Acceptable Use Policy

1. Purpose of This Policy

TaapCraft is a marketplace connecting customers with trusted local traders. To maintain a safe, respectful, and professional environment, we prohibit certain types of content and behavior. This policy protects:

• Users: From fraud, harassment, and unsafe practices
• Traders: From unfair competition and reputation damage
• TaapCraft: From legal liability and platform abuse

2. Prohibited Content

You must not post, upload, share, or transmit content that:

2.1 Is Illegal or Harmful

• Illegal Activity: Content that promotes, facilitates, or depicts illegal activity (e.g., theft, fraud, drug dealing, money laundering)
• Child Safety: Any content involving minors in a sexual or exploitative manner (we report such content to authorities immediately)
• Violence & Harm: Content depicting or encouraging violence, self-harm, suicide, or harm to others
• Terrorism & Extremism: Content promoting or glorifying terrorist organizations, extremist ideologies, or radicalization
• Dangerous Products: Promotion of illegal drugs, unregulated weapons, explosives, or hazardous materials

2.2 Is Hateful, Discriminatory, or Abusive

• Hate Speech: Content that attacks, threatens, or incites hatred against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin
• Harassment & Bullying: Targeted abuse, threats, stalking, doxxing (sharing private information), or coordinated harassment campaigns
• Discrimination: Content that promotes or justifies discrimination in service provision (e.g., refusing service based on protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010)

2.3 Is Fraudulent or Deceptive

• Scams & Fraud: Fake profiles, phishing attempts, pyramid schemes, or attempts to defraud other users
• False Information: Deliberately misleading information about services, qualifications, pricing, or availability
• Impersonation: Pretending to be another person, business, or TaapCraft staff
• Fake Reviews: Posting false reviews, ratings, or testimonials (whether positive or negative)

2.4 Is Sexually Explicit or Inappropriate

• Adult Content: Pornography, sexually explicit images, videos, or text
• Sexual Services: Promotion of escort services, prostitution, or other sexual services
• Unwanted Sexual Advances: Sending unsolicited sexual messages, images, or propositions to other users

2.5 Violates Intellectual Property Rights

• Copyright Infringement: Uploading copyrighted images, logos, text, or videos without permission
• Trademark Misuse: Using another company's trademarks, logos, or branding without authorization
• Piracy: Sharing or promoting pirated software, media, or digital goods

2.6 Is Spam or Unsolicited Advertising

• Spam: Repeatedly posting the same content, mass messaging users, or flooding the platform with irrelevant content
• Off-Platform Solicitation: Encouraging users to contact you outside TaapCraft to avoid fees (e.g., "Call me directly to skip the platform charge")
• Unrelated Advertising: Promoting products or services unrelated to TaapCraft's purpose (e.g., cryptocurrency schemes, MLM businesses)

2.7 Threatens Safety or Security

• Hacking & Security Threats: Attempting to hack, exploit, or breach TaapCraft's systems or other users' accounts
• Malware: Uploading viruses, malware, or malicious code
• Data Scraping: Using bots, scrapers, or automated tools to extract data from TaapCraft without permission

3. Prohibited Behaviors

In addition to content restrictions, the following behaviors are strictly prohibited:

3.1 Abuse of Platform Features

• Fake Accounts: Creating multiple accounts to manipulate reviews, votes, or rankings
• Review Manipulation: Bribing users for positive reviews or threatening users for negative reviews
• Bid Rigging: Colluding with other traders to inflate prices or exclude competition
• Account Sharing: Sharing login credentials or allowing unauthorized users to access your account

3.2 Unfair Business Practices

• Bait-and-Switch: Quoting one price and then charging significantly more without justification
• Unlicensed Work: Offering services that require professional licenses (e.g., gas safety, electrical work) without proper certification
• No-Show / Ghosting: Repeatedly accepting jobs and then failing to show up or communicate
• Uninsured Work: Performing jobs without required insurance (public liability, professional indemnity)

3.3 Misuse of Personal Data

• Data Harvesting: Collecting user contact details for marketing purposes outside TaapCraft
• Privacy Violations: Sharing private conversations, personal details, or payment information without consent
• Unsolicited Marketing: Sending promotional emails or SMS to users without their opt-in consent

3.4 Abuse of Customer Support

• False Reports: Filing false or malicious complaints against other users
• Support Spam: Flooding customer support with repetitive or abusive messages
• Chargeback Fraud: Disputing legitimate payments to avoid paying for completed services

4. Consequences of Violation

If you violate this Acceptable Use Policy, we may take the following actions:

5. Reporting Violations

If you encounter content or behavior that violates this policy, please report it immediately:

How to Report

• In-App Reporting: Use the "Report" button on profiles, job posts, or messages
• Email: Send details to legal@taapcraft.com (include screenshots, links, and descriptions)
• Emergency: For immediate safety concerns (e.g., violence, child exploitation), contact local police and then notify us

What Happens Next?

• Our Trust & Safety team will review your report within 24-48 hours
• We will investigate the issue and take appropriate action
• You will receive a confirmation email (we may not disclose specific actions taken due to privacy laws)

6. Appeals Process

If your account has been suspended or content removed, you have the right to appeal:

How to Appeal

1. Email legal@taapcraft.com with the subject line "Appeal - [Your Account Email]"
2. Explain why you believe the decision was incorrect (provide evidence if available)
3. Our team will review your appeal within 5-7 business days
4. You will receive a final decision via email (our decision is final)

7. Cooperation with Law Enforcement

TaapCraft complies with all legal obligations under UK law. We reserve the right to:

• Report illegal activity to police, the National Crime Agency (NCA), or other authorities
• Provide user data to law enforcement in response to lawful requests (e.g., court orders, warrants)
• Preserve evidence of criminal activity for investigations

For more details on data disclosure, see our Privacy Policy.

8. Platform Monitoring & Enforcement

To enforce this policy, TaapCraft uses:

• Automated Systems: AI-powered content moderation to detect and flag prohibited content
• Human Review: Our Trust & Safety team manually reviews flagged content and user reports
• Proactive Monitoring: Random audits of profiles, job posts, and messages to identify violations

Note: We do not read private messages unless they are reported by users or flagged by automated systems for safety reasons.

9. User Responsibilities

By using TaapCraft, you agree to:

• Comply with all applicable UK laws and regulations
• Treat other users with respect and professionalism
• Provide accurate information in your profile, job posts, and quotes
• Report violations of this policy when you encounter them
• Keep your account secure (strong password, enable two-factor authentication)
• Only use TaapCraft for its intended purpose (connecting customers with traders)

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Acceptable Use Policy from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in UK law or regulatory guidance
• New types of prohibited content or behavior
• Improvements to our enforcement mechanisms

When we make significant changes:

• The "Effective from" date at the top will be updated
• We will notify you via email or in-app notification
• Continued use of TaapCraft after the update constitutes acceptance of the new policy

11. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Acceptable Use Policy, please contact us: