Community Guidelines

Last Updated: March 28, 2025

uNepal Australia Pvt Ltd ("Company," "we," "us," "our"), a private limited company incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) with its principal office at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, operates the uNepal mobile application ("App") to foster a respectful, safe, and inclusive community for Nepalese individuals residing in Australia and beyond. These Community Guidelines ("Guidelines") establish the standards of conduct and content expected of all users ("you," "your") when using the App. Your compliance with these Guidelines is a condition of your access to and participation in the App, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions. Violations may result in content removal, warnings, account suspension, or termination, at our sole discretion. By using the App, you agree to uphold these standards and contribute positively to our community.

1. Purpose and Scope

1.1. Objective: These Guidelines aim to ensure the App remains a welcoming platform for connection, expression, and collaboration, particularly for the Nepalese Australian community, while maintaining safety, legality, and respect for all users.

1.2. Application: The Guidelines apply to all interactions and content within the App, including but not limited to profiles, posts, Circles, Pages, messages, ratings, comments, and any future features (e.g., rewards programs).

1.3. Integration: These Guidelines are incorporated into our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, forming part of your agreement with us. They are accessible within the App or by request at unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com.

1.4. Updates: We may revise these Guidelines at our discretion to reflect evolving community needs, legal requirements, or App functionality. Changes will be posted in the App, with material updates notified via email or in-app alerts. Continued use after such notice constitutes acceptance of the revised Guidelines.

2. Respect and Inclusivity

2.1. Core Principle: Treat all users with dignity, kindness, and respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, or any other characteristic protected under Australian law.

2.2. Prohibited Behaviors:

Harassment: Do not engage in targeted abuse, stalking, or intimidation, whether through posts, messages, or ratings.
Bullying: Avoid mocking, humiliating, or belittling others, including through derogatory comments or coordinated attacks.
Discrimination: Refrain from content or conduct that promotes hatred, prejudice, or exclusion based on protected attributes, per the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth).
Trolling: Do not provoke or disrupt the community with inflammatory, off-topic, or insincere contributions.

2.3. Respecting Privacy:

Honor other users’ privacy settings (e.g., "Only Me," "Friends"). Do not share private content (e.g., messages, photos) without explicit consent.
Avoid doxxing (revealing personal information like addresses or phone numbers) or soliciting such information maliciously.

2.4. Positive Engagement: Encourage constructive dialogue, support, and cultural exchange, reflecting the App’s goal of uniting the Nepalese Australian community.

3. Safety

3.1. Safe Environment: Do not post, share, or engage in activities that compromise the safety of users or the broader public.

3.2. Prohibited Content and Conduct:

Violence: Avoid content depicting, promoting, or glorifying physical harm, gore, or violent acts (e.g., assault, self-harm).
Threats: Do not make direct or implied threats of harm, whether physical, emotional, or financial, against individuals, groups, or entities.
Illegal Activities: Refrain from promoting or facilitating illegal conduct, such as drug trafficking, terrorism, or fraud, per the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
Self-Harm: Do not encourage or glorify self-injury, eating disorders, or suicide. Content offering support or awareness is permitted if sensitive and constructive.

3.3. Reporting:

Use in-app reporting tools or email unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com to flag unsafe content or behavior immediately.
Provide specific details (e.g., usernames, timestamps) to expedite review.

3.4. Emergency Situations: If you encounter content suggesting imminent harm (e.g., suicide threats), notify us and, if appropriate, local authorities (e.g., Australian Federal Police or Lifeline at 13 11 14).

4. Content Standards

4.1. Appropriateness:

No Explicit Material: Do not post nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit content, including suggestive images or text that violates community decency standards.
No Graphic Content: Avoid excessive violence, gore, or disturbing imagery (e.g., mutilation, animal cruelty).
No Hate Speech: Refrain from content that incites hatred, violence, or vilification against individuals or groups based on protected attributes, per the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).

4.2. Intellectual Property:

Only upload content you own or have permission to use. Do not infringe copyrights, trademarks, or other rights under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
Examples include using licensed images, crediting sources, or obtaining consent for shared works.
Report suspected IP violations to unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com with evidence.

4.3. Spam and Misleading Content:

No Spam: Avoid repetitive, unsolicited, or irrelevant posts, messages, or comments (e.g., chain messages, advertisements unrelated to the App’s purpose).
No Fraud: Do not post deceptive content, such as scams, phishing attempts, or fake listings (e.g., nonexistent jobs or rentals).
Accuracy: Ensure content in categories like market, jobs, or services is truthful and verifiable.

4.4. Category Usage:

Use post types (e.g., user, Circle, Page, market, jobs, rentals, services, events) appropriately and in good faith.
Misuse (e.g., posting personal rants in the jobs category) may result in content removal.

4.5. Quality: Strive for content that adds value to the community, avoiding low-effort or disruptive submissions.

5. Authenticity

5.1. Real Identity:

Use your true name and identity when creating an account. Impersonation (e.g., posing as a public figure) or creating fake profiles is prohibited.
Exceptions for pseudonyms require our prior approval and must not deceive others.

5.2. Manipulation:

Do not artificially inflate engagement (e.g., via bots, paid likes, or coordinated efforts) or manipulate ratings (e.g., giving false scores).
Such actions undermine community trust and may lead to sanctions.

5.3. Misinformation:

Avoid spreading false or harmful information (e.g., health myths, election fraud claims), though we do not arbitrate factual disputes unless they pose clear harm.
Label opinions as such to avoid confusion with verified facts.

5.4. Transparency: Represent yourself and your intentions honestly in all interactions.

6. Circles and Pages

6.1. Purpose: Circles (community groups) and Pages (public entities) must promote positive engagement, not division, illegality, or harm. Examples include cultural exchange, support networks, or legitimate businesses.

6.2. Administration: Moderators or administrators must:

Ensure content and members comply with these Guidelines.
Remove violating posts or users promptly and fairly.
Avoid abuse of power (e.g., arbitrary bans).

We may intervene if moderators fail to uphold standards.

6.3. Restrictions: Do not create or manage Circles/Pages for:

Hate groups or extremist ideologies.
Illegal trade (e.g., counterfeit goods, weapons).
Misinformation campaigns (e.g., anti-vaccine conspiracies).

Violations may result in Circle/Page deletion and account penalties.

6.4. Membership:

Respect group rules set by administrators, provided they align with these Guidelines.
Do not spam or disrupt group dynamics.

7. Messaging

7.1. Etiquette:

Keep private messages respectful, consensual, and relevant. Unsolicited messages (e.g., spam, harassment) are prohibited.
Avoid abusive language, threats, or persistent unwanted contact.

7.2. Content:

Do not send explicit, illegal, or harmful content via messages (e.g., sexting without consent, scam links).
Messages are subject to the same standards as public content.

7.3. Reporting:

Use in-app tools or email unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com to report inappropriate messages, including screenshots or details for review.
We may access message content to investigate violations, per our Privacy Policy.

7.4. Privacy: Messages are not end-to-end encrypted unless specified, and recipients may share them at their discretion.

8. Rewards (Future)

8.1. Integrity:

If a rewards program (e.g., points, credits) is introduced, earn rewards through genuine engagement (e.g., posting, moderating, rating).
Rewards must align with the program’s terms, to be detailed in an updated Rewards Policy.

8.2. Abuse Prevention:

Do not exploit the system (e.g., via fake accounts, bots, or collusion) to gain rewards unfairly.
Violations will result in forfeiture of rewards and potential account sanctions.

8.3. Fairness: Use rewards to enhance community participation, not to manipulate or dominate interactions.

9. Enforcement

9.1. Our Authority: We reserve the right, but not the obligation, to monitor, review, and enforce these Guidelines at our sole discretion. Enforcement is not a guarantee of real-time moderation or removal of all violations.

9.2. Actions: Depending on the severity and frequency of violations, we may:

Remove Content: Delete or hide posts, messages, or ratings that breach these Guidelines.
Issue Warnings: Notify you of violations with a chance to correct behavior.
Restrict Access: Temporarily limit your ability to post, message, or rate (e.g., 7-day suspension).
Terminate Accounts: Permanently ban users for severe or repeated offenses (e.g., hate speech, threats).

9.3. Factors Considered:

Nature and impact of the violation (e.g., harm caused, audience reached).
User intent (e.g., accidental vs. deliberate).
Prior history of compliance or breaches.

9.4. Notification: Where feasible, we will notify you of enforcement actions via email or in-app message, detailing the violation and action taken. Immediate termination may occur without notice for egregious violations (e.g., illegal content).

9.5. Appeals: You may appeal enforcement decisions within 14 days by emailing unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com with:

Your username and account details.
A description of the action (e.g., post removal, suspension).
Evidence or reasoning supporting your case (e.g., context, intent).

We will review appeals within 30 days and respond with a final decision, which is binding.

9.6. No Liability: We are not liable for damages arising from enforcement actions taken in good faith, per our Terms and Conditions.

10. Legal Compliance

10.1. Australian Law: Comply with all applicable Australian laws, including but not limited to:

Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) for personal information handling.
Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) for anti-discrimination.
Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) for illegal activities (e.g., threats, fraud).
Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) for fair dealings.

Violations may be reported to authorities (e.g., Australian Federal Police) where required by law.

10.2. Local Jurisdiction: If accessing the App outside Australia, you must also comply with local laws, though Australian law governs our enforcement.

10.3. Consequences: Illegal conduct may result in immediate termination and cooperation with law enforcement, beyond community sanctions.

11. Community Responsibilities

11.1. User Duty:

Actively uphold these Guidelines by modeling respectful behavior and reporting violations.
Refrain from encouraging or enabling others to breach these standards.

11.2. Moderation Support:

If you administer a Circle or Page, diligently moderate content and members to maintain compliance.
Failure to moderate effectively may lead to administrative removal or group dissolution.

11.3. Feedback: Share suggestions for improving these Guidelines via unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com to help us refine community standards.

12. Updates to Guidelines

12.1. Revision Process:

We may update these Guidelines to address new risks, legal changes, or App developments (e.g., rewards programs).
Minor updates will be posted in the App without direct notice.
Significant changes (e.g., new prohibited behaviors) will be communicated via email or in-app alert at least 7 days before taking effect.

12.2. Acceptance:

Continued use after notification signifies your agreement to the revised Guidelines.
If you disagree, you must cease using the App and delete your account.

12.3. Historical Access: Request prior versions at unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com for reference.

13. Contact Us

For questions, reports, or appeals:

Email: unitednepalaustralia@gmail.com (include “Community Guidelines Inquiry” in the subject line for priority)
Address: uNepal Australia Pvt Ltd, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Response Time: We aim to respond within 5 business days, though urgent safety issues (e.g., threats) will be prioritized.
External Resources: For immediate support, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Australian Federal Police (131 444) as needed.

14. Additional Provisions

14.1. Community Spirit: These Guidelines reflect our commitment to a vibrant, supportive platform. Your participation strengthens this vision.

14.2. Interpretation: We interpret and apply these Guidelines in good faith, balancing user freedom with community welfare.

14.3. Language: Provided in English as the authoritative version. Translations, if available, are for convenience only.