Community Guidelines

Community Guidelines

Effective Date: [DATE]

Last Updated: [DATE]

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1. Our Values

Honeycomb is a global social commerce platform built on the belief that people create their best work and form their most meaningful connections when they feel safe, respected, and empowered. These Community Guidelines reflect the values that guide everything we build and every decision we make about content and conduct on the Platform.

1.1 Authentic Expression

We believe in the power of authentic self-expression. Honeycomb is a place where creators, entrepreneurs, educators, and professionals can share their ideas, stories, products, and expertise with the world. We encourage content that is genuine, original, and reflective of who you are. We do not want a Platform full of manufactured personas, recycled content, or performative engagement. We want to hear your real voice.

Authenticity also means honesty. When you share content, recommend products, promote your services, or offer your expertise, we expect you to do so truthfully. Misleading your audience erodes the trust that makes this community work.

1.2 Safety

Everyone on Honeycomb deserves to feel safe. Safety means more than the absence of threats; it means creating an environment where people are not subjected to harassment, abuse, exploitation, or discrimination. We take the safety of our community seriously, and we invest in tools, policies, and people to protect it.

We recognize that safety can mean different things to different people, and we strive to balance the safety of individuals with the openness and freedom that make social platforms valuable. When we must make difficult decisions, the physical safety and well-being of our users will always be our highest priority.

1.3 Respect

Honeycomb brings together people from every corner of the world, representing a vast diversity of cultures, languages, beliefs, identities, and perspectives. We ask every member of our community to approach others with respect, even when you disagree. Respect does not mean you have to agree with everyone. It means you engage with others as human beings deserving of dignity.

Respect also extends to the Platform itself. We ask that you use Honeycomb’s features and tools as they are intended, and that you do not engage in behavior that degrades the experience for others.

1.4 Creativity

We built Honeycomb to be a home for creativity in all its forms: art, writing, music, video, photography, courses, products, code, and ideas. We celebrate creators who push boundaries, experiment with new formats, and bring fresh perspectives to their work. We want Honeycomb to be the platform where you feel inspired to create and share.

We also believe creativity thrives in a community where intellectual property is respected, attribution is given where it is due, and creators are fairly compensated for their work.

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2. Content Standards

The following standards apply to all content posted, uploaded, transmitted, shared, or otherwise made available on the Platform, including posts, stories, direct messages, room conversations, Marketplace listings, course materials, job listings, advertisements, site builder pages, and content generated using AI features.

2.1 Content We Encourage

We actively encourage content that:

• Shares your genuine experiences, knowledge, skills, and perspectives.
• Educates, informs, or empowers others.
• Showcases your creative work, products, or services.
• Fosters meaningful conversations and constructive dialogue.
• Supports and uplifts other members of the community.
• Celebrates diverse cultures, identities, and viewpoints.
• Provides honest and transparent reviews, recommendations, and endorsements.
• Contributes to a positive, engaging, and vibrant community experience.

2.2 Sensitive Content and the is_sensitive Flag

We understand that some content, while not prohibited, may be sensitive in nature and may not be appropriate for all audiences. The Honeycomb platform provides an is_sensitive content flag that creators can apply to their content to indicate that it contains sensitive material. When content is flagged as sensitive, it will be placed behind a content warning screen that users must actively choose to view.

You must apply the is_sensitive flag to content that includes, but is not limited to:

• Graphic or disturbing imagery: Depictions of injuries, medical procedures, accidents, or natural disasters that may be distressing to some viewers, shared in a newsworthy, educational, or documentary context.
• Mature themes: Content that discusses or depicts topics such as substance use, addiction, mental health crises, domestic violence, or sexual assault in a non-exploitative, educational, artistic, or awareness-raising context.
• Nudity and sexual content: Artistic nudity, educational content about human anatomy or sexual health, or other non-pornographic content that contains nudity or sexual themes. Note: Pornographic content and sexually explicit material are prohibited under our Acceptable Use Policy and are not made permissible by the is_sensitive flag.
• Strong language: Content that contains excessive profanity or language that may be considered offensive by some audiences.
• Controversial or divisive topics: Content that addresses politically polarizing, religiously sensitive, or otherwise contentious topics in a manner that may be upsetting to some viewers, even when the content itself does not violate any Platform policy.
• Spoilers: Content that reveals significant plot points, outcomes, or surprises from recently released media (films, television shows, books, games, etc.).

Failure to apply the is_sensitive flag to content that warrants it may result in the flag being applied by our content moderation team, and repeated failure may result in enforcement action.

2.3 Age-Appropriate Content

Honeycomb is an 18+ platform. All users must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to create an account or access the Platform. However, being an adult platform does not mean that all content is appropriate. We maintain standards that reflect the values described in Section 1 of these Guidelines and the prohibitions set forth in our Acceptable Use Policy.

Even on an 18+ platform, certain content remains prohibited, including but not limited to: child sexual abuse material (CSAM), non-consensual intimate imagery, content that promotes or glorifies violence against specific individuals or groups, and content that facilitates illegal activity. These prohibitions are absolute and are not affected by the age of the audience.

Creators who produce content intended for younger audiences (e.g., educational content, family-friendly products) should be mindful that their audience may include individuals close to the minimum age threshold and should ensure that their content is appropriate for that audience.

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3. Interaction Standards

Honeycomb is a social platform, and the quality of the experience depends on how we treat each other. The following standards govern interactions between users, including comments, replies, direct messages, room conversations, Marketplace communications, and any other form of user-to-user interaction.

3.1 Constructive Engagement

We encourage interactions that add value to the conversation. When you comment on someone’s post, reply to a message, or participate in a room discussion, consider whether your contribution:

• Adds a new perspective, insight, or piece of information.
• Asks a genuine question or seeks clarification.
• Offers constructive feedback, encouragement, or support.
• Contributes to a productive discussion, even if you disagree with the original content.

We discourage interactions that are purely negative, dismissive, or designed to provoke an emotional reaction without contributing substance to the conversation (commonly known as “trolling”). While we do not prohibit criticism or disagreement, we expect all interactions to meet a basic standard of respect and good faith.

3.2 Disagreement Etiquette

Disagreement is a natural and healthy part of any diverse community. We do not expect everyone to agree, and we value the exchange of different ideas and perspectives. However, we ask that disagreements be conducted in a manner that is:

• Respectful: Address the idea, argument, or content rather than attacking the person. Avoid personal insults, name-calling, or ad hominem attacks.
• Proportionate: Respond to the substance of what was said rather than escalating or exaggerating the disagreement. A measured response to a minor disagreement is more productive than an outsized reaction.
• Good-faith: Engage with what the other person actually said rather than constructing a distorted version of their argument to attack (commonly known as a “straw man”). Assume that the other person is acting in good faith unless there is clear evidence to the contrary.
• Willing to disengage: Recognize when a conversation is no longer productive and be willing to walk away. You are never obligated to continue a discussion that is causing you distress or that has devolved into circular argument.

3.3 No Pile-Ons or Coordinated Harassment

We prohibit coordinated campaigns in which multiple users target a single individual or a small group with the intent to harass, intimidate, silence, or overwhelm them. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Organizing or encouraging others (whether on the Platform or through external channels such as other social media platforms, forums, or group chats) to mass-report, mass-comment, mass-message, or otherwise flood a specific user’s content or account.
• Sharing a user’s content or profile with the explicit or implicit encouragement for others to harass, mock, or attack that person.
• Coordinating the posting of negative reviews, ratings, or feedback on a creator’s Marketplace listings, courses, or other content as a form of retaliation or harassment.
• Participating in a pile-on that you did not organize but that you can see is causing distress or harm to the targeted individual.

If you encounter content you disagree with, use the report feature rather than organizing or participating in a group response.

3.4 Communication Boundaries

Every user has the right to set boundaries on who can communicate with them and how. We provide tools that allow users to block, mute, and restrict other users, and to control who can send them direct messages, comment on their content, or invite them to rooms. We expect all users to respect these boundaries.

If another user has blocked you, restricted your interactions, or asked you to stop contacting them, you must comply. Attempting to circumvent a block or restriction (e.g., by creating a new account, contacting the person through a different Platform feature, or using an intermediary) constitutes harassment and is a violation of these Guidelines and our Acceptable Use Policy.

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4. Creator Standards

Honeycomb provides a suite of tools for creators, including content publishing, Marketplace listings, course creation, advertising, the affiliate program, the site builder, and AI-powered creative tools. The following standards apply to all users who create and publish content, sell products or services, or otherwise operate as creators on the Platform.

4.1 Original Content and Intellectual Property

We expect creators to share content that they have created or that they have the legal right to share. Specifically:

• Original Work: When you share content that you created, you represent that the content is your original work and that it does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.
• Licensed Content: When you share content created by others, you represent that you have obtained all necessary permissions, licenses, or authorizations from the rights holder(s) and that your use of the content complies with the terms of any applicable license.
• AI-Generated Content: When you share content that was generated or substantially assisted by AI tools (whether the Platform’s built-in AI features or external AI tools), you must clearly disclose the use of AI in the content’s description, caption, or accompanying text. AI-generated content must comply with all applicable Platform policies, and you remain responsible for ensuring that AI-generated content does not violate the rights of third parties.
• Public Domain and Fair Use: When you share content that is in the public domain or that you believe qualifies for fair use (or fair dealing) protection, you should provide appropriate attribution to the original creator where feasible.

4.2 Proper Attribution

When your content incorporates, references, or is inspired by the work of others, you should provide proper attribution. Attribution practices include:

• Crediting the original creator by name and, where possible, linking to the original source.
• Clearly identifying quotes, excerpts, or passages taken from another person’s work.
• Disclosing when your content is a remix, adaptation, or derivative of another person’s work.
• Crediting collaborators, contributors, and co-creators.

While not every instance of inspiration requires formal attribution, we encourage a culture of generosity and acknowledgment. Giving credit strengthens trust and community.

4.3 Honest Marketing and Disclosures

Creators who promote products, services, courses, or opportunities on the Platform must do so honestly and transparently. This includes:

• Truthful Claims: All claims about products, services, courses, or opportunities must be truthful and substantiated. Do not make false or misleading claims about the features, benefits, quality, efficacy, or results of your offerings.
• Sponsored Content and Paid Partnerships: If you have received compensation (monetary or in-kind) in exchange for creating or sharing content about a product, service, or brand, you must clearly and conspicuously disclose the nature of the relationship. Disclosures should be placed in a prominent location (e.g., at the beginning of a post or video, not buried in hashtags or fine print) and should use clear language (e.g., “#ad,” “#sponsored,” “Paid partnership with [Brand]”).
• Affiliate Links: If you share links that earn you a commission or other compensation when a user makes a purchase (including through the Honeycomb affiliate program), you must disclose that the link is an affiliate link.
• Testimonials and Reviews: If you share testimonials, reviews, or endorsements, they must reflect the honest opinions and genuine experiences of the person providing them. Fake testimonials, purchased reviews, and fabricated endorsements are prohibited.
• Income and Results Claims: If you make claims about income, financial results, or other outcomes that others can expect from using your product, service, or course, those claims must be truthful, substantiated, and accompanied by appropriate disclaimers (e.g., “Results may vary. These results are not typical.”).
• Regulatory Compliance: Creators are responsible for ensuring that their marketing practices comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guides, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and any other applicable advertising and consumer protection laws.

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5. Reporting and Enforcement

5.1 How to Report

If you encounter content or behavior that you believe violates these Community Guidelines, we encourage you to report it. You can report content or behavior through the following methods:

• In-Platform Reporting: Every piece of content on the Platform (posts, comments, stories, messages, Marketplace listings, profiles, etc.) includes a report option. Tap or click the report icon (or the ”…” menu followed by “Report”) and select the category that best describes the violation. You can also provide additional details to help our moderation team understand the context.
• Email: For issues that cannot be adequately reported through the in-Platform reporting feature, or for reports that require detailed explanation, you may send a report to [REPORTS_EMAIL].
• Urgent Safety Concerns: If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services first, then report the situation to us at [URGENT_REPORT_EMAIL].

All reports are reviewed, and reporters will receive confirmation that their report has been received. We take all reports seriously, and we do not retaliate against users who submit good-faith reports.

5.2 What Happens After a Report

When you submit a report, here is what happens:

1. Acknowledgment: Your report is logged and you receive a confirmation that we have received it.
2. Initial Review: A member of our content moderation team (or, for certain high-volume or clear-cut categories, an automated system with human oversight) reviews the reported content or behavior against these Guidelines and our Acceptable Use Policy.
3. Context Assessment: The reviewer considers the full context of the content or behavior, including the creator’s intent (where discernible), the audience, the Platform feature in which the content appears, cultural context, and any applicable exceptions (e.g., newsworthy content, satire, educational material).
4. Decision: The reviewer makes an enforcement decision. If the content or behavior violates these Guidelines, the appropriate enforcement action is applied (see our Acceptable Use Policy for a full description of enforcement actions).
5. Notification: The User whose content or behavior was reported is notified of the decision and, if applicable, the enforcement action taken. The reporting User receives confirmation that the report has been reviewed. For privacy and safety reasons, we may not disclose the specific enforcement action taken against the reported User.

5.3 Creator Verification

Honeycomb offers a creator verification program that allows creators to verify their identity and establish their authenticity on the Platform. Verified creators receive a verification badge that signals to the community that their identity has been confirmed.

Creator verification is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked if a verified creator:

• Engages in behavior that violates these Community Guidelines or the Acceptable Use Policy.
• Uses the verification badge to lend false credibility to misleading, fraudulent, or harmful content.
• Transfers, sells, or otherwise allows another person to use their verified account.
• Ceases to meet the eligibility criteria for verification.

We encourage all creators, particularly those with large followings or those who sell products and services on the Marketplace, to apply for verification. Verification helps build trust with your audience and contributes to the overall integrity of the community.

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6. Enforcement Philosophy

Our approach to enforcement is guided by the principles of fairness, proportionality, consistency, and transparency. We recognize that content moderation involves difficult judgment calls, and we strive to get them right.

6.1 Graduated Response

We believe in giving people the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. For most violations, our enforcement process follows a graduated approach:

1. Education: For first-time, minor violations, we may issue a warning that explains the specific policy that was violated and provides guidance on how to comply in the future. Our goal is to help users understand the rules, not to punish them for honest mistakes.
2. Restriction: For repeated violations or more serious first-time violations, we may temporarily restrict specific account features (e.g., the ability to post, comment, message, or sell on the Marketplace) while leaving the rest of the account accessible.
3. Suspension: For serious violations or persistent patterns of non-compliance despite prior warnings and restrictions, we may temporarily suspend the user’s account for a defined period (24 hours, 7 days, or 30 days, depending on the severity).
4. Termination: For the most severe violations or for users who demonstrate an unwillingness to comply with our policies despite repeated enforcement actions, we may permanently terminate the user’s account.

There are certain violations that are so severe that they warrant immediate escalation to suspension or termination without prior warning, including but not limited to: CSAM, credible threats of violence, severe harassment, significant fraud, and distribution of malware.

6.2 Context Matters

We do not apply our policies mechanically. We recognize that the meaning and impact of content depends on context, and we train our content moderation team to consider context when making enforcement decisions. Factors we consider include:

• Intent: Was the content posted with the intent to inform, educate, entertain, or express a genuine opinion? Or was it posted with the intent to harm, deceive, harass, or manipulate?
• Audience: Who is the intended and likely audience for the content? Content shared in a private direct message between friends may be evaluated differently from content posted publicly to thousands of followers.
• Platform Feature: Where on the Platform does the content appear? Content in a private room may be treated differently from content in a public post or a Marketplace listing.
• Cultural Context: Does the content reflect cultural practices, traditions, humor, or norms that may not be immediately apparent to moderators from different cultural backgrounds? We strive to account for cultural differences in our moderation decisions.
• Newsworthiness and Public Interest: Does the content address a matter of public interest, report on current events, or document important issues? We give additional latitude to content that serves a legitimate public interest purpose, even if it contains material that might otherwise be considered sensitive.
• Artistic and Creative Expression: Is the content a work of art, satire, parody, fiction, or creative expression? We recognize that creative works may explore difficult, controversial, or provocative themes, and we give appropriate latitude to bona fide creative expression.
• Self-Reference: Is the content a person’s own story, experience, or identity? We give people broad latitude to share their own experiences, including difficult or sensitive ones, even when the content might be considered disturbing or controversial.

6.3 Transparency

We are committed to being transparent about our content moderation practices. This commitment includes:

• Clear Policies: We strive to make our policies clear, specific, and accessible so that users can understand what is and is not permitted before they post.
• Explanation of Decisions: When we take an enforcement action, we provide the affected user with a clear explanation of the specific policy that was violated and the basis for the decision.
• Appeals: We provide an appeals process (described in our Acceptable Use Policy) so that users can challenge enforcement decisions they believe were made in error.
• Policy Updates: When we make material changes to these Guidelines, we notify our community and explain the reasons for the changes.
• Accountability: We hold ourselves accountable for the quality and consistency of our moderation decisions, and we continuously review and improve our processes.

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7. Changes to These Guidelines

We may update these Community Guidelines from time to time to reflect changes in our Platform, our community, applicable laws, or our understanding of best practices in content moderation. When we make material changes, we will:

• Update the “Last Updated” date at the top of these Guidelines.
• Post the revised Guidelines on the Platform.
• Notify registered users of material changes via email or in-Platform notification.
• Where appropriate, provide an explanation of the changes and the reasons behind them.

We encourage you to review these Guidelines periodically. Your continued use of the Platform after the posting of revised Guidelines constitutes your acceptance of those revisions.

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8. Contact Us

We welcome your questions, feedback, and suggestions about these Community Guidelines. You can reach us at:

Mindhyv, LLC

Email: [LEGAL_EMAIL]

Mailing Address: [MAILING_ADDRESS]

To report a violation: Use the in-Platform report feature or email [REPORTS_EMAIL].

To appeal an enforcement decision: Email [APPEALS_EMAIL] (see our Acceptable Use Policy for full details).

For urgent safety concerns: Contact your local emergency services first, then email [URGENT_REPORT_EMAIL].

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These Community Guidelines are provided for informational purposes and should be reviewed by qualified legal counsel before publication. This document does not constitute legal advice.