Safety Guidelines, Gutsy Ltd

Important Disclaimers: Our Role and Your Responsibility

It is crucial that you understand the role of our platform before using it. Just Gutsy is a technology service that connects users. We do not, and cannot, guarantee your safety.

Specifically, you should be aware of the following:

• We do not conduct criminal background checks on our users. While we offer an optional "Verified Badge" feature, this represents only a basic check of a submitted document and is not a guarantee of a person's identity, character, or trustworthiness.
• We do not verify all information provided by users. Users are responsible for the accuracy of their own profiles. We cannot confirm that any user is who they say they are.
• We do not supervise or control offline Meetups or interactions. Any in-person meeting arranged through the App takes place entirely outside our platform. You interact with other users, both online and offline, entirely at your own risk.
• You are solely responsible for your decisions and actions. Trust your instincts. If a situation or a person makes you feel uncomfortable, leave or disengage immediately.

Online Safety: Protecting Yourself on the App

Your first line of defence is protecting your personal information. We strongly recommend that you keep all communications within the App's messaging feature when first getting to know another user. Users with bad intentions often try to move the conversation to unmonitored platforms, such as personal text messages or third-party messaging apps, as quickly as possible. Staying on the App gives you access to our reporting and blocking tools if needed.

Be cautious about sharing sensitive personal details. You should never share your home or work address, phone number, financial information, or details about your daily routine with someone you have just met online. If another user asks you for money, for any reason, including travel costs, visa fees, or claimed emergencies, report them to us immediately. There is no legitimate reason for a fellow traveller to ask you for financial assistance.

Be aware of common fraud patterns. These include users who claim to be fellow travellers stranded abroad and in urgent need of money, users who quickly develop strong emotional connections before raising financial requests, and users who propose investment opportunities or ask you to open financial accounts on their behalf. Legitimate fellow travellers will never ask you for money. If any of these patterns emerge, cease contact and report the user immediately.

Be alert to red flags. Common warning signs include users who refuse to have a video call before meeting, make repeated excuses to avoid meeting in a public place, or express unusually strong affection very quickly. These can be indicators of a scam or other malicious intent.

Offline Safety: Meeting in Person

If you are in immediate danger at any point, call the local emergency services number for your location first. Your safety takes absolute priority over any other consideration.

Meeting up with fellow travellers should be a fun and enriching experience. Taking a few simple precautions can make all the difference.

Before any Meetup, particularly in an unfamiliar city or country, take a moment to note the local emergency services number for that location.

Choose a public location for your first meeting. Always meet for the first time in a busy, well-lit, public place where there are other people around. Never agree to meet at your home, your accommodation, or any other private location for a first meeting.

Tell someone you trust about your plans. Before any Meetup, share the details with a friend or family member: who you are meeting, where you are going, and when you expect to return. Arrange to check in with them during or after the Meetup.

Arrange your own transportation. Be in control of how you get to and from the Meetup. This ensures you can leave at any time if you feel uncomfortable, without relying on the other person. Avoid accepting rides from unfamiliar people, especially if they have been drinking.

Stay aware of your surroundings. Be mindful of your alcohol or substance consumption. Keep your drink in sight at all times to prevent it from being tampered with. Remaining alert is one of the most effective safety measures you can take.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Your safety is always more important than being polite. You do not owe anyone an explanation. Make an excuse if you need to, or simply walk away and get to a safe place.

Our Safety Tools: Reporting and Blocking

We provide in-app tools to help you control your experience and protect yourself.

Blocking allows you to prevent any user from contacting you or viewing your profile. You can block a user at any time directly from their profile page. The user will not be notified that they have been blocked.

Reporting allows you to flag a user or specific content to our safety team for review. You can report a user from their profile or from within a conversation. You should report a user if they: request money or financial assistance; send threatening, abusive, or harassing messages; appear to be impersonating another person; are or appear to be under 18; share unsolicited sexual content; or make you feel unsafe in any way. All reports are treated confidentially. Our team reviews reports and takes appropriate action, which may include warnings, temporary suspension, or a permanent ban.

Please note that blocking a user does not automatically report them. If a user has violated our Community Guidelines or made you feel unsafe, you must submit a separate report so that our team can investigate. Similarly, reporting a user does not automatically block them. If you wish to prevent further contact, you should also block the user separately.

Resources for Help, Support, and Advice

If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services. The following organisations can provide support, advice, and assistance. This list is not exhaustive, and these organisations are not affiliated with Just Gutsy.

United Kingdom

United States

International Resources

LGBTQ+ Traveller Safety

Just Gutsy is an inclusive community that welcomes users of all sexual orientations and gender identities. However, we recognise that LGBTQ+ travellers may face specific safety considerations in certain destinations, including legal restrictions and cultural attitudes that can create risk.

Before travelling to or meeting users from a new destination, we encourage you to research local laws and social conditions. Resources such as ILGA World (www.ilga.org) provide regularly updated information on LGBTQ+ rights and legal protections by country.

If you are in or travelling to a destination where LGBTQ+ identities may attract unwanted attention or legal risk:

• Consider what personal information is visible on your public profile and adjust your privacy settings accordingly.
• Use Snooze Mode to hide your location when you do not wish to be discoverable.
• Research LGBTQ+ friendly spaces and support organisations in the area before you travel.
• Trust your instincts about who you share personal information with, both online and offline.

If you experience harassment or discrimination related to your identity, report it to us immediately through the in-app reporting tool. We take all such reports seriously.