Safety Guidelines

Our safety approach: four layers, by design

TikaCam was built with safety as a core architecture decision, not a feature added later. Four mechanisms work together to make the platform safer than the typical anonymous video chat:

1. Visual choice (picture wall). You see who is online and choose who to call. There is no random pairing, so you are never connected to someone you did not pick. This alone removes the most common surface for abuse on traditional Omegle-style platforms.
2. AI image moderation. Every snapshot on the picture wall is analyzed by AI moderation before other users see it. Inappropriate content is filtered out automatically.
3. Face detection. Snapshots without a clearly visible face do not appear on the wall. This reduces fake setups, anonymous group sessions, and bots — only real people show up.
4. Report — before and during the call. You can flag a user from the picture wall (before any connection) or from inside an ongoing call. Reports are reviewed and acted on; outcomes range from warnings to permanent bans depending on severity.

Underneath these four layers: peer-to-peer WebRTC encryption (calls go directly between participants and never pass through TikaCam servers), no account or personal data collection (nothing to leak), and no recording (the platform technically cannot see or store call content).

Community Rules: What's Not Allowed

By using TikaCam, you agree not to engage in the following prohibited activities:

• Harassment & Hate: Harassment, bullying, threats, hate speech, or doxxing (sharing someone's private information without consent).
• Illegal Content: Sexual exploitation, non-consensual sexual content, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), or any content involving minors.
• Criminal Activity: Using TikaCam to plan, coordinate, or engage in illegal activities of any kind.
• Fraud & Scams: Impersonation, phishing, financial scams, or deceptive practices.
• Privacy Violations: Sharing others' personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, financial details) without their explicit consent.
• Platform Abuse: Circumventing blocks, bans, or safety features; creating multiple accounts after being banned.

Violations of these rules may result in warnings, feature restrictions, temporary suspension, or permanent ban. Serious violations will be reported to law enforcement when legally required.

How to Protect Yourself

Your safety is in your hands. Here are important steps to protect yourself while using TikaCam:

Guard Your Personal Information

• Never share your full name, address, school or workplace name, or financial details.
• Don't share phone numbers, email addresses, or social media handles until you've built substantial trust over multiple conversations.
• Be cautious about sharing identifying information visible in your background (street signs, school logos, mail with your address, etc.).

Trust Your Instincts

• If a conversation feels uncomfortable, end it immediately. You're never obligated to continue talking to anyone.
• Be suspicious of anyone who pressures you for personal information, money, or inappropriate content.
• Watch for common red flags: too-good-to-be-true stories, urgent requests, emotional manipulation.

Use Safety Tools

• Use the Block button to permanently prevent reconnection with problematic users.
• Use the Report button when someone violates community rules. Reports are reviewed by our moderation team.
• If someone is in immediate physical danger, contact local emergency services (911 in the US, 112 in the EU, etc.) rather than relying on TikaCam reporting.

Safety Tools: Block & Report

Blocking Users

The Block feature lets you prevent future connections with specific users. When you block someone:

• You won't be matched with them again
• They won't appear in your live picture wall
• The block persists across sessions

To block someone, use the Block button in the call interface. No explanation is required—you have complete control over who you interact with.

Reporting Violations

The Report feature lets you flag a user who violates community rules. Reporting is available both on the picture wall (before any call) and during a call — so you can act whether you spot something inappropriate before connecting or once you're already in conversation.

When you submit a report:

• Select the violation type (harassment, illegal content, spam, etc.)
• Optionally provide additional context
• Reports are reviewed and acted on — outcomes range from warnings to bans depending on severity and history

Because we don't record calls, we rely on your reports to identify problematic users. You may optionally submit a screenshot if it's safe and legal in your jurisdiction, but this is not required.

How we handle reports

TikaCam takes safety violations seriously. Reports are not ignored — they're the main way we identify and act on bad actors on the platform.

Automated prevention

We use automated systems to detect and prevent abuse, including rate limiting, spam detection, and pattern analysis. These systems operate on metadata and reports — never on call content.

Report review

When you submit a report, the report details, user history, and any submitted evidence are reviewed. We investigate fairly and act on verified violations.

Possible outcomes

Depending on the severity of the violation, the user's history, and the evidence available, outcomes can include warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans. Serious violations (illegal activity, predatory behavior, abuse of minors) result in immediate permanent bans and, where applicable, reporting to law enforcement.

Appeals

If you believe a moderation decision was made in error, you may appeal by reaching out via Discord with your explanation. Include relevant details but do not share inappropriate content in your appeal.

Privacy & Security

Safety and privacy work together on TikaCam:

• End-to-End Encryption: All calls use WebRTC peer-to-peer connections with encryption. Call content never passes through our servers.
• No Recording: We do not and cannot record your video or audio. Your conversations are completely private.
• Minimal Data: We collect only essential operational data needed to run the service. See our Privacy Policy for details.
• Anonymous by Default: No registration required. You remain anonymous unless you choose to share identifying information in conversations.

External Safety Resources

If you need help beyond TikaCam's scope:

• Emergency Services: Call 911 (US), 112 (EU), or your local emergency number if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (US): 988 or 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line (US): Text HOME to 741741
• NCMEC CyberTipline (Report CSAM): www.cybertipline.org

Contact Safety Team

Need help, want to appeal a decision, or have safety concerns?

• Discord: Discord
• Discord: TikaCam Community Discord
• Telegram: TikaCam Telegram Group

Also see: Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.