Community Guidelines
The rules of the hunt. Be curious, be kind, be safe.
PhotoFun exists to help people explore the real world. These guidelines keep the community safe, respectful, and fun for everyone. They apply to all public hunts, user profiles, and any content visible to other users. Private event hunts are additionally governed by the event host and our Terms of Service.
Our community principles
Explore with open eyes
The point of PhotoFun is to notice things. Look up from your phone. Walk slowly. Pay attention. The best discoveries happen when you're present in the moment, not rushing to the next challenge.
Respect people and places
You're a guest in every neighborhood you explore. Respect the people who live and work there. Don't block sidewalks, enter private property, or photograph anyone who asks not to be photographed.
The camera faces out
PhotoFun is about photographing the world, not yourself. Our challenges focus on places, objects, architecture, food, nature, and hidden details. No selfie challenges, no appearance-based content.
Safety comes first
No photo is worth a risk. Skip any challenge that feels unsafe. Stay on sidewalks and public paths. If hunting after dark, stick to well-lit areas. Watch where you're going.
Leave no trace
Don't move, damage, or alter anything to get a better photo. Don't litter. Don't pick flowers, disturb wildlife, or deface public or private property. Leave every place better than you found it.
Play fair
Submit only photos you took yourself, in person, at the location. No screenshots, stock photos, AI-generated images, or photos from the internet. The point is the experience, not the points.
The do's and don'ts
✓ Do
- Photograph public spaces, landmarks, architecture, food, nature, and street art
- Take your own original photos for every challenge
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times
- Ask permission before photographing someone up close
- Respect "No Photography" signs in museums, shops, and private spaces
- Report content that violates these guidelines
- Encourage and celebrate other explorers
- Have fun and stay curious
✗ Don't
- Enter private property or restricted areas for a photo
- Photograph people without their knowledge in private settings
- Submit photos you didn't take yourself
- Use AI-generated images, stock photos, or screenshots
- Submit nudity, violence, or sexually explicit content
- Harass, bully, or intimidate anyone
- Post content that demeans anyone based on race, gender, religion, orientation, disability, or national origin
- Damage, move, or alter property to create a photo
- Jaywalk, speed, or break traffic laws while hunting
- Use PhotoFun while driving
Photo standards
What makes a good submission
- Authentic. Taken by you, in person, at the actual location. No edits beyond basic brightness and cropping.
- Clear. The subject should be identifiable. AI verification works best with well-lit, focused photos.
- Respectful. No people in compromising or unflattering positions. No private moments captured without consent.
- Original. Your own creative perspective on the challenge. Two people photographing the same landmark will get two different photos, and that's the point.
What gets removed
- Photos not taken by the submitter (stock, screenshots, AI-generated, copied from the internet)
- Nudity or sexually explicit content
- Graphic violence or gore
- Content that harasses, bullies, or targets any individual or group
- Photos taken in private spaces without the occupant's consent
- Content that reveals someone's personal information (addresses, phone numbers, license plates clearly visible with intent to identify)
- Spam or repetitive low-effort submissions
Photographing people
PhotoFun challenges focus on places and objects, not people. However, people may naturally appear in your photos (a busy street, a market, a beach scene). That's fine. Here's the line:
- Incidental presence is okay. A crowd in the background of a landmark photo is normal and expected.
- Deliberate close-ups need consent. If someone is the clear subject of your photo, ask their permission first.
- Respect the "no." If anyone asks you not to photograph them, stop immediately. Delete the photo if they ask.
- Children require extra care. Do not photograph children you don't know as the primary subject of a photo, even in public spaces.
- Never photograph anyone in a private or vulnerable moment. No photos through windows, in restrooms, changing areas, or medical settings.
Fair play and integrity
PhotoFun uses AI verification and GPS to confirm submissions. Attempting to cheat undermines the experience for everyone.
- GPS spoofing (faking your location) results in immediate account suspension
- Submitting others' photos as your own results in photo removal and a warning (first offense) or ban (repeat)
- AI-generated images submitted as real photos are treated the same as stolen photos
- Multiple accounts used to inflate leaderboard scores will be merged or banned
- Coordinated manipulation (groups gaming the system) will result in removal from leaderboards and possible suspension
We'd rather you complete 3 challenges honestly than 30 dishonestly. The point is the walk, the discovery, the noticing. Not the number on the leaderboard.
Reporting violations
If you see content that violates these guidelines:
- In the app: Tap any photo, then tap "Report." Select a reason and add details if needed.
- By email: Send details to [email protected]
All reports are reviewed within 2 hours during business hours and within 12 hours after hours. You'll never be penalized for reporting in good faith, even if we determine the content doesn't violate the guidelines.
Enforcement
We use a tiered system that considers severity, context, and history:
All enforcement actions can be appealed within 14 days by emailing [email protected]. Appeals are reviewed by a different team member than the one who made the original decision.
Physical safety while hunting
🚶 Watch where you're going. Look up from your phone regularly, especially near roads and intersections.
🚶 Stay on public paths. Never trespass, climb fences, or enter restricted areas.
🚶 Hunt with a friend if you're in an unfamiliar area, especially after dark.
🚶 Stay in well-lit areas for evening or night hunts.
🚶 Never use PhotoFun while driving. Pull over completely if you need to check the app.
🚶 Skip any challenge that feels unsafe. Trust your instincts. No photo is worth a risk.
🚶 Stay hydrated and sun-protected on outdoor hunts, especially in warm weather.
🚶 Tell someone where you're going if you're hunting alone in a new city.
Respecting the environment
- Stay on marked trails in parks and nature areas
- Don't disturb wildlife or nesting areas for a photo
- Don't pick flowers, break branches, or collect natural objects
- Carry out any trash you bring in
- Observe posted rules at parks, gardens, and protected areas
- Keep a safe distance from all wildlife (a phone zoom is better than a close approach)
Updates to these guidelines
We may update these guidelines as the community grows and as we learn what works. Material changes will be communicated through the app and on this page. The latest version always lives here.
Questions?
If you're unsure whether something is okay, it probably is. PhotoFun is built for curious, kind people who like exploring. If you're that person, you'll do great. If you have specific questions, reach out to [email protected].
Community Guidelines v1.0. April 2026.