Chat Use Policy

1. Overview

Project Relay’s messaging feature (“Chat”) allows users to communicate directly with other students about projects, relay requests, and collaboration opportunities. This Chat Use Policy (“Policy”) describes the rules governing acceptable use of the Chat feature and applies to all users. By using Chat, you agree to this Policy and our Terms of Service.

Important: Chat messages on Project Relay are not end-to-end encrypted. Messages are stored on our servers and may be reviewed by Project Relay staff to enforce this Policy and ensure user safety.

2. Acceptable Use

You may use Chat to:

• Introduce yourself and express interest in taking over a listed project;
• Ask questions about a project’s scope, requirements, or history;
• Coordinate a project relay or transfer with another user;
• Share relevant resources, links, or materials related to a project;
• Discuss collaboration terms in good faith.

3. Prohibited Conduct

You may not use Chat to:

• Harassment & Abuse: Send threatening, harassing, bullying, or abusive messages to any user;
• Hate Speech: Send messages containing hate speech, discrimination, or content targeting individuals based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin;
• Spam: Send unsolicited bulk messages, chain messages, or repetitive irrelevant content;
• Solicitation: Solicit money, donations, personal financial information, passwords, social security numbers, or other sensitive personal data;
• Illegal Activity: Discuss, coordinate, or facilitate any illegal activity;
• Phishing & Scams: Send links or messages designed to deceive users, steal credentials, or defraud;
• Impersonation: Misrepresent your identity or affiliation;
• Adult or Harmful Content: Send sexually explicit, graphic violent, or otherwise harmful content — especially given that many users are minors;
• Commercial Promotion: Advertise products, services, or platforms unrelated to Project Relay without our prior consent;
• Off-Platform Redirection: Providing any form of information to move conversations to platforms not officially endorsed by Project Relay.

4. Monitoring and Privacy

Project Relay monitors the Chat feature for compliance with this Policy and our Terms of Service. Monitoring may occur:

• In response to user reports of violations;
• Through automated detection of patterns associated with prohibited conduct;
• At our discretion to ensure Platform safety and integrity.

By using Chat, you acknowledge and consent to this monitoring. For more information about how message data is stored and handled, see our Privacy Policy.

5. Safety for Minors

Project Relay serves users as young as 13. We take the safety of minors especially seriously. Any attempt to use Chat to groom, exploit, solicit, or otherwise harm a minor will result in immediate account termination and may be reported to law enforcement. If you are a minor and receive any messages that make you uncomfortable, please report them immediately (see Section 6 below) and tell a trusted adult.

Parents and guardians: if you have concerns about messages your child has received, please contact us at safety@projectrelay.org.

6. Reporting Violations

If you receive a message that violates this Policy or makes you feel unsafe, please report it by contacting us at safety@projectrelay.org with:

• Your username;
• The username of the person who sent the message;
• A description or screenshot of the offending message(s).

We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly. Reports are kept confidential to the extent possible.

7. Consequences of Violations

Violations of this Policy may result in, at our sole discretion:

• A written warning;
• Temporary suspension of messaging privileges;
• Permanent suspension of messaging privileges;
• Account suspension or termination;
• Reporting to law enforcement where required by law or necessary to protect user safety.

We reserve the right to take immediate action without prior notice for serious violations, particularly those involving minors, illegal activity, or threats of harm.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Chat Use Policy at any time. We will notify users of material changes by updating the “Last updated” date above. Continued use of Chat after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Policy.

9. Contact

For questions about this Policy, contact us at safety@projectrelay.org.