Introduction
Google Play’s User Generated Content (UGC) policy requires apps hosting or featuring UGC to implement robust and ongoing moderation measures appropriate to the type of content.
Google needs assurance that your app can prevent and address inappropriate or abusive UGC—whether text comments, live-streamed material, or AR content—by giving users tools to report and block offenders and by reviewing reports promptly.
If your app was rejected with a notice like:
Issue: About the User Generated Content (UGC) policy
Apps that contain or feature UGC must implement robust moderation, real-time removal for live streams, and AR-specific checks.
This guide explains how to enable the necessary reporting, blocking, and moderation settings in BuddyBoss so you can resubmit your app for review.
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How to Resolve It
To address this issue, update your BuddyBoss configuration with the following safeguards:
- Enable Comment Reporting & User Blocking: Activate the in-app reporting feature and ensure users can block accounts that post abusive or objectionable content.
- Set Moderation Thresholds to Minimum: In WordPress admin, go to BuddyBoss Platform > Components > Moderation > Settings and set all thresholds to 1 so every report is flagged immediately for review.
- Commit to Timely Review: Establish an internal process to remove reported content and suspend offending users within 24 hours of each report.
Once these settings are applied, generate a new build, upload it to the Google Play Console, and submit your app again for review.
Do I Need to Generate a New Build?
Yes. After enabling these moderation features and thresholds, you must build and upload a new APK or App Bundle before resubmission.
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Troubleshooting and FAQs
Q: Can I adjust thresholds after approval?
A: Yes. Once your app is live, you can return to Moderation > Settings and increase thresholds to a higher value if desired.
Q: What about live-streaming or AR content?
A: For live streams, ensure your moderation team or automated filters review content in near real-time. For AR, confirm your reporting system covers both objectionable AR assets and sensitive anchoring locations.
Q: Does this change affect existing users?
A: No. These settings apply to new and ongoing content. Existing posts remain until flagged and reviewed per the new thresholds.