Spark Terms of Conduct
Effective Date: 2025-06-28
Platform: Spark (spark.box464.social)
Software: Bonfire Social Platform
1. Introduction
Welcome to Spark, a federated social media platform built on the ActivityPub protocol and powered by Bonfire. These Terms of Conduct govern your use of our platform and outline the standards we expect from our community members.
By creating an account or using Spark, you agree to abide by these terms and contribute to a positive, inclusive environment for all users.
2. Community Standards
2.1 Respectful Communication
- Treat all users with dignity and respect
- Engage in constructive dialogue, even when disagreeing
- Avoid personal attacks, harassment, or bullying
- Respect diverse perspectives and experiences
2.2 Prohibited Content
The following content is strictly prohibited on Spark:
- Harassment and Abuse: Targeted harassment, stalking, doxxing, or threats against individuals or groups
- Hate Speech: Content promoting hatred or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
- Violence: Threats of violence, glorification of violence, or content that could incite real-world harm
- Adult Content: Sexually explicit material, pornography, or content involving minors in sexual contexts
- Spam and Manipulation: Excessive posting, bot activity without disclosure, or attempts to manipulate platform features
- Illegal Activity: Content promoting illegal activities, including but not limited to drug trafficking, fraud, or copyright infringement
- Misinformation: Deliberately false information that could cause harm, particularly regarding health, safety, or democratic processes
2.3 Content Warnings and Sensitive Material
- Use content warnings for potentially disturbing, graphic, or sensitive material
- Mark NSFW (Not Safe for Work) content appropriately
- Respect others' content warning preferences and filters
3. Federation and ActivityPub Compliance
3.1 Cross-Instance Interactions
- Respect the rules and customs of other federated instances
- Understand that your content may be visible across the fediverse
- Report problematic behavior from remote instances to appropriate moderators
3.2 Instance Blocking and Defederation
- Spark reserves the right to block or defederate from instances that consistently violate our community standards
- Users will be notified of significant federation changes that affect their connections
4. Privacy and Data
4.1 Personal Information
- Do not share others' private information without consent
- Be mindful of your own privacy when sharing personal details
- Respect privacy settings and follower-only posts
4.2 Data Portability
- You have the right to export your data at any time
- Account deletion will remove your data in accordance with our privacy policy
- Federated content may persist on other instances per ActivityPub standards
5. Intellectual Property
5.1 Copyright and Attribution
- Only post content you own or have permission to share
- Provide proper attribution for others' work
- Respond promptly to legitimate copyright claims
5.2 Fair Use
- Understand and respect fair use principles
- Use content transformatively when possible
- Link to original sources when sharing excerpts
6. Moderation and Enforcement
6.1 Reporting Violations
- Report violations using the built-in reporting system
- Provide specific details and evidence when reporting
- Do not abuse the reporting system
6.2 Enforcement Actions
Violations may result in:
- Content removal or editing requirements
- Temporary account restrictions
- Permanent account suspension
- Reporting to law enforcement (for illegal activity)
6.3 Appeals Process
- Users may appeal moderation decisions
- Appeals should be submitted within 30 days
- Provide additional context or evidence with appeals
7. Technical Usage Guidelines
7.1 Platform Resources
- Use the platform responsibly and avoid excessive resource consumption
- Do not attempt to circumvent rate limits or technical restrictions
- Report technical issues through proper channels
7.2 Third-Party Applications
- Only use approved third-party applications with your account
- Understand that third-party app access may be revoked
- Report suspicious or malicious applications
8. Age Requirements and Parental Responsibility
- Users must be at least 18 years old to create an account
9. Changes to Terms
- These terms may be updated periodically
- Users will be notified of significant changes
- Continued use constitutes acceptance of updated terms
10. Contact and Support
For questions, reports, or support:
- Email: [contact-email]
- Moderation: Use the in-platform reporting system
- Technical Issues: [support-email]
- Instance Admin: [admin-contact]
11. Disclaimer
Spark is provided "as is" without warranties. We strive to maintain a safe and functional platform but cannot guarantee uninterrupted service or complete content moderation coverage.
Remember: Spark is part of the larger fediverse community. Your actions here reflect not only on our instance but on the federated social web as a whole. Help us build a positive, inclusive space for meaningful social interaction.
These terms are subject to applicable law and may be supplemented by additional community guidelines.