Safety

Safety Center

Our commitment and guidance to keep LinkNow safe for everyone.

Last Updated: October 2025

Our Commitment to Your Safety

At LinkNow, we're dedicated to creating a safe, respectful environment for all users. We've built comprehensive safety features and policies to protect our community while enabling meaningful connections.

Privacy Protection

Approximate Proximity Only: Your exact GPS location is never shared with other users. We only display approximate distance ranges.
Control Your Visibility: Turn location tracking on/off anytime. Use auto-hide mode to limit your visibility after set time intervals.
Privacy Settings: Control who can see you, message you, and send connection requests through granular privacy controls.

Data Security

Encrypted Communications: All messages and data transmissions are encrypted to protect your privacy.
Secure Authentication: Phone number verification and secure authentication powered by Replit Auth.
No Data Selling: We never sell your personal information to third parties.

User Safety Features

Blocking & Reporting

Block Users: Instantly block any user. Blocked users cannot see your profile, send messages, or view you in discovery.
Report System: Report inappropriate behavior, spam, harassment, or safety concerns with detailed categories and optional photo evidence.
Swift Response: Our moderation team reviews all reports promptly and takes appropriate action.

Connection Control

Connection Requests: No one can message you without an accepted connection, unless you choose "Anyone" in privacy settings.
Unfriend Anytime: Remove connections instantly if you feel uncomfortable or want to discontinue communication.
Message Settings: Mute notifications, disable read receipts, or restrict messaging per conversation.

Community Guidelines

We expect all users to follow our Community Guidelines. Prohibited behaviors include:

Harassment, bullying, or threatening language
Hate speech, discrimination, or offensive content
Spam, scams, or fraudulent activity
Sexual harassment or unwanted advances
Sharing inappropriate content or explicit material
Impersonation or misleading information

Verification & Trust

Phone Verification: All users must verify their phone number during signup to reduce fake accounts.
Student Verification: Students can verify their .edu email for a verified badge, increasing trust.
Profile Monitoring: We encourage genuine profiles and monitor for suspicious activity.

Account Security

Secure Authentication: Your account is protected with Replit Auth security.
Username Changes: 14-day cooldown on username changes to prevent impersonation.
Email Verification: Verified student emails have 14-day change cooldown to prevent abuse.

Minors & Age Restrictions

LinkNow is intended for users 18 years and older. During account creation, users must confirm they meet the minimum age requirement. We take violations of age restrictions seriously and will terminate accounts found to be underage.

Get Help

If you need help, feel threatened, or want to report a safety concern:

Report In-App: Use the report function on any user profile or message.
Contact Support: Email us at support@linknowapp.com
Emergency Situations: If you're in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement immediately (911 in the US)

Our Moderation Team

Our dedicated moderation team reviews reports 24/7. We take appropriate action including warnings, account suspension, or permanent bans for violations. Serious safety threats are reported to law enforcement when necessary.

Continuous Improvement

We continuously update our safety features and policies based on user feedback and evolving best practices. Your input helps us create a safer community for everyone.

Safety Tips

Open Safety Tips in the app for more guidance on meeting safely.