Acceptable Use Policy

Market Cross — operated by Brindleford Technologies Ltd

Last updated: February 2026

1. Introduction

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") sets out the rules for using Market Cross. It applies to all users, including guests, registered members, moderators, and administrators.

Market Cross exists to bring local communities together. We want the site to be welcoming, useful, and safe for everyone. This policy sets out the boundaries that make that possible.

2. The golden rule

Treat others as you would wish to be treated. Market Cross is your local community's online meeting place — behave as you would if you were speaking to your neighbours face to face.

3. Content rules

3.1 You must not post content that:

Is illegal or harmful - Violates any applicable law or regulation - Promotes or incites violence, terrorism, or hatred against any group - Contains threats of violence or harassment towards any individual - Constitutes harassment, bullying, or intimidation - Contains or distributes child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — this will be reported to the National Crime Agency immediately - Facilitates or encourages illegal activity

Is dishonest or misleading - Is knowingly false or deliberately misleading - Impersonates another person or organisation - Misrepresents your identity, qualifications, or affiliations - Contains fabricated reviews or testimonials

Infringes rights - Infringes copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights - Contains personal information about others without their consent (doxxing) - Violates any person's right to privacy

Is inappropriate - Is sexually explicit, pornographic, or gratuitously obscene - Contains graphic violence or gore - Is designed to shock or distress

Is spam or commercial abuse - Is unsolicited advertising, promotions, or spam - Promotes pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, or scams - Is automated or bulk-posted content - Exists solely to promote a product or service without genuine community engagement

3.2 Business Directory and Buy & Sell

The Business Directory and Buy & Sell categories exist for legitimate local commerce. You may:

• List your own local business, services, or products
• Post genuine items for sale at reasonable frequencies
• Recommend local businesses you have personally used

You must not:

• Post the same listing repeatedly (once per 30 days is reasonable)
• Advertise regulated products without appropriate disclosures
• List counterfeit, stolen, or prohibited goods
• Use these categories for national or international commercial operations

4. Behaviour rules

4.1 Respect other users

• Disagree with ideas, not people — debate the point, not the person
• Do not engage in personal attacks, name-calling, or ad hominem arguments
• Do not harass, stalk, or persistently contact users who have asked you to stop
• Do not deliberately provoke others (trolling)
• Do not pile on — if a point has been made, you do not need to repeat it

4.2 Respect the community

• Stay on topic within categories and threads
• Use descriptive titles for new topics
• Search before posting — your question may already have been answered
• Do not cross-post the same content in multiple categories
• Tag your posts with the appropriate parish where relevant
• Report rule-breaking content using the report button rather than engaging with it

4.3 Respect privacy

• Do not share private messages or personal correspondence without consent
• Do not post personal information about others (real names, addresses, phone numbers, photos) without their explicit permission
• Do not photograph or share images of people without their knowledge or consent, especially children

4.4 Account rules

• One account per person — multiple accounts (sockpuppets) are not permitted
• Do not share your account with others
• Do not use misleading usernames that impersonate other users, public figures, or organisations
• Do not create accounts solely for commercial promotion

5. Moderation

5.1 How moderation works

Market Cross is moderated by a combination of administrators (Brindleford Technologies staff) and volunteer community moderators.

Moderators may:

• Edit or remove content that violates this policy
• Move topics to more appropriate categories
• Lock threads that have become unproductive
• Issue warnings to users
• Temporarily or permanently ban users

5.2 Warnings and bans

Our typical enforcement approach:

1. Informal reminder — a moderator may reply to guide you towards better behaviour
2. Formal warning — a private message noting the specific rule violation
3. Temporary ban — a cooling-off period (typically 1–7 days)
4. Permanent ban — for serious or repeated violations

We reserve the right to skip steps for serious violations such as threats of violence, hate speech, CSAM, or illegal activity.

5.3 Appeals

If you believe a moderation decision was made in error, you may email moderation@marketcross.online with:

• Your username
• A description of the action you are appealing
• Why you believe the decision was incorrect

We will review appeals within 7 working days. Appeal decisions are final.

6. Reporting

If you see content or behaviour that violates this policy:

• Use the report button on the offending post — this is the fastest way to alert moderators
• Email moderation@marketcross.online for sensitive issues
• Contact police directly if you believe someone is in immediate danger

For child sexual abuse material, we will report to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) immediately, in addition to removing the content and banning the user.

7. Your responsibilities

By using Market Cross, you accept that:

• You are solely responsible for the content you post
• We are not liable for User Content posted by others
• You will comply with all applicable laws when using the Service
• You will cooperate with moderators acting in good faith

8. Changes to this policy

We may update this Acceptable Use Policy from time to time. Significant changes will be announced on the Site News & Announcements forum and, where appropriate, by email.

9. Contact us

If you have questions about this policy:

• Email: moderation@marketcross.online
• Post: Brindleford Technologies Ltd, 71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ