HUNCH COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Last updated March 20, 2025

We have created the Community Guidelines (‘Guidelines’) to ensure that Hunch remains a safe, inclusive, and respectful Platform for anyone who accesses and creates an account on Hunch (‘Users’). These Guidelines outline what is considered unacceptable content and behaviour on Hunch, and the actions that may be taken in the event of any violation. By using Hunch, you agree to abide by these Guidelines.

These Guidelines apply to all types of Content (which includes all User profiles, profile photos, chats, polls, poll options, descriptions, comments, videos, bios and any other form of communication) and behaviour on the Hunch App and Website (‘Platform’) — and applies to all Hunch Users around the world. They form part of the broader User Agreement, alongside the Hunch Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Any terms not defined in these Guidelines shall have the same meaning as defined in the Hunch Terms of Use or anywhere else in the User Agreement.

Overview

Hunch is designed to foster meaningful connections, and we expect our Users to be honest, respectful, and considerate in their interactions. Users are encouraged to engage authentically and contribute to a positive and inclusive environment. Any attempt to manipulate or exploit others through deception, coercion, or harmful behavior is not accepted. To support this, we provide robust reporting mechanisms and a diligent enforcement approach. We also use a combination of human moderators and automated systems to monitor and review all Content uploaded on Hunch.

 

We encourage you to report any behavior or content that violates these Guidelines using the reporting feature available on the Platform. Our team rigorously reviews all reports to identify violations of our Guidelines. In case of a violation, we may take several actions, including removal of content, terminating or restricting access to Hunch, and if required, notifying law enforcement agencies of potential violations of law. 

 

To further safeguard our community, Hunch has features that limit potentially harmful behavior. These features include requiring Users to follow or match with each other before messaging, the ability to block Users whose content you may find inappropriate, option to turn on a sensitive content filter on the Platform, in app chat support, etc. By integrating these features into our Platform, we aim to proactively prevent behaviors that contravene these Guidelines, ensuring Hunch remains a secure and enjoyable Platform for everyone.

 

Although these Guidelines govern how we generally treat content posted on the Platform, we reserve the right to remove any content which we otherwise deem as harmful, exploitative or otherwise inconsistent with these Guidelines or with any other law in force. 

Sexual Abuse, Harassment and Exploitation

Hunch is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful space by strictly prohibiting content that promotes, depicts, or facilitates sexual violence, assault, or exploitation.

General Restrictions

          1. Fetish Content: Content involving extreme fetishes such as necrophilia, bestiality, incest, masochism, cannibalism, or acts leading to death, dismemberment, or sexual violence is strictly prohibited. This includes non-consensual fetishization of users based on race, ethnicity, disability, or body type.

          2. Non-Consensual Sharing: Posting, sharing, or threatening to share intimate photos, videos, or any sexually explicit or intimate content, whether real or AI generated, without consent is prohibited. This includes real or digitally manipulated (fake) imagery, threats of exposure, and content mocking survivors.

          3. Sexual Solicitation: Any commercial activity related to pornography, escort services, sugar dating, or paid sexual interactions is not allowed. Soliciting sex, sexual partners, sex chats, or nude imagery is strictly prohibited.

          4. Sexual Harassment & Violence: Hunch prohibits any content, imagery or behaviour that promotes or threatens act of physical and sexual violence, coercion, human trafficking, stalking or any form of sexual exploitation. This includes cyberflashing (sending unsolicited explicit images), unwanted sexual comments, repeated advances despite rejection, and threats to share private sexual conversations.

Context-Specific Allowances

Content that raises awareness of sexual violence, survivor experiences, sex education, sexual health, or related  rights are allowed if shared in a non-sensational, educational, or journalistic context without violating User privacy or depicting nudity. Private discussions about sexual health and well-being are allowed within the context of respectful and consensual conversations.

Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

These guidelines on child sexual exploitation, abuse, and nudity are designed to create a safe online environment for Hunch Users. Any attempt to share, request, or distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (‘CSAM’) or Child Sexual Abuse and Expolitation (‘CSAE’) related content will result in a permanent ban from the Platform. We use automated detection tools and manual review processes to prevent, detect, and remove such content.

 

For the purpose of these Guidelines:

  • CSAM refers to any visual depiction, including but not limited to photos, videos and computer generated imagery, involving the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. 

  • CSAE includes any content or behavior that sexually exploits, abuses, or endangers children. This includes, for example, grooming a child for sexual exploitation, sextorting a child, trafficking of a child for sex, or otherwise sexually exploiting a child. 

Please read the below section carefully to understand how CSAM and CSAE related content is treated on Hunch.

General Restrictions

  • Child Sexual Exploitation: Any Content that is sexually explicit and involves, supports or encourages sexual exploitation or abuse of minors, including content which is AI generated, contains fictional characters, dolls, etc. is strictly prohibited. Strict action will be taken against any Content or Users that promotes the child sexual exploitation imagery, child grooming, sextortion, trafficking, or any other inappropriate interaction targeted at a child. 

  • Solicitation: Any Content that solicits sexual favours from children, including advertising or solicitation of a child for commercial sexual exploitation is strictly prohibited. 

  • Sextortion: Any behavior that threatens or coerces minors into sharing explicit content through blackmail, threats, or intimidation is banned.

  • Inappropriate Interactions: Any behaviour that facilitates inappropriate interactions with children, on or off the Platform, such as arranging sexual encounters or exposing children to sexually explicit material, attempting to initiate or facilitate inappropriate relationships with minors, etc. is strictly prohibited.

  • Child Nudity: Sharing of content depicting child nudity is prohibited and any such Content shall be removed immediately. Please note that even non-sexualized child nudity can be misused, and all such Content shall be removed to prevent exploitation.

  • Sexualized Commentary: Comments about or directed at a minor in a sexualized manner are not permitted. These may be any comments sexualizing or objectifying minors—including in chat interactions or comments.

  • Links to Third-Party Sites: Sharing links to external forums, chat groups, or platforms that facilitates or hosts child exploitation in any manner is strictly prohibited.

  • Non-Sexual Child Abuse: Depictions of non-sexual child abuse may be allowed only if they serve a clear purpose (e.g., news reporting, child rescue awareness). Content that glorifies, trivializes, or promotes child abuse will be removed.

Reporting CSAM and CSAE

Hunch is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment and has a zero-tolerance policy for CSAM and CSAE. Any content, conduct, or behavior that involves or promotes the sexual exploitation or abuse of minors as outlined in these Guidelines, or otherwise deemed by Hunch to contribute to the exploitation of children is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate account termination and reporting to the appropriate legal authorities, if applicable. 

How to Report CSAM and CSAE

If you come across any Content or User behavior that involves the sexual exploitation of children, you should report it immediately using one of the following methods:

  • In-App Reporting: Use the built-in report feature available on all profiles and chat interactions. Select the category “Child Abuse and Exploitation” to flag the content for urgent review. For more information refer to the Reporting Violations section below.
  • Report to Authorities: If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or child protection agencies. If you find Content which violates the Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Nudity guidelines, you may refer to this page for additional measures you may take.

Our Response to CSAM Reports

  • Immediate Review & Removal: Reports involving CSAM or CSAE are escalated immediately. Illegal content is removed, and the involved accounts are permanently terminated.

  • Mandatory Reporting: Confirmed CSAM cases will be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and relevant law enforcement authorities as required by law.

  • Law Enforcement Cooperation: We fully cooperate with law enforcement and child protection organizations in investigations.

Harassment and Bullying

Hunch is committed to a zero-tolerance policy against harassment, cyberbullying, intimidation, and abuse. We prohibit sustained, repeated, or coordinated attempts to threaten, degrade, or harm others, both on and off-Platform. Doxxing, stalking, and intimidation are strictly prohibited. Hunch uses AI moderation tools to detect and remove harmful interactions. Repeated violations will result in permanent account suspension.

Prohibited Content

  • Targeted Harassment: Any malicious and repeated attempts to bully, intimidate, or degrade an individual or group based on personal characteristics, including gender, ethnicity, disability, or any other protected attribute, are prohibited. Similarly, engaging in coercive or manipulative behavior that distorts reality, pressures, or deceives users into feeling unsafe or doubting themselves is not allowed.

     

  • Encouraging Harassment: Inciting or encouraging others to harass, intimidate, or harm individuals or groups, whether online or offline, is strictly prohibited.

  • Threats & Incitement: Any content that encourages self-injury, suicide, or violence is banned. This includes statements glorifying, justifying, or coercing someone into harmful actions.

  • Degrading Content:  Content that shames or degrades individuals in vulnerable situations—including menstruation, urination, vomiting, or defecation—is prohibited. This includes body-shaming, mocking personal appearance, and humiliating dating preferences.

  • Insults and Abuses: Severe or repetitive insults, slurs, and derogatory terms based on sexual activity, gender identity, appearance, or personal traits are prohibited.

  • Victim Blaming and Shaming: Any attempt to shame, blame, or discredit survivors of sexual assault, harassment, exploitation, or domestic abuse is strictly prohibited.

Suicide and self-harm

We are committed to preventing the promotion, glorification, or encouragement of suicide and self-harm while supporting users who seek help and raise awareness. We strictly prohibit content that incites, romanticizes, or provides instructions for self-harm, suicide, or content that promotes eating disorders and body image issues. However, discussions on prevention, recovery, and mental health awareness are allowed when shared responsibly.

General Restrictions

  • Promotion and Encouragement: Content that glorifies, normalizes, or encourages self-harm, eating disorders, or suicide is strictly prohibited.

  • Explicit Encouragement: Content that pressures, coerces, or threatens someone into self-harm or suicide (including emotional blackmail and manipulative suicide threats in relationships) is not allowed.

  • Seeking Harm Partners: Seeking or encouraging self-harm or suicide pacts, mutual self-harm, or group encouragement of eating disorders is prohibited.

  • Methods & Instructions: Providing detailed methods, techniques, or instructions for self-harm, suicide, or promoting eating and body disorders is prohibited. 

  • Graphic Content: Visual content that depicts self-harm, bleeding wounds, or real-time suicide attempts is prohibited. Historical or news-related images must be shared responsibly and without explicit details.

  • Mocking Victims & Survivors: Any content that mocks, ridicules, or dismisses individuals who have experienced self-harm, suicide attempts, or eating disorders is not allowed.

  • Real-Time Depictions & Crisis Events: Content depicting live suicide attempts, active self-harm, or graphic details of recent incidents is strictly prohibited. News reports or educational discussions must avoid excessive detail and must not glorify the act.

Context-Specific Allowances

Hunch recognizes the importance of mental health awareness and allows content related to suicide prevention, self-harm recovery, and emotional well-being when shared responsibly. Users may discuss personal experiences, coping strategies, and mental health advocacy in a way that promotes healing and support, without glorifying or encouraging harmful behavior. Educational discussions on suicide prevention, emotional resilience, and self-care are permitted, as long as they are framed positively and do not include explicit details or self-harm methods.

Posting Someone’s Private or Personal Information

Hunch strictly prohibits sharing any personal or private information of others without consent.

General Restrictions

  • Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Aadhaar numbers, Social Security Numbers (SSN), passport details, government IDs, passwords, and login credentials.

     

  • Contact & Financial Information: Phone numbers, email addresses, bank details, payment methods, and credit/debit card data.

     

  • Residential & Location Data: Private addresses, GPS locations, or any details that could be used for tracking or intimidation, especially within a dating context.

  • Medical & Hacked Information: Sharing medical, biometric, psychological records, or any data obtained through hacking is strictly prohibited.

  • Publishing Private Content: Leaking private messages, photos, or conversations, including doxxing or revenge porn, is not allowed.

Context-Specific Allowances

Users may share publicly available links to profiles or content that an individual has made public. Sharing limited contact details for charitable causes or locating missing persons/objects is allowed if done responsibly.

 

Hunch reserves the right to remove any content that violates user privacy or poses a safety risk. For details on data handling, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity 

We aim to create a balanced environment where discussions and artistic expressions involving adult nudity and sexual activity are allowed under specific, regulated contexts. Hunch encourages personal interactions and thus additional restrictions apply to maintain a safe and respectful user experience.

General Restrictions

  • Explicit Sexual Content: The display, sharing, or messaging of sexually explicit content (including images, videos, or live streams) that depict sexual intercourse, genital stimulation, oral-genital contact, or penetration is strictly prohibited.

     

  • Pornographic Content: Sharing or promoting pornographic material intended for sexual arousal is not allowed. This includes:
    • Pornographic films, erotic literature, or images depicting sexual acts.
    • Nudity meant for arousal, including close-up images of genitals, pubic areas, buttocks, or female nipples in a sexualized manner.
    • Sexually suggestive lingerie or underwear images where nudity is implied.
    • Links to pornographic websites, advertisements for commercial pornography, or solicitation of paid sexual services.
    • Digitally-created, AI-generated, or drawn content (e.g., cartoons, anime) that depicts explicit sexual acts.

       

  • Implicit Sexual Content: Implied sexual activities, which suggest or insinuate sexual acts without showing them directly, are prohibited. This includes any content that implies sexual activities through gestures, sounds, or partial nudity suggesting sexual intercourse or stimulation.

     

  • Sexually Explicit Language: Graphic descriptions of sexual arousal, intercourse, or fetishes are prohibited in bios, messages, or comments unless clearly used in an educational, humorous, or artistic context. Unsolicited or shock-based sexual content is strictly prohibited.

Context-Specific Allowances

Users are permitted to engage in private discussions about sex and intimacy as long as both parties consent, and are not overly obscene. Such discussions should remain in private messages and should not be unsolicited or otherwise not permitted under these Guidelines, as this can lead to harassment or discomfort for the recipient.

Hate Speech

We believe that all Users deserve a respectful and inclusive space to form connections and are committed to providing an inclusive and respectful space free from discrimination or hostility. Hate speech refers to attacks, slurs, incitement of harm, or dehumanization targeting individuals or groups based on protected characteristics, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion or belief system, gender identity or sexual orientation, disability or medical condition, caste or socio-economic status. Users are prohibited from posting content, messages, or profiles that promote violence, exclusion, or discrimination based on these characteristics.

General Restrictions

  • Incitement to Hate or Violence: Any Content or behavior that incites fear, harassment or discrimination; calls for, justifies, or glorifies violence, exclusion, or harm against a group is prohibited. This includes any content that references violence or violent events targeting a particular group of people, or making dehumanizing comparisons and mocking victims of hate crimes. 

  • Slurs and Tropes: Use of racial, ethnic, homophobic, or ableist slurs, as well as historically oppressive stereotypes about individuals or groups is not allowed. 

  • Hateful Imagery: Use of logos, symbols, or images promoting hostility based on any individual or group of individuals is banned. This includes creating content containing such imagery, adding it to a user profile, or sharing it on a private chat. Any User that repeatedly insults, stereotypes or excludes individuals on the basis of their characteristics shall be removed from the Platform. 

  • Sexual Activity and Identity: Content that derogatorily targets individuals based on sexual activity or gender identity, such as using terms like “whore” or “slut,” is prohibited.

  • Exclusion and Segregation: Calls for exclusion or segregation in any form, including political, economic, and social exclusion based on protected characteristics, are not allowed. Statements that explicitly exclude people from dating preferences based on race, ethnicity, or other protected traits will be flagged as discriminatory.

Context-Specific Allowances

Content that discusses or condemns hate speech in historical, educational, or journalistic contexts or challenges hate speech through satire or critique is permitted as long as the intent is clear and does not incite harm.

Violence, Threats and Terrorism

Hunch is committed to keeping the Platform free from violence, threats, and dangerous organizations. Content that incites, glorifies, or promotes violence—whether on-platform or off-platform—is strictly prohibited

General Restrictions

  • Violent Threats and Incitement: Content that encourages or depicts violence, expresses intent, calls for action, or advocates for high-severity violence, gore, injury, death, self-harm, and abuse against humans or animals is banned. This includes praising or celebrating acts of violence, showing gratitude for someone’s harm or praising violent entities and perpetrators. Similarly, implicit threats that are veiled or not clearly articulated but have a contextual signal indicating potential violence are subject to removal.

  • Graphic and Disturbing Imagery: Content that is excessively violent or graphic, particularly if it’s sadistic or lacks context, is removed to protect Users from disturbing imagery. This includes posting of videos or images showing dismemberment, visible internal organs, severe decomposition, charred bodies, victims of cannibalism, or throat-slitting.

  • Kidnapping, Stalking and Abduction: Any content that advocates, threatens, or facilitates kidnapping, stalking, or coercive control is strictly banned. Content promoting intimate partner violence, harassment, or coercion in dating interactions will result in account removal.

  • Dangerous Organizations and Individuals: Hunch does not allow organizations or individuals who proclaim, glorify, condone, or support violent, dangerous, or terrorist-based missions to have a presence on the Platform. 

  • Promotion of Weapons: Encouraging the use of weapons and dangerous objects, sharing instructions on making or using weapons is prohibited. Calls to bring weapons to places of worship, educational facilities, polling places, or similar locations are banned, especially during heightened risk periods.

Promotion of Illegal or Regulated Activities

At Hunch we take all necessary measures to prevent the use of the Platform for illegal activities and unauthorized promotion of regulated goods and services, ensuring compliance with Applicable Laws and maintaining a safe environment.

General Restrictions

  • Criminal Activities: Hunch strictly prohibits any use of the Platform to participate in, promote, or facilitate criminal activities. This includes but is not limited to:

    • Fraud & Financial Crimes: Users may not engage in or promote financial scams, identity theft, phishing attempts, or fraudulent schemes (e.g., Ponzi schemes, fake investment opportunities).

    • Money Laundering & Unauthorized Fundraising: Soliciting or laundering money through fraudulent means or unauthorized fundraising campaigns is not allowed.

    • Human Trafficking & Exploitation: Any form of trafficking—whether for labor, sex, or forced activities—is strictly banned.

    • Drug Trafficking: The promotion, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs, synthetic substances, or unauthorized pharmaceuticals is strictly prohibited.

    • Cybercrime & Hacking: Users may not promote hacking services, distribute hacking tools, or facilitate unauthorized access to digital systems, databases, or personal accounts.

  • Sale or Promotion of Illegal Goods & Services: Hunch is not a marketplace and cannot be used to facilitate the sale, trade, or promotion of any illegal, dangerous, or unauthorized goods or services. This includes:

    • Weapons & Explosives: Users may not share, sell, or trade firearms, ammunition, explosive devices, or weapon accessories.

    • Drugs & Controlled Substances: The sale, exchange, or solicitation of illegal drugs, narcotics, non-medical synthetic substances, or unauthorized prescription drugs is strictly prohibited.

    • Tobacco, Vape Products & Alcohol: Promotion or sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and alcohol is not allowed without explicit regulatory authorization.

    • Pharmaceuticals & Unregulated Health Products: Content offering prescription medication or unapproved medical treatments is prohibited.

    • Endangered Species & Illegal Wildlife Trade: Buying, selling, or trading protected animals, animal parts, or poached wildlife is strictly banned.

    • Human Body Parts & Biohazardous Materials: The sale or promotion of human blood, organs, or any biohazardous materials is prohibited, except for legitimate blood donation advocacy.

  • Prohibited Services & Regulated Industries: Hunch does not permit promotion, solicitation, or facilitation of restricted or regulated industries, including:

    • Prostitution, Escort Services & Sexual Solicitation: Hunch is not an adult services Platform and may not be used to offer or request escort services, sex work, or transactional sexual relationships (including sugar dating arrangements).

    • Hitman Services & Violence-for-Hire: Any form of assassination, revenge-for-hire, or intimidation-for-hire services are strictly banned.

    • Gambling & Betting: Unauthorized promotion of gambling services (including online casinos, lotteries, or betting platforms) is not allowed unless legally permitted in the relevant jurisdiction.

    • Surrogate Advertising & Workarounds: Users may not post indirect promotions for restricted industries (e.g., using euphemisms, symbols, or indirect advertisements for sex work, gambling, or drug-related services).

  • Marketplace & Financial Transactions: Hunch is not a marketplace, payment platform, or trading hub. Users may not use the Platform to:

    • Solicit Money or Financial Transactions: Begging for money, financial favors, or cryptocurrency transfers is prohibited. This includes “romance scams” where Users build fake relationships to defraud others.

    • Engage in Fraudulent Sales or Auctions: Selling products, conducting unauthorized raffles, or attempting to scam Users through fake transactions is strictly prohibited.

    • Exchange of Digital Assets or Gift Cards: Offering gift cards, cryptocurrency, or digital assets in exchange for real-world currency or favors is not allowed.

Context-Specific Allowances

Content that discusses criminal activities, regulated goods, or illegal services for the purpose of raising awareness, condemning the activities, or advocating for legal reform is allowed, provided it does not promote or facilitate the activities, may be permitted. 

We reserve the right to ban any User using the Platform for illegal activities, whether mentioned in these Guidelines or not, or promoting, facilitating, or participating in criminal activity, including the illegal promotion of regulated goods or industries.

Inauthentic Practices and Deceptive Information

Hunch encourages the free flow of information and ideas, but not at the expense of truth and reliability. These Guidelines outline our approach to handling false information, deceptive practices, misinformation, and political content.

General Restrictions

  • Catfishing & Identity Theft: Users must not misrepresent themselves, including in details such as age, gender, identity, profession, or location to mislead others. Hunch reserves the right to take action against Users who use stolen images or identities.

  • Scams & Financial Deception: Soliciting money, gifts, cryptocurrency, financial assistance, or engaging in financial schemes under false pretenses (romance scams) is strictly prohibited. Promoting phishing, fraud, or deceptive financial practices to defraud Users is not allowed.

  • Health-related misinformation: Misleading health claims that contradict existing medical consensus, and/or can cause harm to Users is prohibited. This includes advocacy of harmful, unapproved treatments, products, pharmaceuticals, substances and misinformation about vaccines and public health emergencies.

  • Manipulated or AI-Generated Content: Posting content such as fake profiles, deepfake imagery, or other manipulated media intended to deceive or mislead is strictly prohibited. Users who post or share AI-generated Content on Hunch must clearly disclose that the Content is generated by AI. This disclosure should be made in close proximity to the Content itself and be easily noticeable to all viewers.

    For the purpose of these Guidelines, AI-generated Content refers to any material created by artificial intelligence (AI) models based on user inputs. This includes, but is not limited to, text-to-text conversational outputs from AI chatbots, images generated from AI based on text, image, or voice prompts, and any other form of Content produced through AI algorithms.

  • Exploitative Content: We strictly prohibit the posting or sharing of content that exploits, sensationalizes, or is insensitive towards sensitive events. Sensitive events include, but are not limited to, civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health emergencies, conflicts, deaths, or other tragic events that have a significant social, cultural, or political impact. 

  • Prohibition of False Information: Any Content that spreads false or misleading information damaging to individuals or entities or which causes public harm is prohibited. This includes posting of false or misleading information which could damage the reputation of an individual or an entity, or cause harm to the public, or is malicious, such as denying significant tragic events, making unsubstantiated medical claims, undermining civic processes, or manipulating Content deceptively. Similarly, Content that encourages, advocates, or glorifies violence, including false information that may lead to physical harm, is prohibited. This includes misinformation likely to directly contribute to the risk of imminent violence or physical harm.

Context-Specific Allowances

Content that is clearly intended for educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic purposes, even if it includes elements that might otherwise violate these Guidelines, may be allowed. However, this Content must be clearly labeled and should not mislead the audience regarding its nature. If false information or manipulated media is identified, it may remain accessible if it is prominently corrected by the User and such correction is disclosed.

Election Content and Misinformation

False information about voting, election dates, processes, or census participation intended to disrupt or interfere with these processes is prohibited. This includes misinformation that could interfere with people’s ability to participate in elections or the census.

Bot or Automated Account Activity 

We prohibit the use of bots, automated systems, or algorithms that create, operate, or mimic human activity on our Platform. Any form of automation should be disclosed and should not violate the Community Guidelines or disrupt the user experience.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY VIOLATIONS

Intellectual Property Violations

These Guidelines serve to protect the intellectual property (IP) rights of individuals and entities. Posting Content that infringes on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights is not permitted. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized sharing of copyrighted works, use of others’ trademarks without permission, and any other violation of intellectual property rights.

Reporting IP Violations

Users can report suspected IP violations by using the Intellectual Property Violation Form. The reports should include:

  • Clear identification of the copyrighted or trademarked work claimed to have been violated.

  • A description of the violating material and its location on Hunch.

  • Contact information of the reporting party.

  • Any other relevant details specified in the form

Enforcement Actions 

 

Upon receiving a valid infringement report, Hunch will:

 

  • Review and investigate the report for completeness and validity.

     

  • Temporarily hide or remove the Content in question.

     

  • Notify the User who posted the Content, providing them with the report details and an opportunity to respond.

     

  • Take appropriate action based on the response, which may include permanent removal of Content, account suspension, or reinstatement of Content if an agreement is reached or if the Content is determined to be non-infringing.

COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LAWS 

 

You agree to follow any Applicable Laws governing posting of Content on Hunch, depending on the country where you reside, and where you are using Hunch from. 

 

India: You are prohibited from using Hunch in a manner that violates Indian law, such as Rule 3(1)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Information Technology Act, 2000, Indian Penal Code and such other laws that may be attracted in in case of violations of Rule 3(1)(b), as stated above. Violations of the law may result in removal of Content, issuance of a warning, suspension or termination of an account, and/or referral to law enforcement, among other consequences. 

REPORTING VIOLATIONS

 

Users are encouraged to report any Content inconsistent with the Guidelines through the reporting mechanism available on the Platform.

How to Report a User Profile:

  • Go on the profile of the User and scroll to the bottom of the page. 

  • Select Hide and Report.

  • Select the category under which you want to report and follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Report a poll:

  • Click  on the top right of the poll.

  • Select Report, then select the category under which you want to report and follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Report a Comment:

  • Click next to the comment you wish to report.

  • Select Report, then select the category under which you want to report and follow the on-screen instructions.

You may find Content you don’t like but isn’t in violation of these Guidelines. If that happens, you can unfollow or block the person who posted it.

Enforcement Measures

  • Warning: Users will receive a warning that the Content is in violation of these Guidelines and shall be requested to take down the violative Content themselves. 

  • Content Removal: Any Content that violates these Guidelines will be immediately removed.

  • Account Impact: Severe or repeated violations can lead to restrictions on account access, including temporary account suspension and permanent removal/banning of account.
     
  • Cooperation with Law Enforcement: If you violate these Guidelines, we may remove the offending Content, terminate or limit the visibility of your account and/or notify law enforcement. We also refer information to law enforcement when activity poses an imminent threat to human life. 

  • Obligation to Report: Please note that the Platform is under an obligation to report legal violations to the law enforcement agencies under the relevant applicable laws.

Appeals

 

Users are notified of the enforcement action and may appeal the decision if they believe it to be in error by clicking on the appeal link on the notification screen. All appeals will be reviewed by the Hunch moderation team, and decisions will be communicated to the User.

CONTACT US

 

If you have any concerns or questions regarding these Guidelines, don’t hesitate to contact us via the In App Support.

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HUNCH COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

We have created the Community Guidelines (‘Guidelines’) to ensure that Hunch remains a safe, inclusive, and respectful Platform for anyone who accesses and creates an account on Hunch (‘Users’). These Guidelines outline what is considered unacceptable content and behavior on Hunch and the actions that may be taken in the event of any violation. By using Hunch, you agree to abide by these Guidelines.

These Guidelines apply to all types of Content (which includes all User profiles, profile photos, chats, polls, poll options, descriptions, comments, videos, bios and any other form of communication) and behavior on the Hunch App and Website (‘Platform’) (‘Platform’) — and applies to all Hunch Users around the world.

They form part of the broader User Agreement, alongside the Hunch Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.  Any terms not defined in these guidelines shall have the same meaning as defined in the Hunch Terms of Use or anywhere else in the User Agreement.

Overview

Hunch is designed to foster meaningful connections, and we expect our Users to be honest, respectful, and considerate in their interactions. Users are encouraged to engage authentically and contribute to a positive and inclusive environment. Any attempt to manipulate or exploit others through deception, coercion, or harmful behavior is not accepted. To support this, we provide robust reporting mechanisms and a diligent enforcement approach. We also use a combination of human moderators and automated systems to monitor and review all Content uploaded on Hunch.

We encourage you to report any behavior or content that violates our Community Guidelines using our reporting feature available on the Platform. Our team rigorously reviews all reports to identify violations of our Guidelines. In case of violations, we may take several actions, including removal of content, terminating or restricting access to Hunch, and if required, notifying law enforcement agencies of potential violations of law.

To further safeguard our community, Hunch has features that limit potentially harmful behavior. These features include requiring Users to follow or match with each other before messaging, the ability to block Users whose content you may find inappropriate, option to turn on a sensitive content filter on the Platform, in app chat support, etc. By integrating these features into our Platform, we aim to proactively prevent behaviors that contravene these Guidelines, ensuring Hunch remains a secure and enjoyable Platform for everyone.

Although these Guidelines govern how we generally treat content posted on the Platform, we reserve the right to remove any content which we otherwise deem as harmful, exploitative or otherwise inconsistent with these Guidelines or with any other law in force.


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Sexual Abuse, Harrasment and Exploitation

Hunch is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful space by strictly prohibiting content that promotes, depicts, or facilitates sexual violence, assault, or exploitation.

General Restrictions

  1. Fetish Content: Content involving extreme fetishes like such as necrophilia, bestiality, incest, masochism, cannibalism, or acts leading to death, dismemberment, or sexual violence is strictly prohibited. This includes non-consensual fetishization of users based on race, ethnicity, disability, or body type.
  2. Non-Consensual Sharing: Posting, sharing or threatening to share intimate photos or videos or any sexually explicit or intimate content, whether real or AI generated, without the consent is prohibited. This includes real or digitally manipulated (fake) imagery, threats of exposure, and content mocking survivors.
  3. Sexual Solicitation: Any commercial activity related to pornography, escort services, sugar dating, or paid sexual interactions is not allowed. Soliciting sex, sexual partners, sex chats, or nude imagery is strictly prohibited.
  4. Sexual harassment and Violence: Hunch prohibits any content, imagery or behaviour that promotes or threatens act of physical and sexual violence, coercion, human trafficking, stalking or any form of sexual exploitation. This includes cyberflashing (sending unsolicited explicit images), unwanted sexual comments, repeated advances despite rejection, and threats to share private sexual conversations.

Context-Specific Allowances

Content that raises awareness of sexual violence, survivor experiences, sex education, sexual health, or related rights are allowed if shared in a non-sensational, educational, or journalistic context without violating User privacy or depicting nudity. Private discussions about sexual health and well-being are allowed within the context of respectful and consensual conversations.


Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

These guidelines on child sexual exploitation, abuse, and nudity are designed to create a safe online environment for Hunch Users. Any attempt to share, request, or distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (‘CSAM’) or Child Sexual Abuse and Expolitation (‘CSAE’) related content will result in a permanent ban from the Platform. We use automated detection tools and manual review processes to prevent, detect, and remove such content.

For the purpose of these Guidelines:

  • CSAM refers to any visual depiction, including but not limited to photos, videos and computer generated imagery, involving the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
    • CSAE includes any content or behavior that sexually exploits, abuses, or endangers children. This includes, for example, grooming a child for sexual exploitation, sextorting a child, trafficking of a child for sex, or otherwise sexually exploiting a child.
    • Please read the below section carefully to understand how CSAM and CSAE related content is treated on Hunch.

      General Restrictions

    • Child Sexual Exploitation: Any Content that is sexually explicit and involves, supports or encourages sexual exploitation or abuse of minors,ncluding content which is AI generated, contains fictional characters, dolls, etc. is strictly prohibited. Strict action will be taken against any Content or Users that promotes the child sexual exploitation imagery, child grooming, sextortion, trafficking, or any other inappropriate interaction targeted at a child. .
    • Illustrated or Computer-Generated Content: Realistic depictions of a human child in a sexually explicit context are prohibited.
    • Solicitation: Content that solicits sexual content or activity involving children, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), is not allowed. This includes advertising or solicitation of a child for commercial sexual exploitation.
    • Inappropriate Interactions: Content that facilitates inappropriate interactions with minors, such as arranging sexual encounters or exposing children to sexually explicit material, is prohibited.
    • Sextortion: Content that attempts to exploit minors by threatening or blackmailing  them into providing explicit content, extorting money or favors is not allowed.
    • Child Nudity: Content depicting child nudity, even if shared with good intentions, is generally removed to prevent potential abuse by others.
    • Sexualized Commentary: Comments about or directed at a known or unknown minor in a sexualized manner are not permitted.
    • Links to Third-Party Sites: Sharing links to sites that host child sexual exploitation material is also a violation.
    • Child Abuse: Imagery depicting non-sexual child abuse is also prohibited, unless it serves a specific purpose like bringing a child back to safety.
    • Any other Content in any form which depicts sexualisation and sexual exploitation of minors, in any form.
    • Context-Specific Allowances/Exceptions

      1. Help-Seeking Behavior: Conversations about individuals who may struggle with an attraction to minors may be permitted if they seek help and are not violating these Guidelines.
      2. Advocacy: Advocacy against illegal or harmful activity involving minors is allowed, provided no  material associated with children as listed above is shared.


      Harassment and Bullying

      Hunch's Guidelines are designed to balance freedom of expression with the need to protect individuals from abuse and harassment. We take a proactive stance against behaviors that could lead to emotional or physical harm, with specific rules against targeted harassment.

      General Restrictions

      1. Targeted Harassment: Malicious and repeated targeting of individuals or a group of individuals with the intent to degrade or humiliate them is prohibited.
      2. Encouraging Harassment: Calls for others to harass individuals or groups, either online or offline, are not allowed.
      3. Threats and Attacks: Calls for self-injury, suicide, or attacks based on sexual assault experiences are banned. This includes statements of intent to engage in bullying or harassment and calls for exclusion based on any characteristic.
      4. Degrading Content: Content that degrades individuals during private moments is prohibited, or expresses disgust toward individuals depicted in vulnerable situations, such as menstruating, urinating, vomiting, or defecating, is prohibited.
      5. Insults and Abuses: Severe or repetitive use of insults or abuses to intimidate others is not allowed. This includes but is not limited to derogatory terms related to sexual activity, appearance, and claims about sexual orientation or gender identity.

      Context-Specific Allowances/Exceptions:

      1. Condemning Bullying and Harassment: Content shared to condemn or draw attention to bullying and harassment is allowed if the context and intent are clear.

      Suicide and self-injury

      These Guidelines aim to prevent the promotion or encouragement of suicide and self-harm while supporting Users who seek help and raise awareness about these issues. Content that promotes, glorifies or encourages suicide or self-harm is not allowed.

      General Restrictions

      1. Promotion and Encouragement: Content that promotes, glorifies, or encourages suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders is not allowed.
      2. Explicit Encouragement: Content that explicitly encourages someone to harm themselves or commit suicide is prohibited.
      3. Seeking Partners: Content that seeks encouragement or partners for self-harm or suicide is banned.
      4. Methods and Instructions: Providing detailed methods or instructions for self-harm or suicide is prohibited.
      5. Graphic Self-Injury Imagery: Content depicting graphic self-injury imagery is not allowed.
      6. Mocking Victims or Survivors: Content that mocks victims or survivors of suicide, self-injury, or eating disorders is prohibited.
      7. Real-Time Depictions: Content depicting a person who engaged in a suicide attempt or death by suicide is prohibited.

      Context-Specific Allowances/Exceptions:

      1. Personal Stories: Sharing personal stories about self-harm or suicide for educational or advocacy purposes is allowed.
      2. Coping Mechanisms: Discussing coping mechanisms and providing resources for support is permitted.
      3. Educational and Research Discussions: Educational and research discussions on suicide prevention are encouraged.
      4. Recovery Context: Content about recovery from suicide, self-injury, or eating disorders is allowed but may be placed behind a sensitivity screen if it contains imagery that could be upsetting, such as healed scars.

      Support Resources:

      When Users post or search for suicide or self-injury-related content, they will be directed to the Hunch Trust and Safety Centre, where Users can contact us on the provided email address to seek support.

      Posting Someone’s Private or Personal Information

      We do not allow sharing of Content that belongs to another person, that contains personal information as defined below or as per the Privacy Policy, whichever is applicable. We respect the privacy and personal information of individuals, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all Users. 

      General Restrictions:

      1. Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Sharing any content that includes personally identifiable information about oneself or others without consent is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:
      • Personal identification numbers and identity documents such as Adhaar Card numbers, Social Security Numbers (SSN), passport numbers, government IDs, and civil registry documents (e.g., birth, marriage, death certificates).
      • Digital identity information, such as passwords, pins, or codes that authenticate access to online identities, including email addresses, social media accounts, and streaming services.
      1. Contact Information: Posting personal contact information of others, including phone numbers and email addresses, without consent is not allowed.
      2. Financial Information: Sharing non-public financial records or statements, bank account numbers with security or pin codes, credit or debit card information with validity dates or security pins or codes, and digital payment method information is prohibited.
      3. Residential Information: Posting private residential addresses, GPS pins, or images of private residences without consent is forbidden.
      4. Medical Information: Sharing medical, psychological, biometric, or genetic information of others when it is clear that the information comes from medical records or other official documents is prohibited.
      5. Hacked Information: Sharing content obtained from hacked sources, regardless of whether the affected person is a public figure or a private individual, is prohibited.

      Context-Specific Allowances/Exceptions:

      1. Public Information: Links to publicly available profiles or information that has been made public by the individual themselves may be shared.
      2. Promoting Charitable Causes: Contact information and partial addresses shared to promote charitable causes are allowed.
      3. Finding Missing People, Animals, or Objects: Contact information and partial addresses shared to facilitate finding missing people, animals, or objects are allowed.

      OBJECTIONABLE CONTENT

      Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity

      We at Hunch, aim to create a balanced environment where discussions and artistic expressions involving adult nudity and sexual activity are allowed under specific, regulated contexts.

      General Restrictions

      1. Explicit Sexual Content: Display of explicit sexual activities, including sexual intercourse and stimulation is strictly prohibited. This encompasses any visual depictions, such as videos, images, and live streams, showing sexual intercourse, genital stimulation, oral-genital contact, or penetration with any object.
      2. Implicit Sexual Content: Implied sexual activities, which suggest or insinuate sexual acts without showing them directly, are prohibited. This includes content that implies sexual activities through gestures, sounds, or partial nudity suggesting sexual intercourse or stimulation.
      3. Pornographic Content: Pornographic content, defined as material intended to cause sexual arousal, including explicit nudity and sexual acts, is strictly prohibited. This includes any form of media—videos, images, texts, or links—designed to sexually arouse the viewer, such as pornographic films, explicit erotic literature, and images showing sexual acts. Nudity intended to cause sexual arousal is also considered pornographic and is prohibited. Additionally, sharing or promoting links to external pornographic websites or platforms that host pornographic content is strictly prohibited. Any promotion, solicitation, or advertisement of commercial pornographic services, such as paid subscriptions to adult content websites or services, is likewise prohibited.
      4. Sexually Explicit Language: Graphic descriptions of a state of sexual arousal, sexual intercourse, or fetish scenarios are not allowed unless shared in a humorous, satirical, or educational context, as a sexual metaphor, or as sexual cursing.

      Context-Specific Allowances/Exceptions

      1. Artistic and Public Interest: Nudity for artistic expression or in the context of current or historical events that are in the public interest is allowed. This includes photographs of paintings, sculptures, and other art forms that depict nude figures.
      2. Medical or Health Context: Imagery of genitalia, anus, or sexual activity is allowed if it serves a medical or health-related purpose, such as gender confirmation surgery or cancer prevention. Images that include female nipples are allowed in the context of breastfeeding and post-mastectomy scarring.
      3. Birth and After-Birth Moments: Visible genitalia is allowed in the context of giving birth and moments immediately after.
      4. Humorous, Satirical, or Educational Contexts: Sexually explicit language is allowed if shared in a humorous, satirical, or educational context, as a sexual metaphor, or as sexual cursing.
      5. Recognized Fictional Media: Content from established media (movies, TV shows, literature) where implied sexual activities are part of the narrative but are not the primary focus is allowed.
      6. Recognized Advertisements: Advertisements that adhere to advertising standards and do not focus on sexual acts but may imply adult content in a non-explicit manner are permitted.


      Hate Speech

      Hunch emphasizes free expression as a human right and aims to represent diverse perspectives. These Guidelines aim to protect individuals from being attacked based on protected characteristics to promote freedom of expression without intimidation or exclusion.

      Hate speech is defined as direct attacks on marginalized or vulnerable groups, including groups based on their  religion, race, ethnicity, place of origin, gender, disability, and more. Hate speech or content that demeans, defames, or promotes discrimination or violence on the basis of race, color, caste, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, immigration status, socio-economic status, age, weight or pregnancy status is prohibited.

      General Restrictions

      1. Hateful References: Content that references violence or violent events primarily targeting a protected category is prohibited. This includes dehumanizing comparisons (e.g., likening to animals, pathogens, or criminals) and mocking victims of hate crimes.
      2. Incitement: Behavior that incites fear, harassment, or discrimination against any individual or group is banned. This includes calls for self-injury, suicide, or harm and statements advocating for harm (e.g., contracting a disease, experiencing a natural disaster).
      3. Slurs and Tropes: Repeated use of slurs or content that degrades or reinforces negative stereotypes about individuals or groups is not allowed. This includes harmful stereotypes historically linked to violence or exclusion, such as Blackface or Holocaust denial.
      4. Dehumanization: Dehumanizing any individual or group based on protected characteristics is forbidden. This includes comparisons to animals, filth, disease, and subhuman status.
      5. Hateful Imagery: Use of logos, symbols, or images promoting hostility based on any individual or group of individuals is banned. This includes derogatory photoshops or drawings.
      6. Hateful Profile: Profiles cannot use hateful images or engage in abusive behavior. This includes expressions of contempt, disgust, or dismissal based on protected characteristics.
      7. Sexual Activity and Identity: Content that derogatorily targets individuals based on sexual activity or gender identity, such as using terms like "whore" or "slut," is prohibited.
      8. Exclusion and Segregation: Calls for exclusion or segregation in any form, including political, economic, and social exclusion based on protected characteristics, are not allowed.

      Context-Specific Allowances/Exceptions:

      1. Condemnation and Awareness: Content that includes slurs or hate speech to condemn it or raise awareness, provided the intent is clear, is allowed. This includes educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic content that condemns or provides context to hate speech.
      2. Satire and Criticism: Content that is satirical or criticizes hate speech, provided the satirical or critical intent is clear, is permitted.
      3. Self-Referential Use: Speech, including slurs, that might otherwise violate our standards can be used self-referentially or in an empowering way, but it must be clearly indicated.



      VIOLENCE AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

      Violence, Threats and Terrorism

      These Guidelines are designed to prevent Content that could incite violence or lead to physical harm, with a particular focus on credible threats and high-severity violence.

      General Restrictions

      1. Incitement of Violence: Content that encourages or depicts violence, expresses intent, calls for action, or advocates for high-severity violence is banned. This includes praising or celebrating acts of violence, showing gratitude for someone's harm or praising violent entities and perpetrators.
      2. Violent Threats: Direct threats of physical harm against individuals or groups, including threats to kill, torture, assault, or damage civilian homes and essential infrastructure.
      3. Content that threatens the unity, integrity, defense, security, or sovereignty of India or any other nation is prohibited.
      4. Coded Threats: Implicit threats that are veiled or not clearly articulated but have a contextual signal indicating potential violence are subject to removal.
      5. Disturbing Imagery: Content that is excessively violent or graphic, particularly if it's sadistic or lacks context, is removed to protect Users from disturbing imagery. This includes posting of videos or images showing dismemberment, visible internal organs, severe decomposition, charred bodies, victims of cannibalism, or throat-slitting.
      6. Kidnapping and Abduction: Advocacy, intent, or calls for kidnapping or abduction are not allowed, except when shared for pleas for help or awareness.
      7. Weapon Instructions: Encouraging the use of weapons and dangerous objects, sharing instructions on making or using weapons is prohibited. Calls to bring weapons to places of worship, educational facilities, polling places, or similar locations are banned, especially during heightened risk periods.
      8. Election-related Violence: Any violence related to voting, election administration, or outcomes is not permitted. Threats against election workers or violence-inciting claims related to elections are removed when combined with a violence signal.
      9. Violent/hateful entities: Any association with or promotion of entities that engage in or advocate for violence and hate is prohibited. This includes terrorist organizations, violent extremist groups, and individuals who carry out or support violent acts. 

      Context-Specific Allowances/Exceptions

      1. Graphic Content for Awareness: Graphic content may be allowed if it is part of discussions on important issues such as human rights abuses, armed conflicts, or acts of terrorism, provided it is shared to condemn or raise awareness about these issues.
      2. Educational and Documentary Context: Content that is part of educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic work containing violent or graphic content with appropriate context may be allowed.

      Promotion of Illegal or Regulated Activities


      At Hunch we take all necessary measures to prevent the use of the Platform for illegal activities and unauthorized promotion of regulated goods and services, ensuring compliance with Applicable Laws and maintaining a safe environment.


      General Restrictions

      1. Criminal Activities: Users are prohibited from using the Platform to promote, facilitate, or participate in any form of criminal activity. This includes, but is not limited to:
      • Money laundering
      • Fraud
      • Human trafficking
      • Drug trafficking
      • Organized crime
      • Unauthorized distribution of prescription medications
      1. Regulated Goods and Services: Unauthorized promotion of regulated goods or services is not allowed. This includes:
      • Gambling: Unauthorized promotion of gambling services, including online casinos, sports betting, and lotteries.
      • Tobacco and Vape Products: Promotion of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices is prohibited.
      • Alcohol: Unauthorized promotion of alcoholic beverages is not allowed.
      • Pharmaceuticals: Promotion of prescription medications, particularly without proper authorization, is prohibited.
      1. Unverified Online Games: Content promoting or advertising online games that have not been verified as permissible under Applicable Laws is not allowed. This includes surrogate advertisements for such games.
      2. Illegal Services: The promotion or facilitation of illegal services is strictly prohibited. This includes:
      • Prostitution or escort services
      • Hitman services or other forms of violence for hire
      • Hacking services or distribution of hacking tools
      • Any other service that may be considered as illegal per Applicable Laws.

      Contextual Allowances

      1. Awareness and Advocacy: Content that discusses criminal activities, regulated goods, or illegal services for the purpose of raising awareness, condemning the activities, or advocating for legal reform is allowed, provided it does not promote or facilitate the activities.
      2. Educational Content: Educational discussions about the impact and prevention of illegal activities, regulated goods, and services are permitted, provided they do not include instructions or endorsements for participating in the activities.

      We reserve the right to ban any User using the Platform for illegal activities, whether mentioned in these Guidelines or not, or promoting, facilitating, or participating in criminal activity, including the illegal promotion of regulated goods or industries.

      Transactions Involving Prohibited Goods or Services

      We strictly prohibit the use of the Platform for the purchase, sale, raffle, transfer, or trade of certain goods and services that could lead to harm or are considered illegal. When considering a gift or transaction of goods or services not expressly prohibited by these Guidelines, keep in mind that Hunch is not intended to be used as a marketplace and takes no responsibility for any exchange between Users.

      General Restrictions:

      1. Firearms: No Content should attempt to engage in the sale, trade, donation, or gifting of firearms and related items.
      2. Non-medical Drugs: Content related to the sale, trade, donation, or use of non-medical drugs is prohibited, including the coordination or promotion of these substances.
      3. Pharmaceutical Drugs: The sale or trade of prescription drugs is prohibited.
      4. Marijuana: Any Content attempting to engage in the sale, trade, donation, or request for marijuana is not allowed.
      5. Endangered Species: Any Content that attempts to sell, trade, or promote endangered species or their parts, as well as Content admitting to or depicting poaching is banned.
      6. Live Non-endangered Animals: Sale or trade of live non-endangered animals is restricted to legitimate entities or for rehoming purposes.
      7. Human Blood: Sale or trade of human blood is prohibited, except for donations.
      8. Alcohol/Tobacco: Content related to the sale or trade of alcohol or tobacco is not permitted.
      9. Weight Loss Products: Miracle claims and the sale or trade of weight loss products are not allowed.
      10. Historical Artifacts: The sale or trade of historical artifacts is prohibited.
      11. Entheogens: The sale or trade of entheogens is banned, but discussions on their legality or medical merits are permitted.
      12. Hazardous Goods and Materials: The sale or trade of hazardous goods and materials is prohibited.
      13. Counterfeits: Content related to falsified official documents or counterfeits is not allowed.

      INTEGRITY AND AUTHENTICITY

      Inauthentic Practices and Deceptive Information

      Hunch is designed to encourage the free flow of information and ideas, but not at the expense of truth and reliability. These Guidelines outline our approach to handling false information, deceptive practices, misinformation, and political content.

      General Restrictions

      1. Prohibition of False Information:  Content, whether in the form of text, images or videos, that spreads false or misleading information damaging to individuals or entities or causing public harm is prohibited. This includes posting of false or misleading information which could damage the reputation of an individual or an entity, or cause harm to the public, or is malicious, such as denying significant tragic events, making unsubstantiated medical claims, undermining civic processes, or manipulating Content deceptively.
      2. Incitement to Violence: Content that encourages, advocates, or glorifies violence, including false information that may lead to physical harm, is prohibited. This includes misinformation likely to directly contribute to the risk of imminent violence or physical harm.
      3. Impersonation and Deception: Users must not impersonate others or misrepresent their identity. This includes creating accounts, profiles, or Content that deceives others into believing they are interacting with someone else.
      4. Health-related misinformation: Misleading health claims that contradict existing medical consensus, and/or can cause harm to users is prohibited. This includes advocacy of harmful, unapproved treatments, products, pharmaceuticals, substances and misinformation about vaccines and public health emergencies.
      5. Spam and Deceptive Practices: We do not allow content that promotes scams, phishing attempts, or other deceptive practices designed to defraud or mislead users.
      6. Manipulated media: This includes, but is not limited to, deep fakes/manipulated images, audio files, or videos that significantly distort reality or truth. Any such manipulated media is strictly prohibited and shall be removed from the Platform.
      7. Exploitative Content: We strictly prohibit the posting or sharing of content that exploits, sensationalizes, or is insensitive towards sensitive events. Sensitive events include, but are not limited to, civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health emergencies, conflicts, deaths, or other tragic events that have a significant social, cultural, or political impact.
      8. AI Generated Content: AI-generated Content refers to any material created by artificial intelligence (AI) models based on user inputs. This includes, but is not limited to, text-to-text conversational outputs from AI chatbots, images generated from AI based on text, image, or voice prompts, and any other form of Content produced through AI algorithms.

      Users who post or share AI-generated Content on Hunch must clearly disclose that the Content is generated by AI. This disclosure should be made in close proximity to the Content itself and be easily noticeable to all viewers. Any AI generated Content which is against these Guidelines, such as deep fakes, are not permitted and will be immediately removed.

      Context-Specific Allowances

      While maintaining a commitment to authenticity and transparency, Hunch acknowledges that certain content types may have context-specific allowances:

      1. Educational and Informative Contexts: Content that is clearly intended for educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic purposes, even if it includes elements that might otherwise violate these Guidelines, may be allowed. However, this Content must be clearly labeled and should not mislead the audience regarding its nature.
      2. Humor and Satire Content: Content that is clearly identified as satire or parody, which aims to humorously critique or comment on social issues without misleading the audience, may be permitted. It must be made apparent by the User that the Content is not intended to be taken as factual.
      3. Correction and Disclosure: If false information or manipulated media is identified, it may remain accessible if it is prominently corrected by the User and such correction is disclosed.
      4. Personal Opinions and Experiences: Content that expresses personal opinions or recounts personal experiences, even if containing inaccuracies, is generally allowed. This allowance is provided the Content does not spread harmful misinformation or deceptive practices as outlined in the general restrictions.

      Election Content and Misinformation

      False information about voting, election dates, processes, or census participation intended to disrupt or interfere with these processes is prohibited. This includes misinformation that could interfere with people’s ability to participate in elections or the census.

      Bot or Automated Account Activity

      We prohibit the use of bots, automated systems, or algorithms that create, operate, or mimic human activity on our Platform. Any form of automation should be disclosed and should not violate the Community Guidelines or disrupt the user experience.




      RESPECTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

      Intellectual Property Violations

      These Guidelines serve to protect the intellectual property (IP) rights of individuals and entities. Posting Content that infringes on copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights is not permitted. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized sharing of copyrighted works, use of others' trademarks without permission, and any other violation of intellectual property rights.

      Reporting IP Violations

      Users can report suspected IP violations by using the Intellectual Property Violation Form. The reports should include:

      1. Clear identification of the copyrighted or trademarked work claimed to have been violated.
      2. A description of the violating material and its location on Hunch.
      3. Contact information of the reporting party.
      4. Any other relevant details specified in the form

      Enforcement Actions 

      Upon receiving a valid infringement report, Hunch will:

      1. Review and investigate the report for completeness and validity.
      2. Temporarily hide or remove the Content in question.
      3. Notify the User who posted the Content, providing them with the report details and an opportunity to respond.
      4. Take appropriate action based on the response, which may include permanent removal of Content, account suspension, or reinstatement of Content if an agreement is reached or if the Content is determined to be non-infringing.

      COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LAWS

      You agree to follow any Applicable Laws governing posting of Content on Hunch, depending on the country where you reside, and where you are using Hunch from.

      India: You are prohibited from using Hunch in a manner that violates Indian law, such as Rule 3(1)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Information Technology Act, 2000, Indian Penal Code and such other laws that may be attracted in in case of violations of Rule 3(1)(b), as stated above. Violations of the law may result in removal of Content, issuance of a warning, suspension or termination of an account, and/or referral to law enforcement, among other consequences.  


      REPORTING VIOLATIONS

      Users are encouraged to report any Content inconsistent with the Guidelines through the reporting mechanism available on the Platform. If you find Content which violates the Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Nudity guidelines, you may refer to this page for additional measures you may take.

      How to Report a poll:

      1. Click    on the top right of the poll.
      2. Select Report, then select the category under which you want to report and follow the on-screen instructions.

      How to Report a Comment:

      1. Click  next to the comment you wish to report.
      2. Select Report, then select the category under which you want to report and follow the on-screen instructions.

      How to Report a User Profile:

      1. Click the username of the User you are reporting from or click  and search their username to go to their profile.
      2. Click  next to their username.
      3. Select Report, then select the category under which you want to report and follow the on-screen instructions.

      You may find Content you don’t like, but doesn’t violate the Community Guidelines. If that happens, you can unfollow or block the person who posted it.

      Enforcement Measures

      The following are the enforcement measures followed by Hunch:

      1. Warning: Users will receive a warning that the Content is in violation of these Guidelines and shall be requested to take down the violative Content themselves.
      2. Content Removal: Any Content that violates these Guidelines will be immediately removed.
      3. Account Impact: Severe or repeated violations can lead to restrictions on account access, including temporary account suspension and permanent removal/banning of account.
      4. Cooperation with Law Enforcement: If you violate these Guidelines, we may remove the offending Content, terminate or limit the visibility of your account and/or notify law enforcement. We also refer information to law enforcement when activity poses an imminent threat to human life.
      5. Obligation to Report: Please note that the Platform is under an obligation to report legal violations to the law enforcement agencies under the relevant Indian laws applicable to the context.

      Appeals

      Users are notified of the enforcement action and may appeal the decision if they believe it to be in error by clicking on the appeal link on the notification screen. All appeals will be reviewed by the Hunch moderation team, and decisions will be communicated to the User.




      CONTACT US

      If You have any concerns or questions regarding these Guidelines, don’t hesitate to contact us via the Chat Feature available on the Platform, or drop us an email at legal@hunch.in.  

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