Acceptable Use Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs the use of GoneFinder Registry Services by all users. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that our Service is used in a lawful, ethical, and responsible manner that respects the rights of all users and maintains the integrity of our system.

2. General Use Guidelines

3. Prohibited Activities

3.1 Fraudulent Use

You may not:

• File false reports of stolen property
• Claim ownership of property that belongs to others
• Create fake or duplicate accounts
• Manipulate or falsify identification numbers
• Submit doctored or misleading photographs
• Provide false contact information

3.2 System Abuse

You may not:

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Service
• Use automated scripts, bots, or scrapers without permission
• Circumvent any security measures or access controls
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers
• Transmit viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Conduct denial-of-service attacks
• Reverse engineer or decompile the Service

3.3 Illegal Activities

You may not use the Service to:

• Facilitate theft or trafficking of stolen goods
• Launder money or support criminal enterprises
• Violate export control laws or sanctions
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Engage in identity theft or fraud
• Violate any local, state, federal, or international laws

3.4 Harassment and Abuse

You may not:

• Harass, intimidate, or threaten other users
• Post discriminatory or hateful content
• Stalk or invade others' privacy
• Defame or libel individuals or organizations
• Share others' personal information without consent

4. Content Standards

4.1 Accuracy Requirements

All information submitted must be:

• Factually accurate and verifiable
• Current and up-to-date
• Complete to the best of your knowledge
• Free from intentional misrepresentations

4.2 Inappropriate Content

Do not upload or submit:

• Obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit material
• Violent or graphic content unrelated to property identification
• Content promoting illegal activities
• Spam or commercial advertisements
• Content that violates others' privacy rights

4.3 Image Guidelines

Uploaded images must:

• Be directly related to the reported property
• Show clear identifying features or serial numbers
• Not contain inappropriate or unrelated content
• Be your own photographs or used with permission
• Not be digitally altered to misrepresent the item

5. Law Enforcement Cooperation

5.1 Reporting Obligations

• Report stolen property to local law enforcement first
• Provide police report numbers when available
• Update reports when property is recovered
• Respond to legitimate law enforcement inquiries

5.2 False Reporting Consequences

Filing false police reports or making false claims of theft is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions. Such actions may result in:

• Criminal prosecution
• Civil liability
• Permanent ban from the Service
• Referral to law enforcement agencies

6. Account Responsibilities

6.1 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your password
• All activities that occur under your account
• Immediately notifying us of unauthorized use
• Ensuring your contact information is current
• Using strong, unique passwords
• Enabling two-factor authentication when available

6.2 Account Restrictions

• One account per individual or organization
• Accounts are non-transferable
• You must be 18+ or have parental consent
• Business accounts require proper authorization

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Respect for IP Rights

Users must:

• Only upload content they own or have permission to use
• Respect trademarks and copyrights
• Not use the Service to infringe on others' IP rights
• Comply with DMCA takedown requests

7.2 License Grant

By uploading content, you grant us a license to use it for providing the Service, including displaying it in search results and sharing it with law enforcement when appropriate.

8. Monitoring and Enforcement

8.1 Our Rights

We reserve the right to:

• Monitor usage for compliance with this policy
• Investigate suspected violations
• Remove or disable access to violating content
• Suspend or terminate accounts for violations
• Report illegal activities to law enforcement
• Cooperate with legal investigations

8.2 Enforcement Actions

Depending on the severity of the violation, we may:

1. Issue a warning
2. Temporarily suspend account access
3. Permanently ban the account
4. Report to law enforcement
5. Pursue legal action

9. Reporting Violations

9.1 How to Report

If you become aware of any violation of this policy:

• Email: abuse@gonefinder.gov
• Phone: 1-800-REPORT-V (1-800-737-6788)
• Online Form: www.gonefinder.gov/report-abuse

9.2 What to Include

• Description of the violation
• Username or account information of violator
• Date and time of incident
• Any supporting evidence or screenshots
• Your contact information for follow-up

10. Consequences of Violations

10.1 Civil Consequences

• Account termination
• Loss of access to registered items
• Liability for damages caused
• Legal fees and costs

10.2 Criminal Consequences

Certain violations may constitute criminal offenses, including:

• Filing false police reports
• Identity theft or fraud
• Computer crimes and hacking
• Harassment or stalking
• Trafficking in stolen goods

11. Appeals Process

11.1 Appealing Enforcement Actions

If you believe your account was wrongly suspended or terminated:

1. Submit an appeal within 30 days
2. Email: appeals@gonefinder.gov
3. Include your account information and explanation
4. Provide any supporting documentation
5. Wait for review (typically 5-10 business days)

11.2 Appeal Review

Appeals are reviewed by our Trust & Safety team. Decisions are based on the evidence provided and the severity of the violation. Final decisions are at our sole discretion.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Acceptable Use Policy periodically. Significant changes will be notified via email or through the Service. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

For questions about this Acceptable Use Policy: