Community Standards

Last updated 10 September 2024

Community Standards 

Splurge is a platform that welcomes all users of different backgrounds. We have taken into account the cultural differences, beliefs, and orientations of all the users hence making it a platform for all. 

To foster a safer and inclusive environment within the Splurge platform, the team has created a set of guidelines that will help everyone identify what activities are prohibited. Splurge as a platform stands for the following: 

Legitimacy. Users and the content that they create within the platform are encouraged to be authentic and transparent. 

Safety and Privacy. Splurge is a public platform that allows eligible users to make an account within the platform. With this, the team has taken into account the safety of all the users for them to have a great experience within the platform. 

Dignity. Because Splurge is a platform that encourages self-expression and creativity, users are encouraged to respect other users. 

Authenticity. Splurge is an ad-free and paid promotion-free platform. It does not allow any form of advertising within the platform. It is our means to differentiate our platform in different social media platforms. 

Given these principles, the Splurge team has taken into consideration the different views and beliefs of people and communities from different backgrounds. 

On some occasions, Splurge will allow content that may go against the community standard as long as it is for public interest and awareness. This may be allowed as long as it won’t go against any human rights standards. 

By accessing https://app.splurge.art and/or the Splurge application, you agree to abide by these community standards and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with these community standards, you should not use nor access this application or use any other services provided by Splurge Technologies, Inc. Splurge Technologies, Inc. reserves the right to review and amend any of these Community Standards at our sole discretion. Upon doing so, we will update this page. Any changes to these Community Standards will take effect immediately from the date of publication, and you will be bound by them if you continue to use our applications. We hope that you will continue to use our applications, but if you do not agree to our updated terms and no longer want to be a part of the Splurge community, you can delete your account at any time. Splurge has sole authority and discretion to decide whether any content or activity in the Splurge application violates these standards.

Types of Offenses

Overview:

To maintain a safe and respectful environment, Splurge has established clear guidelines for addressing violations across all categories of community regulations. Offenses are categorized as either minor or major, depending on the severity of the violation. Consequences are applied accordingly to ensure the integrity of the community.

Minor Offenses

Definition: A minor offense involves behavior that, while inappropriate and against community guidelines, does not reach the level of a major violation. Minor offenses typically involve inappropriate interactions that do not result in immediate harm but still violate community standards.

Consequence:

  1. First Offense: The user's account will be blocked for 24 hours. During this period, the user will be restricted from making purchases, engaging in trades, or participating in community interactions.
  2. Second Offense: The account will be blocked for 72 hours with the same restrictions as the first offense.
  3. Third Offense: The account will be permanently disabled immediately upon confirmation of the violation.

Major Offenses

Definition: A major offense involves behavior that poses significant harm to the community or violates the core principles of Splurge. These offenses often involve illegal activities, endangerment, or severe breaches of trust and safety.

Consequence:

  1. First Offense: The user's account will be blocked for 7 days (168 hours) from the time the violation is confirmed. During this period, the user will be restricted from making purchases, engaging in trades, or participating in community interactions.
  2. Second Offense: Upon confirmation of the violation, the account will be permanently disabled. However, the final decision regarding sanctions remains at the sole discretion of the app's team.

Application Across All Categories:

These consequences apply universally across all categories of community regulations, with specific examples provided for each category to illustrate what constitutes minor and major offenses. The categories include, but are not limited to:

A. Child Exploitation and Abuse

Minor Offense:

Inappropriate Interaction with Children: Attempting to engage in conversations with children that, while not explicit, are inappropriate or violate community guidelines through comments or private messages.

Major Offense:

Content Involving Child Exploitation: Posting, sharing, or promoting content that involves the sexual exploitation or abuse of children.

B. Crime Prevention

Minor Offense:

Incitement to Commit Petty Crimes: Suggesting or encouraging others to engage in minor illegal activities, such as vandalism.

Major Offense:

Organizing or Promoting Criminal Activity: Posting content that plans, promotes, or glorifies serious crimes, such as theft, assault, or hacking.

C. Dangerous Organizations and Individuals

Minor Offense:

Association with Controversial Groups: Sharing content that indirectly supports or shows minor affiliation with controversial organizations without explicit endorsement.

Major Offense:

Promotion of Violent Groups: Posting content that advocates for or glorifies the actions of dangerous organizations, including terrorist groups.

D. Fraudulent Activities

Minor Offense:

Misleading Information: Sharing false or misleading information with the intent to deceive others on a minor scale, such as creating fake profiles.

Major Offense:

Scamming or Financial Fraud: Engaging in or promoting activities that involve scams, identity theft, or other forms of financial fraud.

E. Prohibited Items and Services

Minor Offense:

Promotion of Restricted Items: Attempting to list or sell items that are only restricted in certain areas but not globally banned, such as age-restricted products without proper labeling.

Major Offense:

Illegal Sale of Dangerous Items: Posting or attempting to trade items such as firearms, explosives, illegal drugs, or endangered wildlife.

F. Self-Harm and Harmful Behavior

Minor Offense:

Promotion of Unhealthy Practices: Sharing content that encourages unhealthy behaviors, such as extreme dieting, without directly promoting self-harm.

Major Offense:

Encouraging Self-Harm or Suicide: Posting content that promotes or glorifies self-harm, suicide, or other forms of serious self-injury.

G. Violence

Minor Offense:

Mildly Aggressive Language: Using language that is hostile or aggressive but does not directly incite violence.

Major Offense:

Incitement to Violence: Posting content that calls for, supports, or glorifies acts of violence against individuals or groups.

H. Adult and Sexually Suggestive Content

Minor Offense:

Inappropriate Sexual Conversations: Attempting to engage in sexually suggestive conversations with other users through comments or private messaging.

Major Offense:

Sexually Explicit Content: Posting or sharing explicit sexual content, including pornography or sexually suggestive images that violate community standards.

Categories of Community Regulations

A. Child Exploitation and Abuse

At Splurge, we are deeply committed to the protection and safety of children within our community. We have zero tolerance for any content that exploits or endangers children in any manner. The following guidelines outline the types of content strictly prohibited on the Splurge platform:

1. Prohibited Content

We take a firm stance against any content that could harm or exploit children, including but not limited to:

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

Content that promotes, advocates, praises, threatens, provides instructions for, makes statements of intent, admits participation in, or shares links or imagery related to the sexual exploitation or abuse of children, or pedophilia. This includes:

  • Depictions of sexual intercourse or oral sex, whether implied or actual.
  • Content showing or suggesting the stimulation of genitals or anus, regardless of the context.
  • Presence of by-products of sexual activity involving children.
  • Images or descriptions of children in sexualized contexts, including the use of restraints, focus on genitals, the presence of an aroused adult, sex toys, sexualized costumes, stripping, staged environments, or open-mouth kissing.
  • Content featuring children in any sexual fetish context, including but not limited to depictions of feet.
Inappropriate and Exploitative Interactions:
  • Content that solicits or attempts to solicit, trade, ask for, sell, buy, facilitate, plan, or create child sexual abuse material, nude images of children, sexual or sexualized images of children, or any depiction of children in a sexualized context. This extends to content related to actual or fictional encounters with children, including digitally-created characters representing children, toddlers, or babies.
  • Content that exposes or aims to expose children to sexually explicit language or material.
  • Content that threatens to expose intimate or sexually-related images or information of children, whether for personal gain or otherwise.
  • Content that expresses an intent to share or actually shares private sexual conversations or intimate images involving children.
Depictions of Child Nudity:

Content depicting child nudity, including close-ups of children's genitalia, nude toddlers, nude minors, or digitally-created characters of children, toddlers, or babies. Exceptions may only be made for content clearly intended for health or educational purposes.

Child Abuse in All Forms:

Content depicting or promoting child abuse in any form—whether physical, mental, or emotional—even if not sexually related. This includes content that advocates for, praises, threatens, provides instructions for, makes statements of intent, admits participation in, or shares links or imagery of such abuse.

Inappropriate Communication:

Comments or messages directed at children, whether visible to the public or through private messaging, could be considered inappropriate interactions. This includes, but is not limited to, requests or offers to secure, trade, or buy sexual material from children, or engaging or attempting to engage in sexual conversations with them.

Splurge reserves the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines and to take appropriate action against users who engage in such activities. Our overarching goal is to maintain a safe and nurturing environment for all members of our community, with a particular focus on the well-being of children.

B. Crime Prevention

Splurge is dedicated to maintaining a secure and responsible community. We strictly prohibit content that could jeopardize the safety of individuals or encourage harmful activities. The following types of content are not allowed on the Splurge platform:

1. Prohibited Content

The following examples represent activities that are strictly prohibited on our platform:

Unauthorized Disclosure of Personal Information:

Content that reveals the identity (e.g., personal information) or current locations of individuals other than the account holder without their explicit consent, except in cases involving public officials, public personalities, or public figures.

Compromising Security Operations:

Content that exposes the undercover status of law enforcement, military, police, or security personnel.

Swatting and High-Risk Challenges:
  • Any statements of intent, calls to action, or content representing, supporting, advocating for, or admitting to swatting.
  • Depictions, promotion, or encouragement of participation in high-risk viral challenges, including content that speaks positively about such activities.
Harm Against Animals:

Content that depicts, promotes, advocates for, or encourages acts of physical harm against animals, except in contexts such as hunting, fishing, religious sacrifice, food preparation or processing, pest or vermin control, self-defense, or redemption.

Staged animal fights are strictly prohibited.

Property Damage and Vandalism:

Content that promotes, advocates for, or depicts harm against property, including vandalism, hacking, theft, voter and/or census fraud, vote-buying, or other illegal activities.

C. Dangerous Organizations and Individuals

Splurge does not permit the presence of individuals or organizations involved in organized crime on our platform. This includes, but is not limited to, organizations designated by the U.S. government as Specially Designated Drug Trafficking Kingpins (SDNTK), Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO), Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT), and those listed by the Philippine government as terrorist organizations. The following types of content are prohibited:

1. Representation of Dangerous Entities:

Content that represents these organizations, including the presence of their leaders or prominent members, the use of icons associated with them, or content praising their actions.

2. Coordination of Material Support:

Content that coordinates material assistance to these individuals and organizations.

3. Glorification of Violence and Hate:

Content that glorifies, endorses, or depicts events identified by Splurge as terrorist attacks, hateful events, multi-victim violence, or attempted multi-victim violence, serial killings, hate crimes, or other violent incidents.

Praise, endorsement, or display of hateful ideologies is also prohibited.

Splurge reserves the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines and to take appropriate action against users who engage in such activities. Our goal is to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all members of our community.

D. Fraudulent Activities

Splurge is committed to maintaining the integrity and trust of our community. We strictly prohibit content that is designed to defraud, deceive, or exploit individuals, institutions, or businesses. The following types of content are not allowed on the Splurge platform:

1. Prohibited Fraudulent Activities

The following examples represent activities that are strictly prohibited on our platform:

Scams and Deceptive Schemes:
  • All forms of scams, including but not limited to investment scams, loan scams, gambling scams, Ponzi or pyramid schemes, identity/impersonation scams, charity scams, grant and benefits scams, spiritual or religion-related scams, insurance scams, and debt relief or credit repair scams.
  • Establishing or promoting fake businesses or entities.
  • Fake job postings or employment scams.
  • Betting manipulation or schemes to manipulate markets, such as the stock market or goods and services.
Money Laundering and Financial Crimes:
  • Money muling or laundering of funds through illicit means.
  • Creating, selling, buying, trading, promoting, or facilitating the transfer or exchange of fake, forged, or counterfeit documents, currency, vouchers, or educational and professional certificates.
  • Using, selling, buying, trading, promoting, or facilitating the exchange of stolen information, goods, or services, such as financial and personal information.
Manipulation and Deception:
  • Manipulating measuring devices, such as electricity or water meters, for fraudulent purposes.
  • Engaging in or promoting the sale, purchase, or exchange of credentials for subscription services, fake or misleading user reviews or ratings, and answer sheets or exam papers.

2. Prohibited Items and Services

The following items and services are banned from the Splurge platform and may not be promoted, sold, purchased, traded, donated, gifted, transferred, poached, auctioned, or raffled:

Dangerous and Illegal Items:
  • Explosives, firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, lethal enhancements, and non-medical drugs.
  • Endangered wildlife and plants, as well as historical artifacts.
  • Human body parts and human blood (except for legitimate donation or gift purposes).
  • Equipment for the manufacture of firearms, firearm parts, explosives, ammunition, lethal enhancements, or non-medical drugs.
Prohibited Content and Services:
  • Instructions on how to make or use firearms, firearm parts, explosives, ammunition, lethal enhancements, or non-medical drugs.
  • Hazardous goods and materials.

Exception: The above items and services may be included in content only if they are part of bounty requirements or goals and are posted in furtherance of such bounty requirements or goals.

Splurge reserves the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines and to take appropriate action against users who engage in such activities. Our goal is to ensure a secure and trustworthy environment for all members of our community.

E. Prohibited Items and Services

Splurge is committed to maintaining a safe and legal environment for all users. To ensure the safety, legality, and trustworthiness of the community, the promotion, sale, or trade of certain items and services is strictly prohibited. The following outlines the banned items and services on the Splurge platform:

1. Dangerous and Illegal Items

The following dangerous and illegal items are not permitted on the platform and may not be promoted, sold, purchased, traded, donated, gifted, transferred, poached, auctioned, or raffled:

  • Explosives and Firearms: Including firearm parts, ammunition, and lethal enhancements.
  • Non-Medical Drugs: Substances that are illegal or controlled, except where explicitly permitted for medicinal purposes by law.
  • Endangered Wildlife and Plants: Items derived from protected species, including parts of endangered animals and plants.
  • Historical Artifacts: Objects that are illegal to own or trade due to cultural or historical significance.
  • Human Body Parts and Human Blood: Except for legitimate donation or gift purposes in compliance with legal regulations.
  • Firearm Manufacturing Equipment: Tools or equipment used to create firearms, firearm parts, explosives, ammunition, or illegal drugs.

2. Prohibited Content and Services

The following content and services are banned from being shared or provided on the Splurge platform:

  • Instructions for Manufacturing Dangerous Items: Including content that explains how to create or use firearms, explosives, ammunition, lethal enhancements, or non-medical drugs.
  • Hazardous Goods and Materials: Any content promoting the sale or distribution of dangerous or toxic substances.

3. Exceptions

Items or services mentioned above may be included in content only if they are part of bounty requirements, challenges, or goals related to educational, historical, or artistic purposes. Any such inclusion must clearly align with the legitimate goals of the platform and comply with relevant regulations.

Splurge reserves the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines and take appropriate action against users, including temporary or permanent account suspension. Our priority is ensuring a secure and trustworthy environment for all members of our community.

F. Self-Harm and Harmful Behavior

Splurge is dedicated to promoting a positive and supportive environment. We take the issue of self-harm and related behaviors very seriously and strictly prohibit any content that promotes, glorifies, or encourages such actions.

1. Prohibited Content

The following types of content are not allowed on the Splurge platform:

Self-Harm and Suicide:
  • Posts that advocate, support, or provide instructions for self-harm or suicide.
  • Content that depicts or encourages participation in self-harm or suicide, whether in the form of text, imagery, or videos.
  • Posts showing individuals engaged in, or about to engage in, self-harm or suicide attempts.
Eating Disorders:
  • Content that promotes, supports, or provides instructions for engaging in eating disorders.
  • Posts that glorify physical characteristics associated with eating disorders, such as ribs, collarbones, thigh gaps, hips, concave stomachs, or protruding spines or scapulae, especially when accompanied by language that encourages these disorders.
  • Posts offering tips or instructions for drastic and unhealthy weight loss, particularly when tied to terms commonly associated with eating disorders.
Mocking or Demeaning Content:
  • Content that mocks, attempts to mock, or demeans victims or survivors of self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders.
  • Posts that trivialize or make light of these serious issues, potentially causing further harm to those affected.

2. Context and Consideration

While Splurge is committed to removing harmful content, we also recognize the importance of context. Content that aims to raise awareness, offer support, or provide educational information about self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders may be permitted if presented in a responsible and non-triggering manner. We encourage users to consider the potential impact of their posts on others and to prioritize the well-being of the community.

Splurge reserves the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines and to take appropriate action against users who engage in such activities. Our goal is to maintain a safe and respectful environment where all members can feel supported and valued.

G. Violence

Splurge is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful community. We strictly prohibit any content that incites, encourages, or glorifies violence. Our platform takes threats to public or personal safety seriously, and we will take swift action, including removing content, disabling accounts, and cooperating with law enforcement when necessary.

1. Prohibited Content

The following types of content are not allowed on the Splurge platform:

Violence and Threats:
  • Posts that involve or threaten violence, whether past, present, or future, targeting people or places. This includes veiled threats or statements that imply harm.
  • Content that offers, requests, or supports services to harm others, such as hiring a hitman or assassin. Positive statements or recommendations related to these services are strictly prohibited.
Kidnapping and Abduction:
  • Statements that praise, encourage, or threaten kidnapping or abduction, including admissions, intent, or advocacy for these acts.
  • Content depicting kidnappings or abductions, even in a non-explicit manner.
Self-Harm:
  • Posts that promote, support, or encourage self-inflicted physical harm, including content that presents self-harm in a positive or aspirational light.
Weapons and Explosives:
  • Instructions on making or using weapons or explosives with the intent to harm or kill. Exceptions are made for content with a clear non-violent context, such as in educational, scientific, or entertainment settings (e.g., commercial video games or fireworks).
  • Statements encouraging the bringing of weapons to sensitive locations, including places of worship, schools, polling places, or election administration sites.
Additional Considerations:
  • Any other content that the Splurge team determines to pose a credible threat or risk to safety.

2. Context and Enforcement

We recognize the importance of context in distinguishing casual speech from serious threats. Our team evaluates the language, context, and additional factors, such as public safety risks, to determine whether a threat is credible. Specific or conditional threats against terrorists or violent actors are not considered credible unless there is concrete evidence to the contrary.

Splurge reserves the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines and to take appropriate action against users who engage in such activities. Our goal is to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all members of our community.

H. Adult and Sexually Suggestive Content

Splurge is committed to fostering a safe and respectful community. To this end, we strictly prohibit content that is adult-oriented, sexually explicit, or sexually suggestive unless it aligns with our community's artistic standards.

1. Permitted Artistic Nudity

At Splurge, we celebrate creativity and the diverse expressions of art, including those that explore the human form. We allow nudity when it is presented in an artistic context. This includes:

  • Works inspired by classical art or traditional artistic forms.
  • Digital or physical artworks focusing on themes such as body positivity, anatomy, or human expression.
  • Photographs or illustrations that are clearly intended as art and not for sexual arousal.

2. Prohibited Content

While we embrace artistic expression, the following types of content are prohibited on the Splurge platform:

Sexual Acts and Elements:
  • Depictions of sexual acts, whether implied or actual, including sexual intercourse or oral sex.
  • Content showing stimulation of genitals or anus.
  • Presence of by-products of sexual activity.
  • Nudity, partial nudity, or a focus on genitals in a sexual context.
  • Presence of sex toys, sexual aids, or individuals in sexualized costumes.
  • Stripping, staged sexual environments, or open-mouth kissing intended to be sexually suggestive.
  • Sexual fetish elements, such as depictions of feet in a sexual context.
Sexually Explicit Language and Material:
  • Posts containing sexually explicit language or descriptions of sexual acts.
  • Content soliciting or attempting to solicit, trade, ask for, sell, buy, facilitate, plan, or create sexually explicit material.
  • Content that exposes, aims to, or facilitates exposure to sexually explicit language or material.
Threatening or Coercive Behavior:
  • Content that threatens to expose intimate or sexually-related images or information, whether in exchange for favors, money, other benefits, or none at all.
  • Content expressing an intent to share or actually sharing private sexual conversations or intimate images without consent.
Inappropriate Interactions:
  • Inappropriate interactions with other users, including requesting, asking for, securing, trading, or buying sexual material.
  • Engaging or attempting to engage in sexual conversations with other users, whether visible to the public or through private messaging.

3. Consideration of Context and Intention

When creating and sharing art involving nudity, consider the intention behind the work and how it may be perceived by others. Art that could be interpreted as suggestive or intended for sexual stimulation rather than artistic expression may not align with our community standards.

Splurge reserves the right to remove any content that violates these guidelines and to take appropriate action against users who engage in such activities. Our goal is to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all members of our community.