📣 SMACC Complaints & Accountability Policy: Public Transparency in Action

At SMACC — Social Media and Content Creators — we believe in raising standards, not just through verification badges or stylish logos, but through real-world accountability.

We invite the public, media, government bodies, non-members, and creators alike to understand how our complaints process works, and how it upholds our values while keeping the trust of our growing community.

This is not just a policy — it is part of our core promise: to be transparent, accountable, and serious about conduct in the creator economy.

🧭 What SMACC Is — And Why This Matters

SMACC stands for Social Media and Content Creators — a membership-based directory and support network for digital creators, influencers, and video makers. We exist to raise the bar in how creators build trust, engage with audiences, and interact with sponsors, regulators, and the public.

We provide:

• A Code of Conduct that all members agree to
• A Verification System (badges + QR codes)
• A Public Directory of members

Our members benefit from visibility, tools, and sponsorship opportunities — but they also agree to operate with responsibility.

The SMACC Complaints Process is how we make sure that promise is enforceable.

🚨 Anyone Can Make a Complaint — Here’s How

We accept complaints from:

• The general public
• Brands or sponsors
• Media outlets
• Local and national government authorities
• Non-member creators
• Fellow verified members

All complaints must be submitted through the official “Make a Claim” or “Report a Member” form on our website (launching soon).

📝 What to Submit:

1. The public profile link of the SMACC member you’re reporting
2. A clear and specific reason for the complaint
3. Any evidence or context (screenshots, links, timestamps)

Anonymous complaints are accepted, but we prioritize transparency. We treat verified member reports with additional weight, due to their knowledge of the SMACC system.

🔍 What Happens Next?

Once a complaint is submitted:

1. The member’s profile is marked “Under Investigation” in the SMACC directory.
2. Within 5 working days, we notify the member and offer them a right of reply.
3. We review all evidence provided by both sides.
4. If necessary, we request additional context, clarification, or witness statements.

The SMACC Committee (our internal governance panel) reviews the case. Like an editorial board or industry tribunal, we aim to be fair, prompt, and principled.

🧾 Possible Outcomes

After a complete review, SMACC may:

• Dismiss the case (No Further Action)
• Issue a Caution (minor breach, warning issued)
• Suspend Verification (pending resolution or further clarification)
• Revoke Membership (serious or repeated breaches)

Outcomes are communicated in writing, and records are kept securely. Profiles that lose verification will be delisted, and their QR codes will no longer function.

🏁 Why This Works (and Why It Matters)

Our process is inspired by proven real-world models, like Formula 1’s “Under Investigation” system:

• Concerns are taken seriously
• Reviews are fair and time-bound
• The final authority lies with the governing body (in our case, SMACC)

This process:

• Prevents abuse of the verified badge
• Builds public trust
• Encourages creators to stay accountable to their audience

🔗 You Don’t Need to Be a Member to Take Part

Even if you’re:

• A concerned parent
• A local viewer
• A town council representative
• A fellow creator not (yet) in SMACC

…you can still help us improve the creative ecosystem.

You don’t need to be in SMACC to support it — or to raise a red flag when something seems off.

✅ SMACC Members: What This Means for You

If you’re a verified SMACC member, this policy means:

• You are publicly accountable for your content and behaviour
• You must be prepared to respond to good-faith complaints
• You are not automatically presumed guilty, but you must cooperate respectfully with the process
• A transparent investigation protects you too — especially from bad-faith or malicious complaints

🔐 Final Decision Lies With SMACC

All final decisions — including revocation, suspension, reinstatement, or public statements — are made by the SMACC Governance Committee. These decisions are final and binding.

We are not a legal court. But we are a serious, professional collective, and our standards are real.

🧱 What’s Coming Next

We’re currently building the infrastructure to support this system:

• 🔧 Web forms for complaint submission
• 📲 Public profile flag indicators
• 📂 Admin moderation tools
• 📧 Automated email responses and case tracking

This will go live in Q3, with early previews to verified members.

🤝 A Shared Mission

We want everyone — creators, brands, the public, and the press — to understand this:

SMACC is not just a club. It’s a trust system.

Every member agrees to play by the rules.
Every profile can be verified — and questioned.
And every person, inside or outside SMACC, can be part of making this space stronger, safer, and more transparent.

To raise a concern, visit the SMACC Report Portal or Contact Us.

Together, we verify more than just accounts — we verify intent, ethics, and action.