DMCA Policy
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) policy and procedures for stash.chat.
Last Updated: October 20, 2025
Effective Date: October 22, 2024
Our DMCA Commitment
stash.chat respects intellectual property rights and complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). We have implemented procedures to address copyright infringement claims while maintaining our commitment to user privacy and ephemeral design.
DMCA Takedown Process
Submit Takedown Notice
Copyright owners can submit a DMCA takedown notice to our designated agent.
Review and Validation
We review the notice for completeness and legal validity within 24 hours.
Content Removal
If valid, we remove the infringing content and notify the user.
Counter-Notice Process
Users can submit a counter-notice if they believe the content was removed in error.
Submitting a DMCA Takedown Notice
Required Information
To submit a valid DMCA takedown notice, you must include:
- Identification: Clear identification of the copyrighted work
- Location: Specific location of the infringing material on our service
- Contact Information: Your name, address, phone number, and email
- Good Faith Statement: Statement that you believe the use is not authorized
- Accuracy Statement: Statement that the information is accurate
- Signature: Physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner
Notice Format
Subject Line
DMCA Takedown Notice - [Your Name/Company]
Copyright Owner
Name, address, phone number, email address
Infringing Content
Description and location of the infringing material
Original Work
Description of the original copyrighted work
Legal Statements
Required good faith and accuracy statements
Special Considerations for stash.chat
⚠️ Limited Data Availability
Due to our ephemeral design, we have limited ability to:
- Access Content: We cannot access encrypted message content
- Retrieve Deleted Content: Ephemeral content is permanently deleted
- Identify Users: Limited user identification due to privacy design
- Provide Evidence: Cannot provide content as evidence
✅ What We Can Do
We can take the following actions:
- Block Users: Prevent repeat infringers from using our service
- Remove Content: Remove accessible infringing content
- Account Actions: Suspend or terminate accounts of repeat infringers
- Prevent Access: Block access to specific content or users
Counter-Notice Process
Submitting a Counter-Notice
If you believe your content was removed in error, you can submit a counter-notice:
- Identification: Identify the material that was removed
- Location: Location where the material appeared before removal
- Good Faith Statement: Statement that you believe the material was removed by mistake
- Consent to Jurisdiction: Consent to federal court jurisdiction
- Contact Information: Your name, address, phone number, and email
- Signature: Physical or electronic signature
Counter-Notice Timeline
Counter-Notice Received
We receive and acknowledge your counter-notice
Content Restoration
If no legal action is taken, we restore the content
Final Decision
Content remains restored unless legal action is taken
Repeat Infringer Policy
Three-Strike Policy
We maintain a three-strike policy for repeat copyright infringers:
First Strike
Warning and content removal
Second Strike
Account suspension for 30 days
Third Strike
Permanent account termination
False Claims and Penalties
Penalties for False Claims
Submitting a false DMCA claim can result in:
- Legal Liability: Perjury charges for false statements
- Damages: Liability for damages caused by false claims
- Attorney Fees: Responsibility for legal costs
- Account Termination: Loss of access to our service
Important: Only submit DMCA notices for content you genuinely believe infringes your copyright.
Contact Information
DMCA Agent
Name: stash.chat DMCA Agent
Email: dmca@stash.chat
Response Time: Within 24 hours
Legal Department
Email: legal@stash.chat
Response Time: Within 48 hours
For general legal inquiries and complex DMCA matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you remove content from private messages?
No. Due to our ephemeral design and end-to-end encryption, we cannot access or remove content from private messages.
What about content in public rooms?
We can remove accessible content from public rooms, but our ability is limited by our privacy-first design.
How long does the takedown process take?
We typically respond to valid DMCA notices within 24 hours and remove infringing content promptly.
Can I appeal a takedown decision?
Yes. You can submit a counter-notice if you believe your content was removed in error.
What if I'm not the copyright owner?
Only copyright owners or their authorized agents can submit DMCA takedown notices.
Legal Disclaimer
Important Legal Information
This DMCA policy is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions about copyright law or DMCA procedures, please consult with an attorney.
We reserve the right to modify this policy at any time. Continued use of our service constitutes acceptance of any changes.