Last updated: 13 April 2026
Downshift is a social platform for car and motorbike enthusiasts. Users can post journeys, upload photos, write comments, maintain a profile, and name their vehicles. This page explains how we keep that content safe — what tools you have, how we respond to reports, and what you can do if you disagree with a decision we have made.
1. Contact
To report abuse, request content removal, or appeal a moderation decision, email us at:
- Email: support@dshft.com
- Subject line for reports: “Moderation report — [brief description]”
- Subject line for appeals: “Moderation appeal — [your handle]”
This inbox is monitored continuously. We will acknowledge your message within 24 hours.
2. Tools Available to You
Reporting a user
Tap the overflow menu (…) on any user’s profile and select Report {displayName}. Choose the reason that best describes the issue:
- Spam
- Harassment
- Inappropriate content
- Other (with a free-text field for context)
Your report goes straight to our moderation queue for human review.
Blocking a user
Tap the overflow menu (…) on any user’s profile and select Block {displayName}. Blocking is immediate: the blocked user cannot see your profile, your journeys, or find you in search. Any existing follows between you are removed. You can unblock at any time from the same menu.
Deleting comments
You can delete any comment you have written. If someone leaves a comment on your journey, you can delete that too — you control your own space.
3. How We Review Reports
We commit to reviewing every report within 24 hours of receipt.
“Reviewed” means a moderator has looked at the report and taken a decision. We may dismiss it (no violation found), remove content, issue a warning, or suspend the reported account — depending on the severity and history of the issue.
We do not tell reporters the outcome in detail, to protect both parties. If the reported user is found to be in violation, they are notified and given the reason.
Actions we can take
- Dismiss— no violation found; content stays live.
- Remove content— the comment or journey is removed immediately. The content owner receives a notification with the reason.
- Warn— the user receives an in-app notification explaining the violation. No automatic follow-on action.
- Suspend— the user is locked out of the app immediately with an explanation and instructions to appeal.
- Ban— permanent removal from the platform for serious or repeated violations.
Priority illegal content
The following types of content are removed immediately, without prior notice to the poster, and reported to law enforcement:
- Child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSAM)
- Content promoting terrorism or proscribed organisations
- Content inciting violence against individuals or groups
- Intimate images shared without consent (“revenge porn”)
- Content facilitating the sale of illegal drugs, weapons, or other prohibited items
- Content that constitutes fraud or financial crime
4. Proactive Moderation
We are honest about where we are today: Downshift does not currently have automated content filters. There is no profanity filter, no AI-based image scanning for nudity or violence. Content goes live when it is posted; moderation only happens when a report is filed.
We are working on adding proactive moderation tools, including:
- A profanity filter applied at submission time to bios, vehicle names, and comments
- Image content scanning for nudity, violence, and CSAM before photos are stored
- Spam detection for unusual posting patterns
5. Appeals
If we have taken action against your content or account and you believe we got it wrong, you can appeal:
- Email support@dshft.comwith the subject line “Moderation appeal — [your handle]”
- Tell us which content was affected, what action was taken, and why you disagree
- We will respond within 14 days
- Your appeal will be reviewed by someone who was not involved in the original decision
If your account is suspended, the suspension screen includes a “Contact support” button that pre-fills an email to support@dshft.com. You do not need access to the app to appeal.
6. Transparency
Every moderation action (content removal, user warning, suspension, reinstatement) is recorded in an append-only log. We are committed to publishing periodic transparency reports covering the volume and types of content we have removed. We will publish our first report when volumes are sufficient to be meaningful, or when required by applicable law.
Downshift is a user-to-user service under the UK Online Safety Act 2023 and is subject to the safety duties in Part 3 of the Act. The measures described on this page are our implementation of those duties.
7. Contact
For moderation queries, abuse reports, or appeals: support@dshft.com
For data protection matters (subject access requests, erasure requests, data portability): privacy@dshft.com
For general enquiries: the contact form at dshft.com, or via the in-app feedback option in Settings.
This policy was last reviewed on 13 April 2026.