Platform Safety Policy
Last updated: March 7, 2026
YBuffet Inc. ('YBuffet,' 'we,' 'us,' or 'our') operates a multi-sided platform connecting startup builders, service providers, and investors at ybuffet.com. This Platform Safety Policy sets out how YBuffet designs and operates its Platform to protect users from illegal and harmful content, how we moderate content, how users can report problems, and how we comply with applicable platform safety laws worldwide, including the EU Digital Services Act and UK Online Safety Act.
This Policy should be read alongside YBuffet's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
1. Regulatory Framework
YBuffet's platform safety practices are designed to comply with the following regulatory frameworks:
EU Digital Services Act (DSA) (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065): Establishes obligations for online platforms regarding illegal content, transparency, and user protection. YBuffet complies with DSA requirements applicable to online platforms, including content moderation, notice-and-action procedures, transparency reporting, and terms of service obligations.
UK Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA): Requires user-to-user services to conduct risk assessments and take proportionate steps to protect users from illegal content and, where applicable, content harmful to children. YBuffet complies with OSA duties applicable to its service classification.
Other applicable laws: YBuffet also takes into account platform safety requirements under other jurisdictions where it operates, including but not limited to the US Communications Decency Act (Section 230), India's Information Technology Act 2000 and IT Rules 2021, Australia's Online Safety Act 2021, and Canada's proposed Online Harms Act. Where local law imposes stricter requirements, YBuffet will comply with the stricter standard.
YBuffet monitors regulatory developments and updates this Policy as new requirements come into force.
2. What YBuffet Is (Platform Classification)
For the purposes of applicable platform safety law:
YBuffet is an 'intermediary service' and 'online platform' under the EU DSA: we host and transmit user-generated content at users' request and make it accessible to other users
YBuffet is a 'user-to-user service' under the UK Online Safety Act: users can post content (forum posts, profiles, listings, messages, reviews) visible to other users
YBuffet is NOT currently a 'Very Large Online Platform' (VLOP) under the DSA (threshold: 45 million average monthly EU users) or a 'Category 1' service under the UK OSA
YBuffet operates a marketplace: some content (service listings, provider profiles) constitutes commercial communications in addition to user-generated content
YBuffet's classification and obligations will be reassessed as the Platform grows. This Policy will be updated accordingly.
3. Prohibited Content
The following categories of content are prohibited on the Platform and will be removed. Some categories are illegal in one or more jurisdictions; others violate YBuffet's policies regardless of legality:
3.1 Illegal Content (mandatory removal)
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or any sexualization of minors - zero tolerance, immediate removal and report to NCMEC (US) and relevant national authorities
Terrorist and violent extremist content - removed within 1 hour of referral from a competent authority under EU TERREG; proactively removed where clearly identifiable
Content that incites imminent violence or serious harm to identified individuals or groups
Illegal hate speech targeting protected characteristics under applicable law
Non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) - removed within 24 hours of verified report
Doxxing: posting others' private personal information (home address, phone, financial data) without consent, with intent to cause harm - see Community Guidelines for full details
Content facilitating trafficking, slavery, or sexual exploitation
Fraudulent content: impersonation, fake credentials, scam offers
Unlicensed financial promotions to UK and EU users (see Section 9)
3.2 Policy-Violating Content (removed or restricted)
Spam, unsolicited commercial messages, and artificial engagement manipulation
Misinformation that could cause real-world harm (e.g., false claims about regulated professional credentials)
Content that violates third-party intellectual property rights (DMCA/EUCD takedown process applies)
Harassment, threats, or targeted abuse of individual users
Content that violates our Community Guidelines
4. Content Moderation Approach
4.1 Proactive Measures
YBuffet uses the following proactive content moderation measures:
New user onboarding: all users agree to Terms of Service and Community Guidelines before posting
Automated screening: new posts and profiles are screened by automated tools for known illegal content hashes (CSAM: PhotoDNA or equivalent) and flagged keyword patterns
Provider credential display: service listings indicate whether credentials are self-reported or verified, reducing misleading professional claims
Rate limiting: automated detection of spam posting patterns
4.2 Reactive Moderation
Upon receiving a valid report (see Section 5):
Report is acknowledged within 24 hours
Content is assessed against Community Guidelines and applicable law within 72 hours for standard reports; within 1 hour for TERREG referrals from competent authorities
Decision is made: remove, restrict, add warning label, or no action
Reporting user is notified of decision within 7 days
Content creator is notified of removal with reason, unless notification would compromise a law enforcement investigation
4.3 Human Review
All content moderation decisions with significant consequences (account suspension, content removal that is disputed, hate speech determinations) involve human review. Automated tools are used for initial screening and prioritization only, not final enforcement decisions.
5. Reporting Illegal or Harmful Content
Any user or non-user can report content on the Platform that they believe is illegal or violates our policies. YBuffet provides the following reporting mechanisms:
In-platform reporting: every piece of user-generated content has a 'Report' button accessible without logging in
Email: grow@ybuffet.com with subject line 'Content Report'
Law enforcement and authority referrals: see our Law Enforcement Guidelines
A valid report must include: (a) a clear identification of the specific content (URL or description); (b) the reason for the report; and (c) where the report relates to illegal content, the applicable law alleged to be violated. Anonymous reports are accepted.
YBuffet will not require reporters to create an account or share personal information to make a report. Reports are treated confidentially.
6. Notice and Action Mechanism (DSA Article 16)
In compliance with DSA Article 16, YBuffet operates the following notice-and-action mechanism for EU/EEA users:
6.1 Submitting a Notice
Notices of alleged illegal content must contain:
A sufficiently substantiated explanation of the reasons why the information is alleged to be illegal content
A clear indication of the electronic location (URL) of the content
The name and email address of the notifying party (except for reports of CSAM)
A statement confirming the notifying party's belief in good faith that the information and allegations are accurate and complete
Notices may be submitted to grow@ybuffet.com with subject line 'DSA Notice.'
6.2 YBuffet's Response
Acknowledgment within 24 hours of receipt
Decision communicated to notifying party within 7 days (or 1 hour for TERREG content)
If content is removed or access is restricted: notification to the content creator with reason and information about appeal rights, unless this would compromise a law enforcement investigation
Records of all notices and actions taken are retained for 6 months and made available to competent authorities on request
7. Appeals and Internal Complaint Mechanism (DSA Articles 17 & 20)
Any user affected by a content moderation decision has the right to appeal. This includes:
A user whose content has been removed or restricted
A user whose account has been suspended or terminated
A user who submitted a report and is unsatisfied with the outcome
7.1 Internal Appeal
Appeals must be submitted to grow@ybuffet.com with subject line 'Appeal - [Decision Date]' within 6 months of the decision. Appeals should include: (a) the decision being appealed; (b) the reasons why the decision was incorrect; and (c) any supporting evidence.
YBuffet will review all appeals through a human reviewer not involved in the original decision and issue a decision within 14 days. Where the appeal is upheld, the content will be restored or the account reinstated promptly.
7.2 Out-of-Court Dispute Settlement (DSA Article 21)
EU/EEA users who are not satisfied with YBuffet's internal appeal decision may refer the matter to a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body under DSA Article 21. A list of certified bodies will be maintained by the Digital Services Coordinators in each member state. YBuffet will engage in good faith with any such body.
7.3 UK Appeals
UK users may escalate unresolved complaints to Ofcom once Ofcom's user complaints mechanisms are operational under the UK OSA enforcement timeline.
8. Trusted Flaggers (DSA Article 22)
DSA Article 22 establishes a 'trusted flagger' mechanism: organizations awarded trusted flagger status by Digital Services Coordinators have their notices prioritized. YBuffet will:
Prioritize and process trusted flagger notices within 24 hours
Maintain a register of trusted flaggers whose notices receive priority treatment
Report annually on the processing of trusted flagger notices
Organizations that believe they qualify as trusted flaggers for YBuffet's platform categories may contact grow@ybuffet.com.
9. Restrictions on Financial Promotions and Investment Content
YBuffet's planned Showcase/livestream investment feature requires particular care under financial promotion law:
UK: The UK Financial Promotion Order 2005 (as amended) restricts the communication of financial promotions to UK users. YBuffet must either: (a) have promotions approved by an FCA-authorized person; (b) be FCA-authorized itself; or (c) rely on an applicable exemption. Unapproved financial promotions to UK retail investors are a criminal offence.
EU: MiFID II and the EU Prospectus Regulation apply to investment solicitations and offers to EU investors. Crowdfunding-style investment features may fall under the EU Crowdfunding Regulation (ECSPR) (Regulation EU 2020/1503), which requires authorization as a European Crowdfunding Service Provider (ECSP).
US: Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) under the JOBS Act requires fundraising to occur through an SEC-registered intermediary (Funding Portal or Broker-Dealer). YBuffet cannot facilitate Reg CF raises without this structure.
YBuffet will not activate any investment solicitation or equity crowdfunding feature until appropriate regulatory authorization or compliant structure is in place. Users must not post investment solicitations or offers of equity in exchange for payment on the Platform until this feature is formally launched with appropriate legal infrastructure.
10. Advertising Transparency (DSA Article 26)
YBuffet does not currently operate targeted behavioral advertising. If YBuffet introduces advertising in the future, it will comply with DSA Article 26 requirements for EU users, including:
Clear labeling of all advertising as advertising
Disclosure of the identity of the advertiser
Disclosure of the main parameters used to determine why a particular advertisement was shown to a user
No advertising targeted at minors
No advertising based on sensitive personal data (health, religion, political views, etc.)
Anthropic's products, including Claude, are ad-free. YBuffet's Claude-powered features are not subject to advertising. YBuffet's own Platform advertising policy will be published separately if advertising is introduced.
11. Transparency Reporting
YBuffet commits to publishing a transparency report on content moderation activities. The report will be published annually (or more frequently if required by applicable law) and will include:
Number of content removal notices received, by category of alleged illegal content
Number of pieces of content removed, restricted, or labeled
Number of user account suspensions and terminations
Number of appeals received and outcomes
Number of trusted flagger notices received
Number of law enforcement requests received
Time taken to process removal notices (median and 90th percentile)
The first transparency report will be published 12 months after Platform launch, or earlier if required by law. Reports will be published on the Platform and communicated to users via email.
DSA Article 15 transparency reporting to the European Commission is also required for hosting services and will be submitted as required by DSA implementing regulations.
12. Risk Assessment and Mitigation (DSA Articles 26-27 for Online Platforms)
As an online platform under the DSA, YBuffet must conduct an annual assessment of systemic risks arising from the Platform's design, features, and operation. Risks include:
Dissemination of illegal content through the Platform
Negative effects on fundamental rights (freedom of expression, privacy, non-discrimination)
Intentional manipulation of the Platform to cause harm (e.g., fake reviews, coordinated inauthentic behavior)
Risks to minors from inappropriate content or contact
The risk assessment will inform YBuffet's content moderation priorities, platform design decisions, and policy updates. The first formal DSA risk assessment will be conducted within 6 months of Platform launch and thereafter annually.
13. Cooperation with Authorities
YBuffet cooperates with lawful requests from competent authorities in accordance with our Law Enforcement Guidelines. Specific platform safety obligations include:
TERREG: upon receipt of a removal order from a competent authority for terrorist content, YBuffet will remove or disable access within 1 hour and notify the issuing authority
DSA Digital Services Coordinators: YBuffet will respond to information requests, audits, and investigations from DSA Digital Services Coordinators
Ofcom (UK): YBuffet will respond to Ofcom information requests under the UK Online Safety Act
NCMEC CyberTipline: YBuffet will report any known CSAM to NCMEC's CyberTipline as required by US law (18 USC 2258A)
14. Protection of Minors
YBuffet takes the protection of minors particularly seriously across all applicable legal frameworks:
Platform access is restricted to users 18 and over
Age verification mechanisms will be implemented as required by applicable law, including UK OSA and EU DSA requirements for minor protection
No behavioral advertising targeting minors
Content moderation prioritizes removal of content that endangers minors
YBuffet cooperates with child safety organizations including NCMEC and IWF
15. Single Point of Contact
In accordance with DSA Article 11, YBuffet designates the following as the single point of contact for communications with member state authorities, the European Commission, and the European Board for Digital Services:
Contact: grow@ybuffet.com
Languages accepted: English
YBuffet will update this contact information and designate an EU establishment or legal representative as required as the Platform scales.
16. Updates to This Policy
This Platform Safety Policy will be updated to reflect:
Changes to applicable platform safety laws and implementing regulations
Ofcom codes of practice as published under the UK OSA
DSA implementing acts and guidelines from the European Commission
Changes to YBuffet's platform features (particularly the Showcase/investment feature)
Annual risk assessment findings
Material changes will be communicated with at least 30 days advance notice. This Policy is available at ybuffet.com/legal/platform-safety-policy.