alpha testing feature flag

backend/middleware/alphaAccess.js

@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ const logger = require("../utils/logger");
  */
 const requireAlphaAccess = async (req, res, next) => {
   try {
+    // Bypass alpha access check if feature is disabled
+    if (process.env.ALPHA_TESTING_ENABLED !== 'true') {
+      return next();
+    }
+
     let hasAccess = false;
 
     // Check 1: Valid alpha access cookie