1. Our Mission & Values
Mudda exists to:
- Amplify marginalized voices and unheard perspectives
- Enable structured, respectful civic debate
- Build informed, empowered communities
- Drive positive social change through collective action
Our Commitment: We are committed to creating a safe space for all participants, maintaining zero tolerance for discrimination, and ensuring transparency in moderation.
2. Core Principles
Principle 1: Respectful Disagreement
✅ Allowed: "I disagree with your argument because..."
❌ Not allowed: "You're stupid" or personal attacks
Principle 2: Evidence-Based Discussion
✅ Allowed: Cite sources, link to data, acknowledge counterarguments
❌ Not allowed: Wild claims without evidence
Principle 3: Good-Faith Engagement
- Assume others are sincere (until proven otherwise)
- Respond to the strongest version of arguments
- Don't strawman or misrepresent others' views
- Accept when you're wrong; learn and move on
Principle 4: Inclusive Participation
- All backgrounds and perspectives welcome
- No discrimination based on identity
- Accessibility prioritized
- Multiple languages supported
3. Prohibited Content
3.1 HATE SPEECH & DISCRIMINATION
❌ Not allowed: Slurs, insults based on identity
❌ Not allowed: Dehumanizing language ("they're animals")
❌ Not allowed: Calls for exclusion or harm based on identity
❌ Not allowed: Caste-based discrimination or slurs
❌ Not allowed: Conspiracy theories targeting groups
Protected Groups: LGBTQ+, religious minorities, lower castes, women, disabled persons, indigenous peoples, and any other historically marginalized groups.
3.2 THREATS & VIOLENCE
❌ Not allowed: "I will hurt you" or direct threats
❌ Not allowed: Sharing someone's address/contact with intent to harm
❌ Not allowed: Glorifying violence or terrorism
❌ Not allowed: Instructions for self-harm
3.3 HARASSMENT & ABUSE
❌ Not allowed: Targeted attacks on individuals
❌ Not allowed: Unwanted sexual advances
❌ Not allowed: Repeated unwanted contact
❌ Not allowed: Doxxing (sharing private info)
❌ Not allowed: Brigading (coordinated pile-ons)
3.4 MISINFORMATION (Elections & Health)
❌ Not allowed: False election claims ("This candidate is dead")
❌ Not allowed: Unproven cure claims ("Vaccine causes X")
❌ Not allowed: Health advice from non-professionals presented as fact
Important: Skepticism is allowed. Disagreement is allowed. False claims presented as fact are not.
3.5 SPAM & MANIPULATION
❌ Not allowed: Bot-like repetitive posting
❌ Not allowed: Unsolicited promotions or marketing
❌ Not allowed: Artificially inflating votes
❌ Not allowed: "Like/share for prize" schemes
3.6 EXPLICIT CONTENT
❌ Not allowed: Hardcore pornography
❌ Not allowed: Graphic violence/gore
❌ Not allowed: NSFW images without warning
✅ Allowed: Educational anatomy, news coverage of violence, artistic nudity, sexual health discussions (in context)
3.7 ILLEGAL CONTENT
- Drug trafficking or weapons sales
- Child exploitation (CSAM)
- Stolen goods or credentials
- Copyright-infringing media
4. What We Allow (Important!)
Tough Criticism ✅
"This policy is terrible because [evidence]..."
"This leader is corrupt, here's proof..."
"I strongly disagree with [idea] because..."
Sensitive Topics ✅
Critiques of caste discrimination, religious extremism, political issues, marginalized topics
Satire & Humor ✅
Memes critiquing ideas, sarcasm, irony, comedy
Anonymous Participation ✅
You can post anonymously (with limitations). Your votes still count.
5. Specific Content Areas
5.1 Political Content
- All viewpoints welcome
- No ban on specific parties/politicians
- Flag: Provably false claims
- Flag: Incitement to violence
- Debates encouraged and moderated
5.2 Religious/Caste Content
- Can critique religions freely
- Can discuss caste issues
- Cannot dehumanize believers
- Cannot promote discrimination
5.3 Gender & Sexuality
- All identities welcome
- Transphobia/homophobia not allowed
- Discussion of these issues okay
- Repeated misgendering may result in action
5.4 Mental Health & Suicide
- Resources provided in pinned posts
- Supportive content encouraged
- No "you should hurt yourself" comments
- Crisis helpline: AASRA 9820466726 (India)
6. Leadership Responsibilities
As a Mudda Leader or Muddebaaz (top debater), you have elevated responsibilities:
- You represent your side in public
- You set the tone for debate quality
- You accept stricter standards than regular users
- Hate speech results in automatic badge removal
- 3 violations = 30-day badge suspension
- 5 violations = Permanent badge loss (can re-earn after 1 year)
7. Moderation Process
Step 1: Detection
- User reports (1-click flag button)
- AI automated flagging (24/7)
- Pattern analysis of repeated behavior
Step 2: Human Review
- Trained moderator checks context
- Reads parent comments/thread
- Determines violation level
- Response time: 1–5 minutes average
Step 3: Enforcement Action
- Warning (minor first-time violations)
- Temporary ban (24h–30d)
- Permanent ban (severe/repeated violations)
Step 4: Notification
You receive an email with:
- What was removed
- Which rule was violated
- Severity level & appeal window
- Link to these guidelines
8. Appeals & Due Process
How to Appeal:
- 48-hour window from notification email
- Reply with explanation
- Senior mod reviews with fresh eyes
- Final decision in 7 days
Valid Appeal Reasons:
- "I needed more context..." (mod re-reads full thread)
- "I've reconsidered; I apologize"
- "This isn't actually a slur" (verified against dictionaries)
9. Transparency Reports
Monthly transparency reports published at transparency.mudda.app
- Total reports received
- Types of violations flagged
- Actions taken (warnings, bans)
- Appeal rate & outcomes
- Moderator training updates
10. Special Protections
Minors (13–17)
- No doxxing (strict enforcement)
- No sexual contact/solicitation
- No targeted harassment
- Enhanced privacy & safety monitoring
- Instant permanent ban for predatory behavior
Vulnerable Communities
- Hate speech targeting protected groups = priority removal
- Extra context-checking for nuance
- Faster response times
Elections
- Misinformation gets labeled ("This claim is disputed")
- Links to fact-checks provided
- No ban for disagreement (unless incitement)
Health Claims
- Unproven cure claims = labeled with context
- Anti-vaccine misinformation = context added
- Mental health advice = flagged if not from professionals
11. AI Moderation System
How Our AI Works:
- Trained on 100k+ moderated posts
- Flags harmful content (80% accuracy)
- All flagged content gets human review
- Learns from human mod decisions
- Retrained quarterly
AI Limitations (Human Review Required):
- Sarcasm and context ("this policy sucks" vs "sucks to be you")
- Nuanced political disagreement
- Cultural differences in language
- Appeals and exceptions
12. Reporting & Support
How to Report:
- Click flag icon on any post
- Select reason (hate speech, misinformation, etc.)
- Add optional explanation
- Auto-generates moderation ticket
Response Times:
- Urgent (threats): < 1 hour
- Hate speech: < 4 hours
- Spam: < 24 hours
- Misinformation: < 24 hours
- Other: < 72 hours
Reporter Confidentiality:
- Your report stays confidential
- Reported user doesn't see your identity
- False reports can lead to warnings
- Track status in "My Reports" section
13. Mudda Creator Standards
When raising a Mudda, you agree to:
- Accurate title: No exaggeration or clickbait
- Truthful description: Provide genuine context & evidence
- Correct scope: Choose appropriate level (local/national/global)
- Cite sources: For factual claims
- No manipulation: Don't artificially boost votes
Pattern violations can result in losing Mudda-raising privileges.
14. Contact & Support
- Report content: Flag button on each post
- Report user: User profile → "Report User"
- Appeals: Reply to moderation email (48h window)
- Questions: community@mudda.app (response in 5 days)
- Urgent/Crisis: +91-XXXX-XXXXXX (helpline)
15. Changes to Guidelines
- Updated annually (minimum)
- Announced 30 days before major changes
- Community input considered
- 2-week grace period for enforcement
- Archives available at mudda.app/guidelines-archive
16. Final Note
These guidelines exist to protect everyone—especially those with less power or historically marginalized voices. We take them seriously and enforce them fairly. If you believe you've been unfairly moderated, you have the right to appeal.
Help us build a better community. When you see a violation, report it. When you're wrong, admit it. When you disagree, do it respectfully. Together, we can make Mudda a model for healthy civic discourse.