What Happens if a Project Breaks Kickstarter’s Rules?

Kickstarter is committed to maintaining a safe and trustworthy environment for both creators and backers. When a project breaks our rules, our Trust & Safety team takes swift and decisive action.

Here's what you need to know about the process and how you can contribute to the integrity of our community.

Review and Investigation

When a project is flagged internally or reported by a member of the Kickstarter community, our Trust & Safety team steps in to review it. The team examines the project for any violations of our rules, ensuring that all activities on Kickstarter adhere to our guidelines and policies.

Administrative Actions

If a project is found to violate our rules, appropriate administrative actions are taken in accordance with our Terms of Use. Depending on the severity of the violation, this could range from issuing warnings to suspending the project or even banning the creator from the platform.

Reporting a Project

If you come across a project that you believe breaks Kickstarter’s rules, you can report it easily. Simply scroll to the bottom of the project page and click on “Report this project to Kickstarter.”

This will alert our Trust & Safety team, who will then thoroughly review the project.

Your Role in Maintaining Safety

The Kickstarter community plays a crucial role in keeping the platform safe and enjoyable for everyone. By staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activities, you help us uphold the integrity of our platform.

For more detailed information on how to report a project or any other concerns, you can refer to our “How can I report something to Kickstarter?” help center guide.

Why Reporting Matters:

1. Protecting Other Backers: Reporting helps protect fellow backers from potential scams or fraudulent projects, ensuring that their contributions are used appropriately.
2. Supporting Legitimate Projects: By removing rule-breaking projects, we ensure that legitimate creators receive the attention and support they deserve.
3. Maintaining Trust: A safe and trustworthy platform encourages more people to participate in funding innovative projects, fostering a healthy and vibrant community.

Steps to Report a Project:

1. Identify the Violation: Familiarize yourself with our rules to understand what constitutes a violation.
2. Report the Project: Click “Report this project to Kickstarter” at the bottom of the project page.
3. Provide Details: When prompted, provide as much detail as possible about why you believe the project is violating our rules.

By understanding what happens when a project breaks our rules and knowing how to report suspicious activities, you contribute to a safer and more trustworthy platform. Together, we can ensure that Kickstarter remains a space where innovative ideas can flourish and backers can confidently support projects.