first direct Lab Terms and Conditions

What's this all about?

What you're reading now is basically everything you need to know if you're going to use the first direct Lab. It's all fairly straightforward - so please have a read before you get involved.

The first direct Lab

The first direct Lab is a testing site and feedback forum owned and run by first direct, which is in turn a division of HSBC Bank plc. So when we say "first direct", that's who we're talking about. And when we say "we" we mean "first direct" as well. Just so we're clear.

Any time you use first direct Lab, you're basically agreeing that you will be subject to these terms and conditions. If you don't agree, then you shouldn't use the website. Also, the first direct Lab is intended only for people who are UK residents - if you're from outside the UK, please do not use the website or leave contributions.

Privacy and cookies

You can find out more about what first direct does with personal information and cookies by reading our privacy policy. You can see our privacy policy here: Privacy policy

Within the first direct Lab, we ask you to give a name if you want to leave comments or participate in any discussions. We ask that you avoid including personal information in your comments, but by contributing to our pages you consent to any information provided in or by your contribution (including your screen name, IP address and any personal data in the comments themselves) being used by us for: the purposes explained in these terms and conditions; evaluating the effectiveness of our marketing; and for statistical analysis. We'll also ask you for some personal information if you report any unacceptable content in the first direct Lab (see below).

We may use other HSBC Group companies and/or third parties in the UK or overseas on our behalf to process your information for such purposes. Within the first direct Lab we use session cookies. These are temporary cookies which remain in the cookie file of your computer until you close your browser at which point they are deleted. We use cookies to check whether you have already participated in a poll or rated any content.

In relation to third party content which we use, third party privacy policies may also be applicable. By way of example where we include the use of a Google map, the following Privacy Policy is also applicable: http://www.google.com/privacy/privacy-policy.html

Moderation of content

The opinions, ratings and feedback posted on the first direct Lab are the opinions, ratings and feedback of the site users not first direct, and first direct is not responsible for them. We offer applications for testing but we don't monitor or moderate feedback before it's posted. But we obviously keep an eye on the site, and we can and will remove content that we think is unsuitable or which violates any of these terms and conditions whenever we think it's necessary. We can also reinstate any content or material whenever we need to.

And while we're generally happy to let our users get on with it, we do reserve the right to decide what content is used, where it's posted, and how it's managed. If we think it's necessary for any reason we may withdraw your right of access to the first direct Lab and do whatever we need to block your access and ability to use or post content to it without owing any liability to you.

Remember, this is the internet, so there are a lot of different opinions out there. We don't vouch for the accuracy of any of the information and recommendations that might appear in the feedback section of the first direct Lab, so please use common sense when viewing it.

Use of the first direct Lab

The first direct Lab gives visitors the chance to view and test new applications before they're officially released. So you can only use the first direct Lab to post comments, ratings and material that are appropriate. You should not:

• defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten, impersonate any person or entity or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy or intellectual property rights where applicable) of others anywhere in the world that those rights may exist;
• impersonate any person, company or other entity;
• publish, post, distribute or disseminate any material which is obscene, indecent, unlawful or otherwise objectionable;
• publish content that could be judged to be equivalent to commercial advertising, or in any way use the first direct Lab to promote your own business or the business of those close to you;
• advertise or offer to sell any goods or services, or conduct or forward surveys, contests or chain letters;
• publish any content or make any endorsements relating to the financial services industry either in general or about specific providers, their products, services or staff;
• post content in a language other than English;
• contribute content with the intention of committing or promoting an illegal act;
• post any content that reveals any personal information about yourself or any other living individual (for example an e-mail address, telephone number or postal address). If you do post such content then you grant your consent, and confirm that you have obtained the consent of any such other living individual, to disclose this information on the first direct Lab and to the transfer (by its display in the first direct Lab) of such personal information outside of the European Economic Area;
• post content which contain a hypertext link to another web site;
• post or otherwise make available any material that contains, or directs other users to, software viruses, malware, or other code or files that may damage or interfere with computer hardware or software;
• make multiple posts of low relevance or content in a short period of time (i.e. 'spamming');
• rate any application in the first direct Lab more than once.

License to use material

When you post content on the first direct Lab you will be granting first direct what's called a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty free (that means we don't have to pay you) worldwide licence to use it. This includes reproducing, modifying, adapting, translating, publishing, distributing and displaying it and doing so in any format. If you're worried about giving us the rights to use your stuff, basically don't submit or post any content or materials.

Links to third party websites

You might find links to other websites in postings on the first direct Lab. Since these are controlled and maintained by other people, rather than first direct, we're not responsible for what you might find there - and any such links shouldn't be seen as an endorsement of any kind.

Sometimes we may talk about or 'like' apps and websites made by other people. We do that for your information only. This doesn't mean that we endorse the products or services that they provide, and we're not responsible for those apps or websites or for any problems that might arise from using them.

Unacceptable content

If you come across any content in the first direct Lab which you think is breaching these terms, or someone else's legal rights or is unacceptable in any way you should tell us about it straight away by clicking on the 'Report this comment' button next to the feedback in question. We take copyright, trademark, defamation and other laws very seriously.

Try and include as much detail as possible, including a copy of the posting and where you found it. If you can, please explain why you think the posting is objectionable, and which aspect of the terms and conditions it violates. Finally, make sure you provide us with your contact details, so we can get in touch if we need more information.

We'll investigate immediately and take appropriate action - which may include removing the posting or banning the offending user. You agree that first direct may access, preserve, and disclose your account information and any content posted by you in order to: (a) comply with any legal process; (b) enforce these terms and conditions of use; (c) respond to claims that any content posted on the first direct Lab violates the rights of third parties; or (d) protect the rights, property, or personal safety of first direct, other users of this website and the public.

Modifications to terms and conditions

We may want to change these terms in the future and we reserve the right to do so at any time. Any such change in terms and conditions will be effective as soon as it's published on this web page. You should check the terms and conditions every now and again to ensure that you are aware of and are complying with the current version.

Governing law

The interpretation, construction, effect and enforceability of these terms and conditions will be governed by English Law, and you and first direct agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts for the determination of disputes.

Complaints

We want users to enjoy testing the applications and leaving feedback in the first direct Lab. So if you aren't happy with something let us know. To make a formal complaint, you can either email us at feedback@firstdirect.com or send a signed written letter of complaint to:

first direct Lab
40 Wakefield Road
Leeds
LS98 1FD

Once we've got as much information as we need, we'll consider the complaint and take appropriate action, letting you know as soon as we've reached a decision.

Important Information

first direct is a division of HSBC Bank plc. HSBC Bank plc is incorporated in England and Wales and established at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ which is its Registered Office. HSBC Bank plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is registered in the Financial Services Authority register with the following Registration Number: 114216.

HSBC Bank plc's registered VAT number is GB 365684514 and its Company Register Number is 14259. You can view the FSA registry at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do. HSBC Bank plc is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Scheme and subscribes to the Banking Code which may be accessed at www.bankingcode.org.uk. Should you wish to contact first direct please refer to the Contact Us menu which can be found on the top of each page of the first direct Lab