Zello Community Guidelines

Zello enforces a set of Community Guidelines designed to cultivate a safe, positive environment for all users. We care deeply about fostering different points of view while also ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds can use Zello without experiencing harm.

Our goal is to ensure that Zello remains a fun and useful platform for people to connect authentically with friends, family, and strangers all over the world by harnessing the power of voice-first communication.

Sharing content on Zello that violates these guidelines could result in content removal, account bans, channel blocks, or other restrictions. We are committed to applying these guidelines carefully and equally to all Zello users.

Respect the Zello community

Above all, always respect fellow Zello users. Refrain from sharing any content that is threatening, violent, or illegal. This will help us keep the Zello community enjoyable, safe, and fun for all.

User responsibilities

Channel owners are responsible for both the security of their channel(s) as well as the type of content being shared in their channel(s). All Zello users are responsible for protecting the security of their accounts by maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials.

Zello staff will not intervene in personal disputes between users beyond potentially taking action against any accounts or channels that have violated these guidelines. We will not consider requests to re-assign channels, investigate stolen accounts, or change the email address associated with an account.

If we have reviewed evidence of a severe or repeated violation of these guidelines, we will not consider requests to unban accounts. If you would like to report a user or channel for violating these guidelines, please note that we will need to see documented, unaltered evidence. For more information on reporting content on Zello, please review this support article.

Channel moderation guidelines

The guidelines listed here apply to both Zello users individually and in channels. If multiple users in a channel violate these guidelines without intervention from a channel owner, moderator, or administrator, the channel might be blocked by Zello staff.

For more information on channel moderation, refer to this support article.

Guidelines

1. Don’t bully, harass, threaten, or dox other Zello users.

• We do not allow content that targets or insults someone based on protected characteristics including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
• We also don’t allow content that threatens violence against other users or constitutes an invasion of their privacy.
• Doxxing includes sharing someone’s personal information including images of government documents like driver’s licenses or passports, full names, home/work/school addresses, phone numbers, contact information, or social media accounts.
• If you feel unsafe as a result of being threatened or harassed online, please contact local law enforcement for your safety.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Channels created with the express purpose of bullying, harassing, or doxxing other users
• Targeting or making fun of someone based on a protected characteristic
• Baselessly accusing another user of a crime
• Creating a channel designed to make fun of or harass another user
• Directly or implicitly threatening to hurt or kill another user

2. Hate speech is not allowed on Zello.

• Hate speech is any content promoting violence or hatred against individuals or groups based on any of the following attributes, which indicate protected group status:
  • Age
  • Caste
  • Disability
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender Identity and Expression
  • Nationality
  • Race
  • Immigration Status
  • Religion
  • Sex/Gender
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Victims of a major violent event and their kin
  • Veteran Status

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Dehumanizing comparisons of people based on protected group status (e.g. comparing them to animals, insects, etc.)
• Memes or jokes perpetuating harmful stereotypes based on protected group status
• Threatening violence against a protected group
• Making fun of or harassing a user based on their gender or sexual orientation

3. Don’t share sexually explicit content on Zello.

• Sharing pornography on Zello may result in an account ban or channel block.
• Nude images are not allowed on Zello. Exceptions may be made for content that is strictly educational, artistic or non-sexual in nature, such as images depicting breastfeeding or raising awareness about breast cancer symptoms.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Photoshopping people into sexually explicit images
• Artistic or educational nude images shared in a sexual context
• Content promoting, threatening, making light of, or sexualizing rape
• Content showing bodily fluids

4. Zello does not allow content that threatens or harms minors (people under 18 years of age) in any way.

• Sharing any content that depicts minors in a sexual context will result in an account ban or channel block. Be aware that we report all content possibly containing child sexual abuse imagery to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who work with global law enforcement agencies.
• Don’t share content promoting dangerous pranks, challenges, etc.
• Content threatening to physically or emotionally harm a minor is not allowed on Zello.
• Zello will also take action against accounts or channels that engage in cyberbullying, harassment, and/or doxxing of minors.
• If you believe a minor is in danger at any time, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Any sexual content involving minors even if intended to be humorous
• Images of children engaging in harmful behaviors including dangerous challenges, dares, or using controlled substances like alcohol or nicotine
• Content promoting pedophilia in any way
• Sexualizing innocent content involving minors
• Sharing personal information from minors including images, addresses, full names, or phone numbers intended to bully, harass, or threaten

5. Don’t share content that promotes or endorses self-harm.

• While discussions relating to mental health struggles are allowed on Zello, we will take action against content that promotes any form of self-harm or suicide.
• If you believe someone is in immediate danger relating to self-harm, please reach out to law enforcement.
• If you are struggling with your mental health as a result of content you’ve encountered or otherwise, you can access free, confidential support from Find a Helpline.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Any content promoting or glorifying suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders
• Instructions on how to engage in any form of self-harm
• Graphic images relating to self-harm
• Harassment or bullying relating to eating disorders

6. Don’t promote violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal groups on Zello.

• Content that promotes or glorifies any violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal organization is not allowed on Zello.
• Violent, extremist, terrorist, and criminal groups are not allowed to use Zello for any purpose.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Promoting violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal groups through channel or usernames
• Using logos or symbols from violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal groups as channel or profile image
• Content praising or glorifying violent acts carried out by violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal groups, e.g. terrorist attacks and mass shootings
• Content aimed at recruiting new members into violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal groups
• Content that impersonates any violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal group
• Creating an account that impersonates prominent figures from violent, extremist, terrorist, or criminal groups

7. Zello does not allow the sale of firearms or content displaying weapons in a threatening manner.

• It is also not allowed to share content that instructs users on how to make firearms or other weapons, ammunition, and certain accessories.
• If you feel that you or someone else is being threatened with violence, please contact local law enforcement.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Images depicting a firearm pointed at the camera or at another person or animal
• Images of weapons corresponding with verbal threats towards others
• Content that intends to sell weapons directly
• Content providing links to other places where firearms and certain accessories are sold
• Providing instructions for building and modifying firearms

8. Don’t share content intended to shock or disgust other users.

• Zello does not allow gory content, including but not limited to content depicting beheadings, mutilation, immolation, torture, corpses, or medical procedures shared for non-educational purposes.
• It is also not allowed to share content displaying bodily fluids with the intent to shock or disgust others.
• Content depicting the abuse or torture of animals is also forbidden on Zello.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Images that appear to show one or more deceased person
• Graphic images of injuries shared for non-educational purposes
• Content glorifying or promoting abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of animals
• Graphic images of injuries or other mistreatment to animals outside of standard practice (e.g. hunting) shared for non-educational purposes

9. Don’t impersonate others through a Zello profile or channel.

• It is not allowed to share content that looks like someone else is posting it whether another Zello user, a celebrity, a business, or a notable figure.
• This includes the unauthorized use of trademarks that you don’t own.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Creating a profile or channel that falsely claims to belong to Zello staff or represent an official relationship with the company
• Using someone else’s real name, username, or image to trick others into believing that you are that person
• Fan accounts or channels for celebrities that do not clearly state that they are not representing that person directly
• Don’t share content on Zello that sells or otherwise facilitates access to illegal or regulated goods and services.
• This includes but is not limited to alcohol, drugs, explosives, weapons, illegal wildlife products, sexual services, nicotine, financial information, and counterfeit documents.

10. Don’t share content on Zello that sells or otherwise facilitates access to illegal or regulated goods and services.

• This includes but is not limited to alcohol, drugs, explosives, weapons, illegal wildlife products, sexual services, nicotine, financial information, and counterfeit documents.

Examples of content that is not allowed on Zello (not comprehensive):

• Sharing a link to a website selling any of the products or services listed above
• Promoting sexual services
• Content featuring drugs with the intent of selling them
• Promoting the use of hard drugs (e.g. heroin)
• Instructing users on how to obtain or create any of the products or services listed above