SynchThis policy explains how our staff enforce the Community Rules in Synch's Discord servers, what each action means and how long it stays on record, and how to appeal a decision you think is wrong.
1. How decisions are made
Staff look at how serious the behaviour is, the harm it caused or could cause, and your history in our community. Most problems start with a friendly reminder, but staff can skip steps for serious behaviour, and some things (like threats, hate speech, scams or anything involving the exploitation of a minor) can lead straight to a permanent ban. Staff have the final say on how the rules are applied (rule 10.1).
2. What each action means
| Action | What it means |
|---|---|
| Verbal warning | A friendly, informal reminder of the rules. It isn't a formal infraction. |
| Warning | A formal warning, added to your record. |
| Timeout (mute) | You can't talk for a set time. It ends automatically when the time is up. |
| Kick | You're removed from the server, and can rejoin. |
| Ban | You're removed and can't rejoin, for a set time or until a successful appeal. |
3. Your record
Everything is kept on record, so staff can be fair and consistent. How long it counts depends on the action:
- Minor warnings stay on your record for 6 to 12 months.
- Serious offences stay on your record permanently.
- Timeouts end automatically when their time is up.
- Kicks stay on your record. They can be appealed, and a successful appeal is marked on the record.
- Bans last for the length of the ban, or until a successful appeal. Afterwards they stay on your record, marked as appealed where an appeal succeeded.
Your record is confidential (see our Confidential Information Policy). You can ask for a copy of the personal data we hold about you under our GDPR Notice.
4. How to appeal
If you think a warning, kick or ban was wrong or too harsh, appeal at appeal.gg/NvbG77QZSP. Please don't argue a decision in public channels (rule 10.2).
- Explain what happened and why you think the decision should change. Be honest: appeals that leave things out, or aren't truthful, are refused.
- Your appeal is reviewed by an Appeals Officer, a member of our Community Relations team who wasn't involved in the original decision.
- The Office of Internal Affairs keeps track of appeal decisions. For high-level or high-risk appeals it may step in, and it may add conditions or restrictions to an appeal that succeeds.
- You'll get an answer within 7 days.
- If your appeal is refused, you must wait 30 days before appealing the same decision again.
5. What can't be appealed
- Bans for being under the age required to use Discord. You can appeal once you're old enough (see our Safeguarding Policy).
- Bans for serious breaches of Discord's Terms of Service or Community Guidelines that we've reported to Discord Trust & Safety, including anything involving the exploitation of a minor.
6. Complaints about how you were treated
An appeal is about the decision. If your concern is about how a member of staff behaved, use our Complaints Procedure instead.
7. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Every version is kept in this page's history.