At Buddy Up we want to keep you safe

 

Step-by-step guidelines that we recommend to help you stay safe

 

In App

 

1. For people with disabilities who are vulnerable (for eg: those with Intellectual Disability)  and over 18, we strongly recommend that caregivers operate the account.

2. Use in-app text messaging to get to know the person better. 

3. DO NOT share personal information like phone number / address with anyone till you have extensively chatted in-app and feel comfortable taking it further.

4. Once you feel comfortable, make sure that the person is who they say they are via Buddy Up’s Complimentary 1-minute voice/ video in app-chat.

5. Share your phone number or personal email ID only after you feel the person appears bonafide and appears to be a good, potential friend. Do not share your address at this stage. 

 

Offline 

 

1. After in app text chatting, and using Buddy Up’s Complimentary 1-minute voice/ video in app-chat, and getting  to know the person a bit better, you may set up a meeting in a public place like a coffee shop or park where there are others around. 

2. Do not share your exact address yet. (It is fine to share your general locality.)

3. Take a friend along if possible. If you are a caregiver, make sure you accompany your child/ ward.

4. If you feel the person is genuine and a good match, feel free to progress it as you deem appropriate. 

 

Reporting

 

1. If you ever feel uncomfortable while chatting in-app, feel free to BLOCK the person. 

2. If you feel threatened in any way, or the person is using inappropriate language/behaviour, click the REPORT button. You may also speak to a family member or trusted friend about this.

3. Make sure that you take and save screenshots of your messages with a person you feel threatened by, and upload them in the Buddy Up Help / Feedback section.

4. We will not be able to take action against any user without clear evidence, hence your screenshots are necessary.