Community Guidelines

Building a safe, creative, and respectful community for African creators

Our Community Values

Teka SA is built on the foundation of empowering African creators through fair monetization and digital opportunity. Our community thrives when everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. These guidelines help maintain a positive environment for creators and viewers alike.

Creativity

Original, authentic content

Safety

Protecting our community

Respect

Treating everyone with dignity

🎵 Music & Audio Copyright Rules

⚠️ CRITICAL: NO COPYRIGHTED MUSIC ALLOWED

Using copyrighted music without permission is the #1 reason for content removal and account termination. Teka SA has zero tolerance for music copyright infringement. When in doubt, don't use it.

❌ What You CANNOT Use

•Popular songs from any artist (e.g., Beyoncé, Drake, Burna Boy, etc.)
•Music from streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer)
•Movie/TV soundtracks and background scores
•Radio recordings or podcast audio
•Background music from YouTube videos (even if creator says it's "copyright-free")
•TikTok/Instagram trending sounds that are copyrighted songs
•Classical music recordings (even if composition is public domain, recordings are protected)

✅ What You CAN Use

✓
Your Original Music
Music you composed, performed, and recorded yourself
✓
Royalty-Free Music Libraries
Epidemic Sound, Artlist, AudioJungle, Bensound (with active license)
✓
Creative Commons Music (with attribution)
Free Music Archive, ccMixter, Incompetech (give proper credit)
✓
Licensed Music
Music where you have written permission from the copyright holder
✓
Public Domain Music
Music where copyright has expired (verify carefully!)

⚖️ "Fair Use" Does NOT Apply to Monetized Content

Important: If you're earning money from your videos (monetization), you CANNOT claim "fair use" for copyrighted music. Fair use is very limited and rarely applies to commercial content.

Playing music in the background, using a short clip, or giving credit does NOT make it legal. You still need a license.

🚨 Consequences of Music Copyright Violations

1st Strike: Content Removed + Warning

7-day upload suspension

2nd Strike: 30-Day Suspension

Monetization disabled

3rd Strike: PERMANENT BAN

Account terminated + earnings forfeited

💡 Pro Tip: When recording videos, use your own voice, original sounds, or music from royalty-free libraries. Your authentic voice and creativity are what make your content unique—not copyrighted background music!

📹 Original Content Requirements

All content uploaded to Teka SA must be YOUR original creation. This means you created it yourself or have explicit permission to use it.

What is Original Content?

Videos you filmed yourself
Content you scripted, performed, or narrated
Edits and compilations using only your own footage
Animations or graphics you created

NOT Allowed:

Reposting someone else's videos (even with credit)
Screen recordings of other platforms' content (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)
Movie/TV clips, sports highlights, news footage
Gameplay footage with copyrighted music
Using someone else's content without written permission

Remember: Giving credit, adding commentary, or transforming content does NOT automatically make it legal. Always get permission first.

🤝 Respectful & Safe Behavior

Be Kind and Respectful

Treat all users with dignity and respect
Celebrate diversity and different perspectives
Engage in constructive criticism, not personal attacks
Support fellow creators in their journey

Zero Tolerance For:

• Hate Speech: Attacks based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability
• Harassment & Bullying: Targeting individuals with abuse, threats, or intimidation
• Doxxing: Sharing someone's private information without consent
• Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else or creating fake accounts
• Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual advances, comments, or content

🛡️ Content Safety Standards

Age-Appropriate Content

Teka SA is for users 13+. Content should be suitable for a general audience.

Prohibited: Pornography, sexually explicit content, nudity, child endangerment material (CSAM) — immediately reported to authorities.

Violence & Graphic Content

No extreme violence, gore, or graphic injury
No content glorifying violence or dangerous acts
No animal abuse or cruelty
Serious news/educational content about violence must include context warnings

Self-Harm & Dangerous Activities

No promotion of suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders
No dangerous challenges that could cause injury
Mental health discussions must be supportive and include resources

Illegal Activities

No promotion of illegal drugs, weapons, or criminal activity
No scams, fraud, or financial schemes
No sale of regulated goods (alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs)
No terrorist content or violent extremism

📰 Truthful & Authentic Content

Fight Misinformation

Don't spread false or misleading information
Verify facts before sharing news or health information
Label satire, parody, or fictional content clearly
Don't use deepfakes or manipulated media to deceive

Election & Civic Integrity

Do not spread false information about voting, elections, or civic processes. South African electoral laws apply.

🚫 No Spam or Platform Manipulation

Prohibited Activities:

Artificial Engagement: Buying views, likes, followers, or using bots
Spam: Repetitive comments, messages, or content
Clickbait: Misleading titles or thumbnails to deceive viewers
Multiple Accounts: Creating fake accounts to manipulate engagement
Follow-for-Follow Schemes: Artificial engagement schemes

Grow Organically: Focus on creating great content that resonates with your audience. Authentic engagement is more valuable than fake numbers.

💰 Ethical Monetization Practices

Creator Responsibilities

Ensure all monetized content is original and legally compliant
Disclose sponsored content, partnerships, or paid promotions
Don't manipulate metrics to inflate earnings
Be transparent with your audience
Report all earnings to tax authorities (SARS)

Fair Revenue Share: Teka SA splits ad revenue 50/50 with creators. This is only possible when all content follows copyright rules. Violations hurt the entire community.

🚨 Reporting Violations

Help us maintain a safe community by reporting content or behavior that violates these guidelines.

How to Report:

Tap the three dots (•••) on any video or comment
Select "Report"
Choose the violation category
Provide additional details if needed
Submit the report

What Happens Next?

• Reports are reviewed by our moderation team
• Decisions are typically made within 24-48 hours
• Violating content is removed and users are notified
• Repeat violations lead to account suspension/termination
• Illegal content is reported to law enforcement

Emergency Situations: If someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services (10111 in South Africa) before reporting on the platform.

⚖️ Enforcement & Appeals

Violation Consequences

Warning

Minor first-time violations

Content Removal

Violating content deleted

Account Suspension

Temporary ban (7-30 days)

Permanent Ban

Severe/repeat violations

Appeal Process

If you believe your content was removed in error, you can appeal:

Email admin@teka-mh.co.za with subject "Content Appeal"
Include your username and content details
Explain why you believe the decision was incorrect
Provide supporting evidence if applicable

Appeals are reviewed within 5-7 business days. Decisions are final.

📝 Updates to Guidelines

These Community Guidelines may be updated periodically to address new challenges and community needs. We'll notify users of significant changes. Continued use of the platform means you accept the updated guidelines.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions about these guidelines or need to report a serious issue:

Email: admin@teka-mh.co.za

Subject: Community Guidelines Inquiry

We're committed to building a safe, creative, and respectful community. Thank you for doing your part!