How are provider profile publication requests reviewed?

The paid companionship and intimacy industry has long been plagued by issues of trust, stemming from a lack of verification for both providers and customers. At CHOICE, we are dedicated to addressing this problem head-on by ensuring authentic representation of providers and stringent government ID & selfie verification of customers. Our mission is to create a transparent and trustworthy environment where both providers and customers can feel secure irrespective of the services on the paid companionship spectrum, their gender or sexual orientation. As an inclusive community we do not moderate profiles but rather ensure they comply with our platform guidelines. This article creates transparency around this review process.

Each provider profile can activate a companionship and/or an intimacy side with a custom profile image, gallery images, services, prices and intro text. The purpose of this is to ensure that customers seeking companionship are not exposed to an explicit booking process. Additionally companionship services are legal globally which enables us to be globally available too. Whether both or just one side get activated is entirely up to the provider but will have implications on where the provider can make themself available (i.e. paid sexual intimacy is illegal in the US and thus can't be displayed on the provider profile for availability in the US).

0) Profile Publication Request

Before our review process begins the provider registers with their phone number, confirms the number with a verification code that is sent to that number, fills out the mandatory parts of a profile, accepts the terms and conditions of CHOICE, the privacy policy and our behavioral guidelines the CHOICE Code. Our utmost priority is the protection of minors which is why we use a banking grade ID & selfie verification system (www.gbgplc.com).

1) Reviewing Entered Information

The first step in our review process involves a reading through the information provided in the publication request. This includes verifying the accuracy of system-detected deviations such as the age category. While the provider age category is not mandatory for profiles (i.e. it can be hidden) we don't allow false statements. We also check for consistency between the services selected and the bio text. For example, if a provider mentions offering companionship services in their bio but hasn't selected any related services in the menu, we will bring this up during the review process to either change the service selection or the bio text according to the provider's preferences. This is important because it is a quality signal to customers visiting the platform and also a sign of diligence during profile creation.

2) Reviewing Images

Next, we verify the photos submitted by providers to ensure they comply with our guidelines. Our system automatically detects and flags any images containing nudity, which is not permitted on our platform. This policy serves several purposes: it prevents intimate imagery from being publicly accessible (it is a common bad practice in the industry for directory websites to copy profiles from other websites without permission or consent from the provider), enables providers to be compensated for such content through the paid content feature in private 1:1 chats, and helps us maintain compliance with advertising standards and legal requirements.

We also verify the authenticity of the images. If the provider’s face is not visible (and thus preventing an automated verification of the image), we request an additional photo where both the face and the original subject (e.g., feet) are visible to confirm the authenticity of the submitted image. Photos we can't verify are removed during the approval process. Additionally, we ensure that the images align with the services offered. For instance, if a provider offers companionship services but submits only intimate images, we will request appropriate images (i.e. images that don't insinuate intimacy) for the companionship section of their profile. While it is recommended that providers include images that match the nature of the services (e.g., elegant attire for an opera companionship service), this is not mandatory. The purpose of the distinction between companionship and intimacy images is that our research showed that there is a large potential customer group across genders looking for companionship or non-sexual intimacy but there is no platform that offers an experience for this need (i.e. most existing platforms and directories are focused on cisgender mal customers and explicit in nature).

3) Reviewing Services Offered

We meticulously review the services listed to ensure they are genuinely offered by the provider. This oftentimes entails additional verification through text messaging, audio or video calls and in some cases even in-person interviews. For certain specialized services, we allow providers to upload certificates or training documentation to demonstrate their qualifications. This not only adds credibility to their profile but also assures customers of the provider’s expertise.

4) Customer Categories

Our review process also extends to the categories of customers that providers are willing to serve. If providers select categories such as seniors or people with disabilities, we reach out to confirm their experience and any special training or certifications they may have in working with these groups. This step is crucial in ensuring that all customers receive the best possible care and service especially the most vulnerable ones.

5) Additional Verification Levels

To further enhance trust, we offer optional additional verification levels. These range from text chats to phone or video calls, and even in-person meetings. The highest level of verification is community verification, which involves endorsements from other verified members of our community. While these additional verification steps are optional, they provide an extra layer of assurance for both providers and customers.

Our intention is not to control or moderate provider profile submissions but to ensure factual accuracy and compliance with our guidelines. Ultimately, the content of the profiles is the provider's CHOICE, and our role is to facilitate a safe and transparent platform for everyone involved. Another reason for non-moderation is our focus on safety which should be available to everyone.

By adhering to this rigorous review process, we strive to create an environment where trust and transparency are paramount, allowing both providers and customers to engage with confidence and peace of mind.

We strive to continuously improve our product, services and processes. If you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding this review process please don't hesitate to reach out.