Teleconsultation Consent Notice

Effective Date: 9th of April, 2025

Najda offers teleconsultation services to users seeking mental health support aligned with Islamic values. The purpose of this document is to inform you, as a user of our services, about the nature, conditions, limitations, and legal framework applicable to teleconsultations conducted through our platform. By using our services, you acknowledge having read and understood the following information.

1. Nature and Format of Teleconsultation

Teleconsultations provided via Najda may take place in the following formats:

Video consultation
Audio consultation
Encrypted messaging between the user and the therapist

All teleconsultations are conducted in real time (synchronous mode). The communication channel will be determined by mutual agreement between the user and the therapist, based on availability and suitability. These teleconsultation formats are designed to comply with applicable local laws and regulations governing telehealth services in the jurisdictions where Najda operates.

2. Patient Information and Consent

Prior to any teleconsultation, users are informed that:

Teleconsultation is not suitable in emergency situations, including but not limited to suicidal crises.
In such cases, users are instructed to contact their local emergency services immediately (e.g., national suicide prevention helpline).
Therapists available through Najda may not be qualified or authorized to intervene in crisis situations involving immediate risk to life or safety.

By initiating a teleconsultation session, the user confirms their understanding of these limitations and provides their informed consent to proceed. This action of initiating a session constitutes explicit consent to the terms outlined in this notice, and such consent is documented through the user's engagement with the platform. For users under the age of 13 in the United States, verifiable parental consent is required in accordance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

3. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Najda is committed to ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of all exchanges between users and therapists. To this end:

No teleconsultation sessions are recorded in audio, video, or written transcript form.
Therapists may take private notes during sessions. These notes are accessible exclusively by the therapist and the designated Data Protection Officer.
Communications are secured using industry-standard encryption protocols and access is strictly controlled in accordance with applicable privacy regulations.
In the event of a data breach affecting your personal data, Najda will notify you and the relevant supervisory authorities without undue delay, as required by applicable laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
You have the right to request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, in accordance with data portability rights under the GDPR.

4. Limitations of Liability

Najda cannot be held responsible for:

Technical failures, disconnections, or interruptions occurring during a teleconsultation, which may be caused by the user's Internet connection or other external factors.
Misunderstandings or distortions arising due to poor audio/video quality or technical disruptions.

In the event of a significant technical failure (e.g., more than 15 minutes lost), the user may be eligible for compensation. In such cases, therapists will still be compensated for their time. Both parties may contact Najda's support team for further resolution.

5. Technical and Practical Requirements

To ensure a successful teleconsultation, users must:

Have access to a stable and high-speed Internet connection
Be in a quiet and private environment
Use a functioning microphone and camera (where applicable)

Najda reserves the right to postpone or cancel the session if these conditions are not met and could materially impair the quality or safety of the consultation.

6. Revocation of Consent and Cancellation

Users may revoke their consent to teleconsultation at any time, by ceasing to use the service and/or requesting the deletion of any relevant personal data as permitted by law. In addition to the right to erasure, you also have the right to request your personal data in a portable format, as per applicable data protection laws.

As no teleconsultation data is stored or recorded, the right to erasure will apply only to ancillary user data (e.g., account information, therapist notes where applicable).

To cancel or reschedule a session, users must follow the procedure outlined in the platform's scheduling interface or contact Najda support.

7. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Najda operates in compliance with all applicable data protection and telehealth regulations in the jurisdictions where it is active. This includes, but is not limited to, the UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on the Protection of Personal Data, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for users in those respective jurisdictions.

In case of a dispute arising from the use of teleconsultation services:

The parties agree to seek amicable resolution as a first step.
Najda reserves the right to propose mediation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, subject to applicable law.

For complaints related to personal data, you may contact the relevant supervisory authorities, such as the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in the United Kingdom, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States, or the appropriate authority in the UAE.

For further information, please contact Najda's legal department at inquiry@najda.io.

8. Final Provisions

This Teleconsultation Consent Notice may be updated periodically to reflect changes in our services or legal obligations. The most recent version will always be available on our website and mobile application.

By continuing to use Najda's teleconsultation services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted the above terms.

This notice is available in English. Translations into other languages can be provided upon request to accommodate our diverse user base.