Content Enforcement Policy
Our Content Enforcement Policy outlines when OpenBanlist will and will not engage in the judgement of, and/or banlist a user.
Criteria for Enforcement
To help keep enforcement efforts fair and honest, offenses that qualify for us to ban a user must meet one or more uniform offense criteria, as described below. If a user's behavior does not meet one of the below standards, we cannot and will not intervene or punish the user.
Fraud, theft, or scams
Fraud
Fraud is a deliberate act of deception to gain an advantage. It can be committed by individuals or institutions in many settings, including financial institutions, businesses, and religious organizations.
Aspects of fraudulent behavior can include:
- The perpetrator knowingly made a false statement
- The perpetrator intended to deceive the victim
- The victim relied on the false statement
- The victim suffered a loss as a result
Theft
Theft, in law, is a broad term that encompasses various forms of stealing, such as larceny, robbery, and burglary. It involves the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it.
Key elements of theft include:
- Unauthorized taking or control over someone else's property
- Intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property
- Absence of the owner's consent
Scams
Scams involve deceptive tactics to trick individuals into providing money or personal information. With the rise of the internet, scams have become more prevalent, as scammers can easily impersonate legitimate people and businesses.
Common characteristics of scams include:
- False promises of financial gain or services
- Requests for sensitive information under false pretenses
- Impersonation of trusted entities to gain trust
Explicit, graphic, or abusive imagery
Explicit, graphic, or abusive imagery refers to content that is visually offensive, disturbing, or intended to harm or intimidate others. This includes, but is not limited to, images or videos that depict violence, nudity, or other forms of graphic content that are inappropriate or abusive in nature.
Such content is prohibited as it can cause distress, perpetuate harm, and violate community standards. We take these matters seriously and will take action against users who share or promote such imagery.
- Content that depicts or glorifies violence or abuse
- Images or videos that are sexually explicit or pornographic
- Material intended to harass, threaten, or intimidate individuals or groups
Harassment and hate speech
Harassment and hate speech refer to actions or language that intimidate, threaten, or demean individuals or groups based on attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. This behavior is harmful and unacceptable in any community.
Examples of harassment and hate speech include:
- Using derogatory or offensive language to insult or belittle others
- Engaging in targeted harassment or bullying of individuals or groups
- Promoting or inciting violence against specific groups
- Spreading hateful ideologies or propaganda
We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment and will take action against users who engage in harassment or hate speech.
Intentful impersonation
Intentful impersonation involves deliberately assuming the identity of another person or entity with the aim of deceiving others. This can include creating fake profiles, using someone else's name or likeness without permission, or pretending to be a representative of a legitimate organization.
Key aspects of intentful impersonation include:
- Creating false identities to mislead or defraud others
- Using another person's identity to gain unauthorized access to information or resources
- Impersonating officials or organizations to manipulate or exploit individuals
Malicious content
Malicious content refers to any material that is designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise negatively impact individuals, systems, or networks. This can include, but is not limited to, malware, phishing attempts, and content that promotes or facilitates illegal activities.
Characteristics of malicious content include:
- Distribution of viruses, worms, or other harmful software
- Phishing schemes aimed at stealing personal information
- Content that encourages or instructs on hacking or other illegal activities
We are committed to identifying and removing malicious content to protect our community and ensure a safe online environment.
Illegal acts
Illegal acts refer to activities that violate laws or regulations. These can range from minor infractions to serious criminal offenses. Engaging in illegal acts not only undermines the integrity of our community but also poses significant risks to individuals and organizations involved.
Examples of illegal acts include:
- Fraudulent activities such as identity theft or financial scams
- Distribution or possession of illegal substances or materials
- Engaging in or promoting cybercrime, including hacking and data breaches
- Any form of illegal trade or trafficking
We are committed to preventing illegal activities within our community and will take appropriate action against users who engage in such behavior, including reporting to relevant authorities if necessary.
Minor safety
Ensuring the safety of minors is a top priority. This involves protecting them from exposure to inappropriate content, interactions, or activities that could harm their well-being.
Key measures for minor safety include:
- Implementing age restrictions to prevent minors from accessing adult content
- Monitoring interactions to identify and prevent predatory behavior
- Educating minors and guardians about online safety practices
We are dedicated to creating a secure environment for minors and will take necessary actions to safeguard their safety.
Calls for abuse
Calls for abuse refer to any communication or content that encourages, incites, or glorifies abusive behavior towards individuals or groups. This can include threats, harassment, or any form of intimidation.
Examples of calls for abuse include:
- Encouraging others to harass or bully someone
- Promoting violence or harm against specific individuals or groups
- Sharing content that glorifies abusive actions
Compromised accounts
While compromised accounts are not particularly abusive, a hacked Discord account can be abused in disruptive ways that harm communities and as such, we'll ban accounts we identify are compromised, or utilizing weak security measures.
Hacked accounts
Hacked accounts refer to user accounts that have been accessed or controlled by unauthorized individuals. This can lead to unauthorized actions being taken on behalf of the account owner, potentially causing harm or disruption.
To address hacked accounts, we recommend:
- Immediately changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication
- Reviewing account activity to identify unauthorized actions
- Contacting support for assistance in securing the account
Insecure accounts
Insecure accounts are those that lack adequate security measures, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access. This can occur due to weak passwords, lack of security updates, or sharing login credentials.
To enhance account security, we advise:
- Using strong, unique passwords for each account
- Regularly updating security settings and software
- Avoiding sharing login credentials with others
Enforcement Actions
- Banlist Inclusion: Users found in violation will be added to the banlist, restricting their access to participating communities.
- Notification: Affected users will be notified of their ban status and the reasons for enforcement.
- Appeal Process: Users have the right to appeal their ban by providing additional context or evidence.
Information Sharing and Transparency
We are committed to transparency in our enforcement actions. Information about bans may be shared with:
- Community Moderators: To assist in maintaining a safe environment across platforms.
- Legal Authorities: If required by law or in response to legal requests.