Community Standards
Building a respectful, inclusive community where privacy and safety go hand in hand.
Our Community Values
stash.chat is built on the principles of privacy, respect, and safety. While we believe in the fundamental right to private communication, we also recognize that with privacy comes responsibility. Our community standards reflect these values and help create a space where everyone can communicate safely and respectfully.
Core Principles
Respect
Treat all users with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity.
Safety
Maintain a safe environment free from harassment, abuse, and harmful content.
Privacy
Respect others' privacy and maintain the confidential nature of private communications.
Expected Behavior
✅ Do
- Be respectful and kind in all interactions
- Respect others' privacy and boundaries
- Use appropriate language and tone
- Report inappropriate behavior when you see it
- Follow the ephemeral nature of our platform
- Be mindful of cultural differences
- Respect others' right to privacy
- Engage in constructive conversations
❌ Don't
- Harass, bully, or intimidate others
- Share illegal or harmful content
- Impersonate others or create fake accounts
- Spam or send unsolicited messages
- Share others' private information
- Engage in hate speech or discrimination
- Attempt to circumvent our safety measures
- Use the platform for commercial spam
Content Guidelines
🚫 Prohibited Content
Illegal Content
- Child sexual abuse material
- Non-consensual intimate images
- Violence or threats of violence
- Drug trafficking content
- Terrorism or extremist material
Harmful Content
- Harassment or bullying
- Hate speech or discrimination
- Self-harm or suicide content
- Spam or commercial abuse
- Doxxing or personal information exposure
⚠️ Restricted Content
Adult Content
- Must be consensual and legal
- No sharing without explicit consent
- Respect recipient's boundaries
- No commercial adult content
Sensitive Topics
- Political discussions should be respectful
- Religious content should be inclusive
- Medical advice should be clearly labeled
- Financial advice should include disclaimers
Privacy & Consent
Respecting Privacy
✅ Good Practices
- Ask permission before sharing others' content
- Respect "view once" and expiration settings
- Don't screenshot without permission
- Keep private conversations private
- Respect others' anonymity choices
❌ Violations
- Sharing others' private messages
- Recording without consent
- Exposing others' identities
- Sharing screenshots of private content
- Attempting to bypass privacy features
Reporting & Enforcement
How We Enforce Standards
Education
First-time violations often result in warnings and educational resources about our standards.
Restriction
Repeated violations may result in temporary restrictions on certain features or functions.
Suspension
Serious or repeated violations may result in temporary account suspension.
Termination
Severe violations or persistent abuse may result in permanent account termination.
Appeals Process
If You Disagree with a Decision
We understand that moderation decisions can sometimes be incorrect. Here's how to appeal:
- Review the Decision: Check the email notification for the specific reason for the action.
- Gather Information: Collect any relevant context or evidence that supports your case.
- Submit an Appeal: Send a detailed appeal to appeals@stash.chat within 30 days.
- Wait for Review: Our appeals team will review your case within 7 business days.
- Receive Response: You'll receive a written response explaining the final decision.
Community Resources
Updates to Standards
Keeping Our Standards Current
Our community standards are living documents that evolve with our community and the broader digital landscape. We regularly review and update our standards based on:
- Community feedback and suggestions
- Changes in laws and regulations
- Emerging threats and safety concerns
- Best practices from other platforms
- Academic research and expert recommendations
Last Updated: October 2024
Next Review: January 2025