Community Standards

1. Introduction

Merydia is a curated introduction service for adults aged 50 and over in Sydney and Melbourne, operated under the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth). These Community Standards define the conduct rules that apply to all founding member applicants and, when the matching service opens, to all members.

By submitting a founding member application you agree to these Standards. Violation may result in your application being rejected, your account being terminated, or referral to law enforcement authorities, depending on the severity of the violation.

Sections 4, 5 and 6 of these Standards describe in-app controls, automated moderation, and reporting functions that form part of the Merydia matching service. These sections apply when the matching service opens. Founding member applicants do not yet have access to the matching service, messaging, or in-app controls.

2. Content classification

Merydia applies the content classification framework established under the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) and the Phase 2 Restricted Access System (RES) Code. The following classes of content are defined:

Class 1A — Prohibited (zero tolerance): Material that is absolutely prohibited on Merydia. Includes: child sexual abuse material (CSAM); pro-terrorism material; material that facilitates or promotes acts of terrorism or mass violence. No exceptions. Immediate referral to law enforcement.

Class 1B — Prohibited (zero tolerance): Material that is absolutely prohibited on Merydia. Includes: extreme crime and violence; drug-related material that promotes, facilitates or instructs the supply or manufacture of controlled substances. No exceptions. Account suspended immediately on detection.

Class 1C — Restricted (consent required): Explicit sexual content between adults. Not permitted in profile photographs or profile text. When the matching service opens, this class may arise in messages between mutually consenting adults who have enabled the relevant content preference.

Class 2 — Restricted (user controls apply): Legal but potentially distressing content including graphic depictions of violence or drug use. User-facing controls will be available in the matching service.

Below threshold: All other content, subject to the rules in Section 3.

3. Profile content rules

The following rules apply to all profile content, including photographs, profile text and questionnaire responses.

3.1 Prohibited profile content

• Class 1A material — zero tolerance
• Class 1B material — zero tolerance
• Nudity or sexually explicit content in profile photographs
• Photographs that do not clearly show the account holder's face
• Photographs depicting a third party without their consent
• Hate speech — content that vilifies, threatens or discriminates against a person or group on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or other protected attribute
• Threatening language directed at any person
• Demonstrably false identity information — profile content that is inconsistent with the government-issued identity document provided at verification
• Content that promotes, facilitates or glorifies violence, self-harm or suicide

3.2 Profile photograph standards

Profile photographs must:

• Clearly show the account holder's face (the primary photograph must be a clear face photograph)
• Be recent and accurately represent the account holder's current appearance
• Not contain Class 1A, 1B or 1C content
• Not depict nudity or semi-nudity
• Not contain watermarks, heavy filters or digitally altered facial features that obscure identity

3.3 Profile text standards

Profile text must:

• Be accurate and not misleading
• Not contain Class 1A, 1B or 1C content
• Not contain hate speech or threatening language
• Not contain contact details (email address, phone number, social media handles) — Merydia's in-service messaging is the designated communication channel between members

4. In-service messaging rules

This section applies when the Merydia matching service opens.

The following content is prohibited in all messages sent via Merydia:

• Class 1A material — zero tolerance, immediate referral to law enforcement and permanent ban
• Class 1B material — zero tolerance, account suspended immediately
• Harassment, threats, intimidation or abusive language directed at another member
• Unsolicited explicit sexual content (image-based or text-based)
• Scam or fraud content — including romance scam scripts, requests for money, financial solicitation or phishing links
• Sharing of another person's private images or personal information without their consent (image-based abuse)
• Spam or bulk unsolicited messages

All messages are subject to automated content moderation including CSAM detection via PhotoDNA hash matching and keyword detection for romance scam indicators. Automated moderation operates as a floor. Members retain the right to report content not detected automatically.

5. Member content controls

This section applies when the Merydia matching service opens.

Members will be able to manage content preferences and block any match via their account settings. Class 1A and 1B content is removed regardless of any member content preference setting.

6. Reporting

In-service reporting functions apply when the Merydia matching service opens.

At any stage — including during the application process — you can report a concern by emailing safety@merydia.app. We respond to all safety reports promptly.

If your report is not resolved within 30 days, you have the right to escalate to the eSafety Commissioner at www.esafety.gov.au. Merydia will inform you of this right if your report remains open at 30 days.

7. Enforcement

Violations of these Community Standards are assessed by Merydia's Trust and Safety team. The following enforcement actions apply:

• Class 1A — CSAM or pro-terrorism material: Immediate permanent ban. Mandatory referral to the Australian Federal Police and eSafety Commissioner. No appeal.
• Class 1B — extreme crime, violence or drug promotion: Immediate account suspension. Law enforcement referral where the content constitutes or facilitates a criminal offence. No appeal for confirmed Class 1B.
• Serious violation (harassment, image-based abuse, scam, fraud): Account suspension. May be escalated to permanent ban on a second confirmed violation.
• Profile content violation: Profile rejected. Member notified. A second rejection is final.
• Minor violation: Warning issued. Repeated minor violations may result in suspension.

All enforcement decisions are logged in the audit record. Enforcement decisions are made by the Trust and Safety team.

8. Appeals

You may appeal an account suspension (but not a permanent ban for Class 1A or 1B violations) by contacting safety@merydia.app within 14 days of suspension. Appeals are reviewed by the Trust and Safety Lead.

A second profile rejection decision is final and cannot be appealed.

9. Safe dating

Merydia is committed to helping you meet your introductions safely. When the matching service opens:

• Before you and a match both accept an introduction, you will see each other's first name only, along with photos and profile details.
• Once you both accept an introduction, we share your full names with each other so you can look each other up before deciding to meet in person. We strongly recommend doing so.
• Nobody at Merydia will ever ask you to send money to another member. If anyone does, stop the conversation and report it immediately to safety@merydia.app.

Our full safe dating guidance is available at merydia.app/safe-dating.

10. Complaints

If you believe Merydia has not handled a content or safety matter in accordance with these Community Standards or our legal obligations, you may:

• Contact us at safety@merydia.app — we will respond within 30 days
• Escalate to the eSafety Commissioner at www.esafety.gov.au if your complaint is not resolved within 30 days

11. Review and updates

These Community Standards are reviewed quarterly by the Trust and Safety Lead and Counsel. Material changes will be communicated to applicants and members before they take effect. The Class 1B keyword list is reviewed quarterly and is not publicly disclosed to prevent circumvention.

Merydia Community Standards v2.0 (Waitlist Stage)  |  Effective 28 July 2026  |  Merydia Digital Pty Ltd (ACN 698 772 315)  |  merydia.app/community