Online Safety at Tingler

Tingler is a dating and support platform for people living with Herpes/HSV. We're committed to providing a stigma-free and emotionally safe space, fully aligned with the UK Online Safety Act.

🔞 Age Assurance & Access Controls

• 18+ Only: Users must be 18 or older to join.
• Dual Age Checks: Enforced age verification via client-side and server-side validation code.
• Photo-Based Moderation: Profiles are reviewed by a human moderator to assess visual age and appropriateness before going live. Users can only view other profiles once they have uploaded an approved profile photo.

👁️‍🗨️ New Profile Moderation

• Pre-publication Profile Review: All new profiles are manually approved by moderators.
• Registration Photo Screening: Images checked for age validity, quality, and community standards.
• Message Embargo System: Messages from new profiles are withheld pending approval. Messages from reported profiles are withheld pending review.

🚨 Real-Time Reporting System

• Report Button: Every profile has a visible report option.
• Instant Safeguards: Reported profiles are hidden from listings immediately.
• Tiered Response: Offenders may be suspended for 3 or 7 days, or removed entirely depending on severity.

🔒 Privacy Whilst Online

• Snooze You can snooze your profile at any time. Your profile will not appear in listings whilst your profile is snoozed but you can continue your existing conversations.
• Premium Privacy Premium users can choose to only show their profile in listings to other Premium users.

💸 Premium Refund Policy

• Pro Rata Refunds: Offered for non-violative suspensions or deletions.
• Terms Violation: Refunds may be withheld where terms are breached.
• Appeal Rights: Users may file appeals within 72 hours of moderation decisions.

🔐 Privacy & Regulatory Transparency

• Clear Privacy Policy: Available here.
• Moderator Logs: All actions are tracked for consistency and review.
• Terms of Use: Comprehensive safety policies are outlined here.