Community Safety Policy
Last Updated: 10/27/2025
1. Purpose and Scope
This Community Safety Policy defines the safety standards, verification procedures, reporting mechanisms, and risk-prevention measures enforced on the PalMate Connect platform (“PalMate”). PalMate operates as a safety-forward connection platform that enables users to request or provide companionship for appointments and outings. This policy applies to all users, including both Clients and PalMates, and governs conduct both on-platform and during offline interactions facilitated through the platform.
2. Safety Principles
Palmate’s safety framework is built on four governing pillars:
- Identity Accuracy – Every user must be a real, verified individual.
- Behavioral Accountability – Conduct before, during, and after appointments is subject to review.
- Harm Prevention – Proactive tools are used to reduce the risk of unsafe interactions.
- Transparency and Traceability – Identity, location permissions, and reporting procedures are clear and documented.
3. User Verification Requirements
Palmate utilizes a layered verification system prior to enabling access to core platform features. Verification includes:
| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| ID Verification | Confirms a user’s legal identity using a government-issued document. |
| Liveness Detection | Confirms that the user is physically present and not a spoofed or deepfake identity. |
| Face Match | Confirms that the uploaded ID belongs to the same person completing verification. |
| AML / Watchlist Screening | Screens users against domestic and international watchlists to prevent onboarding of individuals who present elevated safety or compliance risk. |
Users who fail any verification step are not permitted activation on the platform.
4. Location Data and Safety Use Case
Palmate Connect collects foreground and background location data for safety-related functions.
Location data is used solely to:
- Support safe arrival and check-in during companionship sessions
- Enable accurate SOS routing during emergencies
- Validate proximity for active sessions when publicly claiming availability as a PalMate
Palmate does not sell or commercialize location data.
5. Safety Monitoring and Internal Risk Ratings
Palmate maintains an internal safety rating system that identifies repeated risk behaviors or patterns of concern. This rating is not visible publicly and is used exclusively for:
- Behavioral monitoring
- Risk-based enforcement decisions
- Eligibility for continued use of the platform
Users who accumulate multiple safety-related flags may face temporary or permanent removal following review by the Trust & Safety Team.
6. Reporting and Investigation Process
Any user may be reported for safety concerns including harassment, misconduct, unwanted contact, or behavior perceived as threatening. Upon submission of a report:
- The reported account is temporarily suspended.
- The Trust & Safety Team conducts a single-step case review.
- A determination is made based on available evidence.
- The account is either reinstated or permanently removed.
Palmate does not require the reporting party to confront or communicate with the individual being reported.
7. Enforcement and Removal Standards
Palmate applies a safety-first enforcement model. The following conditions may result in temporary suspension or permanent removal:
| Cause for Action | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Verified safety complaint | Temporary suspension pending review |
| Multiple low-grade safety flags | Internal review and risk scoring |
| Harassment, intimidation, or abusive conduct | Permanent removal |
| Misrepresentation of identity or verification fraud | Permanent removal |
| Evasion of platform rules via duplicate accounts | Permanent removal |
Users removed for safety reasons are not eligible to reapply, unless the Trust & Safety Team determines that the initial removal was based on incomplete or contradictory information.
8. Emergency Response and SOS Functionality
Palmate provides a built-in safety feature that enables users to request emergency assistance during an active or pending session.
When activated:
- A real-time alert is sent to the user’s designated emergency contact(s).
- The user is provided with direct access to local emergency services (911) within the interface.
- PalMate does not directly dispatch emergency responders and does not contact 911 on behalf of the user.
This emergency tool exists to support user autonomy while enabling rapid escalation if physical safety is at risk.
9. Appointment Integrity and On-Platform Conduct
Users are expected to:
- Maintain accurate identity representation throughout the appointment
- Arrive on time and meet at the agreed location
- Adhere to lawful, non-threatening conduct
- Refrain from coercion, harassment, or manipulation
Trust & Safety may request verification of appointment details during investigations.
10. Data Handling and Retention
Safety-related records, including reports, suspensions, verification outcomes, and emergency activations, may be retained for compliance and legal protection purposes.
Palmate retains:
- Verification metadata for audit and safety purposes
- Location data only for security and session integrity
- Investigatory records for recurrence tracking
Palmate deletes or anonymizes data upon expiration of its safety purpose or upon verified account deletion, unless legally required to retain it longer.
11. Liability Positioning
Palmate is a connection platform, not a direct service provider. Each user remains responsible for their conduct during any appointment or interaction. PalMate does not supervise in-person meetings and does not assume liability for user actions offline.
This policy establishes reasonable preventative measures, which is the governing standard for online safety oversight under U.S. platform liability guidance.
12. Marketplace Risk Disclosure
While PalMate applies identity, safety, and AML screening standards, all offline interactions between users carry inherent risk. By using the platform, users acknowledge:
- PalMate facilitates introductions and does not supervise in-person activity
- Safety tools are provided to reduce but not eliminate risk
- Each user remains responsible for exercising personal judgment
- Companionship sessions are voluntary and may be terminated at any time
This disclosure preserves platform neutrality while sustaining safety oversight.
13. Prohibited Conduct
The following actions constitute grounds for immediate removal:
- Use of PalMate for harassment, stalking, or intimidation
- Fraudulent or misleading representation of identity, intention, or purpose
- Attempting to circumvent safety or verification systems
- Any form of sexual coercion or non-consensual advance
- Use of the platform to facilitate illegal conduct
- Physical or verbal threats during or after an appointment
- Retaliation following a safety complaint
No advance warning is required for removal in cases involving clear safety threat.
14. Offboarding and Future Prevention
Users permanently removed for safety violations are barred from creating new accounts. Attempts to rejoin via alternative identity, device, or false credentials will result in automated restriction through existing risk-matching systems.
Palmate reserves the right to share safety ban status internally to ensure repeat harm prevention.
15. Safety Roadmap (Forward-Looking Enhancements)
Palmate is advancing additional safety infrastructure as the platform scales. Planned enhancements include:
- Advanced behavioral risk scoring (pattern-based escalation)
- Expanded third-party safety data integrations
- Tiered verification for high-frequency PalMates
- Optional secondary trust badge for premium-verified users
- Pre-session check-in confirmation upgrades
These enhancements strengthen long-term trust controls and eligibility for institutional and public-sector partnerships.
16. Policy Changes and User Notice
Palmate may update this Community Safety Policy to reflect evolving risk profiles, industry safety standards, legal requirements, or technical enhancements. Any material change will be communicated via in-app notice and/or website posting prior to enforcement.
Continued platform use constitutes acceptance of updated safety conditions.
17. Final Compliance Statement
Palmate maintains a proactive safety model built on identity verification, risk-based oversight, and transparent enforcement. By participating in the platform, all users agree to uphold this policy and acknowledge PalMate’s authority to suspend or remove accounts that present a safety risk to the community.