Moderation policy
Status: Draft — counsel review required
Version: 0.1.0-draft
Last-updated: 2026-07-20
This policy explains how we moderate user-generated content (UGC) on TUNES — including comments, display names, and free-text fields — and when we may refuse or remove contributions that breach programme rules.
1. Goals
- Keep the community harassment-free and scientifically honest
- Reduce illegal and harmful content
- Prevent implied TfL endorsement and unsupported health/risk claims
- Protect privacy (no doxxing; careful free text)
2. What we remove or refuse
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Illegal content | Content that appears to be illegal under UK law (including priority illegal harms where the Online Safety Act applies) |
| Abuse / hate / harassment | Targeted harassment, threats, hate speech |
| Doxxing / privacy | Publishing others’ personal details, identifiable incidental speech excerpts |
| Impersonation | Pretending to be TfL, operators, police, or TUNES staff |
| Medical / risk panic | Unsupported health harm or “acoustic risk” claims presented as fact |
| Spam / manipulation | Flooding, fabricated journeys, vote manipulation |
| Unsafe encouragement | Encouraging dangerous recording behaviour |
| Off-topic / low value | At moderators’ discretion when it harms usability |
Scientific disagreement about methods belongs in issues/ADRs — not personal attacks.
3. How moderation works
- Automated signals (spam heuristics, rate limits, keyword filters) may hide or flag content.
- Human review for reports, appeals, and significant account actions.
- Pre-moderation may apply in limited beta (comments unpublished until approved).
- Actions: edit (rare), hide, delete, temporary suspension, permanent ban.
We aim to act on clear illegal content swiftly once aware. We do not promise 24/7 coverage for a volunteer-led project; we will state realistic SLAs on the report page.
4. Appeals
If you believe an action was wrong, email manglekuo@gmail.com with the content ID / URL and why. We will reconsider once. Abusive appeals may be ignored.
5. Transparency
Public terms and this policy describe our approach. We keep internal records of moderation actions as needed for accountability and Online Safety Act duties where applicable.
6. Related
Draft only — not lawyer-approved. OSA overview: GOV.UK Online Safety Act explainer.