These Community Guidelines apply to Loci: Your Local Community App and Ask Locally, published by Loci App Limited.

1. Purpose and scope

These Community Guidelines govern conduct on Ask Locally and any other feature of the Loci app that allows residents to communicate directly with one another. By using these features, you agree to follow these Guidelines and our Terms of Use, which these Guidelines form part of. Where the two documents overlap, the Terms of Use is the governing legal agreement; these Guidelines explain, in plain terms, what that means for how you behave here.

These Guidelines apply to every post, reply, and any other content you submit through Ask Locally or other resident-to-resident features, regardless of the device or account you use to submit it.

2. Our approach

Ask Locally exists because neighbours are often the fastest, most trustworthy source of local knowledge and help. That only works if people can rely on what they see here. These Guidelines exist to protect that trust, not to police conversation for its own sake. We aim to step in as little as necessary and as much as required to keep the space safe and useful.

3. Standards of conduct

3.1 Be kind

No abuse, harassment, or personal attacks. Disagree with the point, not the person. This includes repeated unwanted contact with someone after they've asked you to stop.

3.2 No discrimination or hateful conduct

Content that attacks, demeans, or incites hatred against a person or group on the basis of a protected characteristic — including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age — is not permitted under any circumstances.

3.3 Keep it local

Ask Locally has four categories: Local knowledge, Lending a hand, What's on, and Lost and found. Posts should be genuinely relevant to your neighbourhood and fit one of these. General chat, off-topic debate, or content aimed at people outside your local area may be removed.

3.4 No selling

Ask Locally is for lending a hand, not running a shop. Do not use it to sell goods or services, solicit business, or promote a commercial enterprise. Where Loci offers dedicated features for this in future, those — not Ask Locally — will be the right place.

3.5 Nothing illegal, and nothing that puts anyone at risk

Don't post content that's illegal in the UK, or that facilitates, promotes, or gives instructions for illegal activity, including fraud or the sale of prohibited goods.

3.6 Zero tolerance for content endangering children

We do not permit any content that sexualises, endangers, or exploits a child, in any form. This is a zero-tolerance standard with no exceptions. Content of this nature will be removed immediately upon detection, the responsible account will be suspended pending investigation, and we will report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and/or UK law enforcement as appropriate, in addition to any other legal obligations we hold.

3.7 Be honest about who you are

Don't create an account or post content pretending to be someone else, or misrepresent your connection to the area you claim to live in.

3.8 No spam or inauthentic activity

Don't post repetitive, automated, or bulk content, and don't try to manipulate helpful votes, replies, or reports through inauthentic means.

3.9 Contact details

You can share your own phone number or email if you want another resident to reach you directly. Don't share anyone else's contact details without their permission, and never post someone else's home address.

4. How content is reviewed

Before publication: Every post and reply passes through automated screening before it goes live. Content that looks like it breaks these Guidelines is rejected before it's ever visible to other residents.

After publication: Every post and reply has a report button. Tap it and choose the reason that fits best — you don't need to explain further. Reported content that reaches a certain number of reports is automatically hidden while we review it. We prioritise anything indicating risk of harm to a person, especially a child, above routine conduct matters.

5. What happens if you break these Guidelines

Depending on what happened, we may:

  • Remove the content in question
  • Warn the account responsible
  • Temporarily restrict an account's access to Ask Locally
  • Suspend or terminate the account
  • Report the matter to the relevant authorities, where the content may be unlawful or may put someone's safety at risk

We may take any of these actions at our discretion, with or without prior notice, where we reasonably believe these Guidelines or our Terms of Use have been broken.

6. If your content is actioned

If we remove your content or restrict your account, we'll tell you that you have broken our community guidelines. If you think we got it wrong, you can ask us to look again by contacting trust@lociapp.co.uk. We'll reconsider and get back to you.

This is separate from, and doesn't replace, any right you may have to complain to Ofcom or another relevant regulator.

7. Meeting another resident in person

Ask Locally may lead to you arranging to meet a neighbour in person, or exchanging goods or help directly with them. We don't vet, verify, insure, or take responsibility for what happens as a result. Any decision to meet or transact with another resident is entirely your own, at your own risk. Where practical, meet in public places and let someone know your plans.

8. Children and Loci

Loci is a family and community app, and we know people of all ages may use it or be nearby when it's used. Section 3.6 above applies without exception. If you see content that endangers or sexualises a child, report it immediately using the report button, or contact us directly at trust@lociapp.co.uk.

9. Changes to these Guidelines

We may update these Guidelines from time to time to reflect changes to the app, our legal obligations, or how the community uses these features. The date at the top reflects the most recent update. Continued use of Ask Locally after an update means you accept the revised Guidelines.

10. Contact

Questions about these Guidelines, or anything that needs urgent attention, can be sent to trust@lociapp.co.uk.