Summary at the bottom.
Apology and Acknowledgement
We want to sincerely apologise for the confusion, disappointment, and hurt caused by our recent miscommunication regarding content related to Palestine and community-created designs. We understand that this situation has affected many of you deeply, and we are truly sorry.
Our Values and Intentions
Our intention has always been to build a platform that is safe, inclusive, and respectful for all users. We acknowledge that our recent actions, or lack of clear communication, have inadvertently silenced voices that deserve to be heard, especially regarding the deeply concerning humanitarian situation in Palestine.
Support and Solidarity
However, we recognise the significant distress caused by the events in Palestine and understand the desire of our community to express solidarity.
While our company policy of neutrality means we would not endorse political stances or create our own designs, we are committed to facilitating empathy and an environment where our community can use the platform in different ways to offer support.
Community Shop Limitations
Regarding user-created designs in the community shop, we have limitations related to design availability (two-week limit, no re-uploads). These practical constraints, coupled with our need to manage potentially highly polarised content under our neutrality principle, informed our considerations regarding the 'Free Palestine' design.
Miscommunication and Responsibility
We understand that the way the situation was handled, including the lack of clear communication about these guidelines, caused further harm and confusion, and for this, we sincerely apologise.
Ongoing Review and Commitment to Improvement
We are actively reviewing our internal guidelines and processes to better balance our commitment to neutrality with the need for empathy, transparency, and respect for our community's desire to express support for humanitarian causes within the existing platform limitations. We are committed to improved communication moving forward.
Collaboration and Future Guidelines
In collaboration with the Inclusivity Group, we will be developing the new guidelines, taking the necessary time to ensure this topic is approached with the care and consideration it deserves.
Current Guidelines and What’s Allowed
In the meantime, the current community design guidelines regarding design availability will remain in place. However, designs that express support for Palestine will be permitted under these existing rules.
Meaning that "Free Palestine" is permitted under these existing rules, but the designs are still checked according to quality and according to past availability.
Next Steps
We will update you once we have established a timeframe for when you can expect to see the new guidelines in place.
Your feedback, advocacy, and patience have been invaluable during this time. We hear you, we see you, and we are learning from you. Your voices matter deeply, and we are committed to creating a space where you feel empowered to express yourselves within the framework of our platform's guidelines.
We are here to listen, to learn, and to grow together.
Summary
We sincerely apologise for the confusion and hurt caused by how we handled designs supporting Palestine. While our company maintains a stance of political neutrality and will not release our own politically affiliated designs, we recognise the community’s desire to show solidarity. User-created designs like “Free Palestine” are allowed under current guidelines, though shop limitations (like the two-week availability and no re-uploads) still apply. We’re working with the Inclusivity Group to create clearer, more thoughtful guidelines. Thank you for your feedback and patience—we’re committed to listening, learning, and improving.
For further context, information, and past discussions, click HERE !
Love,
