encrypted client-side using vetKeys Identity-Based Encryption (IBE) before it is stored on the blockchain. Zōe's infrastructure never receives or stores plaintext health information.
2. User Eligibility
Sellers: Any individual aged 18 or older may register as a Seller and list health data on the Platform. By listing data, you represent and warrant that (a) you are the lawful owner of such data, (b) you have the right to share it under the terms and permissions you select, and (c) you are not subject to any court order, contractual restriction, or legal prohibition that would prevent such sharing.
Researchers: Access to purchase data requires a verified Researcher account. Researcher accounts are subject to an application and administrative approval process. Applicants must provide a valid institutional affiliation or independent research credential and agree to a strict compliance agreement before any data purchase is permitted. Zōe reserves the right to reject or revoke Researcher status at its sole discretion.
Both user types must comply with all applicable local, national, and international laws in connection with their use of the Platform.
3. Data Ownership and License
Sellers retain full ownership of their health data at all times. Listing data on the Platform does not transfer ownership to Zōe or to any Researcher.
Upon a verified purchase, the Seller grants the purchasing Researcher a non-exclusive, non-transferable, time-limited license to access and use the purchased dataset solely for the research purpose declared at the time of purchase. This license does not permit re-identification of any individual, re-sale of data, or any use that violates applicable law.
Zōe is granted a limited technical license solely to transmit, store, and facilitate access to encrypted data as required to operate the Platform. This license does not include any right to decrypt, analyze, or use health data content.
4. Payments and Fees
All transactions on the Platform are conducted using ICP (the native token of the Internet Computer). When a Researcher purchases a dataset, payment is held in an on-chain escrow smart contract. Upon verified access grant, funds are distributed automatically: 90% to the Seller and 10% to the Platform as a service fee.
All sales are final. No refunds will be issued after access to the purchased dataset has been granted. If access cannot be granted due to a technical failure attributable to the Platform, we will work in good faith to resolve the issue or process a refund.
Sellers are solely responsible for any tax obligations arising from proceeds received on the Platform. Zōe does not withhold or remit taxes on behalf of Sellers.
5. Consent and Withdrawal
Before listing any data, Sellers must complete a multi-step consent wizard that records their research permissions, data retention period, and acknowledgment of these Terms. The resulting consent record is cryptographically signed and stored immutably on-chain.
Sellers may withdraw consent and delist their data at any time by initiating a withdrawal through their dashboard. Upon withdrawal, the listing will be removed from the marketplace and no new purchases will be permitted.
Withdrawal does not retroactively revoke access already granted to Researchers who purchased the dataset prior to withdrawal. Researchers who have already been granted access retain their licensed access for the originally granted period. This limitation is a fundamental property of on-chain access control and cannot be overridden by the Platform.
Sellers are encouraged to carefully review all consent permissions before listing. Consent records are permanent, immutable, and auditable.
6. Prohibited Uses
Users may not use the Platform for any purpose that is unlawful, harmful, or violates these Terms. Prohibited uses include but are not limited to:
• Attempting to re-identify any individual from purchased dataset records.
• Using purchased data in violation of HIPAA, GDPR, or any other applicable privacy regulation.
• Sharing, re-selling, or sub-licensing purchased data to any third party.
• Attempting to circumvent the Platform's encryption, access control, or on-chain audit mechanisms.
• Listing data that is not your own, that you do not have the right to share, or that belongs to a minor.
• Misrepresenting your identity, credentials, or research purpose during the Researcher application process.
Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate account suspension, permanent ban from the Platform, and referral to law enforcement where appropriate.
7. Disclaimers
Zōe Health Market is not a healthcare provider, medical device, or clinical service. Nothing on the Platform constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Sellers and Researchers are solely responsible for any conclusions drawn from health data transacted on the Platform.
The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Platform will be error-free, uninterrupted, or free from security vulnerabilities.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Zōe's total liability to any user for any claim arising out of or related to these Terms or the Platform shall not exceed the total fees paid by that user to the Platform in the twelve months preceding the claim.
8. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with applicable law. The specific governing jurisdiction will be confirmed upon legal review prior to public launch.
Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Platform that cannot be resolved informally through good-faith negotiation shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered by a mutually agreed-upon arbitration body. The seat and procedural rules of arbitration will be specified upon legal review. Nothing in this section limits either party's right to seek injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.
9. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will update the effective date at the top of this page and, where material changes are made, provide notice within the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
If you do not agree with any updated Terms, you should discontinue use of the Platform and delist any active data listings.