Frequently Asked Questions

Cliqstr is a safe, private, ad-free social platform built for families, kids, friends, and trusted groups. Unlike mainstream platforms designed to maximize engagement, Cliqstr is designed to maximize trust and genuine connection — without algorithms, ads, tracking, or strangers. Everything happens inside Cliqs, your private spaces for conversations, photos, and updates.

Children under 18 cannot sign up alone. A parent or guardian must approve their account, verify their identity, and set up permissions through our Parent HQ dashboard. Parents control which cliqs their child can join, who can interact with them, and may receive notifications when something may need their attention.

When you're invited to a Cliq, you may have the option to join as a guest or sign up for your own Cliqstr account. If you choose the guest option (Guest Pass): you can view and post in that cliq, share photos, and participate in conversations — but you can't create your own cliqs, join other cliqs, or invite others. You can upgrade to a full account anytime. If you opt for a full account (membership), you'll join that cliq and also have your own account: you can create cliqs, join other cliqs, and invite others. Adults: we ask for a payment method at signup to verify you're 18+; you're not charged. Under 18: a parent or guardian must approve the account and can manage permissions and activity in Parent HQ. These steps help us keep every Cliq full of real, verified people — and a safer place for everyone.

A Guest Pass lets someone join a specific cliq for free without creating a full Cliqstr account. What guests can do: View and post in the cliq they were invited to, share photos and interact with members, participate in conversations. What guests cannot do: Create their own cliqs, join other cliqs, invite other people. Guest Passes are perfect for people who want to participate in a single group without committing to a full membership. Guests can upgrade to a full account anytime if they want access to all Cliqstr features.

Cliqstr offers a 30-day free trial so you can experience the platform before committing. After your trial, affordable subscription plans are available for individuals and families. We never show ads or sell your data — subscriptions are how we keep the platform safe and sustainable.

Private Cliqs are invitation-based: they don't appear in Browse Cliqs and aren't searchable or visible to other members — only people you invite can find them. Semi-Private Cliqs appear in Browse Cliqs but require approval by the cliq owner or a moderator to join — great for events, projects, or extended groups. Public Cliqs are listed in Browse Cliqs: if a cliq isn't age-gated, members can join and become members automatically; if it's age-gated or has other rules (e.g. parents-only), those still apply. Nothing is searchable or exposed on the open internet — only to logged-in Cliqstr members.

Absolutely! Cliqstr is for anyone who wants a private, algorithm-free space to connect. Adults can create cliqs for friend groups, hobbies, book clubs, sports teams, or any community that values privacy over public exposure. No kids required.

Cliqstr uses layered safety signals including automated screening and user reports, then routes items through moderation workflows. Depending on context and policy, actions may include content restrictions, account actions, or additional review. Automated systems can produce false positives and false negatives.

Safety and moderation features rely in part on third-party systems and may be unavailable, delayed, or degraded. Cliqstr does not promise continuous availability of automated moderation features or detection of all harmful content.

Cliqstr enforces our rules for all users. Responses can include warnings, content removal, temporary restrictions, or account suspension and removal depending on the violation. Serious offenses can result in immediate action. For youth accounts, we may notify a parent or guardian when relevant. We're finalizing the full moderation policy (e.g. escalation steps); the bottom line is that we take rule-breaking seriously and everyone deserves a safe experience.

Red Alert is a safety escalation feature designed to surface urgent concerns and provide crisis resource prompts. It is not emergency intervention and does not replace direct contact with emergency services. In eligible child safety scenarios, Cliqstr may attempt to notify linked parents or guardians through available channels, but delivery cannot be promised.

No. No app can promise safety. Cliqstr provides safety tools designed to reduce risk and improve visibility, but those tools cannot prevent all harm.

No. Cliqstr is not a crisis hotline, emergency responder, therapist, or mental health provider.

No. Cliqstr does not contact 911 or local emergency services on a user's behalf. If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, call 911 (or local emergency services).

Yes. Automated systems can produce false positives (flagging safe content) and false negatives (missing harmful content).

In eligible child safety scenarios, Cliqstr attempts parent/guardian notifications through available channels. Delivery cannot be promised due to factors outside Cliqstr's control.

AI can assist with detection and prioritization. Final outcomes follow platform policy workflows and may include additional review paths.

Yes. Cliqstr is rolling out safety controls in phases. Planned controls — including CSAM safeguards — should be treated as planned until officially released.

Children may access age-appropriate public cliqs only if their parent or guardian has enabled this permission in Parent HQ. Parents have full control over what their child can see and join.

We automatically strip all EXIF metadata from every photo before storing it, so your location data and other hidden info (like GPS coordinates, capture time, and camera details) are never stored or shared. That protects you from accidentally revealing where or when a shot was taken. We don't use your photos for ads or tracking — they're only for you and the cliqs you share them with.

We collect only what's necessary: display name, email, birthdate (for age verification), and the content you choose to share. We don't collect GPS, device contacts, or advertising identifiers. We don't sell data. We don't use algorithmic feeds. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

To manage your account, tap the black dot in the top-right corner to open your Account page. From there, you can access full account management options. Account deletion enters a 30-day soft-delete period, after which all personal data is permanently removed. Parents can delete their child's account immediately through Parent HQ. Need help? Contact support@cliqstr.com.

Cliqstr supports families in diverse situations — including shared custody, guardianship, and blended families. Multiple approved parents or guardians can oversee a child's account through Parent HQ. If you have a unique situation or custody concerns, please email support@cliqstr.com and we'll work with you directly.