Community Guidelines

Last updated: 10 June 2026

Surfmate is built for people who love surfing. These Community Guidelines explain how we expect everyone to behave, what content is not allowed in the Service, and what we may do if rules are broken. They form part of our Terms of Service. Capitalised terms used here align with those Terms where applicable.

1. Be respectful

Treat other users with respect. Do not harass, bully, threaten, or stalk anyone. Do not share private information about others (doxing) or encourage pile-ons. Hateful conduct targeting individuals or groups based on attributes such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability is not allowed.

2. No sexual or gratuitous nudity in shared content

Surfmate is not a platform for sharing nude or sexually explicit content with others. Do not post or share photos, videos, comments, or other media that show nudity intended to be sexual or pornographic, or that sexualise minors. Non-sexual, incidental background in beach or surf settings does not give permission to post explicit content. When in doubt, keep it appropriate for a general surf community.

3. Illegal and harmful content

Do not post content that is illegal, promotes illegal activity, or poses a serious risk of harm (including self-harm or dangerous stunts encouraging others to get hurt). Do not share instructions for wrongdoing or content that exploits or endangers minors.

4. Authenticity and spam

Do not impersonate Surfmate, another user, or a public figure. Do not use the Service primarily to send spam, misleading links, or deceptive commercial promotions. Respect intellectual property: only share content you have the right to use.

5. Spots, safety, and environment

Information about surf spots can affect safety and local communities. Do not encourage trespassing, unsafe access, or disrespect for residents and the environment. Follow local rules and common sense in the water.

6. Reporting, moderation, and appeals

If you see content or behaviour that violates these Guidelines or our Terms, please report it in the Surfmate app using the report option on the relevant content (for example chat messages, spotchecks, surf sessions in the mates feed, session comments, user profiles, or avatar media). Choose the reason that best fits and add details if helpful.

You can also email us at info@surf-mate.de with a short description and, if possible, screenshots. In-app reporting is preferred because it links directly to our moderation queue.

We may remove content, hide it from others, warn accounts, or suspend or terminate accounts, depending on severity and repeat behaviour. When we restrict content or take action on an account, we aim to notify the affected user with a brief explanation and information on how to appeal where applicable. You can submit an appeal from the Surfmate app (Notifications or Settings). We may also involve authorities where required by law.

7. Social features (mates feed, comments, tagging)

The mates feed shows public surf sessions from people you follow. Comments and likes on sessions are visible to users who can access that session. If someone tags you in a session, you may receive a direct message and see that session in the App. Only tag people you actually surfed with, and respect others’ privacy and blocking choices.

8. Changes

We may update these Guidelines from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of the Service after updates can mean you accept the new Guidelines, as described in our Terms.

Note: These Guidelines support a safe community but are not legal advice. Align them with your final moderation process and legal review.