Privacy and transparency

circled.social is designed to support open participation while respecting the privacy and autonomy of its members.

The platform does not operate on attention-driven advertising models or algorithmic amplification systems.

Instead of tracking behaviour to optimise engagement, the platform focuses on structured participation through spaces and circles.

Members choose what they follow and where they participate.

What information is visible

The visibility of content depends on the structure of the space or circle where it is shared.

There are generally three levels of visibility.

Public

Content can be viewed by visitors and members.

Public discussions are intended for open participation.

Community

Content is visible to members of the platform community.

Participation may be limited to registered members.

Private or trusted relationships

Content may be restricted to specific members or groups.

These circles are used for collaboration, projects, or trusted discussions.

The visibility level is determined by the structure of the space or circle and the selected audience.

Personal profiles

Members create a personal profile when joining the platform.

Profiles allow members to:

• Participate in circles
• Follow other member, circles & discussions
• Create or manage circles
• Connect with communities

Members should only share information they are comfortable making visible within the platform.

Data and responsible use

The platform aims to collect and store only the information necessary to operate the service.

Platform data is used to:

• Manage accounts and participation
• Maintain platform functionality
• •Support moderation and community safety

circled.social does not sell user data or operate advertising-driven data collection systems.

Respecting community trust

Privacy also depends on how members interact with each other.

Members are expected to respect the privacy of others and avoid sharing personal information or sensitive material without consent.

Community guidelines and moderation policies help maintain a safe and respectful environment.

More information

Detailed legal information about data protection and platform operation can be found in the platform’s legal and privacy documentation.

Related Links

Community guidelines and terms of service

https://circled.social/terms

Community privacy

https://circled.social/privacy

Explore the platform

https://circled.social/explore

Public support and questions

https://circled.social/view-group-profile/public-support-questions

Participation on circled.social

circled.social is designed to allow people to explore and participate without unnecessary barriers.

Visitors can browse public spaces and circles, discover discussions, and follow developments across different communities.

Creating an account allows members to participate more actively.

Such as:

• Following circles and spaces
• Sharing posts and updates
• Participating in discussions
• Creating your own community circle

Participation is intended to remain simple and accessible.

Free standard membership

Joining circled.social is free.

The free standard membership allows members to participate in discussions, follow or join communities, and create their own circle.

The free standard membership allows members to create one community circle per year at no cost.

Once created, circles remain active.

This allows communities, initiatives, and local groups to establish their presence on the platform without financial barriers.

Optional membership upgrades

Some members may want to operate multiple circles or access additional features.

For this reason, optional membership upgrades may be available.

Upgraded memberships may provide:

• The ability to create additional circles
• Extended moderation tools
• Organisational or professional use cases
• Additional platform features

Membership upgrades help support the continued development and operation of the platform.

Communities and responsibility

Members who create circles help steward their community circles.

They can organise discussions, guide participation, and maintain the focus of their circle domain.

Participation on the platform is expected to remain respectful, constructive, and aligned with the community guidelines.

Shared responsibility

The platform becomes stronger the more communities participate.

Each circle contributes to a broader network of conversations, knowledge, or initiatives.

Communities shape the platform together.

Related Links

Learn how Circles work

https://circled.social/view-post/how-circles-work

Explore Spaces

https://circled.social/explore

Ask questions or get help

https://circled.social/view-group-profile/public-support-questions

What are Circles?

Circles are the places where communities interact on circled.social.

They are where members share updates, posts, discussions, announcements, and other signals.

If Spaces organise the platform structure, Circles are where the actual community activity happens.

What Circles can represent

A circle can represent many types of communities, for example:

• Local neighbourhood
• Organisation or association
• Professional network
• Project or initiative
• Thematic discussion group
• Public conversation topic

Each circle brings together people interested in that specific context.

What happens inside a Circle

Members of a circle can:

• Share updates and announcements
• Start discussions
• Publish reports or evidence
• Share stories and perspectives
• Organise polls, events and featured contents

Different types of posts help structure conversations and make it easier to understand the context of each contribution.

Public and community circles

Circles can be organised in different ways depending on the community.

Some circles are public, meaning anyone can read and participate.

Others may be community or membership circles, where participation is limited to members of that community.

This flexibility allows circles to support both open dialogue and trusted collaboration.

Creating your own Circle

Members can create their own circle to organise a community or topic.

Typical examples include:

• Neighbourhood communities
• Organisations or clubs
• Local initiatives
• Thematic discussion circles

The free standard membership allows members to create one community circle per year at no cost.

Additional circles or advanced features may be available through optional membership upgrades.

Circles and Spaces

Each public or community circle belongs to a Space.

The Space provides the context where the circle appears and helps others discover it.

Example:

Space → Local Communities

Circle → Munich - Neighbourhood

Circle → Berlin - Community

Circle → Local Initiatives

This structure keeps communities organised and easier to navigate.

Responsible circle stewardship

Each circle is maintained by its creator and, where applicable, additional moderators.

They help organise discussions, guide participation, and ensure that the circle remains aligned with its purpose.

Circle stewards are expected to act responsibly and in accordance with the platform’s community guidelines and applicable laws.

Moderators may organise content, guide conversations, and address behaviour that disrupts constructive participation.

The platform reserves the right to intervene if moderation practices violate platform rules, community standards, or legal requirements.

Footer Links