Acceptable Use Policy

Last updated: January 2025

1. Overview

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") outlines what is and isn't allowed on Verso. It exists to keep the platform safe, especially for younger readers using the Kids Profile.

This policy applies to all content you generate, share, or interact with on Verso. It supplements our Terms of Service — violations of this AUP are treated as violations of the Terms.

2. Content Rating System

Every book generated on Verso is assigned a content rating. You select the rating before generation, and the AI is instructed to write within those boundaries.

E — Everyone

Suitable for all ages. No violence, no scary content, no romance. Conflicts are mild and resolved positively. Think Pixar or Studio Ghibli.

10+ — Mild

Suitable for ages 10 and up. Light suspense, minor conflicts, and mild spookiness are allowed. No blood, no on-page death, no romance beyond a crush.

13+ — Teen

Suitable for ages 13 and up. Moderate intensity — themes can include death (not graphic), mild blood, bullying, grief, fear, and fighting. Mild romance (hand-holding, a kiss) is fine. Mild language (damn, hell) sparingly. Think YA novels.

16+ — Mature

Suitable for ages 16 and up. Strong intensity — graphic violence, moral ambiguity, trauma, depression, and mature themes are allowed. Romance can be passionate but not sexually explicit (fade to black). Strong language is allowed naturally. Think adult fiction.

There is no 18+ rating. Verso does not generate sexually explicit content, extreme graphic violence, or content depicting illegal activities, regardless of the selected rating.

3. Prohibited Content

The following content is always prohibited on Verso, regardless of rating:

3.1 Sexual Content

• Sexually explicit descriptions, pornography, or erotica
• Sexual content involving minors in any form
• Detailed descriptions of sexual acts

3.2 Extreme Violence

• Torture porn, snuff, or gratuitous gore beyond narrative purpose
• Detailed instructions for real-world violence or harm
• Content glorifying terrorism, mass violence, or genocide

3.3 Harmful Content

• Content promoting or providing instructions for self-harm or suicide
• Content promoting or providing instructions for drug manufacturing or abuse
• Content that targets, harasses, or incites hatred against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality

3.4 Illegal Content

• Content that violates South African law or the laws of the user's jurisdiction
• Content depicting child exploitation or abuse
• Content providing instructions for illegal activities (bomb-making, hacking, etc.)

3.5 Deceptive Content

• Presenting AI-generated fiction as factual reporting, news, or non-fiction
• Generating content that impersonates real, identifiable individuals
• Using Verso to create content intended to defraud, mislead, or manipulate

4. Kids Profile Rules

The Kids Profile enforces additional restrictions beyond the standard content ratings:

• Only E and 10+ ratings are available
• No profanity of any kind
• No violence, death, or scary content
• No romance — friendship themes only
• No mature themes (drugs, alcohol, crime, horror)
• Simplified vocabulary appropriate for ages 5–12
• Only shorter book lengths are available

Parents and guardians are responsible for setting up and supervising the Kids Profile. An optional PIN can be set to prevent children from switching to the adult profile.

5. Content Filter

Verso employs an automated content filter that screens user inputs (descriptions, custom moods, custom styles) before generation begins. The filter:

• Blocks sexual and extreme violence terms for all users
• Blocks profanity for Kids Profile users
• Checks content against the selected rating and flags mismatches

The content filter is a safety measure, not a guarantee. AI-generated output may occasionally contain content that doesn't perfectly match the selected rating. If you encounter content that seems inappropriate for its rating, please use the in-app report feature.

6. Reporting

If you encounter a book that violates this policy, you can report it using the report button in the reader. Reports are reviewed by our team. Available report reasons include:

• Inappropriate content — content that shouldn't exist on the platform
• Wrong age rating — content that's too mature for its assigned rating
• Offensive language — slurs, hate speech, or excessive profanity
• Low quality / broken — garbled text, incomplete generation, or technical issues
• Other — anything else that concerns you

We take all reports seriously and review them promptly. False or malicious reporting may itself be considered a violation of this policy.

7. Enforcement

Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy are handled as follows:

7.1 Warning System

1. First warning: You will be notified of the violation and the specific content or behaviour that triggered it.
2. Second warning: A second notification with a reminder that further violations will result in account suspension.
3. Third warning: Your account will be suspended (banned). You will lose access to Verso but your data is retained.

7.2 Immediate Suspension

Severe violations — including attempts to generate child exploitation content, content promoting terrorism, or systematic abuse of the platform — may result in immediate suspension without prior warnings.

7.3 Appeals

If you believe a warning or suspension was issued in error, you may appeal by emailing support@codingeverest.co.za within 30 days of the suspension. Include your account email and a description of why you believe the action was unjustified. Appeals are reviewed within 14 business days. If no appeal is received within 30 days, the account and all associated data will be permanently deleted.

8. Your Responsibilities

As a Verso user, you are responsible for:

• Selecting an appropriate content rating for each book you generate
• Reviewing generated content before sharing it with others
• Supervising children's use of the Kids Profile
• Reporting content that violates this policy
• Not attempting to circumvent the content filter or rating system
• Complying with all applicable laws when publishing licensed content

9. Contact