The simple version of our terms

By joining Alongside you agree to these terms, the house rules and the privacy page.

Last updated November 10, 2026

Who can join: You must be 18 or older and give your real first name and date of birth. One account per person.
What Alongside is for: Making friends by keeping each other company: drop-in video and voice tables (1-on-1 or small groups), an optional weekly crew, voice rooms and meetups. Tables stay friendship-only. Single members can privately say they're open to more, and it's only shared when two people both said so. Alongside isn't a swiping app, a marketplace, or a place to recruit people.
How to behave: Follow the house rules: be kind, no flirting or romantic messages, no recording, no selling, mute during loud tasks like chopping or blending, and don't ask for contact details during sessions. After your first table together, you can each choose to stay in touch. If you both say yes, you can message each other in Alongside and share contact details if you want. The same rules apply to messages, and you can report or block from any conversation.
Safety and reports: Leave any call that feels wrong. Report it from your table card or your check-in, and block anyone you don't want to see again. Organizers read every report and may warn, pause or remove members who break the rules. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Meeting in person: Meetups are optional. Members who have been to at least one table (live or weekly) can post meetups in public places in their own city, and any member nearby can join. Only meet in public places, tell someone where you'll be, get yourself there and home, and leave if you feel uncomfortable. Alongside shares ideas and lets members plan, but doesn't run, supervise or check meetups or the places and events listed.
Blocking and avoiding: If you block someone, or list their phone number or email under Avoid people I know, you're never seated with them, they can't message you, and they don't see tables, rooms or meetups you're part of. If they're already somewhere you're about to join, you'll get a heads-up first. They're never told.
Organizations: If you join through a school, employer or community group, you'll only be matched with other members of that group, and its organizers can see your profile, attendance and any reports you file.
Profile photos: A photo is optional. If you add one, it must be a real, recent photo of you: no other people, no nudity, no logos or ads, and nothing that breaks the house rules. Only people you share a table with see it. Organizers can remove a photo that's reported, and you can remove yours any time in Profile.
Messages and photos in messages: Once you and someone you've met both say yes, you can message each other and send photos. Keep messages friendly and within the house rules: no unwanted romantic messages, no explicit or hurtful pictures, and no pressure to share contact details. You can delete a message you sent and it disappears for both of you. If you report a conversation, the other person's recent messages go to organizers with your report, so it's best to report before deleting.
Your location: Using your location in Explore is optional. It's only used to find places near you for that search and is never saved or shared. You can turn it off any time in your phone's settings.
Your information: We handle your information as described on the Privacy page. You can change your answers or leave Alongside at any time.
No guarantees: We do our best to find you company and match you well, but we can't promise someone will always be free or that every table will click. Alongside is offered as is, and we may change or pause it.
Changes: If these terms change, we'll update this page and the date above. Continuing to use Alongside means you accept the updated terms.

These terms are a plain-language summary written for a pilot. They are not legal advice.