Safety Policy

Effective Date: January 31, 2026

Safety is foundational to Rush. This policy describes what we do—not aspirations, but actual practices.

1. Safety Principles

Rush is an adult-only platform (18+). Our safety approach is built on five principles:

1. Consent is mandatory — All interactions must be consensual 2. Harmful behavior is not tolerated — Swift enforcement against violators 3. User reports drive enforcement — We act on what users surface 4. Evidence is handled securely — Minimal retention, strict access controls 5. Urgent risks are escalated immediately — No delays on imminent harm

2. Safety Features

2.1 Blocking

• Immediate effect: Blocking another user immediately hides both profiles from each other
• Complete separation: Neither party can see, message, or interact with the other
• No notification: Blocked users are not notified they've been blocked

2.2 Reporting

• Report anything: Profiles, messages, photos, or behavior patterns
• Attach evidence: Include screenshots, additional context, and details
• Anonymous handling: Reported users do not learn who filed the report

2.3 Location Privacy

• Approximate only: We never display exact GPS coordinates
• 500m minimum radius: The "Right Now" map uses location fuzzing
• Randomization: Your displayed position is randomized within the radius
• Opt-out available: Hide from "Right Now" while remaining active on the app

2.4 Content Moderation

• Automated scanning: All uploaded photos are scanned using AWS Rekognition for prohibited content
• Human review: Flagged content and reports are reviewed by trained moderators
• Policy enforcement: Violating content is removed; repeat violators face escalating consequences

2.5 Age Restriction

• 18+ verification: Users must confirm age during registration
• Date of birth collection: Ages are verified against the 18+ threshold
• Zero tolerance: Accounts involving minors are removed immediately
• NCMEC reporting: CSAM is reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

3. What to Report Immediately

Report any of the following through the in-app reporting tools:

Highest Priority (Immediate Escalation)

🚨 Minors or suspected minors — Any indication of underage users 🚨 CSAM — Sexual content involving minors 🚨 Non-consensual imagery — "Revenge porn" or hidden-camera content 🚨 Credible threats of violence — Direct threats of physical harm 🚨 Stalking or coercion — Persistent unwanted contact or threats 🚨 Self-harm or suicide risk — User expressing intent to harm themselves

High Priority

⚠️ Harassment, threats, or bullying ⚠️ Hate speech or targeted discrimination ⚠️ Fraud, extortion, or financial scams ⚠️ Attempts to obtain exact location ⚠️ Impersonation or catfishing ⚠️ Explicit content in public areas ⚠️ Drug or weapon sales

Standard Priority

📝 Rude or disrespectful conduct 📝 Profile policy violations 📝 Spam or bot-like behavior 📝 Suspected fake profiles

4. How Reporting Works

4.1 Intake

When you file a report:

1. Your report enters our moderation queue with all attached evidence 2. Automated systems may prioritize high-risk categories (minors, violence, threats) 3. Reports are timestamped and logged for consistency

4.2 Review

Human moderators review:

• The reported content (messages, photos, profile)
• Context and conversation history
• User's prior history and any previous reports
• Patterns that indicate repeat behavior

4.3 Action

Based on review, we may take one or more actions:

| Action                   | When Applied                                    |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Content removal          | Specific content violates policy                |
| Warning                  | First-time or minor violations                  |
| Feature restriction      | Prevent further harm while investigating        |
| Temporary suspension     | Serious violations requiring cooling-off period |
| Permanent ban            | Severe or repeated violations                   |
| Law enforcement referral | Criminal activity detected                      |

4.4 Evidence Handling

• Retention: Evidence tied to confirmed violations may be retained up to 2 years for safety, appeals consistency, and legal compliance
• Deletion: Evidence not tied to violations is deleted during standard cleanup
• Access: Restricted to authorized safety staff only
• Security: Stored with encryption and access controls

4.5 Reporter Protection

• We do not disclose who filed reports
• Retaliation against reporters is prohibited and will result in enforcement
• You will not be penalized for good-faith reporting

5. Moderation Priorities

Our moderation team prioritizes based on severity and urgency:

Immediate Action (Minutes)

• CSAM or suspected minors
• Explicit non-consensual content
• Credible threats of violence or harm
• Active stalking or coercion
• Suicide or self-harm risk
• Location triangulation attempts

High Priority (Hours)

• Hate speech and discrimination
• Harassment patterns
• Impersonation and identity fraud
• Extortion or blackmail
• Prohibited public explicit content
• Repeat violators

Standard Priority (Days)

• Profile rule violations
• Rude or disrespectful behavior
• Spam and promotional content
• Minor policy infractions

6. User Protections

6.1 Blocking

• Blocks are immediate and mutual
• Neither party can see or contact the other
• Blocks cannot be circumvented with new accounts (ban evasion is prohibited)

6.2 Privacy Controls

• Control who sees your profile (everyone, matches only, etc.)
• Hide from "Right Now" map while staying active
• Manage sensitive field visibility (orientation, HIV status)
• Download or delete your data at any time

6.3 Incognito Browsing

Future feature under consideration: Browse profiles without appearing in "viewers" lists.

6.4 Appeals

At this stage, Rush does not provide a formal appeals process. Enforcement decisions for serious violations are final.

For exceptional circumstances, contact support@feeltherush.app. Reinstatement is not guaranteed.

6.5 No Retaliation

Retaliation for reporting is strictly prohibited, including:

• Creating new accounts to contact reporters
• Harassment through other platforms
• Sharing private conversations to "expose" reporters
• Coordinated harassment campaigns

Retaliation results in permanent ban.

7. Emergency Protocol

When we believe there is imminent risk of serious harm, we may:

1. Escalate internally — Prioritize for immediate senior review 2. Attempt outreach — Contact the user who may be in danger (if possible) 3. Preserve evidence — Retain relevant data for safety and legal purposes 4. Contact law enforcement — When legally permitted and appropriate

What Triggers Emergency Protocol

• Credible suicide or self-harm statements
• Threats of violence with specificity (target, method, timeframe)
• Evidence of ongoing abuse or captivity
• CSAM or child exploitation

Limitations

⚠️ Rush does not monitor all messages in real-time. Emergency escalation only occurs when detected through:

• User reports
• Automated safety signals
• Visible flagged content

User Notification

We will notify users of law enforcement disclosures unless:

• Prohibited by law (gag order, court order)
• Notification would increase risk to the user or others
• Notification would compromise an investigation

8. Law Enforcement Cooperation

When We May Contact Law Enforcement

• Valid legal process (subpoena, court order, search warrant)
• Imminent danger to any person
• Evidence of crimes involving minors
• Credible threats of serious harm
• As required by mandatory reporting laws

How We Handle Requests

1. Verify legitimacy — Confirm requests come from authorized sources 2. Review scope — Challenge overly broad or invalid requests 3. Provide required data — Comply with valid legal process 4. Document — Maintain records of all law enforcement interactions 5. Notify users — When legally permitted

What We Provide

We may provide, in response to valid legal process:

• Account information (email, phone, registration date)
• Profile data and photos
• IP addresses and login history
• Message content and timestamps
• Report and moderation history

Emergency Requests

In genuine emergencies involving imminent harm, we may provide information without formal legal process. We verify the emergency nature of such requests.

For full details, see our [Law Enforcement Guidelines](/legal/law-enforcement) (available upon request to verified law enforcement).

9. Location Safety

Technical Protections

• No exact coordinates: We never display precise GPS positions to other users
• 500m+ radius: Minimum fuzzing for all location displays
• Randomization: Position randomized within the radius each refresh
• EXIF stripping: All photos have location metadata removed

User Controls

• Hide from Right Now: Opt out of the map while staying active
• Distance display only: Show "Nearby" without map position
• Selective sharing: Control who sees your distance/location

Prohibited Conduct

The following will result in permanent ban:

• Attempting to triangulate or calculate exact positions
• Using multiple reference points to narrow location
• Stalking or monitoring user locations
• Meeting users offline without mutual consent

Safety Recommendations

⚠️ Do not share in messages:

• Your exact home address
• Workplace address
• Regular schedule or routine
• Identifying landmarks near your home

Trust should be built over time before sharing precise location details.

10. Right Now Feature Safety

The "Right Now" feature shows nearby users looking to connect in real-time. This feature requires extra caution.

Safety Best Practices

✅ Verify identity through messages or video before meeting ✅ Meet in a public location first ✅ Tell a friend where you're going and who you're meeting ✅ Keep your phone charged and accessible ✅ Arrange your own transportation ✅ Leave if anything feels wrong

Red Flags

🚩 User refuses to verify their identity 🚩 Pressure to meet immediately without conversation 🚩 Requests for your exact address right away 🚩 Inconsistent stories or details 🚩 Attempts to isolate you from friends 🚩 Requesting money or financial information

Location Settings for Right Now

• Default: Your approximate position visible on the map
• Hidden: You appear in lists but not on the map
• Off: You don't appear in Right Now at all

11. LGBTQ+ Safety Considerations

Rush serves a global LGBTQ+ community, including users in regions with significant risks.

For Users in Sensitive Regions

• Consider using a nickname rather than your legal name
• Be selective about identifiable photos
• Use the "Hide from Right Now" feature
• Exercise extra caution before meeting anyone
• Understand that local authorities may compel data disclosure

Our Approach

• We implement location fuzzing and privacy protections
• We do not publicly disclose sexual orientation outside the app
• We minimize data collection to what's necessary
• We challenge overreaching legal requests where possible

Limitations

⚠️ We cannot guarantee safety in all circumstances. Users must exercise judgment based on their local environment and personal risk tolerance.

12. Off-Platform Safety

If you meet someone from Rush offline:

Before

✅ Verify their identity (video chat, additional photos) ✅ Tell a friend who, where, when ✅ Research the meeting location ✅ Have a check-in plan

During

✅ Meet in public first—always ✅ Watch your drink ✅ Keep your belongings with you ✅ Trust your instincts

After

✅ Check in with your friend ✅ Report any concerning behavior ✅ Don't feel obligated to continue contact

Rush's Limitations

Rush is not responsible for the actions of any user offline.

We provide tools for connection and safety within the app, but cannot control or monitor real-world interactions. Exercise the same caution you would meeting anyone from the internet.

13. Updates

We may update this Safety Policy to adapt to:

• New features and capabilities
• Emerging risks and threats
• Legal and regulatory changes
• Community feedback

Material changes will be communicated through the app.

Continued use of Rush indicates acceptance of updated safety practices.

14. Contact

Safety concerns: Use in-app reporting tools

General safety questions: support@feeltherush.app

Law enforcement inquiries: legal@feeltherush.app

_Last Updated: January 31, 2026_