Welcome to Surfaced
Surfaced is built on the principle that diverse perspectives make us all smarter. We believe in open discourse without algorithmic filtering or shadow-banning. You control what you see.
These Community Guidelines help ensure that Surfaced remains a place where meaningful conversations happen, diverse voices are heard, and people feel safe to express themselves.
By using Surfaced, you agree to follow these guidelines.
Our Core Principles
1. Open Discourse
We value free expression and diverse viewpoints. Disagreement is welcome; personal attacks are not.
2. Respect
Treat others with dignity. You can disagree with ideas without attacking people.
3. Safety
Everyone deserves to participate without fear of harassment, threats, or violence.
4. Authenticity
Be genuine. No impersonation, coordinated manipulation, or fake engagement.
5. Diverse Perspectives
We don't filter content based on political viewpoint. Exposure to different ideas makes us better thinkers.
6. User Control
You decide what you see. Use our tools to block, mute, or filter content that doesn't interest you.
What We Encourage
Do This:
- Engage thoughtfully — Share your perspectives and engage with others respectfully
- Challenge ideas, not people — Disagree with arguments, not individuals
- Provide context — Share sources and explain your reasoning
- Use content warnings — Mark sensitive content appropriately
- Fact-check yourself — Verify information before sharing
- Give credit — Cite sources and attribute content to creators
- Report violations — Help us maintain community standards
- Use blocking/muting — Control your own experience
- Be curious — Ask questions and seek to understand different viewpoints
- Add value — Contribute meaningful content and commentary
What's Not Allowed
While we support open discourse, some content crosses the line. We prohibit:
1. Illegal Content
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
- Content that violates intellectual property rights
- Content that facilitates illegal activities
- Sale of illegal goods or services
- Instructions for creating weapons or explosives
- Non-consensual intimate images
2. Violence and Threats
- Threats of violence against individuals or groups
- Incitement to violence
- Promotion of terrorism or violent extremism
- Glorification of violence or mass shootings
- Instructions or encouragement for self-harm or suicide
- Graphic violence or gore (unless newsworthy with warning)
3. Harassment and Bullying
- Targeted harassment of individuals
- Brigading or coordinated harassment
- Doxxing (sharing private information without consent)
- Persistent unwanted contact after being asked to stop
- Encouraging others to harass someone
- Celebrating or mocking someone's death or serious injury
4. Hate Speech
We prohibit content that dehumanizes, threatens, or incites violence against people based on protected characteristics (race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.). However, we allow criticism of ideas, ideologies, and institutions.
Not Allowed:
- Dehumanizing language targeting protected groups
- Calls for violence or segregation based on protected characteristics
- Holocaust denial or glorification of hate groups
- Claims that protected groups are inferior or deserve harm
Allowed:
- Criticism of religions, political ideologies, or public figures
- Discussion of controversial topics in good faith
- Sharing news about hate incidents (without endorsing them)
- Academic or educational discussion of extremism
5. Sexual Content
- Pornography or sexually explicit content
- Non-consensual nudity or intimate images
- Sexual content involving minors in any form
- Solicitation of sexual services
- Sexualization of minors (including drawings/cartoons)
Note: Artistic nudity, educational content, and breastfeeding are generally allowed with appropriate warnings.
6. Spam and Manipulation
- Spam or repetitive content
- Engagement manipulation (fake likes, follows, comments)
- Coordinated inauthentic behavior
- Mass automated posting
- Phishing or malicious links
- Pyramid schemes or get-rich-quick scams
- Misleading links or click-bait
7. Misinformation
We don't fact-check opinions or silence unpopular views. However, we take action on demonstrably false information that could cause immediate harm.
We Remove:
- False health information that could cause immediate physical harm
- Election misinformation (fake polling locations, voting dates, etc.)
- Manipulated media presented as authentic (deepfakes without disclosure)
- Fabricated quotes or attributions to real people
We Allow:
- Opinions, speculation, and predictions
- Satire and parody (when clearly labeled)
- Disputed claims with context or sources
- Discussion of conspiracy theories (unless inciting harm)
8. Impersonation and Deception
- Impersonating individuals, organizations, or brands
- Creating fake accounts to mislead others
- Operating multiple accounts to evade bans
- Misrepresenting your identity or affiliations
Note: Parody accounts are allowed if clearly labeled as such.
Content Warnings and Sensitive Media
Some content, while permitted, requires warnings:
Mark as Sensitive:
- Graphic violence or injury (newsworthy content)
- Nudity in art or educational contexts
- Disturbing images (accidents, medical content)
- Content about self-harm or eating disorders
Enforcement and Consequences
We take a graduated approach to enforcement. Consequences depend on the severity and frequency of violations.
Violation Levels
Minor (First-time): Warning + content removal
Moderate: Temporary suspension (1–7 days)
Serious: Extended suspension (7–30 days)
Severe: Permanent account suspension
Illegal Content: Immediate permanent ban + report to authorities
Immediate Permanent Bans
The following violations result in immediate permanent bans:
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
- Terrorism or violent extremism
- Serious threats of violence
- Coordinated harassment campaigns
- Repeated ban evasion
Appeals Process
If you believe your content was removed or account suspended in error:
- You'll receive an email explaining the violation
- You can appeal by replying to that email within 30 days
- Our team will review your appeal within 7 business days
- You'll receive a final decision via email
Appeals are reviewed by different team members than those who made the original decision.
How to Report Violations
Help us keep Surfaced safe by reporting content that violates these guidelines.
Reporting Steps
- Find the Content — Locate the post, comment, or user you want to report
- Click Report — Tap the three-dot menu and select "Report"
- Select Reason — Choose the guideline violation category
- Add Details — Optionally provide additional context
- Submit — We'll review your report within 24 hours
What Happens After You Report
- Your report is anonymous (the user won't know who reported them)
- Our moderation team reviews all reports
- We may reach out for more information
- You'll receive an update on the outcome
- Multiple reports help us prioritize review
Emergency Situations: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement first, then report to us at safety@surfacedsocial.com.
Your Tools for Control
You have powerful tools to control your own experience on Surfaced:
Block
- They can't see your posts or profile
- They can't follow you or send you messages
- You won't see their content anywhere on Surfaced
- They won't be notified that you blocked them
Mute
- You stop seeing their posts in your feed
- They can still see and interact with your content
- They won't know you muted them
- Useful for taking a break without blocking
Mute Words/Topics
Filter out content containing specific words or phrases without blocking users.
Privacy Settings
Control who can see your posts (public vs. followers only), comment on your posts, tag you in posts, and send you direct messages (future feature).
Our Commitments
Transparency
We publish enforcement statistics quarterly, including number of reports received by category, actions taken (warnings, suspensions, bans), appeal outcomes, and average response times.
No Shadow Banning
We don't secretly limit your reach. If we take action on your account or content, you'll be notified with a clear explanation.
Political Neutrality
We don't moderate content based on political viewpoint. We enforce these guidelines consistently regardless of ideology.
Human Review
Major enforcement decisions (suspensions, bans) are reviewed by human moderators, not just algorithms.
Changes to These Guidelines
We may update these Community Guidelines from time to time. When we make significant changes:
- We'll post a notice on Surfaced
- We'll email registered users
- We'll update the "Effective Date" at the top
- We'll highlight what changed
Your continued use of Surfaced after changes take effect means you accept the updated guidelines.
Acknowledgment
By using Surfaced, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to follow these Community Guidelines.