1.1 Where there are rules, there are rulebreakers. While some rules are meant to be broken—after all, creativity knows no bounds—our Community Guidelines are here for a reason. The end goal is to provide a certain set of rules that all community members can use as a reference point both for content creation and overall behavior. These guidelines are the backbone for understanding what is and isn’t allowed on Soul Train — all for the benefit of our Users.
1.2 If your content or behavior violates our Community Guidelines, as a rule, a member of the Soul Train team will get in touch with you. We believe that all members of our community deserve a chance to better their content—that’s why we will always have an actual human being looking into each case. Our goal is to have an open conversation, rather than blindly enforce rules. After all, each case is different, and each User has a vast world that we might not fully grasp at first. Soul Train is here to understand, not discriminate — and that’s what we hope from our Users as well.
1.3 For your information, some of the content moderation will be done automatically by in-app functionalities, Google, Apple, Amazon or activeFence platforms that provide services needed to operate Soul Train platform.
1.4 That being said, all members of our community can report other Users and their content alike, as well their comments in DMs. If needed, we may suspend or remove a User and/or their activity. In severe cases, we may ban Users from using Soul Train.
1.5 We try our best to keep our Community Guidelines updated and ready-to-go at all times. Some cases are hard to anticipate—that’s why we’ll add points to our guidelines throughout our journey here. Let’s take a closer look at some of the behavior that is not OK on Soul Train.
2.1 Soul Train does not allow any form of expression that spreads, incites, promotes or justifies hatred, violence or discrimination. Our community members are a diverse bunch and come from a variety of backgrounds. That’s why there is no room on Soul Train for attacks on people based on their race, nationality, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or medical condition. Unless the content has artistic or educational value, there is no place for racial or otherwise discriminatory slurs or depictions. Promoting or glorifying groups known for spurring hate speech is also not allowed. These include promoting ideological and propagandistic groups, as well as hate speech-oriented political groups and parties.
2.2 There is a fine line between what can and cannot be considered as hate speech. Just because something is offensive, shocking or disturbing, or contrary to what the majority feels, does not automatically make it hate speech. From an artistic or educational viewpoint, creating content about hate speech should not be confused with endorsing hate speech. These complexities are why Soul Train takes extreme care in looking into all cases reported for hate speech.
2.3 In addition to hate speech, Soul Train does not allow content that promotes extreme and violent religious or political views outside the mainstream attitudes of society. That being said, terrorist organizations and hate groups are prohibited from using our platform and we have a zero tolerance policy for community members advocating for violent extremism or terrorism.
3.1 Soul Train does not tolerate harassment or bullying of any kind. We do not allow intimidation, threats or violence of any nature, even if a community member disguises it under the “free speech” principle. Criticism and free debate are allowed, of course, but only if it’s done in a respectful and safe manner. That being said, do not use abusive language, or language that is intentionally used to demean others. This does not include the moderate use of profanities, such as curse words, if it does not inflict harm on anyone else.
3.2 We urge you to treat all members of our community with kindness and respect. This includes being mindful of the people and content on the platfrom and information depicted in your content.
3.3 Do not share anyone’s private information or content including such as content shot in private spaces, such as bathrooms or medical facilities, without their knowledge and explicit consent.
3.4 Soul Train takes threats of violence very seriously. Any community member threatening the physical health of another person or group will be banned from the platform. We also have a zero tolerance policy for threatening behavior such as stalking or inciting others to commit violence. If we believe a community member is a direct threat to others, law enforcement will be asked to intervene.
4.1 Our goal is to nurture a safe and inclusive platform for community members of all ages. This is why Soul Train does not allow any form of pornographic content, or content made for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. This includes sexually suggestive and nude imagery, as well as illegal acts of a sexual nature. Community members posting sexually explicit content or comments will be banned from the platform.
4.2 Soul Train will report all cases of child sexual exploitation to law enforcement. Do not create or post sexually explicit content involving anyone under the age of 18.
4.3 Breastfeeding and other depictions of nudity in non-sexual, artistic or educational contexts may be permitted.
5.1 Soul Train does not allow any content that depicts or endorses illegal or harmful behavior. Do not post content that shows or advocates for illegal or criminal activities, such as drug manufacturing, cybercrime, or theft. We do not condone content depicting graphic violence, or encouraging violent and dangerous behaviour. Content about harming or threatening to harm yourself, other people or animals is off limits. However, we do allow the depiction of illegal or harmful behavior if it has educational or artistic value. For example, content about recovering from a drug addiction or eating disorder is allowed if it doesn’t promote or glorify the behavior itself. If we believe a community member will harm themselves or others, law enforcement will be asked to intervene. If you or someone you know is in danger of hurting themselves, contact local authorities or seek help: http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html
6.1 Soul Train does not allow the depiction or promotion of any sort of illegal drugs. Do not show yourself or anyone else doing, manufacturing or distributing illegal drugs. Do not buy or sell drugs on the platform—or anywhere else, for that matter.
6.2 Depicting illegal drugs, their manufacturing and use is allowed if it has artistic or educational value. For example, content about recovering from a drug addiction is allowed if it does not depict the behavior itself. As for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, depiction is allowed if it doesn’t involve promotion or misuse. The same applies for alcohol—content depicting or discussing alcohol is allowed if it is not linked to promoting or misusing the substance.
7.1 Soul Train aims to stop the spread of misinformation — false, inaccurate or misleading information. This includes disinformation, or misleading information that is spread deliberately to deceive, as well as fake news, or false and misleading information presented as news. Differentiating facts from fiction is a tricky task. Some forms of misinformation are more easily detected than others. That’s why we exercise our freedom to ban content that’s obviously malicious and aims to cause harm. Such cases include unsubstantiated medical claims and denying the existence of tragic events.
7.2 Soul Train does not allow spam or other deceptive practices, such as phishing. Do not post repetitive comments or unwanted personal messages, create misleading content or promote your own channel in another channel’s comments.
7.3 Another form of misinformation is impersonation — pretending to be someone you’re not. Do not impersonate your friends, celebrities or brands; catfishing is also not OK. After all, we want to know the real you.
8.1 Soul Train does not allow content that infringes on copyright laws. In other words, do not post content that does not belong to you or that you do not have the right to use. This includes any sort of creative work. However, under the fair use doctrine, limited use of copyrighted material is permitted. Read more about fair use in the US HERE , and about the exceptions and limitations system in Europe HERE.
8.2 In case you want to upload content, please consider choosing music from the list provided by Soul Train – for all music on the list, all music rights are cleared meaning that all artists, musicians get their fair share for their creations used.
9.1 Soul Train does not allow content with advertisements unless it is provided by Event Organizers or Dance Schools as agreed with Soul Train.
9.2 If in your content there is product placements or sponsors or adversitments, the User must disclose the advertised products or services as part of an advertising, paid partnership or content marketing deal.
10.1 Keep in mind that you can always report a User and their behavior using e-mail or our in-app reporting features. Soul Train will review all reports and decide whether there is a violation of our Terms and Conditions or Community Guidelines. In case of a violation, we may remove the content, suspend or ban your account, and/or notify law enforcement. We hope our Users respect the guidelines—just as we respect our Users.
10.2 Soul Train allows any individual or entity (inlcuding not a User) to notify Soul Train platfom of
specific items of information that the individual or entity considers to be illegal content. Such
notifications enable the submission of sufficiently precise and adequately substantiated
notices. Notices should include:
10.2.1 a sufficiently substantiated explanation of the reasons why the individual or entity
alleges the information in question to be illegal content;
10.2.2 a clear indication of the content reported;
10.2.3 the name and email address of the individual or entity if not a User of the platform
submitting the notice;
10.2.4 a statement confirming the bona fide belief of the individual or entity submitting the
notice that the information and allegations contained therein are accurate and
complete.
10.3 Soul Train will acknoledge the receipt of such notices without undue delay. Soul Train shall also, without undue delay, notify that individual or entity of its decision in respect of the information to which the notice relates, providing information on the possibilities for redress in respect of that decision.