1. Purpose and Scope
This Content Moderation and Enforcement Policy (hereinafter the “Policy”) defines the approaches and procedures applied by WHIMSCOPE with respect to:
- monitoring, reviewing, and moderating User Content;
- detecting violations of Platform rules;
- responding to such violations, including the application of appropriate enforcement measures;
- handling user reports and appeals.
This Policy applies to all users of the WHIMSCOPE Platform (hereinafter the “Users”), as well as to all content that is created, published, transmitted, or otherwise made available through the Platform, including but not limited to:
- descriptions of activities (“whims”);
- textual materials;
- photographs and videos;
- comments;
- profile information.
This Policy forms an integral part of and shall be interpreted together with the following WHIMSCOPE documents:
- Terms of Use;
- Privacy Policy;
- Community Guidelines;
- Acceptable Use Policy;
- Community Safety Policy;
- Copyright and DMCA Policy;
- Security and Incident Response Policy;
- Offline Activities Liability Disclaimer.
Rules regarding permissible content are defined separately in the User Generated Content Policy and the Community Guidelines.
In the event of any inconsistency between this Policy and other WHIMSCOPE documents, the provisions of the Terms of Use shall prevail unless expressly stated otherwise.
By using the Platform, the User confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to this Policy.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Policy, the terms below shall have the following meanings (unless otherwise defined in the Terms of Use):
“Platform” or “WHIMSCOPE” — a software product, including the mobile application, web interfaces, and related services provided by WHIMSCOPE.
“User” — any natural or legal person who accesses or uses the Platform in accordance with the Terms of Use.
“User Content” — any information, materials, or data that a User creates, publishes, uploads, transmits, or otherwise makes available through the Platform, including but not limited to:
- descriptions of activities (“whims”);
- text materials;
- photographs;
- videos;
- comments;
- profile information.
“Moderation” — any actions taken by WHIMSCOPE to detect, review, restrict, remove, or otherwise control User Content and/or User behavior on the Platform.
“Violation” — any act or omission by a User that contradicts:
- the Terms of Use;
- the Community Guidelines;
- the Acceptable Use Policy;
- the Community Safety Policy;
- any other applicable WHIMSCOPE policies or applicable law.
“Report” — a notification submitted by a User or a third party via Platform functionality or other available channels regarding a potential Violation.
“Abuse” — any use of the Platform intended to bypass rules, manipulate the system, mislead other Users, or otherwise violate the principles of fair use defined in the Acceptable Use Policy.
“Enforcement Actions” — any actions taken by WHIMSCOPE in response to a Violation, including but not limited to:
- removal or restriction of Content;
- warnings;
- functional restrictions;
- temporary or permanent account suspension;
- other measures provided under this Policy or the Terms of Use.
“Appeal” — a request by a User to review a decision by WHIMSCOPE regarding the application of Enforcement Actions.
If a term is not defined in this Policy, it shall be interpreted in accordance with the Terms of Use or, in the absence of such definition, according to its ordinary meaning and applicable law.
3. Moderation Principles
WHIMSCOPE conducts moderation of User Content and User behavior on the Platform in accordance with the following principles:
3.1. User Safety
WHIMSCOPE’s priority is to ensure the safety of Users, both within the Platform and, to the extent possible, in connection with offline activities. Content or behavior that may create risks to Users’ life, health, or property may be subject to restriction or removal.
3.2. Compliance with Rules and Law
Moderation is carried out in accordance with the Terms of Use, Community Guidelines, Acceptable Use Policy, Community Safety Policy, other WHIMSCOPE policies, as well as applicable law.
3.3. Proportionality
Enforcement Actions are applied with consideration of the nature, severity, and recurrence of the Violation. WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to apply more severe measures in cases of serious or systematic violations.
3.4. Timeliness
WHIMSCOPE aims to respond promptly to identified Violations or received Reports; however, it does not guarantee immediate review or response in every case.
3.5. Impartiality and Automation
Moderation may be carried out both with human involvement and through automated systems (including algorithms and artificial intelligence–based tools). WHIMSCOPE strives to ensure an impartial approach; however, it does not guarantee the complete absence of errors in the moderation process. WHIMSCOPE may make decisions regarding Content moderation or the application of Enforcement Actions fully or partially using automated systems. Where applicable, such decisions may be reviewed by a human following an Appeal or at WHIMSCOPE’s discretion.
3.6. Preventive Approach
WHIMSCOPE may take measures to prevent potential violations, including restricting or reviewing Content prior to its publication.
3.7. Priority of Community Interests
In the event of a conflict between the interests of an individual User and the safety or well-being of the community, WHIMSCOPE may prioritize the protection of the community.
3.8. Limited Scope of Control
Despite conducting moderation, WHIMSCOPE does not guarantee that all User Content will be reviewed or that any Violations will be detected or resolved in a timely manner.
4. Types of Content and Scope of Moderation
WHIMSCOPE conducts moderation of all types of User Content available on the Platform, as well as User behavior.
Content that may be subject to moderation includes, but is not limited to:
- descriptions of activities (“whims”), including terms of participation, location, time, and other details;
- text content, including posts, descriptions, messages, and comments;
- photographs, images, and videos;
- activity titles and any related metadata;
- User profile information, including name, bio, avatar, and other data;
- any other content that is created, uploaded, or otherwise distributed through the Platform.
Moderation may also apply to User behavior on the Platform, including interactions with other Users, creation and organization of activities, as well as other actions that may affect Platform safety or user experience.
WHIMSCOPE is not obliged to carry out prior review or continuous monitoring of all User Content; however, it reserves the right to moderate Content at any time, before or after publication, at its sole discretion.
The list of prohibited or restricted content and behavior is defined in other WHIMSCOPE policies, in particular the Community Guidelines and the Acceptable Use Policy. This Policy does not establish such rules but defines the mechanisms for their enforcement.
5. Moderation Methods
WHIMSCOPE applies various methods of moderating User Content and User behavior to ensure compliance with Platform rules and community safety.
Such methods may include, but are not limited to:
5.1. Automated Moderation
WHIMSCOPE may use automated systems, including algorithms and artificial intelligence–based tools, to detect potential Violations, analyze Content, and make or support moderation decisions.
Such systems may operate without human involvement and may be applied both before and after Content is published.
5.2. Manual Moderation
WHIMSCOPE may review Content and User behavior with the involvement of moderators or other authorized persons, in particular in cases involving:
- review of Reports;
- assessment of complex or disputed situations;
- application of Enforcement Actions.
5.3. Reporting-Based Moderation
WHIMSCOPE may conduct moderation based on Reports submitted by Users or third parties via Platform functionality or other available communication channels.
5.4. Preventive Moderation
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to take preventive measures to avoid potential Violations, including:
- restricting publication of certain Content;
- temporarily restricting certain functionality;
- conducting additional Content review prior to its publication.
5.5. Combined Approach
WHIMSCOPE may combine different moderation methods at its sole discretion, depending on the circumstances of each case.
WHIMSCOPE does not guarantee the full accuracy or error-free operation of any moderation method and reserves the right to make final decisions regarding Content moderation and the application of Enforcement Actions at its sole discretion.
6. Reporting System
WHIMSCOPE provides Users with the ability to report Content or behavior that may violate Platform rules or applicable law.
6.1. Submission of Reports
Users may submit a Report via Platform functionality or other available communication channels as determined by WHIMSCOPE.
A Report may relate to, including but not limited to:
- User Content;
- behavior of other Users;
- potentially dangerous or risky activities;
- violations of third-party rights.
6.2. Anonymity and Confidentiality
WHIMSCOPE may allow Reports to be submitted without disclosing the identity of the reporting User. However, WHIMSCOPE does not guarantee full anonymity where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect the rights and interests of WHIMSCOPE or third parties.
Processing of personal data in connection with Reports is carried out in accordance with the Privacy Policy.
6.3. Good Faith Reporting
Users are required to submit Reports in good faith. Submission of knowingly false, baseless, or malicious Reports may be considered a Violation and may result in Enforcement Actions in accordance with this Policy and the Acceptable Use Policy.
6.4. Scope of Review
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right, but is not obligated, to:
- review every Report;
- notify the reporting User of the outcome of their Report;
- take any action in response to a Report.
6.5. No Guarantee of Action
Submitting a Report does not guarantee that WHIMSCOPE will conduct a review, make a decision, or apply any Enforcement Actions.
6.6. Reporting Illegal Content
Users may report Content or activity to WHIMSCOPE that may violate applicable law, including but not limited to cases of fraud, violence, illegal trade of goods, or other unlawful activities.
WHIMSCOPE may process such reports with consideration of their potential severity and, where appropriate, may forward information to competent law enforcement authorities in accordance with applicable law.
7. Complaint Review Process
WHIMSCOPE may review Reports and investigate potential Violations in accordance with internal procedures determined at WHIMSCOPE’s sole discretion.
7.1. Assessment of a Report
Upon receipt of a Report, WHIMSCOPE may conduct an initial assessment of its content to determine:
- whether there are indications of a Violation;
- whether further investigation is required;
- whether the application of Enforcement Actions is appropriate.
7.2. Review of Content and Behavior
WHIMSCOPE may review the User Content and/or User behavior that is the subject of a Report, including analysis of:
- the relevant Content;
- related User actions;
- previous Violations (if any).
7.3. Use of Automated Tools
Report handling may be carried out using automated systems, including artificial intelligence–based tools, either independently or in combination with manual moderation.
7.4. Review Timeframes
WHIMSCOPE aims to review Reports within a reasonable timeframe, taking into account the complexity of the situation, the volume of information, and available resources. However, WHIMSCOPE does not guarantee review or response within any specific timeframe.
7.5. Discretion in Decision-Making
Decisions regarding the existence of a Violation and the application of Enforcement Actions are made by WHIMSCOPE at its sole discretion, taking into account the circumstances of each individual case.
7.6. No Obligation to Notify
WHIMSCOPE is not obliged to:
- notify the reporting User or the User subject to the Report about the progress or outcome of the review;
- provide justification for any decision made, except where required by applicable law.
8. Enforcement Actions
In the event of a Violation being identified, WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to apply one or more Enforcement Actions at its sole discretion, taking into account the circumstances of the specific case.
8.1. Types of Enforcement Actions
The following measures may be applied to a User or their Content, including but not limited to:
- removal of User Content;
- restriction of Content access (including hiding it or reducing its visibility);
- restriction or disabling of certain Platform features;
- issuance of a warning to the User;
- temporary account suspension;
- permanent account ban;
- account deletion;
- any other measures WHIMSCOPE deems appropriate.
8.2. Combination of Measures
WHIMSCOPE may apply one or multiple Enforcement Actions simultaneously or sequentially.
8.3. Application Without Prior Notice
Enforcement Actions may be applied without prior notice to the User, in particular in cases of:
- serious or obvious Violations;
- risk to the safety of other Users;
- the need for immediate action.
8.4. Discretion of WHIMSCOPE
WHIMSCOPE independently determines:
- whether a Violation has occurred;
- the type and scope of Enforcement Actions;
- the appropriateness of their application.
Such decisions are made at WHIMSCOPE’s sole discretion and may not require additional justification, except where required by applicable law.
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to remove or restrict access to any Content even if such Content does not formally violate this Policy, where WHIMSCOPE reasonably believes that such Content may pose safety risks, infringe third-party rights, or negatively affect the Platform or its Users.
8.5. No Obligation to Apply Measures
WHIMSCOPE is not obligated to apply Enforcement Actions in every case of a potential Violation and may refrain from doing so at its sole discretion.
In cases involving technical or security-related incidents, procedures set forth in the Security and Incident Response Policy may apply.
9. Repeat Violations
WHIMSCOPE pays special attention to Users who systematically or repeatedly violate Platform rules.
9.1. Definition of a Repeat Violation
A User may be considered a repeat offender if they repeatedly violate:
- the Terms of Use;
- the Community Guidelines;
- the Acceptable Use Policy;
- other WHIMSCOPE policies.
WHIMSCOPE independently determines what constitutes a repeat Violation, taking into account the nature, frequency, and severity of the relevant actions.
9.2. Escalation of Enforcement Actions
In cases of repeated Violations, WHIMSCOPE may apply more severe Enforcement Actions, including:
- longer periods of temporary suspension;
- restriction of Platform functionality;
- permanent account suspension or deletion.
9.3. Immediate Measures
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to apply severe Enforcement Actions, including permanent account suspension, without first applying less sever measures, if the nature of the Violation or the User’s history of conduct justifies such action.
9.4. Consideration of Violation History
When making moderation decisions, WHIMSCOPE may take into account the User’s previous conduct, including their history of Violations and previously applied Enforcement Actions.
10. Appeals
WHIMSCOPE may provide Users with the ability to submit an Appeal against decisions involving Enforcement Actions; however, the availability of such a mechanism is at WHIMSCOPE’s sole discretion.
10.1. Right to Submit an Appeal
A User has the right to submit an Appeal against decisions imposing Enforcement Actions if they believe such decisions are incorrect or unjustified.
An Appeal may be submitted via Platform functionality or other communication channels designated by WHIMSCOPE.
10.2. Submission Deadlines
WHIMSCOPE may establish deadlines for submitting Appeals. Where such deadlines are set, Appeals submitted after the expiration of the relevant period may not be considered.
10.3. Appeal Review
WHIMSCOPE may review Appeals in accordance with its internal procedures, including:
- re-examination of the Content or behavior;
- analysis of the circumstances that led to the Enforcement Actions;
- use of automated systems or manual moderation.
10.4. Discretion in Decision-Making
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to:
- accept or reject an Appeal;
- uphold the original decision;
- modify or revoke the applied Enforcement Actions.
Such decisions are made at WHIMSCOPE’s sole discretion.
10.5. No Guarantee of Review
WHIMSCOPE may reject an Appeal without a detailed review if it is manifestly unfounded, repetitive without new circumstances, or submitted in violation of established requirements.
10.6. Finality of Decisions
Decisions made by WHIMSCOPE following the review of an Appeal are final, unless otherwise required by applicable law.
11. Third-Party Content and DMCA
WHIMSCOPE respects the intellectual property rights of third parties and expects Users to comply with such rights when using the Platform.
11.1. Third-Party Content
Users are fully responsible for any User Content they publish or otherwise make available through the Platform, including responsibility for ensuring compliance with third-party intellectual property rights.
Posting Content that infringes copyrights, related rights, or other third-party rights may result in the application of Enforcement Actions in accordance with this Policy and the Terms of Use.
11.2. Notification Procedure (DMCA)
In the event of receiving notices of copyright infringement or other intellectual property rights violations, WHIMSCOPE may act in accordance with the procedures set out in the DMCA & Copyright Policy.
Such notices may be processed separately from the general Reporting System described in this Policy.
11.3. Priority of Specialized Procedures
In cases involving intellectual property rights violations, the provisions of the Copyright and DMCA Policy shall prevail over this Policy.
11.4. Enforcement Actions Related to IP Violations
WHIMSCOPE may apply Enforcement Actions to Users who infringe intellectual property rights, including:
- removal of the relevant Content;
- restriction of access to Platform features;
- temporary or permanent account suspension.
12. Safety of Offline Activities
WHIMSCOPE may moderate User Content related to the organization or participation in offline activities in order to reduce potential risks to Users and the community.
12.1. Moderation of Risky Content
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to restrict, hide, or remove Content that:
- describes or encourages dangerous, risky, or potentially harmful activities;
- may create a threat to Users’ life, health, or property;
- violates the Community Safety Policy or other WHIMSCOPE policies.
12.2. Limited Verification of Activities
WHIMSCOPE does not verify, certify, or control offline activities created by Users and does not guarantee their safety, legality, or compliance with any standards.
12.3. No Organizer Role
WHIMSCOPE is not an organizer, co-organizer, or participant in any offline activities created or conducted by Users through the Platform.
All such activities are organized by Users at their own risk and under their full responsibility.
12.4. User Responsibility and Risk
Users independently decide whether to participate in any activities and bear full responsibility for their actions, omissions, and their consequences.
12.5. Application of Other Policies
Issues of liability related to participation in offline activities are additionally governed by the Offline Activities Liability Disclaimer and the Community Safety Policy, which shall be applied together with this Policy.
12.6. Protection of Minors
Content or activities that may pose increased risk to minors may be subject to additional restrictions or moderation. WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to apply stricter measures to Content that may affect the safety or well-being of minors.
WHIMSCOPE encourages Users:
- not to participate in offline activities if they feel they may be unsafe;
- where possible, to verify other participants in an activity before participating.
13. Limitation of Liability for Moderation
WHIMSCOPE conducts moderation of User Content and User behavior in accordance with this Policy; however, such moderation is of a limited nature.
13.1. No Guarantee of Control
WHIMSCOPE does not guarantee:
- that all User Content will be reviewed or filtered;
- that any Violations will be detected, prevented, or stopped;
- that Content available on the Platform is safe, accurate, lawful, or meets any particular expectations.
13.2. Responsibility for Content
Users bear full responsibility for any User Content they create, publish, or otherwise distribute through the Platform.
WHIMSCOPE is not responsible for the actions, omissions, or Content of Users.
13.3. No Obligation to Moderate
Nothing in this Policy shall be interpreted as creating an obligation for WHIMSCOPE to monitor, review, or moderate User Content or User behavior.
13.4. Limitation of Liability for Moderation Decisions
WHIMSCOPE is not liable for:
- any decisions related to Content moderation or the application of Enforcement Actions;
- removal, restriction, or unavailability of Content;
- any direct or indirect consequences of such decisions for Users.
13.5. Relationship with Terms of Use
This section applies together with the limitation of liability provisions set out in the Terms of Use. In the event of any inconsistency, the Terms of Use shall prevail.
14. Platform Abuse
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to take action in cases of Platform abuse by Users, even if such actions do not fall directly under other categories of Violations.
14.1. Definition of Abuse
Platform abuse includes, but is not limited to:
- attempts to bypass or interfere with moderation measures;
- use of the Platform for fraud, manipulation, or misleading other Users;
- creation of multiple accounts for the purpose of deceiving systems or other Users;
- any actions that harm the operation of the Platform or its reputation.
14.2. Measures in Case of Abuse
WHIMSCOPE may apply Enforcement Actions described in Section 8, including:
- removal of Content;
- temporary or permanent account suspension;
- restriction of access to Platform features.
14.3. Discretion of WHIMSCOPE
WHIMSCOPE independently determines whether abuse has occurred and what measures to apply at its sole discretion. Such decisions may be taken without prior notice to the User.
15. Changes to the Moderation Policy
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to amend this Moderation Policy at any time.
15.1. Notification of Changes
WHIMSCOPE may notify Users of changes to the Policy through:
- Platform functionality (notifications, banners, email messages);
- updates to the Policy text on the website or in the application.
Failure to receive or review such notifications does not exempt Users from complying with the updated Policy provisions.
15.2. Effective Date
Changes become effective upon publication of the Policy on the Platform or at another time specified by WHIMSCOPE. Users who continue to use the Platform after changes have been made are deemed to have accepted the updated provisions.
15.3. Discretion of WHIMSCOPE
WHIMSCOPE reserves the right to:
- make changes at any time without prior approval from Users;
- modify or add provisions related to moderation, reporting, Enforcement Actions, and other aspects of the Platform.
15.4. Relationship with Other Documents
All changes to this Policy must not conflict with the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, or other applicable WHIMSCOPE policies. All Platform policies shall be interpreted in conjunction with one another. In case of conflict, the Terms of Use shall prevail, otherwise a specific governing document shall apply where appropriate.
16. Contact Information and Support
For any questions, suggestions, complaints, or appeals, Users may contact WHIMSCOPE through official communication channels.
16.1. Communication Channels
Users may contact WHIMSCOPE via:
- feedback form within the Platform or mobile application;
- email: support@whimscope.com;
- other contact channels specified on the website or in the application.
16.2. Handling of Requests
WHIMSCOPE aims to review User requests within a reasonable timeframe; however, it does not guarantee a response to every request.
16.3. Informational Support
Contact details for reporting intellectual property infringement (DMCA) are provided in the Copyright and DMCA Policy.
Information regarding complaints and appeals related to moderation is set out in Sections 6–10 of this Policy.
16.4. Responsibility for Communications
WHIMSCOPE is not responsible for loss or non-receipt of messages if they are not delivered due to technical issues, incorrect use of contact forms, or other circumstances beyond WHIMSCOPE’s control.