Community Guidelines

Collective is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for members to form meaningful connections and build community. These guidelines are designed to ensure a positive and respectful experience for everyone.

Summary

Public posts can't contain sexually explicit content or nudity (including nude butts).
We're required to comply with Apple's strict rules prohibiting explicit content in new apps or risk being permanently removed from the App Store.
Nudity isn't allowed because we want everyone to feel comfortable using Collective, including those not here for dating, younger adults, and people from all backgrounds.
Treat all members with respect. Discrimination based on characteristics such as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, body type, or background is prohibited.
Hate, bullying, homophobic, transphobic, anti-LGBTQ+ speech, nonconsensual behavior, and illegal content are prohibited.

Public posts can't contain sexually explicit content or nudity (including nude butts).

Not Allowed in Public Posts:

❌ Nude butts (including some jockstraps and thongs)
❌ Genitals (even if cropped or covered)
❌ Erections and sexual stimulation
❌ Sexually explicit content
❌ Sexual solicitation (including "sugar" relationships and links to explicit content)
❌ Art depicting any of the above (including illustrations and paintings)

Allowed:

✅ Nipples and breasts (any gender)
✅ Breastfeeding and mastectomy depictions
✅ Butts when mostly covered
✅ Nudity in private direct messages (not public posts)

Why do I sometimes see nudity? Reviews take time.

The rules apply equally to everyone, but moderation takes time. With thousands of posts flagged daily, some prohibited content may remain visible for a short period of time before it's removed. We rely on automatic scans and member reports, but errors can occur.

Seen something wrong? Please report it (Tap "..." > "Report"). We'll review it.

Was a post removed incorrectly? Submit an appeal to: legal@collectiveapp.com

Why This Policy Matters

We understand that having a post removed can be frustrating, but we have this policy for several important reasons:

App Store Removal: Apple has strict policies that prohibit explicit content in new apps. Collective risks being permanently removed from the App Store if we don't follow their rules.
Community Feedback: The vast majority of members tell us that seeing explicit content makes them not want to use Collective.
Wellbeing: We want everyone to feel at ease participating on Collective without feeling pressure to overtly sexualize themselves.
Safety: It can create an uncomfortable environment, especially for those not using Collective for dating, younger members, and people from diverse backgrounds. Sexual content can be triggering and uncomfortable for many individuals.
Access: We want people to feel safe and comfortable using Collective in public, like on public transport and workplaces.
Alternatives: This policy helps us stay focused on what makes Collective unique: fostering genuine community and meaningful connections, rather than serving as another platform for adult content (for which many alternatives already exist).

Keeping Our Community Safe

Collective is built on respect and kindness. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, there's no place in our community for harmful behavior and content. Please help us keep our community safe by following these guidelines.

1. Prohibited Behavior and Content:

❌ Harassing, bullying, threatening others (including non-members and Collective staff).
❌ Threatening or glorifying violence against any individual or group, even when responding to discrimination. We understand the anger and frustration that comes with experiencing prejudice, but we ask members to express these feelings in ways that don't escalate hostility or make others feel unsafe.
❌ Behavior that fosters hostility or negativity within the community, creates division between members, discourages participation, or diminishes the quality of others' experiences on Collective.
❌ Sharing private information such as photos or messages without consent (doxing).
❌ Graphic, violent, or illegal content and behavior (including posting illegal drugs).
❌ Promoting dangerous activities or self-harm (such as eating disorders, self-inflicted physical injuries, and suicide).
❌ Impersonation, misrepresentation, fraud, running scams, or spreading harmful misinformation.
❌ Posting content that infringes on intellectual property rights (like copyright or trademarks).
❌ Subjecting others to unwanted contact or nonconsensual advances, including unwelcome sexual/romantic/platonic overtures, persistent unwanted engagement, or continuing interaction after being asked to stop.
❌ Creating or sharing manipulated media, deep-fakes, or AI-generated content designed to harm or mislead others. This includes using AI to misrepresent your identity or true appearance. Note: Creative AI content that is clearly labeled as such may be permitted.
❌ Soliciting cryptocurrency investments, financial transactions, or donations without prior authorization from Collective.
❌ Engaging in prostitution, sexual solicitation, or facilitation of paid sexual services, including "sugar daddy/baby relationships" or promoting escort or sex work services.

2. Prohibited Hate Speech and Discrimination

❌ Homophobic, transphobic, biphobic, queerphobic, or any other anti-LGBTQ+ speech or content that undermines the dignity, identity, or existence of LGBTQ+ individuals.
❌ Discrimination or hate speech based on characteristics such as sexual orientation, race, gender identity, age, religion, disability, body type, or background.
❌ Any promotion of extremist or hate organizations, including their celebration, representation, or fundraising activities.

3. Prohibited Platform Use

❌ Using Collective if you are under the age of 18, or misrepresenting your age on the platform.
❌ Scraping or misusing Collective content or platform features (e.g., faking engagement, unauthorized API use, mass copying, automated posting).
❌ Using content from Collective for off-platform purposes (even if non-commercial) without consent from the original creator of the content.
❌ Actions that undermine platform trust, safety, or reputation, including making misleading claims about other members, Collective, or its staff, or behaviors that drive individuals away from the platform.
❌ Primarily using Collective to promote other products and services or spamming other members.

When in doubt, choose kindness. Collective works best when we all show up with empathy and respect for one another.

Additional Information

This list is not exhaustive, and Collective may remove content that violates the spirit of these guidelines in order to protect the community. Decisions about content removal are made by our moderation team based on reports from members, automated detection, and regular reviews.

Behavior outside of Collective that violates these guidelines (like real-world harassment or bullying) can also lead to account suspension.

Accounts that violate these guidelines may receive a warning strike, temporary suspension, or permanent removal. These Community Guidelines are part of our Terms of Service and apply to everyone who uses or visits Collective, including visitors without accounts.

Precautions

While we do our best to keep Collective safe, there are some things we can't control. Collective does not conduct background checks or verify member information such as age, photos, or location. When connecting with new members, please exercise good judgment and take sensible precautions. This includes verifying identity through video calls before meeting, informing trusted friends of your plans, meeting in public places, and contacting authorities if you ever feel unsafe. While we're committed to fostering a positive community through our guidelines, your awareness and care remain important components of a safe experience.

Providing Feedback

These guidelines are for our community, and we want to make sure they reflect our shared values and keep everyone safe and happy. If you have ideas on how we can make these guidelines even better, please reach out and let us know through the contact form.