Blacksky Community Guidelines
Effective Date: January 2025 Last Updated: October 2025
Blacksky is a protected digital space built by Black people, for Black people. These guidelines reflect the clear will of our community, gathered through democratic assemblies where community members shaped what Blacksky should be. They work alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to create a safe and empowering environment.
Our foundation is Ubuntu - "I am because we are" - recognizing that our collective safety, joy, and flourishing require intentional boundaries and fierce protection of our space.
1. Our Purpose
This Space Is For Black People
Blacksky exists as a sanctuary for Black voices, experiences, and community. The main Blacksky feed and platform are exclusively for Black people to post, share, and connect.
Who is welcome:
Black people globally, from all parts of the diaspora
African Americans and descendants of enslaved Africans
Continental Africans from all nations
Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latinx peoples, Black Europeans, Black Asians
Biracial and multiracial people who identify as Black
All shades, all backgrounds, all expressions of Blackness
Non-Black people cannot create accounts to post on Blacksky. This boundary is essential to maintaining Blacksky as a space where Black people can exist without performing for, explaining to, or accommodating non-Black audiences.
Community Standards
Blacksky operates on a principle of good faith. We assume people joining our community are doing so authentically and in alignment with our purpose as a space for Black people. If you observe behavior that seems inconsistent with our community's purpose—including potential digital blackface, bot activity, or other bad faith participation—please report it. Our moderation team will investigate and take appropriate action.
2. What We Don't Allow
Illegal Content and Behavior
Content or behavior that is illegal is prohibited. We report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Harassment and Threats
Threats of violence or calls for violence against individuals or groups
Sustained harassment, stalking, or intimidation
Coordinated attacks or brigading
Doxxing or sharing private information without consent
Using the report system to harass others
Hate Conduct
We have zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination:
White Supremacy: White supremacist content, ideology, or rhetoric results in immediate, permanent bans with no appeals
Anti-Black Racism: Any form of anti-Blackness, including internalized anti-Blackness, colorism, and discrimination based on skin tone
Misogynoir: Any form of anti-black racism or sexism directed at Black women, non-binary people, and gender expansive people.
Homophobia and Transphobia: Anti-LGBTQIA+ bigotry, including TERF (trans-exclusionary) or SWERF (sex worker-exclusionary) content
Ableism: Slurs, mockery, or dehumanization of disabled people
Fatphobia: Body-based harassment, health concern trolling, or discrimination against fat people
Casteism: Discrimination based on caste or tribal affiliation
Diaspora Wars: Antagonistic discourse that pits different Black communities against each other or perpetuates harmful stereotypes
Impersonation and Digital Blackface
Pretending to be Black when you are not (immediate permanent ban)
Impersonating other people, brands, or organizations
Parody accounts must be clearly labeled as such
Misleading profile information intended to deceive
Spam and Inauthentic Behavior
Excessive posting or automated content
Engagement farming or rage bait
Artificially manipulating reach or metrics
Mass posting of identical or near-identical content
Misleading Content
AI-Generated Content: Deepfakes, AI-generated images, or videos must be clearly labeled. Using AI to defame, deceive, or impersonate results in permanent bans
Misinformation: Deliberately spreading false information about public health, elections, or emergencies
Intellectual Property
Plagiarism or theft of creative work without credit
Copyright infringement (see our Terms of Service for DMCA process)
Removing watermarks or attribution from others' work
Harmful Content
Content promoting self-harm, eating disorders, or suicide, including telling other users or groups to harm themselves
Non-consensual intimate imagery
Sexual exploitation or abuse
Extreme violence or gore shared for shock value
3. Content Standards
Adult Content
Adult content is permitted on Blacksky with appropriate labeling:
Mark NSFW (not safe for work) content appropriately
Nudity in cultural, artistic, or educational contexts is protected
Sex workers and adult content creators are welcome members of our community
Consensual adult content must be labeled; non-consensual content is prohibited
Commercial Activity
Black-owned businesses are welcome on Blacksky with clear identification:
Commercial accounts must clearly identify themselves
Excessive promotional content may be restricted
Business accounts should engage authentically with the community
Accessibility
We encourage practices that make Blacksky accessible to all:
Adding descriptive alt text to images and videos helps blind and low-vision community members
Using clear language and avoiding unnecessary jargon
4. Moderation
Our Approach
Blacksky's moderation team prioritizes Black moderators who understand our cultural contexts and includes diverse representation across queer, trans, and disabled Black experiences throughout the diaspora.
We use a graduated approach to enforcement:
Immediate Permanent Bans: White supremacy, CSAM, digital blackface, severe threats
Warnings: First-time guideline violations
Temporary Restrictions: Limited functionality for repeat violations
Suspensions: Temporary account suspension for serious or repeat violations
Permanent Bans: Patterns of harm or severe violations
Context matters. We consider intent, cultural context, and community harm when making moderation decisions.
Reporting
If you see content that violates these guidelines:
Use the report button on the post or account
Select the most relevant category
Provide context if helpful
We review all reports promptly
Mass reporting or weaponizing the report system to harass users will result in action against your account.
You can learn more about Blacksky's moderation practices here. All users and services on the AT Protocol can also subscribe to Blacksky's Moderation labeler.
Appeals
You may appeal most moderation decisions:
Submit an appeal through the platform
A different moderator will review your appeal
We aim to respond within 7 days
No appeals are available for: White supremacy, CSAM, digital blackface, or severe threats of violence.
5. Privacy and Safety
Data Protection
The platform actively resists data harvesting and surveillance by law enforcement. We prioritize your privacy and safety:
Minimal data collection - only what's necessary to provide services
Strong encryption and security protections
User control over your data
Transparency about what we collect and why
Clear data retention policies
Review our Privacy Policy for complete details.
Apps and Developer Tools
Apps and developer tools that don't respect user privacy will not be allowed in our ecosystem. Personal Data Servers (PDS) that spread hate speech or spam will be automatically disconnected.
6. Subcommunities
Using the Blacksky Name
Communities building on Blacksky infrastructure must request permission to use "Blacksky" or "BlackSky" in their community name. This protects our brand and ensures subcommunities align with our values. You can contact us at [email protected] to request use.
Requirements for Subcommunities
Communities on Blacksky infrastructure must:
Not promote hate speech, white supremacy, or discrimination
Clearly communicate their community rules
Handle reported violations promptly
Protect member privacy and safety
Subcommunities may:
Set their own specific membership criteria
Create their own posting rules within our framework
Develop community-specific guidelines
Moderate their space as they see fit
7. Our Commitment
These guidelines prioritize serving users over profit motives. They are living documents that evolve with our community:
Regular Review: Guidelines are reviewed annually
Community Input: Major changes are discussed through People's Assemblies
Transparency: All changes are announced with clear explanations
User-First: Decisions prioritize community safety and well-being
Contact
Support: [email protected]
Moderation Questions: Use the appeals process
Community Assembly: https://assembly.blacksky.community
Acknowledgment
These guidelines were developed through the Blacksky People's Assembly, with input from 645 community members who shaped the vision for this platform. This is what we chose. This is what we built. This is who we are.
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