Terms of Use

In addition to the general rules and conditions, the following rules are also in place for the use of the photo gallery

For users under 18 years of age, the following additional youth protection policies also hold:

Pictures will be removed if the person in the photo is portrayed in a suggestive or erotic manner: if said person has placed special emphasis on a particular body part such as the breasts, buttocks, back, or legs, for example. A bodily position as described above, or a bodily position that could be clearly or ambiguously seen in a sexual manner, will lead to the removal of the picture.

The following examples of bare skin are okay:

• anything above the shoulders (shoulders, neck, head)
• bare shoulders are also allowed, as well as the top of the chest (meaning that spaghetti straps are okay)
• bare arms
• the area between the belly button and the belt or waistline
• bare legs (from the feet upwards to shortly above the knee; meaning that shorts are okay but hotpants are not)

all other bare skin is prohibited. That includes, among other things:

• plunging or low-cut necklines (where you can clearly see ample cleavage)
• bare midriffs, i.e. exposed belly buttons as well as the area above the belly button
• going topless (this holds for guys too)
• bare backs
• hiphuggers, sagging jeans or pants, and low-waisted skirts (in which you can see one's underwear or hipbones)
• articles of clothing such as: bikinis, bras, and see-through clothing

Portrait photographs that do not violate either of the first two points will also be removed if the person in the picture is deemed to have a sexually suggestive facial expression or pose.

With regard to this point, examples include:

• using your tongue to lick your lips suggestively
• pursing your lips in a kissing action
• slightly parted lips and closed eyes
• legs splayed out wide or spread-eagle
• any other clearly sexual poses

• alcohol, cigarettes
• suggestive words with sexual or erotic allusions, such as: playboy/playgirl, bunny, b*tch, chick/chicks, sl*t, wh*re, fuck etc.

General rule of thumb: If the picture can be interpreted in any way as sexually suggestive, it will be removed.

The following holds true for all pictures:

Your photo must be a picture of you yourself, because only in this way can it be determined that you hold the rights to that photo. Besides, only a picture of yourself will be interesting to other members. If a photo is removed, you can always upload another one, as long as you respect the photo policies. However, if a serious violation of the rules has been committed, it is possible that you will be blocked from uploading photos in the future by the photo team.

The following are reasons for which your photo can be removed:

Photos of animals, signs, cartoons, actors, pop stars as well as of other chatters or random people will be removed. If there is a contradiction between the gender of the nickname and the person portrayed in the photo, the photo will be removed.
Furthermore, photos will be removed if the age of the person in the picture does not match the age given in the profile. This means that baby and childhood pictures are not permitted. The person in the picture needs to be recognizable by all means. A picture of just the eyes is not enough to let others recognize who you are. Photos that don't show one's face at all (for example pictures of your arm, a picture of you from the back, etc.) will be removed.
However, photos will not be removed on the grounds of changes to your exterior appearance, for example a picture of you with a new haircut, as long as the person is still clearly recognizable. Glasses and sunglasses are also permissible. If there are multiple people in your photo, you must point out who you are by means of a photo caption. Photos that are anti-constitutional (for example, extremist right-wing) or political, as well as photos that glorify violence, contain pornographic content, weapons or drugs, or photos that portray violence will be removed. Photos will also be removed if they insult the viewer (for example if someone in the picture is giving the camera the finger), or if, in the photo captions, they violate the general terms and conditions. If underaged minors are shown in a picture with tabbacco or alcohol, this is also grounds for its removal.

• Photos of under-18 year olds are also subject to the aforementioned policies.

Permissible would be in this context:

• Photos of 14- and 18-year old users, as long as they are shown wearing everyday clothes--that is, clothing that you would see them wear in public.
• Photos of users older than 18, as long as they are shown wearing everyday clothes or swimwear--that is, clothing that you would see them wear in public.

Photos will be removed if the picture quality is poor enough to render the person unrecognizable. A few simple examples include pictures that are mostly dark, extremely pixellated or much too small.