A measure put in place to
protect our users
RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR FRIENDS, FOLLOWERS, CUSTOMERS…
The latest status relating to
gayther communications
What we do, and
what we do not do
WHAT WE DO
- *You will receive all large-scale communication emails or subscriptions to our newsletter because you requested it by subscribing.
- When subscribing to our services, you will receive an email asking you to re-confirm your interest, known as double opt-in.
- All mass communications emails and newsletters will contain an unsubscribe option, which can be found at the bottom of the email or by clicking here.
- You will receive a confirmation email when creating an account or a listing on any Gayther platform.
- Once created, you will only receive emails from us regarding your account, which are only sent when requested or when they are expected (such as password reset requests, new listings, etc.).
WHAT WE DO NOT DO
- You will no longer receive any future newsletter or communications if you choose to unsubscribe from our newsletter.
- Send payment requests or ask you to log in – this will only happen when you expect it and have requested it.
- Send unsolicited mail, promote other products or services, or send communications unrelated to Gayther or not linked to the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Send from an email address (displayed or hidden) other than from the Gayther services.
The guidelines Gayther adopts when it comes to
social media platforms
Since the creation of Gayther in 2019, our focus has been on building and enhancing the platform to reflect the diverse and global community and offer meaningful tools and services to our users. With the platform becoming one of the largest online LGBTQIA+ community resources globally, we are now focusing on building engagement and promotion.
One of the most effective tools for engagement is through the many popular social media platforms. To date, we have kept a light-touch approach to our online presence, so we have created this section to outline our strategy and the criteria we use when determining which social media platforms we engage with and are active on.
Social media is a collective term for digital platforms that enable users to create, share, interact with content, and connect with others. Since the introduction of social media in the late 1990s, there are now thousands of smartphone apps and websites, with some of the best-known including Instagram, X (formally Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok. Social media, for many, is the primary source of information for them to find out what is going on, where they interact with friends, and where they look to be entertained. Information and data are big business, and the landscape is constantly changing and evolving with the rise and fall in popularity of social media platforms, which can take place relatively quickly.
Though there are many challenges when it comes to social media platforms, there is no doubt that they have changed the world of communication and how humans interact. Social media has helped us connect with people across the globe, enabling us to share information quickly and easily and help people find their communities and those similar to themselves. People have been able to explore their creativity, showcase their talents, and launch businesses and products far more effectively and efficiently than conventional methods. The reality is, today, we live in a world where we have quick access to a wide range of information; we can highlight injustice and discrimination and help to hold even influential individuals to account.
Though many positive aspects have come about regarding social media since its adoption and rise in popularity, it has also come with many complex challenges. Most of the issues relate to two key areas: the first is online users’ lack of accountability, and the second is multiple legal jurisdictions globally. It is usual for many social media platforms to require users only to provide limited contact information, and very few ask for proof that they are who they say they are. The lack of verification often means people can create throw-away accounts, spread misinformation, stir up hatred, and carry out legal acts.
Even if the perpetrators are known, any consequence for their actions will depend on their location and the country’s relationship with those affected. Simply put, it is often hard to bring people justice. The lack of accountability has meant that the media is bombarded with a proliferation of misinformation, which can spread rapidly and influence public opinion; privacy and data security issues, where user information may be exploited or inadequately protected; as well as users experiencing cyberbullying and online harassment.
Policing these platforms is challenging, given the number of users and amount of data that flows; however, that does not mean social media platforms are always doing enough. Though some have demonetised and banned users who display illegal or harassing practices, others seem to ignore them and may inadvertently reward the perpetrators. One such practice is that of the hate streamers, people who stream live and who harass or carry out extreme acts and receive requests and financial rewards for their behaviours from other users or the platform itself. The reality is more needs to be done, and there is a fine line between freedom of speech and promoting an agenda of hate.
We live in an age where everyone connects through the internet in some form. Whether it is specific age groups using particular platforms or email messages, the reality is that to engage with a specific audience, you have to be on the same platforms that your target audience uses. Though it is important to be engaging, it is equally important not to support platforms that disregard basic human courtesies and allow hateful and harmful practices to be carried out.
For this reason, we created our social media platform, Gayther Affinity, a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community that aligns with our values. Even with Gayther Affinity, we will continue to post and interact with users on other social media platforms to connect with the global community. As we ramp up engagement, we will choose platforms that align with our objectives and foster a safe and open environment for the community and its users. The platforms we use may change in line with how the businesses behind those social media networks conduct themselves and safeguard their users.
- We advocate for the freedom of expression and support platforms that share this belief. Freedom of expression has long been essential to the LGBTQIA+ community. It is also why many of the victories for equality have been achieved over the years. Freedom of expression provides the fundamental right for people to articulate their thoughts, opinions, and beliefs without fear of government censorship or societal retribution. Unlike freedom of speech, freedom of expression may be subject to certain limitations to prevent harm, hate speech, or incitement to violence. Simply put, express yourself as long as you do not purposely cause harm or harass others.
- We aim to combat misinformation and false narratives by providing an alternative view. We live in a world where misinformation and exaggerated statistics are the norm. These practices are typically used to polarise and insight hatred toward particular groups, communities and even nations. Misinformation refers to false or misleading information presented as fact, regardless of intent. It can arise from misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or incomplete data and spreads rapidly through social media and other communication channels. Unlike disinformation, which is deliberately created to deceive, misinformation may be shared innocently. Yet, it can still lead to significant consequences, including confusion, panic, and the erosion of trust in credible sources. Another associated term is astroturfing, a practice involving public relations companies or organisations creating a false impression of grassroots support or delivering misleading narratives to online influencers, often to promote a specific agenda or product, all misrepresenting public sentiment.
- We have zero tolerance regarding online bullying and harassment, whether by blocking offending individuals or avoiding particular platforms altogether. The world is comprised of many unique individuals, each with their own life experiences, perspectives and views. Though we might not like or agree with some of those views, that does not give people the right to post false or hateful comments and media publicly harassing or bullying others. Offline or in the real world, many of these people would likely never be so cruel or use such hateful language for fear of repercussions; however, going online and the particular degree of anonymity gives them the confidence to act or say things they would not otherwise. Open debate is positive; however, bullying and name-calling are not. Even though people often believe they are anonymous, they frequently leave a digital trail. A trail that ultimately leads back to who they are and where they are located. Linked to harassment is Doxing, a practice in which individuals establish personal information about a person, such as names, addresses and contact information and share it online, all with the aim of real-life harassment.
The above lists and explanations provide an overview of our position on social media. We believe many of the platforms offer a great way to engage with users and the wider community, with relatively little to no negativity; however, the purpose of this section is to draw our line in the sand on the logic and reasoning we apply, should we limit our interactions, suspend or terminate our accounts on specific platforms.
All the different types of
gayther communications
The signs to
watch out for
Unsolicited Spam or Scam messages, as they are known, are any email messages you receive that will have two or more of the following characteristics: –
- Unsolicited – this means that you never asked for or gave your permission for your email address to be used. You did not sign up for a newsletter or provide your consent for a company or individual to store and use your data.
- Used to deceive – unlike unsolicited mail, which might be legitimate in some countries, Spam messages are different. These types of messages are usually used to deceive or trick you somehow. One of the most important tells or characteristics is that the email might look like a genuine offer. They can take the form of an email from a trusted brand. These Messages are often designed to look similar to your bank or from a company you have used before. However, when you click on links within the message, these fraudsters can obtain your login details or financial information. The straightforward principle is that it is often fake if it is too good to be true.
- No personalisation or generic – when you receive emails from companies you know, the email usually contains information about you. Information such as your name, email address and even sometimes account information. Genuine emails will contain content customised to your preferences and some form of personalisation. Whereas spam messages are the complete opposite, often generic and non-personalised, with phrases such as dear client or your title and name presented in the wrong format
- It looks like but is not compliant – emails that comply with the law will include a method for you to unsubscribe from receiving future emails. Unlawful or unsolicited messages often do not have an unsubscribe option. Some may have an unsubscribe link that does not work or goes ignored when you submit a request to unsubscribe. Genuine and law-abiding companies have and are required to provide both an unsubscribe link and respect your request of removal, often within ten working days of receiving the request.
- No contact or company information – spam is usually used to deceive, so emails will likely have no or false contact information. Search the email or physical address. You will often find that they do not exist or are not registered with the company mentioned in the email.
- Misleading email subjects – Spam is about getting your attention and getting you to open and act on the content. The email subject often will not relate to the email’s body or central theme. Titles such as you have won, or your account is locked are all designed to grab your attention.
Historically, spam messages were easy to spot. Email and subject titles like you are a beneficiary meet local men and women, and a trusted friend from overseas were common themes. The messages always involved clicking on a link or emailing your bank details. Though some may have been fooled, the majority were not. Spam emails have been evolving and are getting much more sophisticated. Now, many look genuine and are from well-known banks or have order confirmations from trusted companies.
At first glance, many of these emails look real; however, you quickly remember that you have not placed an order or your bank has never sent an email like that before. Though a lot more deceptive, there are little clues in the message. Usually, the body of the text is poorly written, given that many of these messages seem to be written by non-native English speakers. The message will likely include low-quality images and typically exclude any footer information within the email. Though the emails contain your personal information, they are never quite right. Maybe an old password, which no company would generally send, or just your first name. These more sophisticated messages fooled many of us, not because of the quality of the email, but simply because it played on the fears of the person receiving the email.
Read the Top tips to protect yourself from malicious spam article https://gayther.com/rise-of-malicious-spam/
Steps you can adopt to
protect yourself
- Consider a throwaway email address – if your laptop or computer were ever to become compromised, any email correspondence you have, especially from other LGBTQIA+ members or organisations, could be incriminating and could be used against you in a court proceeding or to justify any treatment you receive. Creating an email address on popular platforms like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL or Outlook and not storing the email address or password can provide privacy and security. If you do not store any details on your PC and still use your usual email address for other communications, you can keep that account hidden and private.
- Do not use your real name – when you sign up for services or post things online, ensure that you use an alias or an alternative name. The purpose of this step is not to mislead or trick people but to protect you should your information ever become compromised.
- Consider a Virtual Private Network, known as VPN – Many low-cost VPNs are available today. When you connect to the internet, your service will record the sites you visit. If the government were to request the records legally, your internet usage and history could be used against you. When connecting to a VPN, your internet provider will register your connection; however, all the places you visit after that are through the VPN and not visible to your provider. Ensure you know where the VPN operates and that they do not store your internet history and usage.
- Frequently clear your cookies and internet history – it is good practice to clear your browser history regularly and delete stored cookies, as they could be used to determine some or all of the sites you regularly visit.
- Do not publicly share information – if you need to share your personal information, consider why it is required and what it could mean. If, for example, you are seeking assistance outside of your country and need a correspondence address, look to an overseas PO box or alternative address to protect your identity. If you have a mobile account registered to you, consider a throwaway number. The same goes for your images or photographs; only share when you know who you are dealing with and when the person is genuine. Using avatars or non-identifiable photos can help to protect your identity.
The list of ways to protect your identity is not exhaustive. It is not intended to mislead or misinform people or organisations. Most of us can freely share our information without consequences or fear of persecution; however, you should only share whatever you feel comfortable with. The tips have been created solely to protect those who are vulnerable or in high-risk situations.
LGBTQIA+ COUNTRY & REGION GUIDES
Reach out to report a
fake communication
Learn more about Gayther and
how we communicate
Today, it is often difficult to distinguish between genuine communications and spam emails. Individuals and organisations intending to steal and mislead have employed new and more sophisticated communication methods. We all receive more communications from people or organisations we do not recognise, which we often ignore. Even those from trusted sources require us to use our judgment to assess whether they are genuine; however, it can usually be both time-consuming and result in us making the occasional mistake.
Considering that many LGBTQIA+ individuals live in places in which exposing their sexuality or gender identity could cause them problems and even create a significant risk to their lives, the stakes are often high. Despite the high risks, many still need to remain connected to their community and continue to receive support in understanding their options and the possible steps to ensure a safe and secure future.
With all of the fake and misleading communications circulating and to continue with our mission to offer information, guides, and networking tools that support the community, including those most vulnerable, we are always looking for ways to reduce misinformation as Gayther takes the community’s safety seriously. To aid in this mission, we created this page to help everyone understand how we will communicate with our community and provide tips to ensure individuals remain safe and supported.
Gayther is not a charity and will never ask you for donations or financial assistance. Nearly all of our services, tools, and guides are offered free to users, with any paid services being clearly labelled, having transparent pricing, and most being typically linked to our advertising services. Any businesses and services wishing to purchase a paid plan will start the process by signing up or creating a listing. In all our communications, we will not ask you for additional information or to click links to access parts of the site; we will only ask for the ones you are aware of (password resets, double opt-in, etc.).
Please remain safe, and we hope you enjoy the Gayther service.
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Three dedicated websites offer various tools, services, guides, and much more. Free tools and services tailored toward all groups within the global LGBTQIA+ community
