the constitution

Ruck has a constitution: eight rules written into the Articles of Association. In legal terms these are the Protected Principles. They are binding on the company and its directors today. They are not policies. They cannot be quietly changed.

the eight rules

Purpose. Ruck exists to be a safe, ethical, inclusive space for LGBT+ people to connect, without exploitation, manipulation, or degradation of the experience.

User data. The company collects only what it needs to run the service. It cannot sell, license, or otherwise transfer user data for commercial purposes. A narrow exception covers the suppliers that run the app and disclosure required by law.

Free essential features. Creating a profile, browsing nearby profiles, sending and receiving messages: free now, free always. These cannot be placed behind a paywall or subscription. Some features have generous limits, with a premium tier for heavy use.

Fair monetization. Any premium features are honestly priced. No dynamic pricing by location, device, or behavior. No degrading the free experience to coerce upgrades.

Advertising. If Ruck ever shows ads, they are clearly marked and non-invasive, and cannot be targeted on sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, or other sensitive personal data.

Anonymity. Users are never required to link external accounts or disclose their real name. Users control what they share, and with whom.

Transparency. Ruck publishes annual reports on finances, data practices, and governance, and discloses material incidents or failures.

Ethical exit. If Ruck ever closes, user data is securely deleted, or transferred only with informed consent to a successor bound by these same rules.

why this holds

Each rule is written into the Articles as something the company is legally barred from doing without the approval of the Golden Share holder. That is what makes it a lock, not a pledge. How it’s protected sets out the mechanism.