Platform Compliance Guidelines

Dispute Resolution Process

Contest Disputes

1. Disputing party submits formal dispute through platform
2. Both parties are notified and given opportunity to provide evidence
3. Platform mediates resolution within 14 days
4. If no resolution, platform makes final determination based on evidence
5. Refunds processed through Stripe when appropriate

Product/Subscription Disputes

1. Buyer initiates dispute through platform
2. Seller is notified and given opportunity to respond
3. Platform reviews case within 7 days
4. Resolution may include refund, partial refund, or denial of dispute
5. Chargebacks are handled according to Stripe's dispute process

Prohibited Activities

Our platform explicitly prohibits:

1. Adult content - No pornography, sexually explicit, or adult-oriented content
2. Gambling - No gambling, betting, or lottery services
3. Drugs/Controlled substances - No promotion, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs or controlled substances
4. Weapons - No promotion, sale, or distribution of weapons, ammunition, or related items
5. Counterfeit goods - No sale of counterfeit or unauthorized replicas
6. Intellectual property infringement - No unauthorized use of copyrighted materials, trademarks, or patents
7. Financial services - No unauthorized banking, lending, money transfer, or cryptocurrency services
8. Deceptive practices - No misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive activities
9. Chance-based contests - No contests where winners are selected by chance rather than skill and merit
10. Extended warranties - No sale of extended warranties (prohibited in United States)
11. Medical benefit packages - No medical benefit packages not offered by a government or health insurance company (prohibited in United States)
12. Mortgage consulting - No mortgage consulting services (prohibited in United States)
13. State-restricted activities - No activities specifically restricted by applicable state law
14. Cryptocurrency development - No cryptocurrency trading platforms, mining software, or wallet services
15. Trading bots - No algorithmic trading systems or automated trading tools
16. High-risk investment schemes - No high-yield investment programs or similar high-risk offerings
17. Predatory financial services - No payday lending, high-interest loan services, or similar offerings
18. Security circumvention - No tools for hacking, system intrusion, or security bypass
19. Hate speech - No content promoting discrimination or violence against protected groups
20. Violence promotion - No content glorifying or promoting violence

Prevention & Monitoring

Content Monitoring

Automated Content Screening

1. AI-powered content detection: All uploads are automatically scanned using proprietary AI models trained to detect prohibited content types.
2. Code analysis: Automated systems scan code submissions to detect cryptocurrency functionality, gambling code, malware, or other prohibited functionality.
3. Image recognition: Computer vision systems detect adult content, weapons, drugs, and other prohibited visual content.
4. Text analysis: Natural language processing identifies hate speech, fraud schemes, and other prohibited text content.
5. Pattern detection: Behavioral analysis identifies suspicious patterns that may indicate fraud or misuse.

Human Content Moderation

1. Pre-publication review: Human moderators review high-risk content categories before publication.
2. Random sampling: Regular random sampling of content for compliance verification.
3. Escalation review: Dedicated team reviews content flagged by automated systems.
4. Expertise matching: Specialized reviewers for technical content (e.g., code, financial services).
5. Regular training: Ongoing training for moderators on latest compliance requirements.

User Reporting System

1. Easy reporting: Simple, accessible reporting tools for users to flag violations.
2. Trusted flagger program: Enhanced reporting capabilities for verified high-quality reporters.
3. Anonymous reporting: Option for anonymous reporting to protect reporter identity.
4. Rapid response: Prioritized review of reported content with quick resolution.
5. Feedback loop: Regular updates on reported content status to reporters.

Content Compliance Auditing

1. Regular audits: Scheduled reviews of platform content for compliance.
2. Risk-based sampling: Enhanced review of high-risk categories.
3. Third-party validation: Periodic external auditing of content moderation systems.
4. Compliance documentation: Detailed records of all moderation actions.
5. Performance metrics: Regular assessment of detection accuracy and response times.

Transaction Monitoring

1. Fraud detection - Automated systems to detect unusual transaction patterns
2. High-risk screening - Additional review for transactions above certain thresholds
3. Geographic restrictions - Blocking transactions from sanctioned countries/regions
4. Velocity limits - Restrictions on transaction frequency and volume for new accounts

Compliance with Payment Processor Requirements

Connected Account Requirements

1. All users receiving payments must create Stripe Connected accounts
2. Connected accounts must complete Stripe's verification requirements
3. Platform collects all required tax information before enabling payouts
4. Users must accept Stripe's Connected Account Agreement

Acceptable Use Policy Enforcement

1. Our Terms of Service explicitly incorporate Stripe's Acceptable Use Policy
2. We provide clear examples of prohibited activities
3. We have established processes for removing violating content and users
4. We maintain detailed records of enforcement actions

Disclosure Requirements

1. Users are clearly informed of the platform's relationship with Stripe
2. Transaction fees are transparently disclosed prior to any payment
3. Refund policies are clearly communicated
4. Users are informed about how their personal and payment information is collected and used

Data Security

1. We maintain PCI DSS compliance for payment processing
2. We use secure, encrypted connections for all payment data
3. We limit access to sensitive payment information
4. We maintain detailed logs of all payment processing activities

Platform-Specific Risk Mitigation

Contest-Specific Controls

1. Prize escrow - All prize money is collected upfront and held in escrow
2. Cancellation policy - Clear policies for contest cancellation and refunds
3. Entry verification - Process to verify entries meet contest requirements
4. Inactive contest handling - Process for handling contests with no winner selection

Product Sales Controls

1. Product review - Review process for products before they can be sold
2. Refund period - Clear refund window for product purchases
3. Quality standards - Minimum quality standards for all products
4. Subscription management - Clear process for subscription cancellation

Regulatory Compliance

Tax Compliance

1. Collection of appropriate tax documentation (W-9, W-8BEN, etc.)
2. Generation and distribution of 1099-K forms as required
3. Sales tax collection and remittance where applicable
4. VAT/GST handling for international transactions
5. State-specific tax withholding for contest prizes as required

Intellectual Property

1. DMCA compliance policy and designated agent
2. Clear process for copyright infringement claims
3. License verification for software/code products
4. Trademark infringement reporting system

U.S. State-Specific Compliance

1. New York: Documentation of contest winner selection criteria and results; confirmation that all contests are skill-based
2. California: Compliance with CCPA/CPRA data privacy requirements; additional disclosures for contest participants
3. Florida & Rhode Island: Registration of contests with appropriate state authorities when prize amounts exceed thresholds; posting bonds where required
4. Arizona, Iowa, Vermont, Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee: Documentation that contests are based on skill, not chance; specific terms and conditions for residents of these states
5. Washington & Massachusetts: Additional consumer protection disclosures and documentation

Canadian Provincial Compliance

1. Quebec: Compliance with specific contest regulations including registration with the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux for contests above certain prize thresholds
2. Ontario: Compliance with Consumer Protection Act requirements for contests
3. British Columbia: Adherence to Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act for contests
4. Alberta: Compliance with Fair Trading Act for skill contests
5. All provinces: Proper documentation of contest rules, winner selection, and prize distribution in both English and French where required

Prize Threshold Management

1. Monitoring of contest prize amounts against jurisdiction-specific thresholds
2. Automated flagging of contests approaching regulatory thresholds
3. Bond posting and registration assistance for high-value contests
4. Prize caps in jurisdictions where required
5. Escrow management compliant with local regulations

Contest Classification

1. Regular review and documentation of contest structures to ensure they qualify as bona fide skill-based contests
2. Clear differentiation from prohibited gambling or games of chance
3. Documentation of objective judging criteria and winner selection processes
4. Retention of all judging decisions and rationales for regulatory compliance
5. Educational materials for contest organizers about compliant contest structures
6. No entry fees: Clear documentation that freelancers never pay to participate in contests