Community Standards
These Community Standards are part of our Terms of Service & EULA.
Hot Spots is about connecting the real world — meeting the people around you at the places you already go. For that to work, everyone has to feel safe and respected — online and when they meet in the real world. These Community Standards explain what is and isn't allowed. They apply to everything you share: posts, photos, videos, stories, comments, messages, check-ins, meetups, venue submissions, and your profile.
We have zero tolerance for objectionable content and abusive users. We review reports and act within 24 hours — removing content and suspending or banning people who break these rules.
What's not allowed
Harassment and bullying
No targeting, demeaning, threatening, or repeatedly contacting someone who doesn't want to hear from you. No coordinated harassment or encouraging others to harass.
Hate speech and discrimination
No attacks, slurs, or dehumanizing content directed at people based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, caste, disability, disease, age, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Violence and threats
No threats of violence, incitement, or content that glorifies or promotes violence, terrorism, or violent extremist groups.
Nudity and sexual content
No pornography, sexually explicit content, or non-consensual intimate images. No using the App for sexual solicitation.
Child safety — absolute zero tolerance
No content that sexualizes, endangers, or exploits minors in any way. We remove it immediately, ban those responsible, and report it to law enforcement and relevant authorities.
Sexual exploitation and human trafficking
No content that promotes, facilitates, or engages in sexual exploitation, trafficking, or commercial sexual services.
Self-harm and dangerous acts
No content that promotes or encourages suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, or dangerous challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to local emergency services or a crisis line.
Spam, scams, and fraud
No spam, deceptive links, phishing, fake engagement, pyramid schemes, or fraudulent offers, bookings, or promotions.
Impersonation and fake accounts
No pretending to be someone else — a person, a business, or a venue you don't represent. No fake or bot accounts.
Illegal activity and regulated goods
No using the App to break the law or to buy, sell, or promote illegal or regulated goods (including drugs, weapons, or counterfeit items).
Privacy violations
No sharing someone else's private information (doxxing), no posting photos or videos of people without their consent where they'd reasonably expect privacy, and no revealing others' precise location to harass or endanger them.
Harmful misinformation
No content designed to deceive that could cause real-world harm (for example, dangerous health misinformation).
Intellectual property
Only post content you own or have the right to share. Don't infringe others' copyrights or trademarks.
Meeting people in the real world — stay safe
Hot Spots helps you meet people at real venues. Please look out for yourself and others:
- Meet in public places, especially the first time.
- Tell a friend where you're going and who you're meeting.
- Trust your instincts — if something feels off, leave.
- Never send money to someone you've only met on the App.
- Respect venues and the people in them; follow each venue's rules.
We don't verify identities and aren't responsible for others' conduct, so your judgment matters.
How we enforce these Standards
Depending on the severity and history, we may:
- Remove or hide the content,
- Issue a warning,
- Temporarily suspend an account,
- Permanently ban an account, and/or
- Report unlawful content to the authorities.
We act on reports of objectionable content within 24 hours. Content may also be automatically hidden once several people report it, pending review. Serious violations (such as anything involving child safety or credible threats) result in immediate removal and a ban.
How to report or block
- Report any post, comment, story, message, meetup, check-in, profile, or venue using the "⋯" / report option on that item. Tell us the reason so we can act quickly.
- Block anyone from their profile (or from the report menu). Blocked users can't see your profile or contact you.
- You can manage blocked users in Settings → Reporting & Blocking.
Reports are confidential. Reporting in bad faith (to harass someone or flood our team) is itself a violation.
Questions or appeals
If you think we got an enforcement decision wrong, or you have a safety concern, contact us at hello@hotspotssocial.com (or the address in the App under Settings → Contact support).
Thank you for helping keep Hot Spots a place for real, respectful connection.