SHEPARD'S BEACON

A Platform of Shepard's Collective Ministries

TERMS OF USE

Effective Date: April 3, 2026

Version 1.0

⚠ IMPORTANT NOTICE

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY BEFORE ACCESSING OR USING SHEPARD'S BEACON. BY CREATING AN ACCOUNT, ACCESSING THE PLATFORM, OR USING ANY FEATURE OF THE SERVICE, YOU AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT ACCESS OR USE THE PLATFORM.

SHEPARD'S BEACON IS A SEARCH COORDINATION AND INFORMATION-SHARING TOOL ONLY. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION, EMERGENCY SERVICES, OR PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES. IN ANY EMERGENCY, CONTACT 9-1-1 OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBER IMMEDIATELY.

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Use ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Shepard's Collective Ministries, a Virginia-domiciled organization ("SCM," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of the Shepard's Beacon platform, including its web application, mobile application, APIs, and all related services (collectively, the "Platform").

By accessing the Platform you represent that: (a) you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy; (b) you are at least 18 years of age or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction; (c) you have the legal authority to enter into this agreement; and (d) your use of the Platform will comply with all applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations.

SCM reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated at least 30 days before taking effect. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any change constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Description of the Platform

Shepard's Beacon is a technology-enabled coordination platform designed to support missing persons search and recovery efforts. The Platform provides tools including, but not limited to:

• Case management and documentation for active missing persons cases

• Geospatial search coordination, mapping, and hotspot analysis

• AI-assisted identification tools including facial comparison and voice biometric analysis

• Tip submission and investigative lead management

• Role-based communication and alerting through SMS, push notification, and in-Platform messaging

• Coordination interfaces for law enforcement agencies, search organizations, and community volunteers

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED AS A COORDINATION AND INFORMATION-SHARING TOOL ONLY. SCM MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES THAT USE OF THE PLATFORM WILL RESULT IN THE LOCATION, RECOVERY, OR SAFE RETURN OF ANY MISSING PERSON. THE PLATFORM DOES NOT REPLACE OFFICIAL LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS, EMERGENCY SERVICES, OR PROFESSIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS.

3. Eligibility, Accounts, and Access Roles

3.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account. By registering, you represent that all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete. SCM reserves the right to refuse registration or terminate any account at its sole discretion.

3.2 Account Security

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify SCM immediately of any unauthorized use of your account. SCM is not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to safeguard your credentials.

3.3 Role-Based Access

Access to Platform features is governed by your assigned role. Roles include, without limitation: Super Administrator, Platform Administrator, Security Administrator, Partner Administrator, Law Enforcement Officer (LEO), Case Initiator, Search Party Member, Registered User, and Public User. Each role carries distinct permissions and restrictions. You agree to:

• Access only those features and data authorized for your assigned role

• Not attempt to access, view, or modify data or features outside your permission level

• Not share your credentials or allow others to access the Platform through your account

• Report any suspected unauthorized access or privilege escalation to SCM immediately

SCM reserves the right to modify, suspend, or revoke your role assignment at any time without notice if it determines that your access poses a risk to Platform integrity, user safety, or case data security.

3.4 Law Enforcement Verification

Users requesting LEO-level access must submit verifiable professional credentials. SCM conducts domain-level verification and credentialing review. Submission of false or misleading credentials constitutes fraud and may subject you to civil and criminal liability. SCM reserves the right to revoke LEO access and report fraudulent credentialing to appropriate authorities.

4. Acceptable Use Policy

4.1 Permitted Uses

You may use the Platform solely for lawful, legitimate purposes directly related to missing persons search and recovery, including:

• Reporting and managing missing persons cases for which you have a legitimate interest

• Participating in authorized search operations in your assigned role

• Submitting tips and leads in good faith with information you reasonably believe to be accurate

• Coordinating with authorized law enforcement agencies and search organizations

4.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree that you will NOT, under any circumstances:

• Submit false, fabricated, or misleading case information, tip submissions, or user data

• Use the Platform to harass, surveil, stalk, or harm any individual

• Attempt to identify, locate, or contact any person for purposes other than legitimate missing persons recovery efforts

• Access, attempt to access, or share case data, biometric data, or investigative information without authorization

• Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract the source code, AI models, or proprietary algorithms of the Platform

• Upload, transmit, or distribute malicious code, viruses, or any content designed to interfere with Platform operations

• Use automated scripts, bots, scrapers, or other tools to access the Platform without SCM's express written consent

• Circumvent, disable, or interfere with security features, access controls, or role-based permission systems

• Use the Platform for commercial solicitation, advertising, or any purpose unrelated to missing persons search and recovery

• Impersonate any person, law enforcement agency, or organization

• Use the Platform in any manner that violates applicable law or these Terms

4.3 Consequences of Violation

Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy may result in immediate suspension or permanent termination of your account, removal of case data you have submitted, referral to law enforcement authorities, and civil legal action. SCM reserves all rights and remedies available at law and in equity.

5. User-Submitted Content and Data

5.1 Your Responsibility for Submitted Content

You are solely responsible for all content, data, photographs, audio, video, tip submissions, and other information you submit to the Platform ("User Content"). You represent and warrant that:

• You have all necessary rights, consents, and authorizations to submit the User Content

• The User Content is accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief

• The User Content does not violate the rights of any third party, including privacy rights, intellectual property rights, or rights of publicity

• The User Content does not contain false, defamatory, or misleading information

• You have obtained any required consent to submit biometric data, photographs, or voice recordings of other individuals

5.2 License to SCM

By submitting User Content, you grant SCM a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, store, process, display, and distribute your User Content solely for the purpose of operating the Platform and providing the services described herein. This license does not grant SCM the right to sell your User Content to third parties.

5.3 AI Processing of User Content

You acknowledge and agree that User Content you submit, including photographs and audio recordings, may be processed by on-infrastructure AI and machine learning systems for identification and analysis purposes. SCM does not transmit raw biometric data to third-party AI providers. All AI-generated outputs are analytical aids only and do not constitute definitive identification of any person.

5.4 Content Removal

SCM reserves the right, but not the obligation, to remove, modify, or restrict access to any User Content that it determines, in its sole discretion, violates these Terms, applicable law, or poses a risk to any individual or to Platform integrity. SCM is not liable for any failure to remove content or for removing content it deems in violation of these Terms.

6. AI-Assisted Services — Limitations and Disclaimers

THE AI-ASSISTED IDENTIFICATION, FACIAL COMPARISON, VOICE BIOMETRIC, AND GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS FEATURES OF THE PLATFORM ARE PROVIDED AS INVESTIGATIVE AIDS ONLY. ALL AI-GENERATED OUTPUTS ARE PROBABILISTIC AND SUBJECT TO ERROR. THEY DO NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL IDENTIFICATION, FORENSIC EVIDENCE, OR PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATIVE CONCLUSIONS.

You expressly acknowledge and agree that:

• AI identification outputs, including facial comparison scores, voice biometric likelihood ratios, and geographic clustering results, may contain errors, false positives, and false negatives

• No AI output from the Platform should be used as the sole or primary basis for any action, including law enforcement action, public identification, or contact with any individual

• All AI outputs require independent human review and verification by qualified professionals before any action is taken

• SCM makes no warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any AI-generated output

• SCM is not liable for any harm arising from reliance on AI-generated outputs, including misidentification of any person

AI-generated likelihood ratio scores provided by voice biometric analysis are expressed on recognized verbal forensic probability scales for reference purposes only. They are not admissible as expert testimony without independent forensic review and do not constitute a scientific finding by SCM.

7. Disclaimers of Warranty

THE PLATFORM AND ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SCM AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AGENTS, LICENSORS, AND AFFILIATES (COLLECTIVELY, "SCM PARTIES") EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (A) IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT; (B) WARRANTIES THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS; (C) WARRANTIES REGARDING THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, COMPLETENESS, OR TIMELINESS OF ANY CONTENT, DATA, AI OUTPUT, OR OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PLATFORM; AND (D) WARRANTIES THAT THE PLATFORM WILL RESULT IN THE LOCATION OR RECOVERY OF ANY MISSING PERSON.

SCM DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR THAT ANY DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED. YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.

8. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE SCM PARTIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL, PERSONAL INJURY, WRONGFUL DEATH, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, OR ANY OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH: (A) YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE, THE PLATFORM; (B) ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY USER OR THIRD PARTY ON THE PLATFORM; (C) ANY CONTENT SUBMITTED TO OR OBTAINED FROM THE PLATFORM; (D) ANY AI-GENERATED OUTPUT OR RECOMMENDATION; OR (E) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR SUBMISSIONS OR ACCOUNT DATA.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF THE SCM PARTIES FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100.00) OR (B) THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU PAID TO SCM, IF ANY, IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR LIABILITY. TO THE EXTENT SUCH EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS ARE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THEY SHALL APPLY ONLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED.

You acknowledge that these limitations reflect a reasonable allocation of risk and are an essential element of the basis of the bargain between you and SCM. SCM would not provide the Platform to you absent these limitations.

9. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless SCM and the SCM Parties from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your access to or use of the Platform

• Your violation of these Terms

• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation

• Any User Content you submit, including any claim that your User Content infringes, misappropriates, or violates the rights of any third party

• Your submission of false, inaccurate, or misleading information

• Any action or omission you take in connection with a missing persons case, including field search activities

• Any claim by a third party arising from your use of or reliance upon AI-generated outputs from the Platform

SCM reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, in which event you agree to cooperate fully with SCM in asserting any available defenses.

10. Emergency Situations — Critical Disclaimer

⚠ IMPORTANT NOTICE

SHEPARD'S BEACON IS NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR 9-1-1 OR YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT A MISSING PERSON THAT SUGGESTS THEY ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON THE PLATFORM TO REPORT EMERGENCIES OR OBTAIN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

SCM IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY HARM, INJURY, DEATH, OR LOSS RESULTING FROM A USER'S FAILURE TO CONTACT APPROPRIATE EMERGENCY SERVICES OR FROM ANY DELAY IN RESPONSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO USE OF THE PLATFORM INSTEAD OF OFFICIAL EMERGENCY CHANNELS.

The Platform does not provide real-time monitoring of submissions. SCM personnel, volunteers, and agents are not required to respond to any Platform submission within any particular time period. Law enforcement and emergency response agencies bear independent responsibility for their investigative and operational decisions.

11. Third-Party Services and Integrations

The Platform integrates with or provides links to third-party services, including but not limited to cloud infrastructure providers, SMS/voice communications providers, public missing persons registries, and law enforcement databases. Your use of any third-party service is governed solely by that service's terms and policies. SCM:

• Does not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for any third-party service, content, or platform

• Makes no warranty regarding the availability, accuracy, or reliability of third-party services

• Is not liable for any loss or damage arising from your use of or reliance on any third-party service

• May terminate any third-party integration at any time without notice

12. Intellectual Property

12.1 SCM Ownership

All rights, title, and interest in and to the Platform, including its software, AI models, algorithms, source code, user interface, design, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and all related intellectual property (collectively, "SCM IP"), are owned exclusively by SCM or its licensors. These Terms do not grant you any ownership interest in SCM IP.

12.2 Limited License to Users

SCM grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform solely for the purposes permitted under these Terms. This license is conditioned on your continued compliance with these Terms and may be revoked at any time.

12.3 Restrictions

You agree not to copy, modify, create derivative works of, distribute, sell, sublicense, or otherwise exploit any SCM IP without SCM's prior written consent. You further agree not to use any SCM trademark, service mark, or trade name in any manner that is likely to cause confusion or that disparages SCM.

13. Privacy

Your use of the Platform is also governed by SCM's Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal data as described in the Privacy Policy. In the event of a conflict between these Terms and the Privacy Policy with respect to data practices, the Privacy Policy shall control.

14. Suspension, Termination, and Platform Availability

14.1 Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting SCM at the address provided in Section 19. Termination does not affect SCM's rights with respect to User Content you have submitted or obligations you have incurred prior to termination.

14.2 Termination by SCM

SCM may suspend or permanently terminate your access to the Platform, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, including without limitation if SCM believes you have violated these Terms, engaged in fraudulent or harmful conduct, or posed a risk to the Platform or any individual. SCM is not liable to you or any third party for any termination of your access.

14.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to access and use the Platform immediately ceases. Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination — including Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, and 17 — shall survive.

14.4 Platform Availability

SCM does not guarantee uninterrupted availability of the Platform. The Platform may be suspended for maintenance, updates, security remediation, or other operational reasons. SCM is not liable for any loss or damage arising from Platform downtime or unavailability.

15. Volunteer and Field Search Participant Disclaimer

If you participate in field search activities coordinated through the Platform in any capacity, including as a registered Search Party Member or community volunteer, you expressly acknowledge and agree that:

• Field search activities involve inherent physical risks, including injury, illness, or death

• You participate in any field search activity entirely at your own risk

• SCM does not direct, supervise, or control field search activities and is not responsible for the conduct of any search participant

• SCM is not your employer and no employer-employee, principal-agent, or partnership relationship is created by your use of the Platform

• You will comply with all instructions from authorized law enforcement personnel and designated search coordinators during any field operation

• You will not enter private property, restricted areas, or hazardous environments without proper authorization

• You will immediately defer to law enforcement and emergency services in all matters of active field operations

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SCM EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY, ILLNESS, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY ANY USER, VOLUNTEER, OR THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY FIELD SEARCH ACTIVITY COORDINATED THROUGH OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLATFORM.

16. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

16.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to them or the Platform shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States of America, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.

16.2 Venue

You agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. You irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts and waive any objection to jurisdiction or venue.

16.3 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal legal proceeding, you agree to first contact SCM at the address in Section 19 and provide a written description of your dispute. The parties agree to negotiate in good faith to resolve the dispute within 30 days of receipt of the written notice.

16.4 Class Action Waiver

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEEDING WILL BE CONDUCTED ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT AS A CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. YOU WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR CLASS-WIDE ARBITRATION AGAINST SCM.

16.5 Time Limitation on Claims

Any claim or cause of action arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform must be filed within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose, or it shall be forever barred, notwithstanding any statute of limitations to the contrary.

17. Force Majeure

SCM shall not be liable for any delay, failure, or interruption in performance of its obligations under these Terms resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemic or epidemic events, cyberattacks, acts of war or terrorism, governmental action, power failures, or failures of third-party telecommunications or infrastructure providers.

18. Miscellaneous Provisions

Entire Agreement: These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any supplemental terms applicable to specific Platform features, constitute the entire agreement between you and SCM with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

No Waiver: SCM's failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

No Agency: Nothing in these Terms creates any agency, partnership, joint venture, employment, or franchise relationship between you and SCM.

Assignment: You may not assign or transfer any rights or obligations under these Terms without SCM's prior written consent. SCM may assign its rights and obligations freely, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

Headings: Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of these Terms.

Electronic Agreement: You agree that these Terms may be entered into electronically and that your electronic acceptance constitutes a legally binding agreement equivalent to a written signature.

19. Contact Information

Questions, notices, and legal correspondence regarding these Terms of Use should be directed to:

Shepard's Collective Ministries

Attn: Legal — Shepard's Beacon Terms of Use

Domicile: Commonwealth of Virginia, United States of America

Email: legal@shepardsbeacon.app

Web: www.shepardsbeacon.app

These Terms of Use are effective as of April 3, 2026 and supersede all prior versions.

Shepard's Collective Ministries · Serving Communities Through Faith, Technology, and Action