What this page covers
This page explains how to report content, how our team handles reports and how you can challenge a decision. What is allowed is set out in the terms of use and the platform rules.
How to report something
Posts, comments, profiles, groups, pages, stories, live streams, marketplace listings and chat messages have a “Report” option, usually in the three-dot menu. Pick a reason and add a few sentences on what is wrong.
You can also report without an account, using the report form. Paste the link to the content there.
By email: abuse@friendsti.me.
For chat messages, our moderation tool shows the team only the reason and what you wrote, not the message itself. If the wording matters, describe it in your report or email us a screenshot.
Reporting illegal content
If you think something is illegal, choose “Illegal content”. To review it properly we need:
- where exactly it is, ideally the link,
- why you think it breaks the law,
- your name and email address. If you are reporting child sexual abuse material, you can leave them out,
- your confirmation that the information is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.
If you give an email address, you get a confirmation of receipt and later our decision.
What happens after you report
Every report goes into our team’s queue and is looked at by a person. Reports about violence, danger to children or self-harm are handled first. Reports from trusted flaggers are also placed at the top.
Depending on the outcome, the team can hide content, correct a text, issue a warning, stop someone from posting for a while, or suspend an account for a period or permanently. Content we hide through our moderation desk stays stored so we can restore it if an appeal succeeds.
If we find no violation, the content stays up. As the person who reported it, you can then appeal.
Automated tools
We use only a few automated tools. None of them suspends an account:
- A word list kept by the team replaces certain words with asterisks or stops a post containing a blocked word from being sent. Older posts containing a blocked word no longer appear in the feed.
- Uploaded images are checked for embedded provenance data. If it says the image was made with AI, it is labelled “AI-generated”.
- Automatic AI checking of new posts for misinformation is currently switched off (data-saving mode). If the team has a post checked by the AI, a label only appears once a team member has confirmed the result.
- An AI check of uploaded images for criminal or dangerous content is currently switched off. When on, it only gives the team a hint; a person has to decide.
- To protect our servers, a program blocks IP addresses that probe for security holes. The team can lift the block. If the team has permanently suspended an account, no new account can be created from the same device.
Statement of reasons
If the team hides or changes your content or restricts your account through its moderation desk, you get a notification. It opens the full statement of reasons, which tells you:
- what we did and for how long,
- which content is affected,
- whether a report triggered it or we found it ourselves,
- whether automated tools were involved,
- which rule or law we rely on,
- how to appeal and what other options you have.
If your account is suspended, you will find a link to the reasons and to the appeal form when you try to log in on the web.
Appealing a decision
You can appeal within six months: against a measure taken against your content or account and, if you reported something, against our decision to leave it up. It is free of charge and works through the link in the statement of reasons or at file an appeal.
Every appeal is decided by a person on our team, not by an AI. You get the decision with reasons. If the measure was wrong, we reverse it.
Dispute settlement and courts
If you disagree with our decision, you can turn to a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body. The European Commission publishes the list. You can also go to court at any time.
In Germany, complaints about breaches of the Digital Services Act go to the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) as Digital Services Coordinator.
Misuse and repeated violations
Anyone who repeatedly shares manifestly illegal content will be suspended for a reasonable period after a warning.
If many of someone’s reports turn out to be unfounded, our tool places their new reports further down the queue.
Trusted flaggers
Bodies recognised as trusted flaggers under Art. 22 DSA, and organisations we work with, can be marked as such on their account. Their reports are placed at the top of our queue. Recognised bodies can email abuse@friendsti.me with the subject “Trusted Flagger”.
Threats to life or safety
If we learn of information suggesting a crime that threatens someone’s life or safety, we inform the competent authorities. If you are in danger yourself, call 112 (in Germany also 110 for the police).
Points of contact
Authorities of the Member States, the European Commission and the European Board for Digital Services can reach us at abuse@friendsti.me, in German or English.
As a user you can reach us at support@friendsti.me, also in German or English.