Public Interest Exceptions Policy

1. Purpose of Public Interest Exceptions

Vibble acknowledges that some content — such as statements by elected officials, matters of public safety, or documentation of human rights abuses — may hold significant public value. In specific high-impact cases, Vibble may apply a controlled exception to standard enforcement.

These exceptions ensure transparency, democratic accountability, and access to information while maintaining user safety and preventing harm.

2. Scope of This Policy

Public interest exceptions may apply to content from:

• Elected officials, government representatives, and political candidates
• Journalists, emergency responders, and public health authorities
• Human rights observers, NGOs, and civic organizations
• Content documenting real-world events relevant to public awareness

The exception does not provide immunity. It allows modified enforcement under strict oversight.

3. When Exceptions May Be Granted

Vibble may permit otherwise restricted content when:

• It directly contributes to political discourse or democratic participation
• It is necessary to understand what public officials or institutions have said or done
• It documents human rights abuses, corruption, or significant civic events
• It contains critical emergency information posted by recognized authorities
• Removing the content would significantly impact public understanding of an ongoing issue

Even when exceptions apply, certain safeguards always remain active (e.g., warnings, reduced reach).

4. Situations Where Exceptions Do Not Apply

Public interest exceptions will not be granted for:

• Incitement of violence, terrorism, or real-world harm
• Explicit sexual content, especially involving minors
• Severe harassment or threats
• Dangerous misinformation that risks public safety
• Coordinated manipulation, bot amplification, or propaganda networks
• Attempts to evade platform enforcement or spread prohibited content intentionally

These categories pose risks too severe to be justified by public interest considerations.

5. Enforcement Modifications Under Public Interest Review

When content qualifies for a public interest exception, Vibble may apply one or more of the following:

• Add a visible label providing context or fact-checking information
• Restrict visibility but keep the post accessible via profile or direct link
• Disable engagement features (likes, reposts, quote-posts, replies)
• Apply rate limits on distribution to prevent algorithmic amplification
• Provide users with an interstitial warning before viewing the content

These adjustments balance public access with user protection.

6. Public Officials & Special Considerations

Statements by public officials hold intrinsic civic importance. However:

• Officials remain subject to all platform rules
• Violations involving threats, hate, or violence will not be exempted
• Vibble may label posts to clarify context, provide counter-information, or note rule breaks
• Extremely harmful content from officials may result in restrictions or account penalties

7. Documentation of Real-World Harm

Posts containing documentation of violence, war, abuse, protests, or emergencies may remain online if:

• They support public awareness or investigative journalism
• Sensitive media warnings or screens are applied
• Graphic details are minimized where possible

This ensures transparency while protecting users from trauma.

8. Context Labels, Fact-Checking & Expert Panels

If a post appears under public interest protection but includes disputed or misleading information, Vibble may:

• Add contextual overlays referencing authoritative sources
• Link to crisis, election, or public health information
• Consult partner fact-checkers for accuracy indications
• Apply algorithmic downgrading to reduce spread

9. Appeals & Reviews

Users — including officials, journalists, and organizations — may request:

• Re-evaluation of a denied public interest exception
• Removal of a warning label or distribution restriction
• A safety-focused justification for applied enforcement

Appeals are reviewed by specialized policy and integrity teams.

10. Transparency & Logging

Vibble maintains internal logs of:

• Content granted public interest status
• Modifications applied under this framework
• Risk assessments and justification records

Aggregated metrics appear in Transparency Reports.

11. Safeguards Against Abuse

Public interest protections cannot be used to shield harmful behavior. To prevent exploitation:

• Repeated violations may override eligibility for exceptions
• Coordinated political or propaganda attempts may receive stricter penalties
• Bad-faith actors may lose verification or audience privileges

12. Updates to This Policy

Vibble may revise this policy to reflect regulatory requirements, societal expectations, and evolving safety standards.

13. Contact

Public Interest Review Team: publicinterest@vibble.to
Policy & Safety: safety@vibble.to
Legal: legal@vibble.to
Transparency Office: transparency@vibble.to