What we built into the platform
ID verification
Optional government ID verification through a third-party partner. Verified members get a badge and trust signals in discovery. aligned never stores copies of your ID — only a pass/fail result.
Three-tier content privacy
Every photo or album is tagged Public, Connected, or Private. Public is visible to matching members; Connected only to accepted connections; Private only to members you explicitly grant access. You choose the tier per upload.
Stealth & Discreet modes
Stealth mode hides you from search and discovery entirely — only people you're already connected to can find you. Discreet mode blurs your avatar for strangers while keeping it clear for connections. A persistent banner reminds you when either mode is on.
Verified couple accounts
Couples share a combined profile linked through a 6-digit code. Accounts where only one partner has logged in for an extended period are flagged for review, so you're not matching with 'couples' that are actually one person.
Block and silence
Block stops someone from seeing your profile or messaging you. Silence is a softer option — they can still see your public profile but cannot send messages. Neither action notifies the other person.
Report anything, one tap
Every profile and every piece of content has a three-dot menu with Report. Reports go to a human moderation queue with categories for harassment, impersonation, non-consensual content, spam, and more.
How moderation works
We use a combination of automated classifiers, community reports, and human review. Outcomes scale with severity:
- Warning — written notice explaining the policy you breached.
- Strike — recorded on your account. Three strikes typically triggers a suspension.
- Content removal — the specific post or photo is taken down; account remains active.
- Feature restriction — specific features (messaging, uploads) disabled for a window.
- Suspension — temporary account lock.
- Permanent ban — account and device fingerprint blocked from future accounts.
Severe violations (CSAM, threats, doxxing, non-consensual content) skip the ladder and trigger an immediate ban plus, where applicable, a report to law enforcement.
Every enforcement decision can be appealed by replying to the notification email or contacting hello@alignedsocial.app.
Zero tolerance for child exploitation
Every image uploaded to aligned is scanned by an NSFW classifier and hash-matched against known CSAM databases. Any match is blocked on upload and reported to the NCMEC CyberTipline as required by 18 U.S.C. § 2258A. The uploader's account is permanently banned and their device fingerprint is blocked.
If you encounter anything you believe is CSAM, report it immediately: safety@alignedsocial.app. For imminent harm to a child, contact the CyberTipline and local law enforcement first, then us.
Your safety checklist
Tools are only half of it. Habits matter too. Here's what we recommend for every member.
Keep explicit content in the Private tier. Grant access one connection at a time.
Verify your ID — it's free, optional, and it dramatically increases trust in the community.
Meet in public first. Real-world meetups go better when the first one is low-pressure.
Share your location with a trusted friend before a meet. Most platforms skip this; we recommend it.
Use stealth or discreet mode during sensitive windows (job hunt, custody, professional profile searches).
If someone asks you to move to another app or platform immediately after matching, be cautious — that's a common scam vector.
Trust your instincts. Block first, explain never. You don't owe anyone a reason.
Report suspicious behavior even if you're not sure. The moderation team would rather see one more report than one less.