Terms of RoadChap app usage
RoadChap is an app that will be developed for commuters to share and discover road conditions which gives them ability to plan their routes through images. Unlike other image sharing platforms, the RoadChap app is striving to keep up its standards as the best place to share opinions and help others. If any post that does not visualize a road condition is found on the platform, it should be reported and taken down.
Terms of service and community guidelines are essential information important for users to understand the consequences of using a community app service like the one undergoing development, RoadChap. Since the evolution of community image sharing platforms, there have been cases of misuses which prompted the developers and users to come up with rules that must be obeyed if a media platform is to be utilized.
The most popular platform out there is Imgur which has billions of pictures hosted with rules backing its usage. Often, users don’t read these guidelines and break the rules which results into further actions taken like ban, suspension or legal interference. After taking a look at the guidelines and terms of use of imgur which is similar to the app that is going to be developed, I discovered some interesting facts that could be overlooked but integral to the user experience on the platform.
THINGS TO DO & THINGS NOT TO DO
Reading through the imgur community rules, I discovered that they highlighted the things which are expected from every contributor (things to do) and what also violates the platform labeled as things not to do. Clearly stated on the page, users are not expected to upload content which they do not have a full copyright ownership of.
I find this fact interesting to consider while developing the RoadChap app because users are required to posts pictures of the road conditions which may involve billboard ads, road signs and vehicle plate numbers. Private information is highly recommended not to be shared or visible on any post a user uploads. It would be a good idea to consider an option for users to censor any copyright elements that may cause their post to be down voted or reported. Just like snapchat, a feature could be introduced to let user cover signs or posts in their pictures without totally disrupting the image.
GOOD SHARING PRACTICES
The last part of the Imgur rules states the good sharing practices which I think helped the platform again a reputation for user credibility. They value transparency and respect which are vital in the creation of the Road chap platform which will build trust relationship between users on the platform. Below is the quote from the page:
Value
Good sharing means posting content which brings value to the community. Content which opens up a discussion, shares something new and unique, or has a deeper story to tell beyond the image itself is content that generally brings value. Ask yourself first: is this something I would be interested in seeing on Imgur if someone else posted it?
Transparency
Imgurians expect that the original poster (OP) will be explicit about if and how they are connected to the content they are posting. Trying to hide that relationship, or not explaining it well to others, is a common feature of bad sharing.
Respect
Good sharing means knowing when the Imgur community has spoken through upvotes and downvotes and respecting that. You should avoid constantly reposting content to User Submitted that gets downvoted. This kind of spamming annoys the community, and it won't make your posts any more popular.
TERMS OF SERVCICE
Every platform that involves people interaction should have a contract which binds the users together and serves as the conditions for making the best use of it. It is well explained in the imgur terms of service that content on the platform should not be used for commercial purposes but can be used for research and journalism.
The last part is the trademark use policy which has its own chapter that explains how the name “imgur” and its properties can be used in order not to violate or offend the brand rules. These would be a fact to consider as the RoadChap app will have its set of fonts, logos and colors which ties to the trademark that would be used appropriately.