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Safety & Trust: How We Protect You

SocialBrandMatch TeamFebruary 20267 min read

At SocialBrandMatch, safety and trust are our top priorities. We've built a secure platform that protects both creators and businesses through verified accounts, escrow payment protection, and robust privacy measures. Here's how we keep your data safe and ensure every collaboration is protected.

How Verification Works

Our verification process ensures that every user on the platform is who they claim to be. We use multiple layers of verification to confirm account ownership and prevent fraud:

OAuth Social Login

When you connect your Instagram or TikTok account, we use official OAuth authentication provided by the social platforms themselves. This means you log in directly through Instagram or TikTok's secure systems, and we receive confirmation that you own the account. We never see or store your social media password.

Bio Link Verification

For added security, we verify account ownership through bio link verification. You'll be asked to temporarily add a unique verification link to your social media bio. Once we confirm the link is present, you're verified and can remove it. This prevents unauthorized users from claiming accounts they don't control.

Follower Count Thresholds

To access premium features and higher-value campaigns, creators must meet minimum follower thresholds. These requirements ensure that businesses work with established creators who have built genuine audiences. Follower counts are verified through the connected social media APIs and cannot be manually edited.

Verified Badges

Accounts that complete all verification steps receive a verified badge on their profile. This badge gives businesses confidence that they're working with legitimate creators who have proven account ownership.

Escrow Payment Protection

Our escrow system protects both parties in every campaign collaboration. Here's how it works:

For Businesses

When you fund a campaign, your payment is held securely in escrow. The funds are only released to the creator after you approve the delivered content. If the creator doesn't deliver or the content doesn't meet the agreed-upon requirements, you can request a refund through our dispute resolution process.

For Creators

You're guaranteed payment for approved work. Once you deliver content that meets the campaign brief and the business approves it, funds are released from escrow directly to your account. You never have to worry about non-payment or chasing down clients for compensation.

Dispute Resolution

If there's a disagreement about deliverables, our support team reviews the campaign brief, submitted content, and communication history to make a fair decision. We aim to resolve all disputes within 3-5 business days.

For complete details on how payments work, including payout schedules and fees, visit our Payment Guide.

Content Rights & Usage

Creator Ownership

By default, creators retain full ownership of the content they create. You own the copyright to your photos, videos, and written content unless you explicitly agree to transfer those rights in the campaign agreement.

Usage Rights

Usage rights should be clearly defined in the campaign brief before work begins. Typical usage rights include:

  • Organic posting rights: Permission for the creator to post content on their own channels
  • Brand usage rights: Permission for the business to repost or share content on their channels
  • Paid advertising rights: Permission to use content in paid ads (often requires additional compensation)
  • Exclusivity periods: Time windows where the creator cannot promote competing brands

Licensing Terms

We recommend specifying licensing duration and scope in every campaign. For example, "12-month license for use on Instagram, Facebook, and company website" is clear and protects both parties. If you need content for longer periods or additional platforms, negotiate those terms upfront.

Document Everything

Always document content rights and usage terms in the campaign brief. If rights aren't explicitly transferred, the creator retains full ownership and can refuse unauthorized use of their content.

Reporting & Moderation

How to Report Issues

If you encounter inappropriate content, behavior, or potential violations of our terms of service, you can report it directly through the platform:

  • Click the three-dot menu on any profile, campaign, or message
  • Select "Report" and choose the reason for your report
  • Provide any additional context or evidence
  • Submit the report to our moderation team

Moderation Review Process

Our moderation team reviews every report within 24 hours. We investigate by examining the reported content, reviewing user history, and checking for patterns of problematic behavior. If a violation is confirmed, we take appropriate action ranging from warnings to account suspension.

Account Suspension

Serious violations result in immediate account suspension. These include fraud, harassment, hate speech, sharing private information without consent, or attempting to circumvent platform fees. Suspended users lose access to their accounts and any pending campaigns are cancelled with appropriate refunds.

Zero Tolerance Policy

We have zero tolerance for fraud, harassment, or abuse. Any user found engaging in these behaviors will be permanently banned from the platform with no option to appeal.

Data Privacy

Encryption & Security

Your data is protected with industry-standard security measures:

  • Social tokens encrypted at rest: Access tokens for your Instagram and TikTok accounts are encrypted using AES-256-GCM encryption and stored securely in our database
  • HTTPS everywhere: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted in transit
  • Secure authentication: We use NextAuth.js with secure session management and CSRF protection
  • Regular security audits: Our infrastructure undergoes regular security reviews and penetration testing

Minimal Data Collection

We only collect data necessary to operate the platform. This includes your profile information, connected social accounts, campaign history, and payment details. We don't collect unnecessary tracking data or monitor your activity outside of our platform.

No Selling of Personal Data

We never sell your personal information to third parties. Your data is used solely to provide and improve our service. We may share aggregated, anonymized statistics (like platform usage trends) but never individual user data.

GDPR Compliance

We comply with GDPR and respect your data rights:

  • Right to access: You can download all your data at any time
  • Right to deletion: You can request account deletion and we'll remove your personal information
  • Right to portability: You can export your data in standard formats
  • Right to correction: You can update or correct your information at any time

Social Account Tokens

When you disconnect a social account, we immediately delete the associated access tokens from our database. We only retain tokens for accounts you actively have connected to your profile.

Need More Help?

If you have questions about safety, privacy, or security that aren't covered here:

Your safety and trust are essential to our mission of creating a transparent, secure platform for influencer marketing. We're constantly improving our security measures and appreciate your feedback on how we can serve you better.

Ready to Start Your Influencer Journey?

Join SocialBrandMatch to connect with brands and monetize your content.

Safety & Trust: How We Protect You | SocialBrandMatch | SocialBrandMatch