UGC Moderation Policy

1. Consume news, articles, videos, creator content and multimedia content;
2. Comment, share opinions, post photos, videos, or other user-generated content ("UGC").

1. Maintain a safe, respectful, and lawful community;
2. Protect journalistic integrity, creator interest and public interest; and
3. Comply with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and IT (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (as amended and updated from time to time) (the “IT Rules”).

This policy applies to UGC, which includes:

1. Comments, reactions, and replies on news content;
2. Posts, stories, images, videos, or audio created and uploaded by users;
3. Live chat, polls, or discussion threads;
4. News tips, eyewitness reports, or suggestions submitted via in-app features; and
5. Submissions by independent content creators.

It does not apply to editorial news content created by Asianxt Digital Technologies Private Limited (the “Company”) journalists or official communications.

While all user-submitted material is UGC, the App hosts specific functionality featuring content from independent creators. Creator-produced content is subject to all standard UGC rules but may also be governed by additional quality guidelines, creator-specific terms, and a pre-publication review process as defined in a separate “Content Partnership Agreement”. Enforcement actions against UGC may include removal from the featured program in addition to standard account penalties.

Creators represent and warrant that all UGC is original, accurate and not defamatory. The Company relies on this warranty to maintain its status as an intermediary.

While the Company performs moderation and pre-publication review for Creator Connect UGC, such actions are taken in good faith to ensure safety and legal compliance. These actions do not constitute editorial control or ownership of the UGC, and the Company expressly reserves its statutory immunity under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

UGC is moderated based on the following principles:

1. Legality - Prohibited content includes unlawful, obscene, defamatory, threatening, or offensive material under Indian law.

2. Safety & Dignity – Harassment, hate speech, sexual abuse, impersonation, or personal attacks are strictly prohibited.

3. Public Interest & News Value – Content of legitimate news or public interest may be retained with context or annotation.

4. Fairness & Transparency – Moderation is consistent, with human oversight for critical decisions.

5. Timely Action – Complaints and takedown requests are processed within legally mandated timelines.

While all user submissions are UGC, “Creator Connect” content is subject to:

Pre-Publication Review: Content intended for distribution to third-party platforms undergoes a higher level of review and scrutiny.

Distribution License: By uploading, creators grant the Company a non-exclusive, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable license to distribute UGC to external social media platforms, subject to the Content Partnership Agreement.

Independent Status: Moderation of Creator Connect UGC is performed for safety/compliance and does not constitute editorial control by the Company.

In accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:

Mandatory Disclosure: Creators must disclose at the time of upload if UGC is Synthetically Generated Information (which includes deepfakes).

Labeling: All SGI will be prominently labeled by the App. Failure to disclose AI usage is a material breach of this policy.

Penalties. Users are hereby informed that creating, generating, or disseminating SGI in contravention of the IT Rules and the terms set out herein (e.g., for deception or misinformation) may attract penalties or punishment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, POCSO Act, 2012, and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Traceability: The Company may embed technical markers in Creator Connect content to ensure authenticity across distributed platforms.

AI tools and keyword filters screen UGC at submission for potential violations:

1. Obscene or explicit content
2. Hate speech or harassment
3. Spam or impersonation
4. Misinformation or misleading content
5. Potentially violating content may be temporarily restricted pending human review.

1. Flagged content is reviewed by trained moderation or compliance personnel.
2. Review considers context, user history, newsworthiness, and legal obligations.
3. Permanent removal or user penalties require human approval except for cases requiring immediate legal takedown.

Users can report UGC using:

1. "Report" buttons next to content;
2. In-app feedback/help forms.
3. Reports should include the reason for complaint (e.g., harassment, misinformation, nudity, impersonation).

All reports are acknowledged within 24 hours, as per applicable laws.

Lawful orders from courts or government agencies are prioritized and handled through the designated compliance team and as per the timelines set out in the IT Rules.

Upon receipt of a report or detection signal:

1. Content is categorised (e.g., unlawful, potentially unlawful, policy-violating, or permissible).
2. Risk level (high/medium/low) is assigned.

Depending on assessment, actions may include:

1. No action (content retained);
2. Visibility restriction or warning label;
3. Temporary removal pending review;
4. Permanent takedown; and
5. User-level enforcement (warning, suspension, or termination).

Content that:

1. Involves child sexual abuse material,
2. Is patently false and untrue or misleading,
3. Contains Non-consensual deepfakes,
4. Is invasive of bodily privacy,
5. Contains threats to sovereignty, integrity, security of India,
6. Contains terrorism, sexual violence, or
7. Contravenes court/government orders

Is escalated to senior moderation and compliance teams immediately. Where legally required, information is preserved and shared with authorities.

The Grievance Officer shall acknowledge any complaint received from a user or victim within twenty-four (24) hours.

3-Hour Emergency Takedown. In compliance with Rule 3(1)(d), content identified by a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorised government agency as threatening national security, public order, or decency will be removed within three (3) hours of receipt of the order.

2-Hour Dignity Takedown: In compliance with Rule 3(2)(b), content that prima facie depicts an individual in nudity, sexual acts, or impersonation (including artificially morphed images/deepfakes) will be removed or disabled within two (2) hours of receipt of a complaint.

Moderation related appeals: Shall be reviewed and taken down within seven (7) days.

This policy is reviewed periodically and updated to reflect legal, technological, or operational changes. Continued use of the App after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.