Moderation Transparency Reports Policy

Effective Date:
Thu, 1 May 2025 – 00:00

1. Purpose

Transparency reports provide users, regulators, and the public with clear, factual information about our content moderation activities, enforcement actions, and appeals. These reports are a key part of our compliance with the EU Digital Services Act, FTC guidelines, and our own Trust and Safety framework.

2. Reporting Frequency

• Biannual Reports: We publish moderation transparency reports twice a year (every six months), in line with DSA requirements for platforms of our size.
• Additional Updates: We may issue interim updates in response to significant events, regulatory requests, or at our discretion.

3. Report Content

Each report will include, at minimum:

• Content Removal Statistics:
  • Number of pieces of content removed, by category (e.g., CSAM, Non-Consensual Content, Hate Speech, Terrorist Content, Spam, etc.).
  • Number of account suspensions, terminations, or other enforcement actions.
• Appeals and Outcomes:
  • Number of appeals submitted by users.
  • Outcomes of appeals (e.g., reinstated, upheld, modified).
• Automated vs. Human Moderation:
  • Percentage of actions initiated by automated systems vs. human moderators.
  • Accuracy rates and error rates for automated moderation (where available).
• User Reporting:
  • Number of user reports received, by category.
  • Average response and resolution times.
• Law Enforcement Requests:
  • Number of requests received and responded to, as detailed in our Guidelines for Law Enforcement and Government Requests.
• Recommender System Transparency:
  • High-level description of how content is recommended or prioritized, as required by the Terms of Service.
• Notable Trends and Policy Changes:
  • Summaries of any significant changes to moderation practices, policies, or enforcement priorities.

4. Data Integrity and Privacy

• All published data is aggregated and anonymized to protect user privacy, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Data Retention Policy.
• We do not disclose personally identifiable information in transparency reports.

5. Accessibility

• Reports are published on our Policy Directory and are freely accessible to users, regulators, and researchers.
• Archived reports are maintained for a minimum of five years.

6. Researcher and Regulator Access

• Qualified researchers and regulators may request additional, non-public data for independent assessment, subject to review and compliance with privacy and legal standards.

7. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

• Users and stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on our transparency reporting via contact form.
• We review and update our reporting practices regularly to reflect regulatory changes, best practices, and community needs.

8. Updates

We may update this policy as required by law or platform needs. Updates will be posted on this page with a new effective date. Continued use of the site constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

10. Related Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with:
 

Non-Consensual Content (NCC) Policy

Effective Date:
Thu, 1 May 2025 – 00:00

Spectrum for Men (“we”, “us”, “our”) strictly prohibits non-consensual content (NCC)-any intimate, sexual, or explicit material shared without the subject’s consent. This policy outlines our prohibition, reporting process, and enforcement actions to protect user privacy and safety.

1. Prohibited Content

• NCC includes:
  • Intimate images/videos taken or shared without consent (e.g., revenge porn, hidden camera footage).
  • Threats to distribute NCC for coercion, harassment, or extortion (“sextortion”).
  • Deepfakes or manipulated media depicting individuals in explicit scenarios without consent.
• NCC violates our Community Guidelines and is illegal in many jurisdictions.

2. Reporting NCC

• How to Report:
  Submit a report via our 24/7 NCC Reporting Form. Include:
  • URL(s) of the content.
  • Proof of consent (if disputing a report).
  • Your contact information (optional).
• Confidentiality: Reports are confidential. Retaliation against reporters is prohibited.

3. Removal Process

• Review: Reports are prioritized and reviewed within 2 hours by our Trust & Safety team.
• Action:
  • Confirmed NCC is removed immediately.
  • Uploaders receive a violation notice and may appeal via our Appeals Process.
• Preservation: Content may be retained for 90 days for legal investigations (see Data Retention Policy).

4. Consequences for Violations

• First Offense: Permanent account termination.
• Legal Action: NCC is reported to law enforcement per our Law Enforcement Guidelines.
• Platform Bans: Violators are added to industry-wide anti-abuse databases.

5. Support for Victims

• Resources: We provide links for both emotional support and legal support.
• Data Deletion: Victims may request NCC-related data deletion via our Privacy Policy.

6. Cross-References

This policy works with:

• Community Guidelines: Prohibited content standards.
• Privacy Policy: Data handling for reports.
• Moderation Transparency Reports: Stats on NCC removals.

7. Updates

Changes will be posted here. Continued use of the site constitutes acceptance.

8. Related policies

Spectrum for Men Trust & Safety Policy

Effective Date: May 9, 2025

Spectrum for Men (“we,” “us,” “our”) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and trustworthy environment for our adult community. This Trust & Safety Policy outlines our approach to protecting users, preventing abuse, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. Our efforts are supported by dedicated resources, technical safeguards, and clear procedures, as detailed below.

1. Principles

• Safety First: User safety, privacy, and trust are core values guiding all aspects of our platform.
• Inclusivity & Respect: We foster an environment where all Gay, Bi, and Queer men can participate free from harassment, discrimination, or illegal activity.
• Transparency: We clearly communicate our policies, enforcement actions, and user rights.

2. Policy Framework

Our Trust & Safety framework is built on three pillars:

• Principles: Defining our values and acceptable behavior.
• Policies: Setting clear rules for content, conduct, and participation (see Community Guidelines, Acceptable Use Policy, and User-Generated Content Agreement).
• Procedures: Outlining how we enforce rules, handle reports, and support users.

3. Content Moderation

• Pre-Publication Review: Content (including text, images, and videos) is subject to a rigorous screening process that utilizes automated and/or human moderation before being made public, especially in age-restricted areas.
• Post-Publication Monitoring: Ongoing moderation and user reporting mechanisms ensure continuous oversight. Content may be re-evaluated and removed if found to violate policies.
• Explicit Content Controls: Only verified users aged 18+ may access or contribute to explicit content, which is restricted to designated sections.

4. User Verification & Age Restriction

• Strict Age Checks: All users must complete age verification using approved methods (e.g., government-issued ID, third-party verification) before accessing restricted content.
• No Minors Permitted: Our platform is strictly for adults; minors are not allowed under any circumstances.

5. Reporting & Appeals

• User Reporting: Users can easily report content or behavior that violates our policies via platform tools or support channels.
• Timely Response: Reports are reviewed promptly, with a target response time of seven (7) business days, extendable for complex cases.
• Appeals Process: Users may appeal moderation decisions through our formal Appeals Process. Decisions about non-consensual or disputed content may be referred to a neutral body if unresolved.

6. Technical & Organizational Safeguards

• AI & Human Moderation: We employ both automated tools and human reviewers to detect and address harmful, illegal, or inappropriate content.
• Keyword & Hash Filtering: Proactive systems flag suspicious terms and prevent re-upload of previously removed content using digital fingerprinting.
• Data Security: All personal and verification data is encrypted, stored securely, and retained only as necessary for compliance and safety.
• No Downloading: Downloading of user content is prohibited to reduce the risk of unauthorized redistribution, except where technically unavoidable.

7. Partnerships & Resources

• External Resources: We collaborate with organizations and utilize third-party services to enhance safety, such as digital identity verification and support for victims of abuse.
• User Support: Resources are available to assist users with safety concerns, reporting, and appeals. Our support team can be reached via our ticketing system.

8. Legal & Regulatory Compliance

• Zero Tolerance for Illegal Content: We prohibit all forms of illegal content, including non-consensual material, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and exploitation.
• Cooperation with Authorities: We cooperate with law enforcement as required and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Supplier & Partner Standards: All partners and suppliers must adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct and Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement.

9. Continuous Improvement

• Ongoing Review: We regularly review and update our policies, moderation tools, and procedures to address emerging risks and maintain high standards of safety.
• User Feedback: We welcome feedback to improve our Trust & Safety practices.

10. Contact & Further Information

For questions, reporting, or support regarding Trust & Safety, contact us via our support channels. For detailed procedures, see our Community Guidelines, Acceptable Use Policy, Appeals Process, and other referenced policies.

By using Spectrum for Men, you agree to abide by this Trust & Safety Policy and all related policies.

Age Restriction and Verification Policy

Effective Date:
Thu, 1 May 2025 - 00:00

1. Purpose

This policy explains age verification requirements for accessing Spectrum for Men, safeguard minors from accessing age-restricted content and ensuring compliance with global laws (e.g., EU DSA, US state laws) and alignment with our Privacy Policy.

2. Age Restriction

Access is limited to individuals 18+ (or jurisdictional age of majority). Users confirm compliance via age verification. By using our website, you confirm that you meet this minimum age requirement.

3. Verification Methods

We use:

• Government ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport)
• Third-Party Services (Yoti, AgeChecker.net)
• Biometric/Facial Recognition (required in TX, VA)
• Credit Card Checks (LA, MS)

4. Regional Compliance

Methods vary by jurisdiction:

Jurisdictional Verification Requirements:

5. Data Handling

• Retention: Governed by our Data Retention Policy. IDs deleted post-verification unless legally required.
• Security: All age verification data is encrypted AES-256 encryption in transit and at rest, and protected using industry-standard security measures.
• Purpose Limitation: This data is used solely for confirming eligibility to access age-restricted content and for legal compliance.
• No Marketing Use: Age verification data is never used for marketing or profiling and is not shared with third parties except as required by law or for verification purposes.
• Disclosure: We may disclose verification data to law enforcement or regulatory authorities if legally required.

6. Jurisdictional Requirements

7. User Rights

You have the right to request information about your stored age verification data or request its deletion, subject to legal and compliance requirements. To exercise your rights, please contact us via our contact form, subject to legal holds.

8. Policy Updates

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or our verification processes. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

9. Information Disclosure

Age verification data may be disclosed to law enforcement as required by law. See our Age Restriction and Verification Policy for more on how this data is handled.

10. Contact

Questions? Contact us.

Originally Published:
Thu, 1 May 2025 - 00:00

Welcome to Spectrum for Men (“we”, “us”, “our”). These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website and services. By accessing or using our site, you agree to these Terms. Please read them carefully.

1. Nature and Purpose of the Website

Spectrum for Men is a niche online community for Gay, Bi, and Queer individuals, providing product reviews, articles, blogs, a directory, forums, social networking, and affiliate content. The site includes advertising, some of which may be for adult goods and services. Content is intended strictly for individuals over the age of consent; minors are not permitted.

2. Age Restriction and Verification Policy

All users must complete our age verification process as described in our Age Restriction and Verification Policy before they may access any adult content. We do not accept self-declared age or payment-based age checks as sufficient for access to age-restricted content. Only robust age verification methods, such as government-issued ID, biometric verification, or approved third-party services, are accepted. We do not retain copies of government-issued IDs or sensitive documents after verification is complete, except as required by law. Only non-identifying verification tokens and status are retained for compliance and audit purposes.”Access to Spectrum for Men is restricted to individuals 18 years of age or older.

3. User Interaction and Content

• Users may post, upload, and share content including text, images, videos, reviews, and comments.
• All content must comply with our Acceptable Use Policy and Community Guidelines. Prohibited behaviors include harassment, hate speech, illegal activity, and spam.
• Content moderation is performed by both human and AI processes; flagged content may be reviewed and removed at our discretion.
• Users are solely responsible for their contributions and must ensure they have the rights to post any material.

4. Data Collection and Processing

• We collect personal information such as usernames, names, emails, IP addresses, payment details, and technical logs.
• Data is collected via forms, cookies, and similar technologies for account creation, marketing, advertising, and analytics.
• Users may provide sensitive information in profiles or content. No data is knowingly collected from minors.
• For more details, see our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

5. Data Sharing and Third Parties

• User data is not knowingly shared with third parties except for essential partners, vendors, and advertising networks.
• No international data transfers occur.
• For further information, refer to our Data Processing Agreement (DPA).

6. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

We comply with applicable data protection and consumer laws, including:

• United States (Washington State: RCW, WAC, FTC Act, COPPA, HIPAA, GLBA, PAVE Act)
• Canada (PIPEDA, provincial laws)
• UK (UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018)
• Ireland (EU GDPR, Irish Data Protection Act 2018)
• Australia (Privacy Act 1988, APPs)
• New Zealand (Privacy Act 2020)

7. Intellectual Property

• Website articles, reviews, and blog posts created by us are our property. All other content is user-generated.
• Users retain copyright and licensing for their content but grant us a perpetual, worldwide license to display it on the site unless consent is withdrawn.
• For copyright issues, see our Copyright Notice & Intellectual Property Policy.

8. Commercial Terms, Memberships, Subscriptions, and Donations

• SaaS, memberships, and donations are refundable upon request within 30 days.
• Recurring subscriptions may be canceled and refunded within 30 days or before the end of the subscription period.

9. Payment, Delivery, Refund, and Return Policies

• Payment is due before goods or services are provided. Accepted payment methods are listed at checkout.
• Shipping is within the US only; goods are shipped within 3 business days for in-stock items.
• Returns are accepted within 30 days for credit or replacement; merchandise must be returned in like-new condition, with all original packaging. Return shipping is the customer’s responsibility.
• Taxes and a 15% restocking fee may apply to returned physical goods.
• Subscription and membership taxes apply where required.
• Payment disputes are handled via customer support; chargebacks or failed payments may result in account suspension.

10. Customer Service

• Support is available via self-service resources, ticketing, and email, with a response within 2 business days.

11. Pricing

• No hidden fees or dynamic pricing, except for location-based conversions with a US based currency (e.g., $10 USD or $12 CAD).

12. Limitations of Liability and Disclaimers

• Use of the site is at your own risk. We provide information for general purposes only and disclaim any liability for actions taken based on site content.
• We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information, including advice or recommendations.
• See our Disclaimer for more details.

13. User Rights and Responsibilities

• Users must comply with all policies, including the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), Community Guidelines, and User-Generated Content Agreement, Age Restrictions and Verification Policy.
• Users own their data and content and may manage or delete their accounts at any time.
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts for violations of these Terms.

14. Administrative and Contact Information

• The site is owned and operated by Spectrum for Men, Contact us. PO Box 2269, Westport, WA 98595, USA.
• We are the Data Controller. No Data Protection Officer is appointed.

15. Modifications

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the site constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Washington State, USA, and applicable international regulations.

If you have questions or require assistance, contact us or via our support channels.

This Terms of Service should be read in conjunction with, at a minimum, our: