Community standards

How we look after each other

braid is for queer, ENM and polyamorous people to meet without explaining themselves. These standards keep it that way. They apply to profiles, photos, messages, groups and Pods, and to how you treat people you meet through braid.

Be kind, and respect a no

• Treat people the way you’d want to be treated. Disagreement is fine; cruelty isn’t.
• A no, a non-reply or an unmatch is an answer. Don’t push, guilt or keep messaging someone who isn’t interested.
• Consent comes first, online and in person. Check in, and stop when someone wants to stop.

Respect identities

• Use the names and pronouns people share.
• No transphobia, biphobia, homophobia, racism, ableism, fatphobia or any other hate or discrimination.
• Don’t fetishise people for their identity, body or relationship structure.

Be honest

• Use your own photos and tell the truth about yourself, including your age and relationship structure.
• If you’re partnered, be honest about it. Ethical non-monogamy means the people involved know and agree.
• Only link people to your Pod who have agreed to it.

Protect people’s privacy

• What’s shared on braid stays on braid. Never share someone’s photos, messages, Pod or identity outside the app.
• Never out anyone, or threaten to. Many people here are discreet for good reasons: work, family or safety.
• Don’t screenshot conversations to share, or try to find someone’s other accounts or personal details.

Photos

• Your face doesn’t have to be in your photos, but they must be of you.
• Swimwear and underwear are fine. Explicit nudity and sexual content are not. Other nudity is reviewed by a person.
• No violence, gore, hate symbols, or photos of children. Children in the background are blurred automatically.

Over 18s only

• You must be 18 or over to use braid. We remove anyone who may be younger.
• Anything that sexualises children is reported to the police and the relevant authorities, and the account is removed immediately.

No selling, scams or spam

• braid isn’t for selling or advertising anything, including paid sexual services, subscriptions or other apps.
• Never ask for money, gifts or financial details. Report anyone who does.

Meeting up safely

• Meet somewhere public for the first time, and tell a friend where you’ll be.
• Arrange your own way there and back, and stay in control of your drinks.
• Trust your instincts. You can leave, unmatch or block at any time, no explanation needed.
• If you’re ever in danger, call 999.

Reporting, and what happens next

• Use the ⋯ menu on any profile or chat to block or report. People aren’t told who reported them.
• Reports are reviewed by braid staff and trained community moderators, usually within 24 hours. Reports about under-18s and in-person safety come first.
• Breaking these standards can lead to photos being removed or your account being suspended. Serious or repeated breaches mean permanent removal.
• If you think we got it wrong, email support@braiddating.com and we’ll look again.

Community moderator code of conduct

• Moderators are members who volunteer to review photos and reports. braid staff approve every moderator and can remove the role at any time.
• Keep everything you see confidential. Never share, screenshot or discuss photos, messages or reports, or anyone’s identity, inside or outside braid.
• Be fair and follow these standards, not your personal taste. When in doubt, escalate to braid staff.
• Never review anything involving you or someone you know. Step away and leave it for someone else.
• Never contact people about reports or moderation, and never use the role for personal gain.
• Escalate anything about under-18s, threats or in-person harm straight away.
• Moderators who break this code, or the community standards, lose the role.

See something that breaks these standards? Report it in the app from the profile or chat. To ask about a decision, email support@braiddating.com.