Hate Speech & Discrimination Policy

1. Policy Purpose & Platform Values

Friendium is built on real identity, accountability, and respectful interaction. Hate speech and discrimination threaten personal safety, democratic participation, and social cohesion. This policy exists to prevent harm, reduce radicalization, and ensure Friendium remains a lawful, inclusive, and trustworthy platform.

2. Scope of Application

This policy applies to all content and conduct on Friendium, including but not limited to:

• Posts, comments, replies, and reactions
• Private messages and group conversations
• Profile names, bios, photos, and cover images
• Pages, events, groups, and community forums
• Coordinated off-platform activity used to target Friendium users

3. Definition of Hate Speech

Hate speech refers to content that attacks, demeans, dehumanizes, or promotes hostility against a person or group based on protected characteristics. Friendium evaluates hate speech based on meaning, context, intent, and real-world impact.

4. Protected Characteristics

Protected characteristics include, but are not limited to:

• Race, ethnicity, nationality, or caste
• Religion or belief system
• Sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation
• Disability, medical condition, or genetic traits
• Immigration status or refugee status
• Veteran status or legally protected class under applicable law

5. Prohibited Hate Speech & Conduct

• Calls for violence, harm, or exclusion against protected groups
• Dehumanizing language (e.g., comparing people to animals, diseases, or objects)
• Slurs, epithets, or coded hate symbols
• Collective punishment or blame toward protected classes
• Celebration or justification of historical or ongoing persecution
• Harassment framed as ideology, humor, or “free speech”

6. Discrimination & Unequal Treatment

Discriminatory behavior includes denying dignity, access, participation, or safety to individuals based on protected characteristics. This includes:

• Advocating segregation or exclusion
• Encouraging institutional discrimination
• Mocking or dismissing lived experiences of discrimination
• Targeted misgendering or identity denial

7. Contextual Allowances

Friendium recognizes limited contextual exceptions, including:

• Condemnation or reporting of hate speech
• Academic, historical, or documentary discussion
• Counter-speech opposing hateful ideology
• Legal or journalistic reporting

Context does not override harm when content reinforces discrimination or targets individuals.

8. Real-Identity Enforcement Standard

Because Friendium operates on real identity, violations of this policy carry elevated consequences. Hate speech under a verified real identity poses increased risk of real-world harm and reputational damage.

9. Enforcement Actions

Enforcement may include one or more of the following:

• Immediate content removal
• Account warnings or education notices
• Temporary posting or messaging restrictions
• Suspension or permanent account termination
• Referral to law enforcement where required by law

10. Repeat Offenders & Escalation

Repeat violations, coordinated hate activity, or high-severity incidents may result in accelerated enforcement without prior warning.

11. Reporting & Community Responsibility

Users are encouraged to report hate speech promptly. Reports help Friendium identify harmful patterns and protect targeted communities.

12. Appeals Process

Users may appeal enforcement actions through Friendium’s Appeals System. Appeals are reviewed based on policy, evidence, and platform safety obligations.

13. Legal & Regulatory Compliance

This policy is designed to comply with applicable hate speech, online safety, and anti-discrimination laws across jurisdictions. Friendium may act proactively to meet regulatory obligations.

14. Policy Evolution

Friendium reserves the right to update this policy in response to emerging threats, legal developments, or platform misuse trends.

15. Contact

Safety Team: safety@friendium.com
Legal & Compliance: legal@nexa-group.org