Child Safety Standards
NearBlend has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE). This page sets out our standards, the measures built into the App, and how anyone can report a concern to us.
To report suspected child sexual abuse or exploitation on NearBlend, email support@nearblend.com with the subject line CHILD SAFETY. These reports are our highest priority. If a child is in immediate danger, contact local police first.
1. Prohibited conduct
The following are strictly forbidden and result in immediate, permanent removal:
- Any child sexual abuse material (CSAM), or links to it.
- Sexualising, grooming, soliciting or attempting to meet a minor for sexual purposes.
- Sexual or romantic contact of any kind directed at a minor.
- Sharing, requesting or threatening to share intimate images of a minor.
- Creating an account while under the minimum age, or misrepresenting age.
2. Age requirements
- NearBlend requires users to be at least 13 years old.
- Date of birth is collected at signup, and accounts below the minimum age are blocked from registering.
- Users aged 13–17 may use NearBlend only with the involvement and consent of a parent or guardian.
- Users under 18 start in Ghost Mode — not visible on the map to other users unless they choose otherwise.
- NearBlend is not directed to children, and is not designed or marketed for use by children under 13.
3. Safety measures in the App
| Measure | How it works |
|---|---|
| Approximate location only | A user's position is coarsened to roughly 500 metres before any other user sees it. Exact coordinates are never shared between users. |
| Ghost Mode | Any user can hide from the map instantly. Minors start hidden by default. |
| Blocking | Any user can block another. Blocked users disappear from the map, lists and chats, and cannot send messages. |
| Reporting | Any user or message can be reported from within the App, with a reason and details. |
| No background tracking | Location is collected only while the App is open. |
| Private, member-only chats | Messages are one-to-one and readable only by the two participants; server rules prevent access by anyone else. |
4. How we respond to reports
- Reports of suspected CSAE are prioritised above all other reports.
- We review the reported account and content.
- Where our standards are violated, we remove the content and permanently terminate the account.
- We preserve relevant records and report apparent CSAM to the appropriate authorities, including India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and, where applicable, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
- We cooperate with lawful requests from law-enforcement agencies investigating child-safety offences.
5. Point of contact
Our designated child-safety point of contact is Arshad, reachable at support@nearblend.com. Google Play, Apple and law-enforcement agencies may use this address to reach us regarding child-safety matters.
6. Compliance
These standards are published in line with Google Play's Child Safety Standards policy and Apple's App Store Review Guidelines on user-generated content, and are reviewed as our service and applicable law evolve. Relevant law includes India's Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
7. Resources
| Where | Contact |
|---|---|
| India — Cyber Crime Reporting Portal | cybercrime.gov.in |
| India — Childline | 1098 |
| NCMEC CyberTipline | report.cybertip.org |