Sonogram - Community Guidelines

Introduction

Welcome to Sonogram, India's premier audio and video podcast hosting platform headquartered in New Delhi, with operations expanding globally. These Community Guidelines govern all users of our platform, including content creators (Podcasters), listeners, viewers, and any other participants in our ecosystem.

By using Sonogram's services, you agree to comply with these guidelines, which are designed to foster a safe, respectful, and lawful environment for all users. Violation of these guidelines may result in content removal, account suspension, termination, and potential legal action as per applicable laws.

1. Deceptive and Misleading Content

1.1 Truthfulness and Accuracy Standards

At Sonogram, we are committed to delivering content that is truthful, accurate, and verifiable. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward deceptive practices that may mislead our community or the public at large.

1.2 Prohibited Deceptive Content

Sonogram strictly prohibits and will remove or flag the following types of deceptive content:

Identity Deception

Content replicating the same name, image, description, or branding as another existing creator without authorization
Impersonation of any person, brand, organization, or entity in a misleading manner
Creating fake accounts or profiles to deceive users about the source of content
Using deepfakes or AI-generated content to misrepresent individuals without clear disclosure

Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories

Content spreading unverified rumors, conspiracy theories, or fabricated information presented as factual rather than opinion
False information about current events, public figures, or institutions that could cause public harm
Manipulated media designed to mislead viewers about real-world events
Content denying well-documented historical events or scientific consensus without credible evidence

Technical Deception

Content promoting, instructing, or facilitating malware attacks, phishing schemes, or unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or technologies
Distribution of viruses, trojans, ransomware, or other malicious software
Instructions for hacking, cracking, or bypassing security measures
Content promoting the use of bots or automated systems to manipulate platform metrics

Medical and Health Misinformation

Promoting untested, false, illegal, or deceptive medical information through fabricated reports, trials, testimonies, or research
Content that poses a threat to public health or individual safety
False claims about vaccines, treatments, or cures not supported by recognized medical authorities
Promotion of dangerous or unproven medical procedures or substances

Financial Deception

Investment and financial scams including get-rich-quick schemes, pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, or multi-level marketing scams
Cryptocurrency scams or fraudulent initial coin offerings (ICOs)
False promises of guaranteed returns or risk-free investments
Content encouraging others to part with money under false pretenses

Spam and Manipulation

Spammy content including excessive self-promotion or promotion of spam applications
Artificial inflation of engagement metrics through coordinated inauthentic behavior
Clickbait titles or thumbnails that materially misrepresent content
Mass production of low-quality, repetitive content solely for monetization

2. Illegal Content

2.1 Legal Compliance

All content on Sonogram must comply with applicable laws and regulations in India and in all jurisdictions where our services are available. Content intended to promote, facilitate, or engage in illegal activities is strictly prohibited.

2.2 Categories of Prohibited Illegal Content

Regulatory Violations

Content that violates applicable sanctions, export regulations, or trade restrictions
Material subject to government censorship or prohibition orders
Content that violates Information Technology Act, 2000 and its amendments
Violations of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

Criminal Activities

Content intended to promote, plan, or commit illegal acts of any kind
Instructions for committing crimes or evading law enforcement
Content glorifying or promoting terrorism, extremism, or violent radicalization
Material that facilitates human trafficking, exploitation, or modern slavery

Intellectual Property Violations

Unauthorized use of copyrighted material without proper licensing or permission
Content where creators pass off third-party content as their own
Pirated software, movies, music, or other protected media
Trademark infringement or counterfeiting
Violation of patent rights or trade secrets

Illegal Commerce

Content involving buying, selling, or facilitating illegal goods or services
Promotion of controlled substances, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia
Illegal weapons sales or instructions for weapon manufacturing
Sale of stolen goods or contraband
Facilitation of illegal gambling or betting activities where prohibited by law

3. Harmful and Dangerous Content

3.1 Violence and Graphic Content

Prohibited:

Content promoting, threatening, or inciting violence against individuals or groups
Graphic violence, gore, or disturbing imagery without educational or documentary context
Content promoting self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders
Instructions for creating weapons or explosives
Content that could lead to imminent physical harm

3.2 Hate Speech and Discrimination

Zero Tolerance for:

Content promoting hatred, discrimination, or violence based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, caste, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic
Dehumanizing language or imagery targeting protected groups
Promotion of extremist ideologies or hate groups
Holocaust denial or genocide denial
Content promoting segregation or supremacist ideologies

3.3 Harassment and Bullying

Not Permitted:

Targeted harassment, stalking, or intimidation of individuals
Doxxing (sharing private information without consent)
Revenge porn or non-consensual intimate imagery
Coordinated harassment campaigns
Threats of violence, blackmail, or extortion
Cyberbullying or persistent unwanted contact

4. Sexual and Adult Content

4.1 Sexually Explicit Material

Pornographic or sexually explicit content is prohibited
Nudity without educational, documentary, or artistic merit is not allowed
Sexual content involving minors is strictly forbidden and will be reported to authorities
Content promoting sexual services or escort services

4.2 Child Safety

Absolute Prohibition on:

Any content sexualizing minors (anyone under 18 years of age)
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or content that exploits children
Grooming behavior or content aimed at establishing inappropriate relationships with minors
Content that endangers child welfare or safety
Family vlogging content that exploits or endangers children

5. Privacy and Personal Information

5.1 Data Protection Compliance

All content must comply with:

India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for European users
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for California residents
Other applicable data protection laws in operating jurisdictions

5.2 Prohibited Privacy Violations

Sharing personal information without consent (including phone numbers, addresses, financial information)
Recording or broadcasting individuals without appropriate consent
Violating confidentiality agreements or non-disclosure agreements
Intercepting private communications
Using tracking or surveillance technology inappropriately

6. Commercial and Advertising Content

6.1 Advertising Standards

All advertisements must be clearly labeled and distinguishable from editorial content
Compliance with Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) guidelines
Disclosure of sponsored content, paid partnerships, or affiliate relationships
No false or misleading advertising claims
Age-appropriate advertising for content aimed at minors

6.2 Prohibited Commercial Practices

Undisclosed paid promotions or native advertising
False endorsements or testimonials
Bait-and-switch tactics
Misleading pricing or product information
Violation of consumer protection laws

7. Platform-Specific Violations

7.1 Technical Violations

Attempting to hack, disrupt, or compromise Sonogram's systems
Using automated systems or bots without authorization
Circumventing platform security measures or restrictions
Reverse engineering platform features or protocols
Excessive API usage or scraping

7.2 Account and Identity Violations

Creating multiple accounts to evade bans or restrictions
Selling or transferring accounts
False verification attempts
Manipulating platform algorithms or metrics
Coordinated inauthentic behavior

8. Content Moderation and Enforcement

8.1 Moderation Process

Sonogram employs a multi-tiered content moderation system:

Automated Detection: AI-powered systems scan for potential violations
Human Review: Trained moderators review flagged content
Community Reporting: User reports are investigated promptly
Periodic Audits: Regular reviews of popular and trending content

8.2 Enforcement Actions

Violations may result in:

Content-Level Actions:

Content removal or deletion
Content restriction (age-gating or geographic restrictions)
Demonetization
Reduced distribution or shadow-banning
Addition of warning labels or disclaimers

Account-Level Actions:

Written warnings
Temporary suspension (24 hours to 30 days)
Permanent account termination
IP address or device banning
Prohibition from creating new accounts

Legal Actions:

Reporting to law enforcement authorities
Civil litigation for damages
Criminal prosecution under applicable laws
Cooperation with regulatory investigations
Asset freezing or monetary penalties

9. Legal Consequences

9.1 Criminal Penalties

Violations may result in criminal prosecution under:

Information Technology Act, 2000 (Sections 66A-F, 67, 67A-C)
Indian Penal Code provisions
Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO)
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)
Copyright Act, 1957
Corresponding laws in other jurisdictions

Potential Penalties Include:

Imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 7 years depending on the offense
Fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh or more
Both imprisonment and fines for serious violations
Permanent criminal record

9.2 Civil Liabilities

Monetary damages for copyright infringement
Defamation lawsuits
Privacy violation claims
Consumer protection penalties
Platform-imposed financial penalties

9.3 Regulatory Actions

Investigation by Cyber Crime Cells
Action by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Enforcement by international regulatory bodies
Professional license revocation for regulated professions

10. Reporting Mechanisms

10.1 How to Report Violations

General Violations: Email: report@sonogram.in, In-app reporting feature, 24/7 hotline: [Toll-free number]
Intellectual Property Violations: Email: legal@sonogram.in, DMCA takedown form available on platform
Child Safety Concerns: Priority email: childsafety@sonogram.in, Direct reporting to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
Law Enforcement Requests: Email: lawenforcement@sonogram.in, Physical address for legal notices: Sonogram (OPC) Private Limited, [Full Address], New Delhi, India

10.2 Appeal Process

Submit an appeal within 30 days via appeals@sonogram.in
Provide detailed explanation and supporting evidence
Appeals reviewed within 7–14 business days
Decision communicated via registered email
Further escalation to independent Grievance Officer if needed

11. Regional Compliance

11.1 India-Specific Requirements

Compliance with Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
Appointment of Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person, and Resident Grievance Officer
Monthly compliance reports to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Local data storage requirements for Indian users

11.2 International Compliance

GDPR compliance for European Union users
COPPA compliance for users under 13 in the United States
Regional content restrictions based on local laws
Geo-blocking for legally restricted content

12. Updates and Modifications

These Community Guidelines are effective as of August 2025 and may be updated periodically. Users will be notified of significant changes via:

Email notification to registered addresses
In-app notifications
Platform announcements
Website banner notifications

Continued use of Sonogram after guideline updates constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

13. Grievance Redressal

13.1 Grievance Officer Details

Name: [To be appointed]
Email: grievance@sonogram.in
Address: Sonogram (OPC) Private Limited, New Delhi, India
Response Time: Acknowledgment within 24 hours, resolution within 15 days

13.2 Escalation Matrix

Level 1: Community Support Team
Level 2: Senior Moderation Team
Level 3: Grievance Officer
Level 4: Chief Compliance Officer
External: Appropriate regulatory or judicial authority

14. Consequences Summary

Severity Levels and Consequences

Level 1 - Minor Violations:

First offense: Warning
Second offense: 24-hour suspension
Third offense: 7-day suspension

Level 2 - Moderate Violations:

First offense: 7-day suspension and content removal
Second offense: 30-day suspension
Third offense: Account termination

Level 3 - Severe Violations:

Immediate permanent ban
Report to law enforcement
Legal action initiated
Public disclosure where required by law

Level 4 - Criminal Violations:

Immediate ban and content preservation for evidence
Mandatory reporting to law enforcement
Full cooperation with investigations
Pursuit of criminal and civil remedies

15. Acknowledgment

By using Sonogram's platform, all users acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with these Community Guidelines. Users further acknowledge that:

They are solely responsible for their content and its consequences
Sonogram reserves the right to remove content and terminate accounts at its discretion
These guidelines are in addition to, not in replacement of, applicable laws
Ignorance of these guidelines is not a valid defense for violations
Sonogram's decisions on content moderation are final and binding

Contact Information

Sonogram (OPC) Private Limited
Registered Office: [Complete Address], New Delhi - [PIN Code], India
General Inquiries: info@sonogram.in
Legal Department: legal@sonogram.in
Media Relations: media@sonogram.in
Business Development: business@sonogram.in

Last Updated: August 2025 | Version: 1.0

Sonogram Community Guidelines