ATRL Code of Conduct
Last Updated: Updated December 2025
Rules and Guidelines
Introduction
ATRL is built on respectful, good faith discussion. These global rules apply across the entire site unless a section or thread outlines an exception. Members are responsible for reading the ATRL FAQ, which provides additional clarifications on rules and site processes.
Administrators and moderators may edit or remove content, issue penalties, or restrict access at their discretion. Posting on ATRL is a privilege that can be revoked.
1. Working With ATRL Staff
1.1 Communicating With Staff
Members must treat staff respectfully in all interactions, including posts, PMs, help requests, and social channels. Hostility, harassment, or insults directed at staff may result in penalties or bans.
1.2 Reports & Help Requests
Use the report feature to flag rule-breaking content. Use help requests for moderation disputes, technical issues, or concerns that require staff review.
1.2.1 Not Allowed
Submitting reports or help requests through staff walls or PMs
Attempting to influence or manipulate moderation (baiting arguments, digging up old posts, etc.)
Sending rude or abusive reports
2. Community Standards
2.1 On-Topic Posting & Non-Disruption
Keep posts relevant to the thread’s subject.
Do not derail, spam, or intentionally disrupt conversations.
Thread titles must accurately describe the content; avoid clickbait, hype formatting, or all caps.
Fake news must be clearly labeled.
Do not evade or manipulate the profanity filter.
Nicknames for public figures or members are restricted (see Nicknames warning category).
2.2 Personal Conduct & Interpersonal Behavior
Members are expected to treat one another with basic respect. Avoid:
personal attacks
harassment
belittling behavior
targeted antagonism toward individuals or fanbases
hostile avatars, signatures, or coded messaging
repeated attempts to provoke conflict
PMs may be reviewed in serious cases.
2.3 Abusive or Harm-Related Content (ZTP)
Revised December 2025
Content that references, jokes about, trivializes, or invokes abusive or exploitative situations is strictly prohibited. This includes any material involving non-consensual behavior, harmful power dynamics, or familial boundary violations, whether mentioned directly, implied, or used as humor, insult, or exaggeration.
This covers:
jokes or punchlines
insults or drags
insinuations or comparisons
memes, edits, or recurring references
irony, shock value, or “it’s just a joke” framing
Zero Tolerance penalties apply.
2.4 Hateful or Ableist Slurs (ZTP)
Revised December 2025
Using hateful or ableist slurs—including language historically used to demean people with disabilities—is strictly prohibited.
This includes:
direct insults
casual or colloquial use
emphasis or exaggeration
quoting such terms without censoring
Zero Tolerance penalties apply.
2.5 Prohibited & Illegal Content
The following are not allowed on ATRL:
threats or intimidation
posting or requesting pirated or unlicensed copyrighted material
posting more than 50% of any news article; all posts must include a source link (DMCA compliance)
sharing personal information or photos of other members without consent
posting AI-generated photos, videos, or imagery
exchanging unlicensed files through any method
2.6 Automatic Ban Behaviors
These actions bypass warnings and result in immediate permanent removal:
duplicate accounts or ban evasion
commercial spam or unsolicited advertising
large-scale trolling or malicious disruption
3. Penalties & Escalation
3.1 Reminders
Issued for minor or first-time issues. No points attached.
3.2 Warning Points
Warning points accumulate and expire based on severity. Active points may lead to temporary or permanent bans. Members can view their warnings through their profile.
3.3 Penalty Escalation
10 active points → automatic 60-day ban
New warning while at 10 points → 60-day ban
ZTP violation → 3-month suspension + 2 non-expiring points (active for one year)
Three-Strike Policy: Three bans triggered by reaching 10 points or ZTP violations → permanent ban
Staff may issue a permanent ban earlier in severe cases
3.4 Local Restrictions
Thread bans: Typically 14 days for repeated disruption in a single thread.
Section bans: Permanent unless reviewed by staff.
Restricted status: Loss of thread creation privileges and removal from real-world/news sections.
3.5 Disputing Penalties
Disputes can be submitted through help requests. Banned members may contact staff through @atrl on Twitter.
4. Warning Categories
4.1 One-Point Warnings
(expire in 30 days unless noted)
Disruptive
Misleading titles, banned topics, disinformation, necro-bumping, disruptive formatting, missing article sources
Flamebait
Posts meant to provoke or escalate arguments
Note: Base section is exempt.
Off Topic
Significant derailment; referencing moderation publicly
Nicknames
Using prohibited nicknames for users, public figures, or brands
Misgendering
Accidental; expires in 30 days + 1-day restriction
Spoilers
Major plot details without spoiler tags; expires in 60 days + 24-hour restriction
4.2 Two-Point Warnings
Illegal Content
Piracy, threats, sharing personal info or photos without consent, posting AI imagery; never expires + 14-day restriction
Insensitive
Rude, hurtful, disturbing, or inflammatory posts; expires in 60 days + 48-hour restriction
Trolling
Antagonistic behavior toward users, fanbases, or celebrities; expires in 90 days + 48-hour restriction
Explicit
Graphic sexual or violent content in threads, avatars, signatures, or profiles; expires in 90 days + 14-day restriction
4.3 Three-Point Warnings (ZTP)
Offensive (ZTP)
Hateful, discriminatory, or harm-related content, including:
abusive or exploitative content
hateful or ableist slurs
identity-targeted hostility
Expires in 1 year + 3-month suspension.
4.4 Permanent Ban Categories
Duplicate accounts
Spam
4.5 Custom Warnings
Issued when:
multiple rules are violated in one post
behavior exceeds standard categories
rules are intentionally or repeatedly broken