Safety Hub

Our Safety Strategy

At Renz, ensuring user safety is our top priority and is the foundation of every action we take. As a growing platform for young people to connect online, we're committed to continually enhancing our safety measures to adapt to the dynamic ever-evolving digital world.

Our safety strategy is multifaceted, encompassing advanced safety tools, AI algorithms, a strong infrastructure, and strict policies. Our approach includes around the clock monitoring by dedicated safety and moderation specialists, to proactively oversee platform activities and address users concerns. 

We prioritize addressing and educating on breaches of our Community Guidelines through real-time notifications and pop-ups, fostering a culture of positive online behavior. Our Safety Hub provides crucial resources and advice for users, parents, guardians, and educators, aiming to create a well-informed community.

Renz is relentless in its mission to maintain the highest level of safety, continuously updating and enhancing our safety features to ensure a trusted and secure environment for all users. Our proactive stance on safety, combined with cutting-edge technology and human oversight, underscores our commitment to building a safe online space for the digital generation.

Community & Safety Guidelines

Last Updated February 23rd, 2024

At Renz, we're proud to connect so many individuals globally every day, fostering genuine friendships and enabling users to socialize in a virtual space. Our mission is guided by the pillars of transparency, security, and privacy, ensuring our platform remains a safe place for users to share their authentic selves, without the pressures of followers and ‘likes’.

We recognize the youthful vibrancy of our community, which includes a significant number of teenagers and young adults. It is our duty and commitment to providing an environment that not only educates and supports our users but also actively protects them. This commitment is upheld through the deployment of cutting-edge technology, a dedicated safety team available around the clock, and comprehensive Community Guidelines.

The essence of the Renz community lies in its ability to create a space that is both welcoming and inclusive. Our Community Guidelines are the cornerstone of this environment, outlining clear expectations and standards to ensure the safety and respect of all members. Our Community Guidelines outline what is not allowed, covering a wide spectrum from nudity and violence to hate speech and bullying.

Violations of these guidelines trigger a review process, leading to actions that may include warnings, content removal, or in some instances, suspensions or permanent bans. We empower our users to report any concerns, complemented by our algorithms that detect potential breaches, allowing for swift intervention.

Our guidelines are universally applicable, regardless of geographical location or the nature of the content shared on Renz. Given the dynamic nature of the digital landscape, we regularly update these guidelines to stay ahead of emerging challenges.

The Renz Community & Safety Guidelines (along with all incorporated policies), Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service collectively make up the "Renz User Agreement" that governs a user's access to and use of Renz’s services.

Age and Identity

Maintaining authenticity of the Renz community and reducing the potential for online abuse is critical. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of our users presenting themselves truthfully. At registration, we ask all users to supply truthful information. To ensure the authenticity of age and identity, we carry out verification checks on these personal details.

When you create an account on Renz, we ask for: 

  • Your name
  • Your date of birth
  • The gender you identify with
  • A photo that shows your face clearly

Your Renz account must be solely yours (not to be shared with anyone) and should not be utilized to impersonate another individual.

Should you provide incorrect personal details (for example, misrepresenting your age) or impersonate another person, we may suspend your access to Renz.

We have a minimum age of 13 on Renz and use age gates to create separate communities so that users only socialize with people of a similar age.

We have many automated technologies in place however, you may be asked to re-verify your age at any time in order to continue to use the Renz app.

Inappropriate Content

Renz does not allow content that includes pornography/sexual content, graphic content, guns or weapons, content that encourages or incites violence or self-harm, obscenity and otherwise illicit materials, or any content involving nudity, including partial nudity (e.g. users wearing very revealing clothing, underwear, swimwear out of context, or topless images).

Here you can find more information about Safety and get advice about Sexual exploitation if you or someone you know is experiencing it. If you are concerned about any content or behavior on Renz, please report it to us – tap the button top right on any user's profile in the app and select ‘Report’.

Bullying, Harassment and Other Abusive Behaviors

We expect everyone in the Renz community to interact with other users in a respectful manner.

Renz has a zero tolerance for cyber bullying and does not allow any forms of bullying, threatening, harassment, unwanted sexual advances, or abusive behavior -  including but not limited to hate towards others (racism, homophobia, intolerance, sexism, etc.)

If you are concerned about any content or behavior on Renz, please report it to us – tap the button top right on any user's profile in the app and select ‘Report’.

Platform Misuse and Fraudulent Activity

Renz does not allow attempting to buy, sell, or solicit anything. Doing so will result in an immediate ban, no matter what it is.

Any illegal/fraudulent activity of any kind is not tolerated on Renz. It will result in being banned and/or reported to the authorities. Sexual content or incidents involving minors will be reported to the proper authorities.

If you are concerned about any content or behavior on Renz, please report it to us – tap the button top right on any user's profile in the app and select ‘Report’.

Enforcement:

As a member of the Renz community, you must agree to adhere to our Community Guidelines. If we receive a report of a violation of these guidelines (either from another user or generated by our own algorithms), we will investigate and take appropriate action on the basis of our Community Guidelines.

Renz has a variety of ways to enforce the community and safety guidelines, including, but not limited to:

  • For minor infractions, our approach is to educate the user on their misconduct, guide them towards corrective behavior, and issue a warning about potential further measures against their account if non-compliance persists. Additionally, we remove any content breaching our Community Guidelines.
  • In cases of serious or repeated breaches, we might temporarily suspend their account or, in extreme cases, permanently ban their account on Renz.
  • Circumventing a suspension, such as by creating a new account, is prohibited and could lead to more severe consequences, including extended suspensions or a permanent ban.
  • In instances involving a reporting obligation, potential illegal behavior on Renz or an emergency situation, we may work with law enforcement and other relevant entities to take additional action. 

Our Commitment to Safety and Privacy:

We are committed to providing a safe and respectful online environment and encourage your help. If you see anything on Renz that you are unsure about or is a direct violation of our guidelines, please report the user – tap the button top right on any user's profile in the app and select ‘Report’.

Please note that we may need to change these guidelines from time to time and reserve the right to do so. The most current version is always available at: https://renz.app/community-and-saftey-guidelines.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or feedback please do not hesitate to contact us at support@renz.app.

Advice

Introduction

Renz was designed to provide a seamless way for young people to connect and create new friendships across the globe within the safest possible online space. Below you will find advice on maintaining online safety, highlight common challenges encountered on social media, and discuss our strategies at Renz to improve our community's safety.

Bullying

Bullying, whether it happens face-to-face or online, can have profound effects. On social media, it might show up as harsh comments or sharing someone's photos and videos without consent.

Cyberbullying is particularly impactful on young people. At Renz, we have a strict policy against bullying. Our Community Guidelines demand respect among users and clearly prohibit bullying, intimidation, threats, or harassment on our platform.

Our dedicated team of safety and moderation specialists monitor Renz continuously. They are quick to respond with warnings and take action when bullying is either reported by our community or detected by our algorithms.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Encourage your teens to be kind and empathetic online, urging them to think before posting and to support others who are bullied.
  • Reassure them that being a target of bullying or harassment is never their fault.
  • Talk about the significance of utilizing Renz's safety features, like blocking and reporting users.
  • Let them know they can come to you for support if they're facing bullying, and you'll be there to assist them.

For Teens:

  • You're not at fault. Don't let the negative actions of others affect how you see yourself.
  • Talk to someone you trust. Sharing what you're going through can make tough situations feel more manageable.
  • Use our safety features to your advantage. Whether it’s blocking someone or reporting an issue, these tools are designed to protect you.
  • Here are some helpful resources if you or someone you know is being bullied.

Inappropriate language

Communication styles are ever-changing, and it can be tricky to discern between what's playful and what might be offensive or inappropriate, including certain words, phrases, and emojis. The scope of inappropriate language is broad, encompassing everything from hate speech and swear words to explicit content.

At Renz, we're committed to staying ahead of the curve in online communication trends. We routinely update our database to identify and eliminate language that violates our Community Guidelines from the platform.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Encourage your teen to embrace respectful communication online. Using offensive language on Renz can distress others and breach our Community Guidelines.
  • Become acquainted with modern slang to better grasp the nature of discussions on platforms like Renz.

For Teens:

  • Remember, your online footprint is permanent. Pause and think before you post anything that might be deemed inappropriate.
  • Reflect on how your words could affect others around you.
  • Make an effort to understand the implications of the language you use, particularly with explicit or sensitive terms, which often carry negative undertones.
  • Should you encounter any offensive or inappropriate language on Renz, please report it and remember you can block any user. We're dedicated to investigating such reports and removing content that violates our standards.

Hate speech

Hate speech refers to offensive or damaging remarks directed at an individual or group based on attributes such as race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This can include trolling, cyberbullying, and even threats.

Encountering or observing hate speech can be upsetting and bewildering, especially as such comments can escalate quickly online.

Renz strictly prohibits hate speech and discrimination. We've adopted multiple safety protocols, including image moderation and text analysis, to protect our community from hate speech. In cases that may involve criminal activity, we work closely with law enforcement agencies.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Discuss the importance of respecting diversity and practicing kindness in online spaces with your teen, reminding them of the Community Guidelines they agreed to when joining Renz.
  • Encourage them to think carefully before posting or sharing content (Could it offend someone or be illegal?).
  • Remind them of Renz's safety features, such as Report and Blocking any user top right on their profile.
  • Underline the gravity of hate speech and hate crimes, and the critical nature of reporting any incidents.

For Teens:

  • Should you come across or witness hate speech, we urge you to report it.
  • Leverage Renz’s safety features to manage your interactions, including blocking users who cause discomfort.
  • Reflect on the potential impact of your words on others. How would you feel if the roles were reversed?
  • Be aware that hate speech can escalate to a hate crime. This is important to remember both on Renz and in other communication forums.
  • Explore these Resources for support if you or someone you know experiences hate speech.

Illegal content

We have a zero-tolerance policy for illegal content on Renz, and we act swiftly to remove such content as soon as it's identified. Please take a moment to review our Community Guidelines thoroughly.

When required, if we discover content or actions that violate the law, we immediately report them to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Start open conversations with your teen regarding content that could be harmful or illegal.
  • Encourage them to come to you with any content they find disturbing or questionable on Renz.
  • Stress the critical importance of not sharing illegal content.
  • Please alert us to any harmful or potentially illegal content, enabling us to take necessary actions, including content removal, user suspension, and reporting to law enforcement as needed.

For Teens:

  • Make an effort to understand what falls under harmful or illegal content by reviewing our Community Guidelines.
  • Please report any content that appears harmful or illegal, whether it's directed at you or someone else.
  • Consider discussing any concerns with a trusted adult who can offer support and advice.
Peer pressure

From harmless pranks to more serious challenges that encourage bullying or participation in dangerous viral trends, the impact of online peer pressure is undeniable.

Navigating these pressures can be challenging, yet understanding the possible consequences is essential. Our Community Guidelines clarify that certain behaviors are not tolerated, with breaches potentially leading to content removal and account suspension, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of the offense.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Engage in conversations about the significance of wise decision-making and standing firm against peer pressure, both digitally and in real life.
  • Emphasize that actions taken online, just like those in the physical world, have meaningful consequences. What might seem harmless or entertaining at the moment can have negative long-term implications for them and others.
  • Please report any concerning behavior or content to us at Renz for appropriate action.

For Teens:

  • It's perfectly fine to decline. The pressure to “fit it” can be stressful, but maintaining your authenticity and behaving online as you would face-to-face is vital.
  • Understand that promoting or engaging in risky activities can adversely affect not just others, but also your future.
  • If you come across any questionable activities or content, please report it to our safety and moderation team for evaluation.

Explore these Resources for support if needed.

Wellbeing

Bullying, peer pressure, and the unique challenges introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, can significantly affect mental health.

At Renz, our goal is to foster an environment where users can form meaningful friendships and feel a sense of belonging within a safe, welcoming community.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Be open to discussing any worries or needs your teen may express, offering your unwavering support.
  • Encourage a healthy balance between digital and real-life interactions. Consider exploring the five ways to good mental wellbeing: connect with other people, be physically active, learn something new each day, give to others, pay attention to the present moment.

For Teens:

  • Don’t hesitate to share your feelings and experiences with someone you trust. Remember, difficult times are universal; you're not alone in facing them.
  • There are many paths to achieving mental wellness, such as building connections, engaging in physical activity, learning new things, helping others, and living in the moment. Discover what suits you best and try to integrate these practices into your daily life.

Here is a list of organizations ready to offer support if needed.

Fake profiles and scams

Sometimes, people pretend to be someone else when they are online. They may create false social media profiles to deceive users into sharing personal information. Experiences such as catfishing and various online frauds can lead to distressing outcomes, including the risk of identity theft.

To ensure our users are who they claim to be, Renz has instituted a thorough verification process, establishing a standard in user authenticity not commonly seen in major social networks. Accounts failing to clear this verification are deactivated, and if necessary, reported to law enforcement.

For Parents:

  • Let your teens know that Renz insists on authentic information for profile creation, including age verification technology. This approach allows us to more effectively identify fake profiles and tackle inappropriate behaviors.
  • Highlight the need for caution towards profiles or messages that seem too good to be true. Scammers often present a flawless image to lure victims, so advise skepticism towards perfect-looking photos, excessive flattery, and other warning signs.
  • Reassure your teen that it’s not their fault if they’re deceived by a fake profile; some scammers are highly persuasive.
  • Please report any suspicious profiles encountered on Renz to us for investigation.
  • If you suspect your teens identity has been misused for a fake profile on Renz, contact us immediately for its removal.

For Teens:

  • Be cautious of profiles, photos and messages that seem too good to be true. Imposters are often trying to appear “perfect” so look out for model-like photos, flattering comments and other suspicious behavior. Remember that if you feel someone isn’t who they say they are, please report the profile to us so we can investigate further. 
  • Make sure to not send any personally identifiable information (“PII”) such as your phone number or address to other users that you don’t know personally.

Sexual exploitation

Unfortunately, some individuals choose to target young people for the wrong reasons. They may set up fake profiles to start conversations or gain trust. At Renz, we understand the importance of our users knowing who they’re talking to and being able to trust the communities they build online. Therefore, we utilize age verification technology to verify user accounts. This helps to prevent bad actors or people with malintention from joining the platform and pretending to be an age that they’re not. We also have age gating in place to separate users into different communities based on age, so that we can limit interaction between teens and adults.

We have a zero tolerance policy for the sexual exploitation of young people and work closely with law enforcement agencies in the countries in which we operate to report every potential offender for further investigation.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Remind your teen or students to be careful about what they share online (e.g. phone number, address, social media profiles, photos, videos).
  • Explain why verified profiles on Renz (with a yellow badge) can help them to know that the person they are chatting to is who they say they are.
  • Explain why no one should pressure them into doing something they don’t want to do – even if it’s someone they know.
  • Encourage them to trust their instincts about people they meet online and to recognise that if what someone says to them seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Look out for changes in your teen’s behavior. Are they increasingly secretive about the devices and apps they use? Do they go to their room as soon as they receive a message or get defensive when you ask them who they are talking to?
  • If your teen or students feel uncomfortable about someone who has approached them on Renz, report it to us immediately. We pass the details of any potentially criminal activity to law enforcement and other agencies.

For Teens:

  • Be careful of what you share online, everything you post on the Internet can live forever - so think twice before giving someone personally identifiable information (such as your phone number or address) or sending pictures or videos to people you don’t know.
  • Trust your instincts about people you meet online, if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or something doesn’t seem right - report it to us so we can investigate and take the appropriate action.

Here is a list of organizations that can help if you need support.

Nudity and sexting

Flirting, exploring sexual feelings and having relationships are a natural part of growing up. It can be difficult to know where to draw the line when sharing photos and videos. Celebrities posting pictures in their underwear and the increasingly sexual images and behavior in the media can make it confusing. 

Some may feel pressured into sharing nude pictures by their boyfriends, girlfriends, friends, or strangers pretending to be someone else, while others may be trying to get attention or in hopes of achieving another goal. It’s important to understand that these types of photos and videos can be shared with others without consent and could put the individual at risk of sexual exploitation. With users below the age of 18, taking, sharing or possessing these images is unlawful and illegal.

To safeguard our community, Renz strictly prohibits any content featuring nudity and takes proactive measures to prevent its distribution. Our Community Guidelines clearly forbid such content, and we diligently work to remove it upon detection.

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Encourage your teen to think critically about the consequences before posting or sharing images online. Could their actions be harmful to themselves or others, or potentially illegal?
  • Discuss the possibility of their images being shared without consent by others, including those they might trust, and prepare them on how to respond if that happens.
  • Emphasize that creating, sharing, or possessing explicit images of minors is against the law.

For Teens:

  • Consider the lasting impact of sharing personal content, including intimate images, on social media or with others. Would you be comfortable with those images being out there forever?
  • Understand that even trusted individuals might share your private images with others or online.
  • Be aware that it's illegal for anyone under 18 to produce, share, or hold explicit images, whether of yourself or others.
  • If you find out about someone spreading such images of you or anyone else, please report it to us right away.

Self-harm and suicide

Many individuals struggle with depression, low self-esteem, or face other complex personal challenges. Becoming part of an online community can serve as crucial support for those encountering mental or emotional challenges, offering a chance to connect with others who understand and can relate, thus reducing feelings of loneliness. This is one of the significant benefits of engaging in online communities. While this is one of the greatest benefits of socializing online, in some cases, users may be encouraged by others to participate in unhealthy or dangerous behaviors such as self-harm or suicide. 

Our Advice

For Parents:

  • Communicate to your teen that you're there to support them and help them access the resources they need.
  • Utilize our list of Resources to find support organizations locally and discuss this with your teen, emphasizing the availability of a support network.
  • Encourage them to be mindful of their friends who might be struggling, offering support where possible.

For Teens:

  • Don't hesitate to share your feelings and challenges with someone you trust; try to remember that you’re not alone, everyone has hard days.
  • Here is a list of organizations that can help and provide support if you’re struggling.
  • Keep an eye out for friends who may also be in distress, and help them find the support they need.

Resources

Whatever you are going through, these organizations are here to help. Review the list of helpful links in your country below:

Please note, this is not a comprehensive list of support organizations and Renz is not responsible for the content on these third party websites.

🇦🇺 Australia

🇦🇹 Austria

🇧🇪 Belgium

🇨🇦 Canada

🇩🇰 Denmark

🇫🇮 Finland

🇫🇷 France

🇩🇪 Germany

🇮🇪 Ireland

🇮🇹 Italy

🇱🇺 Luxembourg

🇳🇱 The Netherlands

🇳🇿 New Zealand

🇳🇴 Norway

🇪🇸 Spain

🇸🇪 Sweden

🇬🇧 The United Kingdom

🇺🇸 United States of America

Law Enforcement

Legal Framework

Renz is committed to cooperating with law enforcement investigations when appropriate, in accordance with applicable law.

As a Canadian company, Renz discloses user data in compliance with Canadian law and as outlined in its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

In accordance with Canadian laws and regulations, Renz may be required to provide user data to Canadian law enforcement authorities upon request.

Renz will not respond to requests for information from private parties, such as civil litigants, unless they are part of an official legal process.

Data Requests

Authorized public bodies may request information, which might include details about the user (e.g., name, date of birth, email address), information about the user’s account (e.g., date created, IP address), and content created by the user (e.g., messages sent, photos exchanged, friends lists).

In accordance with Canadian law and regulations, only bodies authorized by legislative or regulatory provisions, within the scope of specific missions can request a user’s information.

These data requests must:

- be made in writing, on law enforcement letterhead and signed by the responsible law enforcement officer;
- be submitted by mail and by e-mail to the address mentioned below;
- specify the legal basis upon which it is made;
- target persons who are identified or identifiable;
- be occasional;
- mention the categories of data to be communicated and their relevance to the current investigation;
- mention a valid official email address allowing communication with us.

If authorities fail to satisfy the requirements mentioned above, we will not fulfill their requests.

If you represent a law enforcement authority outside of Canada, we will not be able to respond to your request for user data directly; with the exception of emergency data request outlined below.

In accordance with international co-operation agreements, please contact the relevant Canadian authority first so they can contact us on your behalf.

As a courtesy to non-Canadian law enforcement, we will review and respond to properly submitted preservation requests while the international co-operation process between law enforcement bodies, or entities, is undertaken.

ATT: GamerLink Inc.

210-137 Glasgow St, Kitchener, ON, Canada, N2G 4X8

legal@renz.app

Emergency Data Requests

In cases where an individual is at imminent risk of harm, including death or serious physical injury, and Renz App holds information that could help prevent such harm, sworn law enforcement officials can directly contact Renz App while the official process is ongoing.

An urgent request is classified as such only when there is an imminent risk of death or serious physical injury to a person.

All emergency data requests must be made by a sworn law enforcement official and, if sent via email, must come from an official law enforcement email domain. Data request must also still abide by the Canadian emergency data request privacy laws.

Contact Us

If you have any questions or feedback please do not hesitate to contact us at support@renz.app.