SAFETY GUIDELINES

Last updated: May 07, 2026

These guidelines exist to make Hallway a place where students genuinely enjoy spending time. They are not just rules — they are the standard of behavior we expect from every person on the platform. Read them, follow them, and help us keep this community worth being part of.

1. RESPECT EVERY PERSON YOU MEET

You are talking to a real student with real feelings. Treat them accordingly.

Do:

Start conversations with basic courtesy
Respect if someone does not want to talk about certain topics
Disconnect politely if you are not feeling the conversation
Treat people from all backgrounds, colleges, genders, and regions with equal respect

Do not:

Make derogatory or offensive comments about someone's appearance, gender, caste, religion, region, or identity
Send unsolicited sexual messages or make sexual remarks
Pressure someone to continue a conversation after they have clearly disengaged
Mock or belittle someone for their college, course, or background

2. KEEP VIDEO CALLS APPROPRIATE

The video call is the core of Hallway. Keep it clean and respectful.

Do:

Appear on camera in a way you would be comfortable appearing in any public student setting
Use the chat feature for text during the call
End the call if it goes somewhere you are not comfortable with

Do not:

Appear shirtless, in underwear, or in any state of undress on camera
Engage in or display any sexually explicit behavior during a call
Show offensive, hateful, or inappropriate content on your screen or in your background
Record, screenshot, or screen-record another person's video without their explicit consent — this is a serious violation and may be illegal

3. PROTECT YOUR OWN PRIVACY

Your display name and profile are all the other person needs to know about you during a call. You control everything else.

Tips to stay private:

Use a display name or nickname instead of your real name if you prefer
Do not share your phone number, Instagram handle, Snapchat, or other personal accounts unless you are fully comfortable doing so
Be careful about what is visible in your background — your room, location, or personal items can reveal more than you intend
If someone is pressuring you to share personal details, that is a red flag — report them and disconnect

4. REPORT FIRST, SCREENSHOT NEVER

If someone violates the guidelines, the right response is to report them through the platform — not to screenshot or record the call to share elsewhere. Sharing someone's video without consent — even a bad actor's — is itself a violation of privacy and possibly illegal under Indian law.

Use the Report button during the call. We take every report seriously and act on it quickly.

5. DO NOT MISUSE THE PLATFORM

The following are strictly prohibited:

Using Hallway to promote products, services, or social media pages
Asking for money, UPI payments, or any financial transactions through the platform
Pretending to be a different person or using someone else's photos as your profile picture
Creating multiple accounts to evade a ban
Using automated tools or bots to use the platform
Joining calls with the intent to harass, humiliate, or record someone

6. MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Sometimes conversations get heavy. That is okay — but Hallway is not a crisis service. If you or someone you meet on the platform is struggling:

iCall (India): 9152987821
Vandrevala Foundation Helpline: 1860-2662-345 (24/7)
Snehi: 044-24640050
National Emergency: 112

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services rather than waiting for Hallway to respond.

7. CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS

We enforce these guidelines consistently and without favoritism:

Minor violations — Warning. Repeated violations escalate.
Moderate violations — Temporary suspension.
Serious violations — Permanent ban, no appeal.
Illegal activity — Permanent ban and report to relevant authorities.

QUESTIONS OR REPORTS

Reach us at safety@hallwaychat.online for anything safety-related.