# Internal Strike System

### **Purpose**

* The Strike System exists to disincentivize bad actors and ensure a high standard of quality, accountability, and responsiveness on the platform.

### **What Do We Want to Prevent?**

* Bad form submissions (e.g., spammy, incomplete, or inaccurate requests).
* Spamming the system with duplicate or irrelevant requests.
* Non-responsiveness to partners, collaborators, and platform messages.
* Poor behavior and bad business practices (e.g., abusive language, missed deadlines).
* Attempting to game the system, fraud, or misrepresentation of skills or Builder details.

### **Strike System Structure**

* **3 Strike System**: Three strikes lead to a temporary ban.
  * **Strike 1**: Warning message sent to the user explaining the issue.
  * **Strike 2**: Call scheduled to discuss the behavior and provide a chance for correction.
  * **Strike 3**: Temporary account suspension with an explanation of why.
* **Repeat Offenses**: If users are banned twice, they receive a **permanent ban**, but they may appeal by submitting a support ticket.

### **What Counts as a Strike?**

* **Unresponsiveness**: Not responding to platform messages, Service Providers, or Builders, for more than 2 weeks.
* **Multiple Duplicate Requests**: Submitting multiple requests for the same need without a valid technical issue.
* **Poor Ratings**: Receiving multiple substantiated negative reviews within a short time period.
* **Failure to Report Business**: Not reporting deals or engagements made through the platform.
* **Fraud & Misrepresentation**: Claiming skills or Builder capabilities that are not backed by evidence or reality.
* **Abusive Behavior**: Bullying, harassment, or unethical treatment of others on the platform.

### **What Does Not Count as a Strike?**

* Accidents or unintentional errors with clear, good-faith efforts to resolve the issue.
* Edge cases where the user demonstrates a valid reason for their behavior.
* Unsubstantiated negative reviews.

### **Enforcement Tools**

* **Warnings**: Simple warnings that notify the user of their infraction.
* **Temporary Bans**: Short-term bans to encourage better behavior before full deactivation.
* **Permanent Bans**: Full account deactivation for repeat offenses.
* **Pause on Deal flow**: Pauses all deal flow for the user as a form of temporary restriction.
* **Probation Period**: Instead of immediate bans, accounts can be placed in a "probation" status where users are warned that further issues will result in a ban.
* **Rating Adjustments**: Star ratings may be reduced if it's relevant to the bad behavior.

### **Alert and Warning System**

* Notifications will be sent to users when they receive a request or message on the platform.
* If no action is taken after **5 days**, users are temporarily paused from deal flow and receive a follow-up message explaining the importance of responsiveness in the network.
* If no action is taken after **7 days total** (2 more days after the above message is sent), the user receives their first strike.
* From there a call is scheduled to solicit feedback and to re-engage the party in best practices. If this call is missed or unscheduled it would result in a second strike.
* If a user reaches **14 days total** of unresponsiveness, the user receives 3 strikes and is temporarily banned.
* If a user is banned twice, they are permanently banned. Appeals are available via a support ticket.
* Strikes can also be administered for other offenses per the context above.