Update to Hubtel’s General Terms of Service: What Merchants Should Know

Hubtel today announced an update to its General Terms of Service, aimed at improving clarity around service usage and platform compliance.  The update is part of Hubtel’s ongoing effort to maintain a secure and reliable payment platform for merchants and their customers. As our services continue to support a wide range of transaction volumes, it is important that expectations around acceptable use and compliance are clearly stated and well understood. 

Before this update, Hubtel’s General Terms of Service already set out a list of restrictions that guide how the platform should be used. These include prohibitions against unlawful activity, fraud, misuse of customer data, and actions that could compromise system security or harm other users. Those rules remain unchanged. What has now been added is clearer guidance on the actions Hubtel may take if there is reason to believe those restrictions have been breached. 

The update introduces a new section titled “Actions by Hubtel.” This section explains that where Hubtel, using its discretion, believes an account may be involved in activities that violate the Restrictions, it may take steps to reduce risk, protect affected parties, and ensure compliance with the Terms. Depending on the situation, these actions may be taken with or without prior notice. 

In such cases, Hubtel may block the settlement or completion of one or more payments while a potential issue is reviewed. This is a precautionary step commonly used in payment services to prevent further exposure while concerns are assessed. 

Hubtel may also suspend, restrict, or terminate access to its services if continued use of the platform presents a compliance or security risk. In more serious situations, the update clarifies that Hubtel may choose to end its business relationship with a merchant altogether, including terminating any payment service agreement, without liability to Hubtel. 

Where necessary, Hubtel may take legal action to protect the platform or address violations. The updated Terms also explain that Hubtel may share relevant information related to such violations with parties who may be affected. This could include customers who bought from or sold to the merchant, banks or card networks involved in the transactions, law enforcement or regulatory authorities, and other third parties impacted by the activity. 

Additionally, where violations result in costs to Hubtel, the company may assess fees, penalties, or expenses against the merchant. This may include reasonable legal or administrative costs incurred as a result of the violation, which the merchant would be required to settle upon notice. 

For the majority of merchants who use Hubtel responsibly and in line with the Terms, this update does not change everyday operations. Payments, settlements, and access to services will continue as normal. The purpose of the update is to clearly explain what may happen in situations where platform rules are breached, not to introduce new restrictions or obligations. 

Merchants are encouraged to review the updated General Terms of Service, particularly the Restrictions section, to ensure they understand acceptable use of the platform and to ensure that anyone with access to their account does the same. 

The full updated Terms & Conditions can be found here. Merchants who have questions or need further clarification can reach out to their Relationship Managers for assistance.