Our commitment
whatthe? is strictly for people aged 18 and over. We nevertheless maintain zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material, sexual exploitation, grooming, sexualisation of minors, sextortion involving a minor, trafficking, or attempts to move a child into secret or sexual contact. This policy applies to voice content, profile images, usernames, tags, reactions, links, and account behaviour.
What is prohibited
- Creating, uploading, requesting, trading, directing people to, or threatening to distribute child sexual abuse material.
- Sexualising a person who is or appears to be under 18.
- Grooming, coercing, blackmailing, or offering money or value to obtain sexual content or contact from a minor.
- Sharing identifying information to facilitate exploitation, trafficking, or physical contact with a minor.
- Re-uploading removed material or creating another account to evade a child-safety enforcement action.
How to report
Use the in-app Report control when possible so the correct account and content identifiers reach our moderation tools. You may also email our Safety contact. Include the username, content link or identifier, time observed, and a short factual explanation. Do not download, copy, forward, or attach suspected illegal imagery.
- If a child faces immediate danger, contact local police or emergency services first.
- Never confront a suspected offender when doing so could increase risk to a child.
- Do not send Apple passwords, sign-in codes, government IDs, or unnecessary personal information.
How we respond
We may restrict distribution while reviewing a report. When we identify a violation, we may remove content, suspend or permanently ban accounts, prevent known re-upload or evasion patterns, preserve relevant records, and report apparent exploitation or imminent danger to appropriate authorities as required or permitted by law. Serious child-safety cases receive priority over ordinary support requests.
Evidence and privacy
Access to reported voice content and related records is limited to authorised personnel and service providers who need it for safety, security, legal, or operational work. We retain evidence only for the period reasonably necessary for investigation, enforcement, legal obligations, cooperation with authorities, dispute handling, or backup expiry.
Age enforcement and appeals
Accounts believed to belong to a person under 18 may be restricted or removed. An adult who believes an age or child-safety action was made in error may contact Safety with their username and the decision being appealed. We will not ask for an Apple password or one-time sign-in code.
Safety contact
Child-safety reports and lawful authority enquiries may be sent to contact@vnlworks.com. whatthe? is operated by VNL Works Inc. in Japan. This inbox is not an emergency service.