Ethics | ZERO 3 CORP.

Ethics Policy

ZERO 3 CORP. - ETHICS POLICY

Effective Date: July 8, 2025
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: July 8, 2025

1. INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE

1.1 Our Ethical Foundation

ZERO 3 CORP. was founded on the principle that technology should include everyone. From our origins as encryption researchers to our current mission of serving businesses abandoned by major platforms, ethics have guided every decision. This policy formalizes the values that have driven our self-funded investment and our commitment to solving problems others deem "unprofitable."

1.2 Policy Purpose

This Ethics Policy establishes the standards of conduct for all ZERO 3 CORP. team members, contractors, advisors, and partners. It reflects our belief that profitability and social impact are not just compatible—they're most powerful when united.

1.3 Scope

This policy applies to:

All employees and executives
Post-graduate contractors
Advisory board members
Development partners and vendors
Anyone representing ZERO 3 CORP. in any capacity

2. CORE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

2.1 Inclusion Over Exclusion

Principle: We build technology that serves everyone, especially those deemed "unserviceable" by others.

In Practice:

Design products accessible to users with disabilities (WCAG 2.1 AA compliance)
Provide multi-language support for diverse communities
Price products affordably for micro-businesses
Never discriminate based on business size, location, or profitability

2.2 Transparency Over Opacity

Principle: We operate with radical transparency in our business practices and technology.

In Practice:

Clearly explain our data practices and security measures
Openly share our journey, including failures and pivots
Provide honest pricing without hidden fees
Communicate directly and plainly, avoiding technical jargon

2.3 People Over Profits

Principle: While building a sustainable business, we prioritize human impact over maximum profit extraction.

In Practice:

Maintain affordable pricing even when market position allows increases
Invest in human support alongside AI automation
Create employment opportunities through our contractor program
Measure success by businesses helped, not just revenue generated

2.4 Innovation With Responsibility

Principle: We leverage cutting-edge technology responsibly, considering long-term societal impact.

In Practice:

Implement post-quantum encryption to protect against future threats
Use AI to augment, not replace, human capabilities
Consider environmental impact in infrastructure decisions
Anticipate and prevent potential misuse of our technology

3. BUSINESS CONDUCT STANDARDS

3.1 Integrity in All Dealings

All team members must:

Be honest and truthful in all communications
Honor commitments and promises made
Admit mistakes promptly and work to correct them
Refuse to compromise ethics for business advantage

3.2 Conflicts of Interest

Team members must:

Disclose any potential conflicts of interest immediately
Recuse themselves from decisions where conflicts exist
Never use company resources for personal gain
Avoid situations that could appear as conflicts to outside observers

3.3 Fair Competition

We compete ethically by:

Winning through innovation and service quality
Never disparaging competitors unfairly
Respecting intellectual property rights
Avoiding anti-competitive practices

3.4 Financial Integrity

We maintain financial ethics through:

Accurate and transparent financial reporting
Responsible use of investor and company funds
Fair compensation practices
Ethical tax compliance across all jurisdictions

4. TECHNOLOGY ETHICS

4.1 Privacy by Design

We commit to:

Collecting minimal data necessary for functionality
Implementing strong encryption (post-quantum ready)
Providing user control over their data
Never selling or misusing customer information

4.2 AI Ethics

Our AI development follows these principles:

Transparency: Clearly indicate when AI is being used
Human Override: Always provide human support options
Bias Prevention: Regularly audit AI systems for unfair bias
Beneficial Purpose: Use AI to democratize access, not gatekeep

4.3 Security Responsibility

We protect our users through:

Proactive security measures and regular audits
Prompt disclosure of any security issues
Investment in security infrastructure before profits
Education of users about security best practices

4.4 Accessibility Standards

Technology must be accessible to all:

Meet or exceed WCAG 2.1 AA standards
Design mobile-first for global accessibility
Provide alternative access methods when needed
Continuously improve based on user feedback

5. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

5.1 Environmental Stewardship

We minimize environmental impact through:

70% on-premises infrastructure reducing carbon footprint
Energy-efficient GPU architecture
Remote-first operations reducing commute emissions
Commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030

5.2 Community Investment

We give back by:

Providing free tier access to qualifying nonprofits
Offering educational resources without charge
Supporting local tech education initiatives
Maintaining transparent impact reporting

5.3 Economic Inclusion

We promote economic participation through:

Serving "abandoned" businesses
Creating employment through contractor programs
Building technology that doesn't require technical expertise
Keeping profits within local communities

6. WORKPLACE ETHICS

6.1 Respect and Dignity

Every team member deserves:

A harassment-free work environment
Equal opportunity regardless of background
Fair treatment and compensation
Recognition for contributions

6.2 Diversity and Inclusion

We actively promote:

Diverse hiring practices
Inclusive team culture
Multiple perspectives in decision-making
Accommodation of different needs and working styles

6.3 Professional Development

We support growth through:

Continuous learning opportunities
Mentorship programs
Fair advancement opportunities
Investment in team member success

6.4 Work-Life Balance

We maintain healthy boundaries by:

Respecting personal time
Offering flexible working arrangements
Supporting mental health and wellbeing
Preventing burnout through sustainable practices

7. STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS

7.1 Customer Relations

We serve customers ethically by:

Providing honest product representations
Delivering on promises made
Responding promptly to concerns
Never exploiting customer vulnerabilities

7.2 Partner Ethics

We work with partners who:

Share our ethical values
Treat their employees fairly
Operate sustainably
Contribute positively to communities

7.3 Investor Relations

Despite being self-funded, we commit to:

Transparent communication with any future investors
Alignment of investor interests with social mission
Ethical use of any external funding
Regular impact reporting alongside financial metrics

7.4 Community Engagement

We engage communities through:

Active listening to user needs
Transparent communication about our impact
Collaboration with local organizations
Contribution to open-source initiatives

8. ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING FRAMEWORK

When facing ethical dilemmas, ask:

Is it legal? Does it comply with all applicable laws and regulations?
Is it ethical? Does it align with our core principles and values?
Is it inclusive? Does it consider impact on all stakeholders, especially the vulnerable?
Is it transparent? Would we be comfortable if this decision were public?
Is it sustainable? Does it consider long-term consequences?
Is it necessary? Is there a more ethical alternative?

If any answer is "no," reconsider the action.

9. REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

9.1 Reporting Mechanisms

Report ethical concerns through:

Direct discussion with management
Anonymous ethics hotline: security@zero3.ca
Written reports to the Board Chairman
Third-party ethics reporting service

9.2 Non-Retaliation Policy

Zero 3 Corp strictly prohibits retaliation against anyone who:

Reports ethical concerns in good faith
Participates in ethics investigations
Refuses to engage in unethical behavior
Advocates for ethical practices

9.3 Investigation Process

All reports will be:

Taken seriously and investigated promptly
Handled confidentially to the extent possible
Resolved fairly and transparently
Documented for continuous improvement

9.4 Consequences

Violations may result in:

Additional training or coaching
Formal warnings
Suspension or termination
Legal action where appropriate

10. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

10.1 Regular Review

This policy will be reviewed:

Annually by leadership team
After any significant ethical incidents
When laws or regulations change
Based on stakeholder feedback

10.2 Ethics Training

All team members receive:

Initial ethics orientation
Annual ethics refresher training
Role-specific ethical guidance
Updates on policy changes

10.3 Measuring Impact

We track ethical performance through:

Number of businesses served in underserved communities
Diversity metrics across team and contractors
Environmental impact measurements
Customer satisfaction and trust scores
Ethics incident tracking and resolution

11. LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT

As Chairman, I personally commit to upholding these ethical standards and leading by example. Ethics aren't just policies, they're the foundation of why ZERO 3 CORP. exists. We're proving that doing good and doing well aren't mutually exclusive.

Every line of code we write, every business we serve, and every decision we make should reflect these values. Together, we're building technology that truly includes everyone.

Adam Partyka
Board Chairman
ZERO 3 CORP.