🌟 Overview
Identity verification is the foundation of trust on Sports Buddies. We require all users to maintain accurate, truthful profiles and complete our verification process to ensure a safe and trustworthy community.
🎯 Why Identity Standards Matter
Accurate identity information helps build trust, prevents fraud, and ensures everyone can connect with confidence. It's essential for maintaining the safety and integrity of our community.
📝 Profile Accuracy Requirements
All profile information must be accurate, current, and truthful. This includes:
✅ Required: Personal Information
- Real Name: Use your legal name as it appears on official documents
- Age: Must be 18 or older with accurate birth date
- Location: Current city and state/country of residence
- Contact Information: Valid email address and phone number
✅ Required: Profile Photos
- Clear Photos: High-quality, well-lit images that clearly show your face
- Recent Photos: Taken within the last 6 months
- Authentic Images: Photos must be of you, not stock images or other people
- Appropriate Content: Photos must be suitable for a sports community
✅ Required: Sports Information
- Sports Preferences: Accurate list of sports you're interested in
- Skill Levels: Honest assessment of your current abilities
- Availability: Realistic schedule and time commitments
- Experience: Truthful description of your sports background
🔍 Verification Process
All users must complete our VerifiedPlayer™ ID verification process to access full platform features.
📋 Step 1: Document Upload
- Government ID: Valid driver's license, passport, or state ID
- Document Quality: Clear, readable images with all information visible
- Current Documents: Must not be expired
- Privacy Protection: We only verify essential information
📱 Step 2: Selfie Verification
- Live Photo: Take a new selfie during the verification process
- Face Visibility: Clear view of your face without obstructions
- Good Lighting: Well-lit environment for clear image quality
- Natural Expression: Neutral facial expression
⏰ Step 3: Review Process
- Processing Time: Typically 24-48 hours
- Manual Review: Human verification team reviews all submissions
- Quality Check: Ensures documents meet our standards
- Notification: You'll receive email confirmation when verified
🚫 Prohibited Practices
The following practices are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate account suspension:
❌ Fake or Misleading Information
- Using fake names or aliases
- Providing false age or birth date
- Misrepresenting location or residence
- Falsifying sports experience or skills
❌ Multiple Accounts
- Creating multiple accounts for the same person
- Using different accounts to circumvent restrictions
- Creating accounts for other people
- Sharing account credentials with others
❌ Stolen or Borrowed Identity
- Using someone else's identity documents
- Creating accounts for minors under 18
- Using fake or altered documents
- Impersonating public figures or celebrities
❌ Inappropriate Profile Content
- Offensive or inappropriate photos
- False or misleading sports claims
- Inappropriate or offensive usernames
- Content that violates community guidelines
📅 Age Requirements
Sports Buddies is strictly for users 18 years of age and older.
🔞 Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Legal Requirement: Must be 18 or older to create an account
- Age Verification: Required during the verification process
- No Exceptions: We cannot make exceptions for users under 18
- Parental Consent: Parental consent does not override age requirements
⚠️ Underage Users
If we discover that a user is under 18, their account will be immediately suspended and all data will be deleted in compliance with legal requirements.
🔄 Profile Updates
Keep your profile information current and accurate by updating it regularly.
📝 When to Update Your Profile
- Personal Changes: Name changes, moves, new contact information
- Sports Updates: New sports interests, skill level improvements
- Schedule Changes: Updated availability or time commitments
- Photo Updates: New photos every 6 months or when appearance changes
✅ How to Update Your Profile
- Profile Settings: Access through your account settings
- Documentation: Provide supporting documents for major changes
- Verification: Some changes may require re-verification
- Review Process: Updates are reviewed for accuracy
🌟 Verification Benefits
Completing identity verification provides several benefits and unlocks additional platform features.
✅ VerifiedPlayer™ Badge
- Trust Indicator: Shows other users you're verified
- Profile Visibility: Enhanced visibility in search results
- Feature Access: Unlocks advanced platform features
- Community Status: Recognized as a trusted community member
🔓 Full Platform Access
- Messaging: Send and receive messages with other users
- Event Creation: Create and organize sports events
- Advanced Matching: Access to full BuddyMatch™ algorithm
- Community Features: Participate in community discussions
🛡️ Enhanced Safety
- Trust Building: Other users can trust your identity
- Safety Features: Access to advanced safety tools
- Reporting Priority: Priority handling of safety reports
- Community Support: Enhanced community support access
🔒 Privacy and Security
We take your privacy and security seriously. Here's how we protect your information:
🛡️ Data Protection
- Encryption: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest
- Limited Access: Only authorized personnel can access verification data
- Secure Storage: Documents are stored in secure, encrypted systems
- Data Retention: Limited retention periods for verification documents
🔐 Information Sharing
- No Third Parties: We never sell or share your personal information
- Limited Disclosure: Only share information when legally required
- User Control: You control what information is visible to others
- Privacy Settings: Comprehensive privacy controls available
⚖️ Compliance and Enforcement
We actively monitor compliance with identity standards and take appropriate action when violations are discovered.
🔍 Monitoring and Detection
- Automated Systems: AI-powered detection of suspicious activity
- Manual Review: Human review of flagged accounts
- Community Reports: User reports of identity violations
- Regular Audits: Periodic review of all accounts
⚠️ Violation Consequences
- First Offense: Warning and requirement to correct information
- Second Offense: Temporary account suspension
- Serious Violations: Immediate permanent suspension
- Legal Action: Cooperation with law enforcement when required
🆘 Getting Help
Need assistance with identity verification or have questions about our standards?