Content Moderation & Code of Conduct

1. Overview

BizSpot NY is committed to maintaining a safe, trustworthy, and professional business directory. This Content Moderation Policy outlines what types of businesses and content are acceptable on our platform, our review process, and enforcement actions.

2. Acceptable Businesses

BizSpot NY welcomes legitimate businesses operating in New York City, including but not limited to:

• Software companies and tech startups
• Professional services (legal, accounting, consulting, etc.)
• Creative agencies and studios
• Coworking spaces and business facilities
• Retail and e-commerce businesses
• Restaurants, cafes, and food services
• Healthcare and wellness services
• Educational and training services
• Real estate and property management
• Other legitimate business operations

3. Prohibited Content & Industries

The following types of businesses, content, and activities are strictly prohibited on BizSpot NY:

3.1 Illegal Activities

• Any business or service that violates federal, state, or local laws
• Unlicensed financial services or investment schemes
• Illegal gambling or betting operations
• Sale of controlled substances without proper licensing
• Counterfeit goods or services
• Money laundering or financial fraud

3.2 Illicit Industries

• Adult entertainment services or explicit sexual content
• Escort services or prostitution
• Illegal weapons or explosives
• Human trafficking or exploitation services
• Fraudulent or deceptive business practices
• Pyramid schemes or multi-level marketing scams

3.3 Harmful or Deceptive Content

• Misleading or false business information
• Fake reviews or fraudulent testimonials
• Impersonation of other businesses or individuals
• Phishing or malware distribution
• Spam or duplicate listings
• Hate speech or discriminatory content

3.4 Illegitimate Businesses

• Businesses that do not actually exist or operate
• Shell companies with no legitimate business purpose
• Businesses created solely for fraudulent purposes
• Unverifiable or phantom operations
• Businesses with fabricated credentials or accreditations

4. Content Review Process

4.1 Initial Submission Review

All new business listings undergo an initial review before being published:

• Automated checks for prohibited keywords and patterns
• Manual review of business information and legitimacy
• Verification of contact information and website (if provided)
• Review typically completed within 24-48 hours

4.2 Ongoing Monitoring

Published listings are subject to ongoing monitoring:

• Regular automated scans for policy violations
• Review of user reports and complaints
• Periodic manual audits of listings
• Response to legal requests or law enforcement inquiries

4.3 User Reporting

Users can report violations by emailing report@bizspotny.com with:

• The business name and listing URL
• Description of the violation
• Any supporting evidence or documentation

Reports are reviewed within 1-3 business days. Reporters will receive confirmation of receipt but may not receive detailed outcomes due to privacy considerations.

5. Enforcement Actions

5.1 Right to Decline Service

BizSpot NY reserves the right to decline any business usage of its website at its sole discretion. This includes the right to:

• Reject listings during initial review for any reason
• Remove existing listings that violate this Code of Conduct
• Terminate accounts that engage in prohibited activities
• Refuse service to businesses or individuals who violate our policies

When service is declined due to Code of Conduct violations, affected users will receive a full refund of any applicable subscription fees as outlined in our Refund Policy.

5.2 Listing Rejection

Listings that violate this policy during initial review will be rejected. The submitter will be notified via email with the reason for rejection and information about refund eligibility.

5.3 Listing Removal

Published listings found to violate this policy will be removed immediately. The business owner will be notified and may appeal within 14 days. If the violation is confirmed, a refund will be issued as appropriate.

5.4 Account Suspension

Accounts that repeatedly violate policies or engage in fraudulent activity will be suspended or permanently banned. The site owner reserves absolute discretion in these decisions.

5.5 Refund Eligibility

As outlined in our Refund Policy, users will receive refunds if:

• Their listing is removed due to being illegitimate or operating in a prohibited illicit industry
• They were unknowingly charged for a listing that violates our policies
• The business was misrepresented during the submission process
• The site owner exercises their right to decline service due to Code of Conduct violations

Refund requests must be submitted to hello@bizspotny.com within 30 days of the enforcement action.

6. Appeals Process

If you believe your listing was incorrectly removed or rejected:

1. Email appeals@bizspotny.com within 14 days
2. Include your business name, listing details, and explanation
3. Provide any documentation proving legitimacy
4. Appeals are reviewed within 5-7 business days
5. Decision is final and binding

7. Code of Conduct for Users

All BizSpot NY users agree to:

• Provide accurate and truthful information
• Respect intellectual property rights
• Not engage in harassment or abusive behavior
• Not attempt to manipulate rankings or reviews
• Not create multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions
• Report violations when encountered
• Cooperate with moderation requests

8. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Content Moderation Policy at any time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of BizSpot NY after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

9. Contact

Questions about content moderation? Contact us:

• General inquiries: hello@bizspotny.com
• Report violations: report@bizspotny.com
• Appeals: appeals@bizspotny.com