Trust and Safety
This document is a work in progress and unfinished.
Last updated at: 2026-10-24
Keeping a decentralized network safe is by no means an easy task, but absolutely vital for the safety and well-being of individuals and communities using polyproto-based software.
This document here is supposed to be an introduction to the trust and safety values we want to build towards in our networks, and a description of how we think we can get there. These goals and values are supposed to facilitate communication and collaboration about these topics. Ultimately, this document is supposed to be a catalyst through to write normative specification, create protective structures, and/or drive overall positive change in the polyproto organization.
Communication
The beginning of this document stated that moderation, let alone moderation of a decentralized ecosystem, is extremely challenging.
Luckily, we are not the first ones to face this issue. For every change we want to make or problem we face, we should consult individuals and communities experienced in the topics related to these challenges, such as, for example, the individuals leading Draupnir, Meowlnir and overall involved in cross-community [matrix], Discord, XMPP, [...] moderation efforts.
Experience is an immensely powerful resource that we should attempt to use as best as we can to, as federation protocol communities, learn from each other and not repeat past mistakes.
Dependence, Equality and Equity
This isn't meant as our Code of Conduct, which already outlines rules and guidelines for positive communication in and around our community.
Moreso, for trust & safety efforts to be fruitful and for accountability to be more than an empty phrase, we need to make sure that the organization itself and the protocols it stewards remain as independent as possible from "outside" actors, such as large corporations, for-profit companies, states/countries and single individuals potentially aiming to make decisions with the primary motive to benefit themselves. To clarify, it is absolutely normal (and even needed) that actors, be they collectives or individuals, would like to advance their own interests. However, we should remain vigilant to not accidentally compromise our own values and the sanctity of our community, and we should be mindful of who holds the keys to power at any given point, whenever that concern is valid.