Content and Conduct Guidelines
Introduction
These content and conduct guidelines focus on keeping online and mobile dating and social apps meeting as safe as possible. Even though they contain specific examples, these guidelines are intended as just that – guidelines, and not as inflexible rules. They strive to reflect a general consensus, while recognizing that each community is different, and that accordingly operators may vary in their implementation of these guidelines.
These guidelines focus on the following areas:
We believe our users should respect other members on our platform and be tolerant. Abusive behavior should not be allowed, particularly when motivated by hatred, prejudice or intolerance, and when it focuses on certain groups disproportionately, including and especially when it is based on sex, sexuality, or color, or targeted at marginalized or historically underrepresented groups.
Abusive Conduct. Users may not harass another person or incite other people to do so. Abusive behavior includes any attempt to harass, intimidate, or silence someone else’s voice. Users may not direct abuse at someone by sending unwanted sexual content, objectifying them in a sexually explicit manner, or otherwise engaging in sexual misconduct. Users may not post or stream content that exploits others (including extortion, blackmail, etc.), humiliates or harasses someone publicly, or harasses victims of a tragic event. Context matters when evaluating for abusive behavior and determining appropriate enforcement actions. Factors which may be taken into consideration include, but are not limited to whether:
We understand that some content may appear to be hateful when viewed in isolation, but may not be when viewed in the context of a larger conversation. Context matters. For example, members of a protected category may refer to each other using terms that are typically considered as slurs. When used consensually, the intent behind these terms is not abusive, but a means to reclaim terms that were historically used to demean individuals. We are aware of this.
Upon receipt of a report, moderators can use their discretion, using accurate and consistent evidence, to curb abuse quickly. A user does not need to be member of a target group for a moderator to take action, nor should a moderator ask people to prove or disprove membership in any protected category.
Conduct that is considered hateful includes, but is not limited to:
Violent Threats. Users may not make violent threats against an identifiable target. Violent threats are declarative statements of intent to inflict injuries that would result in serious and lasting bodily harm, where an individual could die or be significantly injured, e.g., "I will kill you." We have a zero tolerance policy against violent threats. We will consider context, but if the context appears to be truly violent, users can expect to be permanently removed,
Wishing, Hoping or Calling for Serious Harm on a Person or Group of People. Users may not post or stream content that wishes, hopes, promotes, or expresses a desire for death, serious and lasting bodily harm, or serious disease against on a person or group persons. This includes, but is not limited to:
Mass Murder, Violent Events, or Specific Means of Violence. Users may not post or stream content that promotes mass murder, violent events, or specific means of violence on a person or group persons. This includes, but is not limited to sending someone:
Inciting Fear About a Group of People. Users may not target individuals with content intended to incite fear or spread fearful stereotypes about a group of people, including asserting that members of a group are more likely to take part in dangerous or illegal activities, e.g., "all [religious group] are terrorists."
Repeated and/or Non-consensual Slurs, Epithets, Racist and Sexist Tropes, or Other Degrading Content. Users may not target individuals with repeated slurs, tropes or other content that intends to dehumanize, degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category. This includes targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals.
Hateful imagery. Users may not post or stream logos, symbols, or images whose purpose is to promote hostility and malice against others based on their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability, serious disease, veteran status, or any other characteristic associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization. Some examples of hateful imagery include, but are not limited to: - Symbols historically associated with hate groups, e.g., the Nazi swastika;
Respect For The Rights Of Others
Unauthorized Use. Users may not post or stream another’s voice or image without their permission. Accordingly, users may not post or stream any recordings or images of another person that were produced or distributed without their permission.
Private Information. Users may not post or stream another person’s private information without their permission, including photos, videos, and personally identifiable information, nor may users threaten to do so or encourage others to do so.
Impersonation. Users may not impersonate individuals, groups, or organizations in a manner that is intended to or does mislead, confuse, or deceive others.
Intellectual Property. Users may not post or stream content that they do not have a right to make available, or that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, privacy, or other proprietary rights of any party.
Respect For Minors
We believe it is most respectful to kids to simply not include them in users social media. Users should not post or stream content that contains minors, nor should they allow minors to appear in a stream or a post (other than incidentally). This applies even if they are the user’s own children or if the user otherwise has permission to do so.
Users may not post or stream content that sexualizes minors or that promotes or glorifies child sexual exploitation. Examples of content that depicts or promotes child sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to:
The following behaviors should also not be allowed:
Adult Content. We do not allow adult content. Users may not post or stream adult content, which we consider to be any media that is pornographic and/or may be intended to cause sexual arousal. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
Graphic Violence. Users may not post or stream graphically violent or gratuitously gory content, which is any media that depicts death, violence, surgical procedures or serious injury to humans or animals in graphic detail. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
Advertising. We believe our users are not interested in incessant pitches. Users may not post or stream any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, spam, chain letters, pyramid schemes or any other form of solicitation, or offer any unauthorized contest, giveaway, or sweepstakes.
Spam. Users may not use the service for the purpose of spamming anyone. Users may not register accounts or post content automatically, systematically, or programmatically. Users may not promise financial rewards to other users or run contests or giveaways.
Security. Users may not upload or transmit software viruses, malware, or any other harmful computer code, files or programs, or use any data mining, robots, or similar data gathering or extraction methods. Users may not disrupt or impose an unreasonable burden on the service (or another person’s use of the service) or networks connected to the service, or breach or attempt to breach the security of the service.
Respect For The Larger Community
Unlawful Use. Users may not use the service for any unlawful purposes or to further illegal activities. By using the service, users must agree to comply with all applicable laws governing their online conduct and content.
Dangerous Activities or Products. Users may not post or stream content that depicts dangerous activities or products. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
Illegal or Regulated Goods and Services. Users may not post or stream content depicting illegal or regulated goods and services. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
Moderating and Reporting
We believe that it is not enough simply to adopt and post these guidelines. We, as operators will always endeavor to devote more than sufficient resources to monitor and enforce them. Using a combination of community management personnel and moderation technologies, operators should proactively review all publicly-posted user generated content, as well as any content that is reported in order to ensure compliance with these guidelines. We also agree to provide easy-to-use abuse-reporting mechanisms for users identify and report bad content; operators should act on every report, investigating as necessary and resolving within a reasonable timeframe.
Consequences of Violating the Content and Conduct Guidelines
We strive to encourage adherence to these guidelines through education, and try to provide explanations for our decisions whenever possible. We will impose penalties for violations. When determining the penalty, we consider a number of factors including, but not limited to the severity of the violation and an individual’s previous record of violations. Penalties may vary and escalate, and may include, but not be limited to, any or all of the following:
Role of the User
We will remind our users of the important role they play in keeping our community safe. We will encourage them to report, promptly and consistently, inappropriate content and bad behavior. We will remind our users to remain aware of the differences between behavior in real life and the digital world, and we will encourage them to report real-world acts of violence or abuse to the appropriate authorities.
___
This Social Safety standard was formed by a panel of Internet dating and social community operators. The purpose is to highlight companies of distinction in the dating and social community industries and assure members of a high standard of service and user experience with respect to fortifying their safety and comfort in our communities.
Introduction
These content and conduct guidelines focus on keeping online and mobile dating and social apps meeting as safe as possible. Even though they contain specific examples, these guidelines are intended as just that – guidelines, and not as inflexible rules. They strive to reflect a general consensus, while recognizing that each community is different, and that accordingly operators may vary in their implementation of these guidelines.
These guidelines focus on the following areas:
- Respect For Others
- Respect For The Rights Of Others
- Respect For Minors
- Respect For The Community
- Respect For Larger Community
We believe our users should respect other members on our platform and be tolerant. Abusive behavior should not be allowed, particularly when motivated by hatred, prejudice or intolerance, and when it focuses on certain groups disproportionately, including and especially when it is based on sex, sexuality, or color, or targeted at marginalized or historically underrepresented groups.
Abusive Conduct. Users may not harass another person or incite other people to do so. Abusive behavior includes any attempt to harass, intimidate, or silence someone else’s voice. Users may not direct abuse at someone by sending unwanted sexual content, objectifying them in a sexually explicit manner, or otherwise engaging in sexual misconduct. Users may not post or stream content that exploits others (including extortion, blackmail, etc.), humiliates or harasses someone publicly, or harasses victims of a tragic event. Context matters when evaluating for abusive behavior and determining appropriate enforcement actions. Factors which may be taken into consideration include, but are not limited to whether:
- The behavior is targeted at an individual or group of people; and
- The report has been filed by the target of the abuse or a bystander.
We understand that some content may appear to be hateful when viewed in isolation, but may not be when viewed in the context of a larger conversation. Context matters. For example, members of a protected category may refer to each other using terms that are typically considered as slurs. When used consensually, the intent behind these terms is not abusive, but a means to reclaim terms that were historically used to demean individuals. We are aware of this.
Upon receipt of a report, moderators can use their discretion, using accurate and consistent evidence, to curb abuse quickly. A user does not need to be member of a target group for a moderator to take action, nor should a moderator ask people to prove or disprove membership in any protected category.
Conduct that is considered hateful includes, but is not limited to:
Violent Threats. Users may not make violent threats against an identifiable target. Violent threats are declarative statements of intent to inflict injuries that would result in serious and lasting bodily harm, where an individual could die or be significantly injured, e.g., "I will kill you." We have a zero tolerance policy against violent threats. We will consider context, but if the context appears to be truly violent, users can expect to be permanently removed,
Wishing, Hoping or Calling for Serious Harm on a Person or Group of People. Users may not post or stream content that wishes, hopes, promotes, or expresses a desire for death, serious and lasting bodily harm, or serious disease against on a person or group persons. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Hoping that someone dies as a result of a serious disease, e.g., "I hope you get cancer and die";
- Wishing for someone to fall victim to a serious accident, e.g., "I wish that you would get run over by a car next time you run your mouth"; and
- Saying that a group of individuals deserve serious physical injury, e.g., "If this group of protesters don’t shut up, they deserve to be shot."
Mass Murder, Violent Events, or Specific Means of Violence. Users may not post or stream content that promotes mass murder, violent events, or specific means of violence on a person or group persons. This includes, but is not limited to sending someone:
- Content that depicts victims of the Holocaust; and
- Content that depicts lynchings.
Inciting Fear About a Group of People. Users may not target individuals with content intended to incite fear or spread fearful stereotypes about a group of people, including asserting that members of a group are more likely to take part in dangerous or illegal activities, e.g., "all [religious group] are terrorists."
Repeated and/or Non-consensual Slurs, Epithets, Racist and Sexist Tropes, or Other Degrading Content. Users may not target individuals with repeated slurs, tropes or other content that intends to dehumanize, degrade or reinforce negative or harmful stereotypes about a protected category. This includes targeted misgendering or deadnaming of transgender individuals.
Hateful imagery. Users may not post or stream logos, symbols, or images whose purpose is to promote hostility and malice against others based on their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability, serious disease, veteran status, or any other characteristic associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization. Some examples of hateful imagery include, but are not limited to: - Symbols historically associated with hate groups, e.g., the Nazi swastika;
- Images depicting others as less than human, or altered to include hateful symbols, e.g., altering images of individuals to include animalistic features; and
- Images altered to include hateful symbols or references to a mass murder that targeted a protected category, e.g., manipulating images of individuals to include yellow Star of David badges, in reference to the Holocaust.
Respect For The Rights Of Others
Unauthorized Use. Users may not post or stream another’s voice or image without their permission. Accordingly, users may not post or stream any recordings or images of another person that were produced or distributed without their permission.
Private Information. Users may not post or stream another person’s private information without their permission, including photos, videos, and personally identifiable information, nor may users threaten to do so or encourage others to do so.
Impersonation. Users may not impersonate individuals, groups, or organizations in a manner that is intended to or does mislead, confuse, or deceive others.
Intellectual Property. Users may not post or stream content that they do not have a right to make available, or that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright, privacy, or other proprietary rights of any party.
Respect For Minors
We believe it is most respectful to kids to simply not include them in users social media. Users should not post or stream content that contains minors, nor should they allow minors to appear in a stream or a post (other than incidentally). This applies even if they are the user’s own children or if the user otherwise has permission to do so.
Users may not post or stream content that sexualizes minors or that promotes or glorifies child sexual exploitation. Examples of content that depicts or promotes child sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to:
- Visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit or sexually suggestive act;
- Illustrated, computer-generated or other forms of depictions of a minor in a sexually explicit context, or engaged in a sexually explicit act; and
- Links to third-party sites that host child sexual exploitation material.
The following behaviors should also not be allowed:
- Fantasizing about or promoting engagement in child sexual exploitation;
- Expressing a desire to obtain materials that feature child sexual exploitation;
- Recruiting, advertising or expressing interest in: (1) a commercial sex act involving a child, or (2) in harboring and/or transporting a child for sexual purposes;
- Engaging a minor in a sexually explicit conversation; and
- Identifying alleged victims of childhood sexual exploitation by name or photo.
Adult Content. We do not allow adult content. Users may not post or stream adult content, which we consider to be any media that is pornographic and/or may be intended to cause sexual arousal. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
- un-permitted nudity, including close-ups (whether or not clothed) of genitals, buttocks, or breasts
- clothed sexual body parts should not be the most prominent thing in any photo or screen;
- "testing the line," such as sheer or ill-fitting clothing, etc.
- appearing in underwear or lingerie (in a non-artistic context);
- sexual positions or gestures, even if clothed;
- sexual touching or simulated touching;
- obscene, sexual, offensive, or dirty gestures;
- simulating a sexual act or engaging in one;
- sexually suggestive dancing;
- no sex toys;
- no feces, urine or semen; and
- promotion of pornographic websites or any other delivery of nude or pornographic content.
Graphic Violence. Users may not post or stream graphically violent or gratuitously gory content, which is any media that depicts death, violence, surgical procedures or serious injury to humans or animals in graphic detail. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
- gruesome crime or accident scenes;
- physical altercations;
- blood;
- exposed internal organs or bones;
- serious bodily harm, including visible wounds, broken bones etc.;
- animal torture or killing; and
- severely injured or mutilated animals.
Advertising. We believe our users are not interested in incessant pitches. Users may not post or stream any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising, promotional materials, spam, chain letters, pyramid schemes or any other form of solicitation, or offer any unauthorized contest, giveaway, or sweepstakes.
Spam. Users may not use the service for the purpose of spamming anyone. Users may not register accounts or post content automatically, systematically, or programmatically. Users may not promise financial rewards to other users or run contests or giveaways.
Security. Users may not upload or transmit software viruses, malware, or any other harmful computer code, files or programs, or use any data mining, robots, or similar data gathering or extraction methods. Users may not disrupt or impose an unreasonable burden on the service (or another person’s use of the service) or networks connected to the service, or breach or attempt to breach the security of the service.
Respect For The Larger Community
Unlawful Use. Users may not use the service for any unlawful purposes or to further illegal activities. By using the service, users must agree to comply with all applicable laws governing their online conduct and content.
Dangerous Activities or Products. Users may not post or stream content that depicts dangerous activities or products. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
- promotion of self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, or other acts where serious injury or death may result;
- threatening poses with firearms or weapons;
- dangerous "dares," games, battles or contests;
- dangerous controlled substances; and
- streaming while driving any sort of vehicle (including bikes).
Illegal or Regulated Goods and Services. Users may not post or stream content depicting illegal or regulated goods and services. Some specific examples include, but are not limited to:
- counterfeit goods and services;
- human trafficking;
- hard drugs and drug paraphernalia;
- financial instruments or services;
- gambling;
- products made from endangered or protected species;
- prostitution or sexual services;
- stolen goods; and
- weapons, including firearms, ammunition, and explosives, and instructions on making weapons (e.g. bombs, 3D printed guns, etc.).
Moderating and Reporting
We believe that it is not enough simply to adopt and post these guidelines. We, as operators will always endeavor to devote more than sufficient resources to monitor and enforce them. Using a combination of community management personnel and moderation technologies, operators should proactively review all publicly-posted user generated content, as well as any content that is reported in order to ensure compliance with these guidelines. We also agree to provide easy-to-use abuse-reporting mechanisms for users identify and report bad content; operators should act on every report, investigating as necessary and resolving within a reasonable timeframe.
Consequences of Violating the Content and Conduct Guidelines
We strive to encourage adherence to these guidelines through education, and try to provide explanations for our decisions whenever possible. We will impose penalties for violations. When determining the penalty, we consider a number of factors including, but not limited to the severity of the violation and an individual’s previous record of violations. Penalties may vary and escalate, and may include, but not be limited to, any or all of the following:
- content removal;
- feature suspension;
- account suspension;
- account deletion;
- notification of law enforcement;
- notification of The National Center For Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Role of the User
We will remind our users of the important role they play in keeping our community safe. We will encourage them to report, promptly and consistently, inappropriate content and bad behavior. We will remind our users to remain aware of the differences between behavior in real life and the digital world, and we will encourage them to report real-world acts of violence or abuse to the appropriate authorities.
___
This Social Safety standard was formed by a panel of Internet dating and social community operators. The purpose is to highlight companies of distinction in the dating and social community industries and assure members of a high standard of service and user experience with respect to fortifying their safety and comfort in our communities.