Content Moderation Policy

# Content Moderation Policy ## Our Philosophy ThinnestBook is **host-moderated, not platform-moderated**. Circle hosts set and enforce their own rules. We only intervene when platform-wide policies are violated. ## Two-Tier Moderation ### Tier 1: Circle-Level (Host Responsibility) **What hosts moderate**: - Off-topic posts - Spoilers outside tagged threads - Rule violations specific to their circle - General rudeness or negativity **Host powers**: - Remove posts - Remove members - Set house rules - Define consequences **Host limits**: - Must moderate fairly - Cannot violate platform policies - Cannot discriminate against protected groups ### Tier 2: Platform-Level (ThinnestBook Admin) **What we moderate**: - Hate speech - Harassment or threats - Spam or scams - Copyright infringement - Illegal content **Our powers**: - Remove posts - Suspend accounts - Remove circles - Report to law enforcement (severe cases) ## What We Remove Immediately ### Hate Speech - Slurs or derogatory language - Content targeting protected groups - Coded hate speech **Action**: Immediate removal + warning or ban ### Harassment & Threats - Direct threats of violence - Doxxing (sharing personal info) - Coordinated harassment - Stalking behavior **Action**: Immediate removal + account suspension ### Illegal Content - Child exploitation material - Non-consensual intimate images - Promotion of terrorism - Illegal drug sales **Action**: Immediate removal + law enforcement report ### Spam - Promotional content - Repeated off-topic links - Bot behavior **Action**: Removal + account suspension if persistent ## Reporting Process ### How to Report **In a Circle**: 1. Click "Report" on post 2. Select reason 3. Add context (optional) 4. Submit **Report goes to**: - Circle host (for circle-level issues) - ThinnestBook admin (for platform violations) ### What Happens Next 1. **Review** (within 24 hours for platform issues, varies for circle issues) 2. **Decision** (remove, warn, ban, or dismiss) 3. **Notification** (reporter and reported user informed) 4. **Appeal** (reported user can appeal within 7 days) ## Consequences ### First Offense - **Minor** (off-topic, spoiler): Warning - **Moderate** (rudeness, rule breaking): Post removal + warning - **Severe** (hate speech, harassment): Post removal + 7-day suspension ### Repeat Offenses - **2nd offense**: 30-day suspension - **3rd offense**: Permanent ban ### Severe First Offense - Threats, illegal content: Immediate permanent ban ## Appeals ### How to Appeal 1. Email: support@thinnestbook.com 2. Subject: "Appeal: [Type of Action]" 3. Include: - Username - What happened - Why you believe it was unfair - Any context we missed ### Appeal Review - Reviewed by different admin - Response within 5 business days - Decision is final ### Appeal Outcomes - **Upheld**: Original decision stands - **Overturned**: Warning/ban removed - **Modified**: Reduced consequence ## Host Moderation Standards ### Fair Moderation Hosts must: - Apply rules consistently - Explain removals when asked - Give warnings before removals - Allow appeals ### Unfair Moderation Hosts cannot: - Remove members for identity (race, gender, religion) - Retaliate against criticism - Remove without reason - Change rules retroactively without notice ### Reporting Bad Hosts If a host violates these standards: 1. Email: support@thinnestbook.com 2. Subject: "Report: Host Abuse" 3. Include evidence (screenshots helpful) We investigate within 48 hours. ## False Reports Repeatedly reporting content that doesn't violate policies: - **First offense**: Warning - **Repeated**: Report privilege suspended - **Malicious**: Account suspension ## Privacy in Moderation ### What We See - Reported content - User history (past violations) - Context (surrounding posts) ### What We DON'T Share - Reporter identity (unless legally required) - Private messages (unless reported) - Personal info ## Automated Moderation ### We use filters for: - Known hate speech patterns - Spam keywords - Copyrighted content ### Filters can be wrong: - If your content was wrongly removed, email support - We respond within 24 hours - False positives are rare but happen ## Special Cases ### Book Spoilers - Not platform-level moderation - Host responsibility - Use spoiler tags in discussions ### Political Content - Political books are allowed - Political discussions within book context are fine - Off-topic political rants are host's call ### Religious Content - Religious books are allowed - Respectful religious discussion is fine - Proselytizing is host's call - Hate toward any religion is banned ## Updates to This Policy We update this policy as needed. Changes: - Announced 30 days before taking effect - Applied to new violations only - Do not affect past moderation decisions ## Questions? Email: support@thinnestbook.com