# Ethics and Usage Principles

## License

Flowsint is distributed under the **Apache License 2.0** (effective January 25, 2026).

Code contributed prior to January 25, 2026 was originally licensed under AGPL-3.0
and has been relicensed to Apache 2.0 with the written consent of all contributors.

## Ethical Foundation

The development and use of Flowsint are guided by the principles of the [Hippocratic License](https://firstdonoharm.dev/):

> **The software must not be used in ways that violate fundamental human rights.**

## Ethical Commitment

By using or contributing to Flowsint, all individuals and organizations are expected to:

* Respect and uphold universal human rights
* Use the software responsibly, transparently, and ethically
* Refrain from any activity that harms human dignity or privacy
* Promote constructive, verifiable, and socially beneficial use of technology

## Lawful and Responsible Use

Flowsint is designed **strictly for lawful, ethical investigation and research purposes**.
It was created to assist:

* Cybersecurity researchers and analysts
* Journalists and OSINT investigators
* Law enforcement or fraud investigation teams
* Organizations conducting internal threat intelligence or digital risk analysis

### Prohibited Uses

Flowsint **must not be used** for:

* Unauthorized intrusion, surveillance, or data collection
* Harassment, doxxing, blackmail, or targeting of individuals
* Political manipulation, disinformation, or privacy violations
* Any activity that contravenes international human rights standards

These examples are **non-exhaustive** and may evolve according to ethical and legal norms.

## Reporting Misuse

If you become aware of any use that contradicts these principles, please report it to:
📧 **[contact@flowsint.io](mailto:contact@flowsint.io)**

## Responsibility Statement

The developers and maintainers of Flowsint are committed to upholding these ethical principles throughout the project’s life cycle.
However, in accordance with the Apache License 2.0, **Flowsint is provided "as is," without warranty**, and its authors **cannot be held liable for misuse or unlawful activity conducted by third parties**.
