Moderation Policy

Who reviews reports

A person, not a machine. Mapcha is small, and every report is read by hand by the person who runs it. There is no automated decision that removes content on its own.

One thing does happen automatically: if three different people report the same post, it is hidden from public view until it has been read. Nothing is decided by that -- it is simply not on display while it waits. Most of those posts come back.

How fast

The target is 24 hours from report to decision, and the queue is worked oldest first so nothing gets left behind. Slurs, threats and sexual content jump the queue.

What can happen to a post

• Nothing. Most reported posts have not broken a rule.
• Hidden. Taken out of public view while it is looked at. Reversible.
• Removed. Taken down. The author keeps their account.

What can happen to an account

• A warning, for a first mistake that was not cruel.
• Suspension, which stops the account posting, reviewing or commenting. Reading still works.

Slurs, threats and sexual content lead to suspension the first time.

Every decision is recorded

Each action is written to a permanent log with a note saying why, who made it, and when. That record cannot be edited or deleted by anyone, including us. It exists so that a decision can be explained months later rather than reconstructed from memory.

Appealing

If your post was removed or your account suspended and you think it was wrong, reply to the notice you received and a person will look again. Say what you think we misread. Appeals are answered.

Leaving

You can delete your account at any time from Settings. It removes your posts, photos, reviews, likes and profile permanently. What stays is the record of any moderation decision, which holds an identifier and a note rather than your name or your email.