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DESIWAY - COMMUNITY GUIDELINES & CONTENT POLICY

Last Updated: November 12, 2025 Effective Date: November 12, 2025 Version: 1.1

OUR MISSION

DesiWay connects diaspora and local communities to share, support, and thrive together. Our Community Guidelines ensure DesiWay remains a safe, respectful, and welcoming platform for all users.

By using DesiWay, you agree to follow these Community Guidelines. Violations may result in content removal, account warnings, suspension, or permanent ban.

CORE PRINCIPLES

1. Be Respectful

Treat all users with kindness, empathy, and respect.

2. Be Honest

Post truthful, accurate information. Do not mislead or deceive others.

3. Be Safe

Prioritize safety—yours and others'. Report dangerous or harmful content.

4. Be Lawful

Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

5. Be Constructive

Contribute positively to the community. Share valuable content and engage meaningfully.

PROHIBITED CONTENT AND CONDUCT

1. ILLEGAL ACTIVITY

Prohibited:

  • Promoting, facilitating, or engaging in illegal activities
  • Selling or distributing illegal goods or services
  • Sharing instructions for illegal activities (e.g., hacking, fraud, drug production)
  • Money laundering or financial crimes
  • Human trafficking or exploitation

Examples:

  • ❌ Selling drugs or controlled substances
  • ❌ Offering hacking services
  • ❌ Sharing pirated software or copyrighted content

2. HATE SPEECH AND DISCRIMINATION

Prohibited:

  • Hate speech targeting individuals or groups based on:
    • Race, ethnicity, or national origin
    • Religion or religious beliefs
    • Gender or gender identity
    • Sexual orientation
    • Disability
    • Age
    • Other protected characteristics
  • Promoting discrimination, violence, or harm against protected groups
  • Slurs, derogatory language, or stereotypes

Examples:

  • ❌ Racial slurs or ethnic insults
  • ❌ Posts promoting hate against religious groups
  • ❌ Discriminatory housing listings
  • ✅ Respectful cultural or religious discussions

Note: Culturally-specific events or communities (e.g., "Indian Cultural Association", "Muslim Professionals Network") are allowed as long as they do not promote hate or exclusion.

3. HARASSMENT AND BULLYING

Prohibited:

  • Harassing, bullying, or intimidating other users
  • Stalking or unwanted contact
  • Doxxing (sharing private information without consent)
  • Threats or intimidation
  • Revenge porn or non-consensual intimate images
  • Impersonation (pretending to be another person or entity)

Examples:

  • ❌ Repeatedly messaging someone after they ask you to stop
  • ❌ Sharing someone's home address or phone number without permission
  • ❌ Creating fake profiles to impersonate others

4. VIOLENCE AND HARM

Prohibited:

  • Threats of violence or physical harm
  • Encouraging violence or self-harm
  • Graphic violence or gore (without appropriate warnings)
  • Glorifying or celebrating violence
  • Coordinating harmful activities

Examples:

  • ❌ Threatening to harm another user
  • ❌ Encouraging suicide or self-harm
  • ❌ Sharing graphic images of injuries or deaths without warnings

5. SEXUAL CONTENT AND EXPLOITATION

Prohibited:

  • Pornography or explicit sexual content
  • Sexual solicitation or prostitution
  • Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) - ZERO TOLERANCE - See detailed section below
  • Non-consensual intimate images (revenge porn)
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexualization of minors

Examples:

  • ❌ Posting nudity or explicit sexual images
  • ❌ Soliciting sexual services
  • ❌ Sharing intimate images without consent
  • ✅ Educational discussions about sexual health (if tasteful and appropriate)

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL (CSAM) - MANDATORY REPORTING

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

DesiWay has absolute zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child exploitation. As a hosting service operating in Ireland and serving EU users, we comply with strict legal obligations for CSAM detection, removal, and reporting.

Immediate Actions Upon CSAM Detection:

  1. Immediate Content Removal

    • Content removed instantly upon detection or valid report
    • No prior notification to uploader (to preserve criminal investigation)
    • Hash value stored to prevent re-upload

  2. Automatic Account Termination

    • Permanent ban from platform - no appeals
    • All associated accounts terminated
    • Device and IP address flagged

  3. Mandatory Reporting to Authorities:

  4. Evidence Preservation

    • Content and metadata preserved securely for law enforcement
    • Retention: As required by investigating authorities
    • Access: Provided only to authorized law enforcement agencies

  5. Staff Training & Detection

    • All content moderators receive specialized CSAM identification training
    • PhotoDNA and hash-matching technology deployed
    • Partnership with Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) for hash list updates
    • Regular training updates on CSAM detection techniques

User Reporting of Suspected CSAM:

If you encounter suspected child sexual abuse material:

  • DO NOT download, share, or redistribute the content (this is illegal)
  • Report immediately via:
    • In-app emergency reporting: "Report" button > "Child Exploitation"
    • Email: [email protected] (highest priority - urgent reports reviewed as soon as practicable upon receipt, in accordance with Irish law. Emergency cases are escalated immediately to An Garda Síochána.)
    • External: Internet Watch Foundation: https://report.iwf.org.uk

Priority Response: CSAM reports receive highest priority and are reviewed as soon as practicable in accordance with Irish law (Children First Act 2015), with emergency cases escalated immediately to law enforcement.

False CSAM Reports: Abuse of the CSAM reporting system (intentional false reports) is a serious violation and will result in:

  • Immediate account termination
  • Possible referral to law enforcement for obstruction of justice

Legal Framework:

  • Ireland: Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 (as amended)
  • EU: Directive 2011/93/EU on combating sexual abuse and exploitation of children
  • International: Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child

SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENSES - MANDATORY REPORTING (DSA Article 17)

Legal Obligation:

Under DSA Article 17, DesiWay must notify law enforcement authorities when we become aware of information giving rise to suspicion that a serious criminal offense involving a threat to life or safety has been, is being, or may be committed.

Serious Criminal Offenses Include:

  • Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) - See dedicated section above
  • Terrorist content or incitement to terrorism
  • Human trafficking
  • Violent threats or planned violence
  • Sale of illegal weapons or explosives
  • Drug trafficking (large-scale operations)

Reporting Process:

  1. Immediate Assessment: Content flagged for potential serious criminal activity receives priority review

  2. Law Enforcement Notification: If suspicion confirmed, immediate report to:

    • An Garda Síochána: +353 1 666 3500 or [email protected]
    • Europol (if cross-border): EU Internet Referral Unit

  3. Evidence Preservation: Content and metadata preserved for investigation

  4. No User Notification: To preserve criminal investigation integrity

User Reporting:

If you witness content suggesting serious criminal activity:

  • Report via in-app "Report" button > "Illegal Activity"
  • Email: [email protected]
  • External: Garda Confidential Line: 1800 666 111

6. SPAM AND MANIPULATION

Prohibited:

  • Spam (repetitive, unsolicited messages or posts)
  • Mass messaging or bulk posting
  • Clickbait or misleading titles
  • Vote manipulation or fake engagement
  • Automated bots (without authorization)
  • Fake accounts or multiple accounts to evade bans

Examples:

  • ❌ Posting the same ad 50 times
  • ❌ Sending unsolicited promotional messages to 100 users
  • ❌ Using bots to artificially boost post likes
  • ✅ Sharing genuine, valuable content across relevant communities

7. FRAUD AND SCAMS

Prohibited:

  • Fraud, scams, or deceptive practices
  • Phishing or credential theft
  • Fake listings or services
  • Pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes
  • False advertising or misleading claims
  • Impersonating businesses or organizations

Examples:

  • ❌ Posting fake accommodation listings to collect deposits
  • ❌ Offering "get rich quick" schemes
  • ❌ Impersonating official DesiWay accounts

8. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY VIOLATIONS

Prohibited:

  • Posting copyrighted content without authorization (music, videos, images, text)
  • Trademark infringement
  • Selling counterfeit goods
  • Plagiarism (passing off others' work as your own)

Examples:

  • ❌ Sharing full movies or TV episodes
  • ❌ Selling fake designer handbags
  • ❌ Copying another user's post word-for-word without credit
  • ✅ Sharing links to licensed content (YouTube, Spotify)
  • ✅ Posting your own original content

9. MISINFORMATION AND HARMFUL CONTENT

Prohibited:

  • Deliberate spreading of false information (especially harmful misinformation)
  • Health misinformation (e.g., false COVID-19 cures, anti-vaccine misinformation)
  • Election misinformation or voter suppression
  • Conspiracy theories promoting harm

Examples:

  • ❌ Claiming "drinking bleach cures COVID-19"
  • ❌ Spreading false information about voting procedures
  • ✅ Sharing news articles from credible sources
  • ✅ Expressing personal opinions with appropriate disclaimers

Note: We allow diverse viewpoints and opinions. However, deliberate misinformation that causes harm is prohibited.

10. DANGEROUS GOODS AND SERVICES

Prohibited:

  • Selling or promoting:
    • Weapons, explosives, ammunition (unless legally compliant)
    • Illegal drugs or controlled substances
    • Prescription medications (without proper authorization)
    • Stolen goods
    • Counterfeit goods
    • Human body parts or fluids
    • Endangered species or protected wildlife
    • Hazardous materials

Examples:

  • ❌ Selling firearms without proper licenses
  • ❌ Offering prescription medications without prescriptions
  • ❌ Selling stolen electronics

11. PRIVACY VIOLATIONS

Prohibited:

  • Sharing private information without consent (doxxing)
  • Posting personal contact information of others
  • Sharing private messages or conversations without permission
  • Unauthorized surveillance or recording

Examples:

  • ❌ Posting someone's phone number or home address publicly
  • ❌ Sharing screenshots of private DMs without consent
  • ✅ Sharing publicly available information (e.g., business contact info)

12. PLATFORM ABUSE

Prohibited:

  • Circumventing platform restrictions or bans
  • Creating multiple accounts to evade enforcement
  • Exploiting bugs or vulnerabilities (without reporting)
  • Interfering with platform functionality
  • Scraping or data harvesting (without authorization)
  • Reverse engineering the platform

Examples:

  • ❌ Creating new accounts after being banned
  • ❌ Using scripts to scrape user data
  • ✅ Reporting bugs to DesiWay support

CONTENT-SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

POSTS AND COMMENTS

  • Be relevant: Post content relevant to the community or topic
  • Be original: Share your own thoughts, experiences, or creations
  • Give credit: Attribute content to original creators
  • Use appropriate language: Avoid excessive profanity or vulgarity
  • Stay on topic: Keep discussions focused

EVENTS

  • Accurate information: Provide truthful event details
  • Safe events: Ensure events comply with safety regulations
  • Legal events: Ensure events comply with permits and licenses
  • Inclusive events: Avoid discriminatory practices (unless culturally/religiously specific events)

LISTINGS (Accommodation, Marketplace, AirBring)

  • Accurate descriptions: Describe items/properties truthfully
  • Real photos: Use actual photos, not stock images
  • Fair pricing: Price items reasonably; do not engage in price gouging
  • Legal items: Only list items you have the right to sell/rent

MESSAGES

  • Respect boundaries: Do not send unsolicited commercial messages or spam
  • No harassment: Respect users who do not wish to communicate
  • Professional communication: Keep messages respectful and on-topic

ENFORCEMENT

ILLEGAL CONTENT REPORTING (DSA Article 16)

DesiWay operates as a hosting service under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA). We provide the following electronic notification system for reporting illegal content:

Electronic Notification System:

  • In-App Reporting: Use the "Report" button on any post, profile, listing, or message
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Response Time: Reports reviewed without undue delay. Initial response typically within 2-3 business days, with urgent cases prioritized.
  • Status Updates: Reporter will receive updates on action taken

Required Information for Illegal Content Reports:

  1. Content Location: URL or specific location of illegal content
  2. Legal Basis: Explanation of why content is considered illegal under applicable law
  3. Reporter Contact: Your email address for follow-up
  4. Supporting Evidence: Screenshots, documents, or other proof (if applicable)

Examples of Illegal Content:

  • Child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
  • Terrorist content
  • Incitement to violence or hatred
  • Content infringing intellectual property rights
  • Sale of illegal goods or services
  • Fraudulent schemes

Note: Reports of illegal content are treated with highest priority and may result in immediate content removal and account suspension.

TRUSTED FLAGGERS (DSA Article 22)

DesiWay's Approach:

DesiWay may designate "trusted flaggers" - entities with proven expertise in detecting illegal content - whose reports receive priority review.

Trusted Flagger Status:

  • Current Status: DesiWay does not currently operate a trusted flagger program (permitted for smaller hosting services)
  • Future Implementation: As DesiWay grows, we may establish partnerships with recognized organizations (e.g., Internet Watch Foundation for CSAM, Europol for terrorist content)

User Reports:

All user reports are treated seriously. Trusted flagger status does not diminish the importance of community reporting.

CONTENT MODERATION DECISIONS (DSA Compliance)

When Content is Removed or Restricted:

Notification to Content Creator:

  • Clear explanation of the specific policy violation
  • Reference to the violated section of Community Guidelines or applicable law
  • Information about content removal or restriction
  • Timeline of decision: Immediate action for clearly illegal content, other violations addressed within 3-5 business days

Right to Request Human Review:

  • If content was removed by automated systems, you may request human review
  • Submit request via [email protected] with subject "Human Review Request"
  • Include content ID and explanation

Internal Complaint Mechanism:

  • Disagree with our decision? File a complaint via [email protected]
  • Provide: Content ID, reason for disagreement, supporting evidence
  • Response timeline: Complaints typically reviewed within 7-10 business days
  • Escalation: If unsatisfied, you may use out-of-court dispute settlement (see Section below)

Automated Content Detection Systems:

We use automated tools to detect and remove:

  • Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): Immediate removal + mandatory authority reporting
  • Copyright Violations: Takedown upon valid DMCA/copyright notice
  • Spam and Duplicate Content: Automatic filtering and removal
  • Known Illegal Content: Hash-based detection of previously identified illegal material

Human Oversight: All automated removals of user-generated content (except spam) are subject to human review without undue delay, typically within 3-5 business days, with disputed removals prioritized.

Reporting Violations (General Guidelines)

If you see content or behavior that violates these Guidelines (but is not illegal):

  1. Use the "Report" button on posts, profiles, or messages
  2. Provide details about the violation
  3. Block users who harass or bother you

DesiWay's Actions

When violations are reported or detected, we may:

  • Remove content that violates Guidelines
  • Issue warnings to users
  • Temporarily suspend accounts (3 days, 7 days, 30 days)
  • Permanently ban accounts for severe or repeated violations
  • Report illegal activity to law enforcement

Appeals and Dispute Resolution

Internal Appeals Process: If you believe enforcement action was taken in error:

  • Contact: [email protected]
  • Information to Provide: Account details, content ID, explanation of why decision was incorrect
  • Response Time: Appeals reviewed within 7 business days
  • Outcome: Reversal of decision, partial reversal, or decision upheld with detailed explanation

Out-of-Court Dispute Settlement (DSA Article 21):

If you disagree with our appeals decision, you may use a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body:

Certified Bodies:

Interim Options:

While awaiting Irish certification, you may use:

  • EU Online Dispute Resolution Platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr (for consumer disputes)
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services: Recognized ADR providers in Ireland

Cost: Typically free or low-cost for consumers

Your Rights:

Using out-of-court dispute settlement does not affect your right to seek judicial remedies in Irish or EU courts.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

  • Minimum age: 18 years old (or age of majority in your jurisdiction)
  • Age-restricted content: Some events or content may have higher age requirements (e.g., 21+ for alcohol-related events)

ADDITIONAL POLICIES

User Verification

  • Verified accounts (✓ badge) indicate the user has provided additional identity verification
  • Verification does not guarantee trustworthiness; exercise caution with all users

Blocking and Privacy

  • Users may block other users to prevent interactions
  • Blocking is mutual and permanent until unblocked
  • Blocked users cannot see your profile or content

LEGAL COMPLIANCE

Users must comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to:

  • GDPR (EU data protection)
  • Copyright and trademark laws
  • Consumer protection laws
  • Fair housing laws
  • Local content regulations

PAYMENT SERVICES (FUTURE)

DesiWay does NOT currently process payments, facilitate transactions, or hold funds.

All transactions between users (accommodation rentals, marketplace sales, AirBring deliveries, event ticket sales) occur OUTSIDE DesiWay's platform. Users arrange payment directly using methods they choose (cash, bank transfer, PayPal, etc.).

Future Payment Services:

If DesiWay introduces payment processing services in the future:

  • Separate Payment Terms and Conditions will apply
  • Available at: www.desiway.in/payment-terms
  • Users will be notified before payment services launch
  • Payment services are OPTIONAL - users may continue arranging payment directly

Current Platform Role:

DesiWay currently operates as:

  • Hosting service only (connecting users, hosting content)
  • NOT a payment processor (we do not handle money)
  • NOT a transaction intermediary (we do not facilitate or guarantee transactions)

For detailed transaction policies, see feature-specific Terms:

  • Accommodation: Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • Marketplace: Marketplace Terms and Conditions
  • AirBring: AirBring Terms and Conditions
  • Events: Events Terms and Conditions

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

DesiWay serves diverse communities. We encourage:

  • Respect for cultural differences
  • Open-mindedness and learning
  • Constructive cross-cultural dialogue
  • Celebrating diversity

However, cultural or religious practices that promote harm, discrimination, or illegal activity are not allowed.

RESPONSIBILITY

User Responsibility

  • You are responsible for all content you post
  • You are responsible for interactions with other users
  • You are responsible for complying with laws and these Guidelines

DesiWay's Role

  • We moderate content but cannot monitor everything
  • We rely on user reports to identify violations
  • We reserve the right to remove content at our discretion
  • We are not liable for user-generated content

UPDATES TO GUIDELINES

We may update these Guidelines from time to time. Continued use of DesiWay after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Guidelines.

CONTACT

Questions or concerns? Contact us:

THANK YOU

Thank you for being part of the DesiWay community. Together, we can build a safe, respectful, and vibrant platform for all.

Let's connect, support, and grow together!

END OF COMMUNITY GUIDELINES