Messaging Policy

Note: This translation is provided for your information only. Only the German version is legally binding. In the event of discrepancies between the language versions, the German version shall prevail.

This policy applies to all users of BikeMates (aged 16 and over). It is applicable internationally and sets out which content and behaviour are prohibited in messages, chats, comments and shared media, how reports are made and how we enforce the rules.

• BikeMates does not tolerate any form of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or endangerment of children (persons under 18 years of age).
• This policy applies to all content and behaviour on BikeMates, including private messages, group chats, comments, images, videos, links, files, profile texts and emojis.
• “Child/children” refers to persons under 18 years of age (irrespective of regional rules on the age of majority). The minimum age for using BikeMates is 16 years.

The following content/actions are strictly prohibited. Violations lead to measures up to and including permanent exclusion and, where applicable, criminal proceedings.

• CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material): Any depiction of sexual abuse/sexualised depiction of minors (real, fictional, AI-generated, drawn, animated; including self-generated content). This includes nudity, explicit acts, sexualised poses as well as image manipulations, deepfakes and upskirt/downblouse images of minors.
• Grooming & initiating contact: Any initiation of contact with minors with sexual intent; requests for nude images; promises/gifts in exchange for sexual acts; concealment of one’s own age.
• Sextortion & blackmail: Threats, public shaming and blackmail in connection with sexual content, in particular towards minors.
• Sexualised language towards minors: Suggestive comments, descriptions, fantasies, role play or fetishisation of minors.
• Linking/distribution: Linking to, forwarding, storing, promoting or requesting CSAM sources, forums, cloud folders or any other means of access.
• Age deception: Pretending to be a minor or pressuring minors into giving false information about their age.
• Arranging contact: Attempts to move minors to external services (messengers, social media) in order to commit the acts described above.
• Procurement/”purchase” of sex: Any form of initiating commercial sexual exploitation of minors (advertising, demand, offer, payment).

Exceptions for age-appropriate, non-sexualised contexts (e.g. news reports about child protection without image material) are possible, provided that there is no sexualised depiction of minors whatsoever.

• BikeMates is accessible internationally; we enforce this policy worldwide.
• As a service operated in Germany, we comply with the relevant laws (e.g. criminal laws for the protection of minors) as well as applicable international child protection standards.
• BikeMates primarily displays posts and chats from the local area. This does not affect the validity of this policy; violations are prohibited regardless of location.

• Reporting in the app: Every message, every post and every profile can be reported directly via the “Report” function.
• What we need: As precise a description as possible, the content/persons concerned, screenshots (if this can be done safely).
• Note: Do not forward content that may constitute CSAM; report it only via the reporting function.
• External help: In acute emergencies, contact the police/emergency services in your country immediately. Information on child protection hotlines can be found, for example, at INHOPE.

• Manual review: All reports are reviewed by our team. There is currently no automated detection.
• Prioritisation: Reports involving a possible risk to minors have the highest priority and are processed on an expedited basis.
• Preservation of evidence: We preserve relevant data/metadata in accordance with applicable law in order to assess the case and to comply with any statutory reporting obligations.
• Transparency: As far as legally permissible, we inform reporting persons about the conclusion of the review (without details, in order to protect privacy and investigations).

• Measures: Removal of content, restrictions, temporary suspensions, permanent exclusion from BikeMates.
• Criminal proceedings: In the event of violations of applicable laws, we forward reports to the competent authorities where legally required and cooperate with investigations.
• Reporting obligations: We comply with any statutory reporting obligations, insofar as these exist.
• Restoration: Content containing CSAM is never restored.

• BikeMates can be used from the age of 16. We prohibit any sexualisation of persons under 18 years of age.
• If there are credible indications that a user is under 16, access may be restricted/blocked until their age has been clarified.
• If there are credible indications that content concerns minors, the provisions of this policy apply irrespective of the age claimed in the profile.

• Sharing, storing, creating, editing, requesting or promoting CSAM (including AI-generated/animated depictions) is prohibited.
• We remove mirrors/re-uploads of reported content and block linked storage locations as far as technically possible.
• We ask reporting persons not to store or distribute potentially criminal files; use the reporting function only.

• In cases required by law, we cooperate with law enforcement authorities and comply with lawful orders.
• Where provided for by law, reports may be made to recognised reporting bodies/hotlines (e.g. national reporting bodies, the INHOPE network).
• Data is disclosed exclusively within the framework of applicable laws and for the purpose of child protection and law enforcement.

• Appeal against measures: You can appeal against suspensions/removals. We will review the case again. In CSAM-related cases, we uphold suspensions/removals where there is a risk to children.
• False reports: Abusive or malicious reports may result in measures being taken.

• In case of acute danger, contact your local police station/emergency number immediately.
• Support/hotlines can be found internationally, for example via INHOPE. National support services vary from country to country.
• Do not forward any evidence; use the reporting function and, where appropriate, keep the time/place/profile links for the authorities.

• We may publish aggregated information about enforcement (e.g. the number of items of content removed), as far as legally possible.
• We update this policy as required in order to reflect changes in the law and best practice in child protection.

The party responsible for this policy is:

BikeMates / LuMa Medien
Manuel Spielberger
Rechte Brandstr. 31
86167 Augsburg

Phone: +49 (0)821 567 338 31
E-mail: support@bikemates.eu

This policy enters into force upon publication and applies to all new and existing users of BikeMates.