Our commitment
Zero tolerance
SwapMate prohibits child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in the strongest possible terms. We do not tolerate any content, conduct, or contact that sexualises, endangers, or exploits a person under the age of 18 (a “minor”), or anyone treated as a minor under applicable local law. This standard applies to listings, profiles, images, group and swap-meet content, and private messages.
These standards form part of our Terms of Service and are published in accordance with Google Play's Child Safety Standards policy.
Scope
What is prohibited
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in any form, including drawings, animation, or AI-generated imagery.
- Sexualisation of a minor, or content that depicts, encourages, or normalises the sexual abuse of a child.
- Grooming, solicitation, or any attempt to establish sexual contact with a minor.
- Trafficking, exploitation, or endangerment of a child.
- Sharing or requesting personal or contact information of a minor for a harmful purpose.
Prevention
How we prevent harm
- 18+ platform. SwapMate is intended for adults aged 18 and over. Accounts are not directed at children, and you must confirm you are 18 or older to register.
- Identity verification. Users can complete identity verification (ID document, selfie, and liveness) through our verification partner, adding accountability for trusted activity.
- Clear rules. Our Terms of Service prohibit objectionable content and set out consequences, including permanent bans.
Detection
How we detect harm
- Automated moderation. Listings and content are screened by automated checks, which can hide content pending human review.
- In-app reporting. Every listing, profile, and message can be reported from within the app, including a dedicated “Child safety concern (CSAE)” reason.
- Blocking. Any user can block another user so they can no longer make contact.
- Human review. Reports are reviewed by our moderation team, and CSAE reports are prioritised for urgent action.
Reporting
How to report a concern
You can report suspected CSAE or any safety concern in the following ways:
- In the app: tap the menu on any profile, listing, or chat and choose Report, then select Child safety concern (CSAE).
- By email: safety@swapmate.co.za.
If a child is in immediate danger, contact your local law-enforcement authorities first. In South Africa you can also contact the SAPS or the Childline South Africa helpline on 116.
Response
How we respond
- We remove violating content and take action on the responsible accounts, up to and including permanent bans.
- We preserve relevant information as required and report apparent CSAE to the appropriate authorities and child-protection organisations.
- We continually review and improve these standards and our detection tooling.
Contact
Child safety point of contact
For questions about these standards or to escalate a child-safety matter, contact our safety team at safety@swapmate.co.za.
Last updated: August 2026
