MANFREDStandards Against Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE)
Manfred has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse and exploitation. Content that sexualizes, exploits or endangers minors — including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), grooming, sextortion and trafficking — has no place in Manfred or anywhere it connects to.
What Manfred is
Manfred is a client application for the decentralized Mastodon network. It does not host, store or distribute user content: everything shown in the app lives on the Mastodon instance the user signed in to, operated by independent third parties under their own rules and moderation. The only infrastructure we operate is a push notification relay, which forwards end-to-end encrypted payloads it cannot read.
Even as a client, we take responsibility for how our software is used and support the safety mechanisms of the network it connects to.
Our standards
- Prohibited use. Using Manfred to create, view, store, share or solicit CSAE content, or to groom or otherwise harm minors, is strictly prohibited.
- In-app reporting. Every post and account can be reported directly from within the app. Reports go to the moderators of the Mastodon instance hosting the content, who can remove it at the source and are the fastest path to takedown.
- Direct feedback to us. The app contains a built-in feedback function that reaches the development team without leaving the app. Concerns about child safety can also be raised with our point of contact below at any time.
- Our response. When we become aware of apparent CSAM reachable through Manfred, we report it to the relevant authorities and hotlines, inform the operator of the hosting instance, and — where our own services are involved in distribution in any way — remove it immediately. We cooperate with law enforcement in accordance with applicable law.
- Legal compliance. We comply with applicable child safety laws, including the child safety requirements of the regions where Manfred is distributed.
Where to report CSAM
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact your local police first.
- NCMEC CyberTipline — National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (international reports accepted)
- INHOPE hotline directory — national reporting hotlines worldwide
- Germany: internet-beschwerdestelle.de (eco / FSM) and jugendschutz.net
Child safety point of contact
Our designated point of contact for child safety matters, available to discuss our CSAE prevention practices:
Tim Brückner — a cup of software
Kurzfassung auf Deutsch
Manfred ist ein Client für das dezentrale Mastodon-Netzwerk und speichert selbst keine Nutzerinhalte. Wir dulden keinerlei Darstellungen sexuellen Kindesmissbrauchs (CSAE/CSAM). Beiträge und Konten können direkt in der App an die Moderation der jeweiligen Instanz gemeldet werden; zusätzlich erreicht uns Feedback aus der App heraus. Werden uns entsprechende Inhalte bekannt, melden wir sie den zuständigen Stellen (z. B. internet-beschwerdestelle.de, jugendschutz.net, Polizei), informieren die betroffene Instanz und kooperieren mit den Strafverfolgungsbehörden. Ansprechpartner: Tim Brückner, info@cupofsoftware.de.