To ensure compliance with Indian and Telangana State laws, and to maintain a safe, respectful, and lawful environment for all users, the following guidelines outline the acceptable use of media and images within the Crush and Hug app (“App”). Users are expected to adhere strictly to these rules. Failure to do so may result in content removal, account suspension, or legal action where applicable.

1. General Compliance

1. 1.1. All media and images uploaded by users must comply with the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, and its amendments, including the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
2. 1.2. Users must adhere to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, where applicable.
3. 1.3. Content must also respect local customs, norms, and sensitivities in Telangana State.

2. Prohibited Content

1. 2.1. Contain obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit material, as defined under Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, 2000.
2. 2.2. Depict nudity, violence, or content that promotes self-harm or suicide.
3. 2.3. Feature hateful, abusive, or defamatory material targeting individuals, groups, or communities.
4. 2.4. Promote terrorism, illegal activities, or content that incites hatred or violence.
5. 2.5. Contain impersonation, fake profiles, or unauthorized use of another individual’s images without consent.

3. Consent and Privacy

1. 3.1. Users must have explicit permission from individuals featured in uploaded images or videos.
2. 3.2. Sharing private or sensitive information, including but not limited to addresses, phone numbers, and private images, without consent is strictly prohibited under Section 72 of the IT Act.
3. 3.3. The App prohibits the sharing of minors’ images or content that exploits or endangers children, in compliance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. We may require age verification via KYC to enforce this rule.
4. 3.4. By uploading media, you grant Areksoft Technologies Private Limited a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display it on the App, revocable by deletion, per IT Act rules.
5. 3.5. Areksoft Technologies Private Limited is not liable for third-party misuse of your media (e.g., screenshots or external sharing), per IT Act Section 79 safe harbor provisions.
6. 3.6. Biometric data collected during face verification (e.g., video for blinking detection) will be encrypted by default and securely stored. This data will be used to verify the authenticity of other media uploaded by the user (e.g., gallery photos) to ensure they belong to the same individual, in compliance with the DPDP Act, 2023. Users may request deletion of their verification video via support@areksoft.com, subject to legal compliance requirements.

4. Cultural Sensitivity

1. 4.1. Media must not disrespect religious sentiments, cultural practices, or national symbols, as per Sections 153A and 295A of the IPC.
2. 4.2. Content should not depict Telangana’s cultural heritage, traditions, or public figures in a derogatory manner.

5. Face Verification and Image Authenticity

1. 5.1. Face Verification Requirement:
   • Users are required to complete a face verification process to ensure the authenticity of their profile and enhance safety within the App.
   • Face verification is conducted using a short video (typically 3–5 seconds) where the user must blink to confirm liveness. This prevents the use of static photos, pre-recorded videos, or other spoofing methods.
   • The video must show a clear, unobstructed view of the user’s face, with adequate lighting and no filters, masks, or heavy editing that obscures facial features.
   • Users must follow on-screen instructions to record the video, ensuring they blink as prompted during the process.
   • Failure to complete face verification or provide a verifiable video may result in account suspension or restricted access to certain App features (e.g., uploading gallery photos).
2. 5.2. Users are encouraged to upload clear, authentic, and accurate representations of themselves in all gallery photos, which must also comply with the App’s guidelines.
3. 5.3. Misleading or manipulated images, including but not limited to deepfakes, are prohibited.
4. 5.4. Images must not contain watermarks, logos, personal information, or advertisements promoting third-party services or products.
5. 5.5. Verification Process:
   • The face verification video will be processed using automated facial recognition and liveness detection technology to confirm the user’s identity and ensure blinking occurs as prompted.
   • The video will be encrypted by default and retained securely to verify the authenticity of other media (e.g., gallery photos) uploaded by the user, ensuring they belong to the same individual.
   • The process complies with the DPDP Act, 2023, ensuring user consent, data minimization, and secure handling of biometric data.
   • If the video fails verification (e.g., due to poor lighting, no blinking detected, or non-compliance), users will be prompted to re-record the video with feedback on how to improve.
6. 5.6. Gallery Photos:
   • After successful face verification, users may upload gallery photos, which must also clearly display their face and align with the verified identity from the face verification video.
   • Gallery photos will be cross-verified against the encrypted face verification video to ensure consistency in identity. Photos that do not match the verified identity or fail to meet visibility requirements may be rejected during moderation.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

1. 6.1. Users must not upload content that infringes upon copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights, in accordance with the Copyright Act, 1957.
2. 6.2. Users bear full responsibility for ensuring that uploaded media is original or appropriately licensed.

7. Content Moderation and Reporting

1. 7.1. The App reserves the right to review, moderate, and remove content that violates these guidelines, including videos that fail face verification or gallery photos that do not align with the verified identity.
2. 7.2. Users can report inappropriate or unlawful content through the in-app reporting feature or by contacting support@areksoft.com.
3. 7.3. The Company will cooperate with law enforcement authorities when required to address violations.
4. 7.4. We retain uploaded media, including encrypted face verification videos, as long as necessary for app functionality (e.g., verifying other media) or legal compliance, per DPDP Act, 2023. You may request deletion via support@areksoft.com, subject to legal compliance requirements.

8. Promotional Use

1. 8.1. Uploaded media (excluding face verification videos) may be used for Crush and Hug promotional purposes unless you opt out via app settings, per DPDP Act consent requirements. Face verification videos will not be used for promotional purposes under any circumstances.

9. Consequences of Violations

1. 9.1. Violations of these guidelines, including failure to comply with face verification requirements, may result in warnings, content removal, temporary suspension, or permanent account bans, at the Company’s discretion.
2. 9.2. Serious breaches, such as those involving illegal content, minors, impersonation, or attempts to bypass face verification (e.g., using a photo instead of a video), will lead to immediate bans and reporting to authorities, per IT Act Section 67B and POCSO Act Section 20.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

1. 10.1. These guidelines are governed by the laws of India and Telangana State.
2. 10.2. Any disputes or legal matters will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Hyderabad, Telangana.