Law Enforcement Guidelines
Last updated: 10 October 2026
1. Our approach
Aftrs seeks to protect user privacy and safety while complying with applicable law. We recognise that information connected with a social service can be especially sensitive. We assess requests carefully and disclose information only where we are required or permitted to do so by law.
These Guidelines apply to requests from law enforcement, courts, regulators and other public authorities.
2. When we may disclose information
We may consider a request where it is supported by valid, binding legal process, such as an enforceable court order or warrant, or where there is a genuine emergency involving an imminent risk of death or serious physical harm.
We may challenge, narrow or refuse a request that is invalid, overbroad, unclear or inconsistent with applicable law. A request does not guarantee disclosure.
2.1 Making a request
To help us assess a request, we may ask the requester to provide:
- •the legal authority relied on;
- •the account or other identifier concerned;
- •the information sought and the relevant period; and
- •contact details and evidence of the requester's authority.
We do not respond to generalised surveillance or speculative data-fishing requests.
2.2 Emergencies
We consider emergency disclosures only where we believe, in good faith, that limited information is needed to help prevent an imminent risk of death or serious physical harm. We assess each emergency request individually.
2.3 Preservation requests
We may preserve information that we hold for a limited period while a requester obtains appropriate legal process. Preservation does not mean that we will disclose the information.
3. How we assess requests
Before disclosing information, we may:
- •verify the identity and authority of the requester;
- •review whether the request is lawful, necessary and proportionate;
- •consider the safety and privacy impact on affected people; and
- •disclose only the minimum information required or appropriate in the circumstances.
Aftrs can only disclose information that it actually holds.
3.1 Information we may disclose
We disclose only information we hold and only to the extent required by valid legal process or appropriate in a genuine emergency. We will not speculate, create new records or provide information simply because it has been requested. Requests for content, friend connections, reports or location information may require appropriately robust legal process.
4. Location and system access
Aftrs does not provide authorities with direct, real-time or ongoing access to its systems or user data. We do not provide backdoors, bulk-surveillance interfaces or automated access mechanisms.
5. Telling users
Where lawful and appropriate, we will aim to notify an affected user before disclosing their information. We may delay or withhold notice where notification is prohibited by law or a court order, could create a safety risk, or could prejudice an investigation.
6. Transparency
We may publish aggregated information about requests from public authorities. Any report will not identify individual users or disclose operationally sensitive details.
7. Requests from outside the UK
Authorities outside the United Kingdom should use the appropriate legal or cooperation route for their request. We may decline, challenge or seek to narrow a foreign request that does not follow an appropriate process or is not enforceable under applicable law.
8. Updates
We may update these Guidelines to reflect changes in law or our practices. We will publish the latest version here with its updated date.
9. Contact us
Legitimate requests from law enforcement, courts, regulators or other public authorities should be sent to hello@aftrsapp.com.
These Guidelines explain our public approach. They do not create an obligation for Aftrs to disclose information beyond what applicable law requires or permits.