Safety

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Common gets people together in person, so safety isn't a settings page for us — it's most of the design. Here's what the app does to keep things safe, and what you can do too.

Safety that's built in

No addresses on the map. Plans appear on a neighbourhood view measured in walking time, not on a street map. Exact meeting spots are shared only inside a plan you've joined — your home is never a pin.
No messaging. There's no chat in Common, so there are no DMs from strangers, no group threads, and nothing to pile onto. Conversation happens where it belongs — in person, in public.
Public by default. Common plans are ordinary, visible, daytime-neighbourhood things: a walk, a coffee, the playground. The app's whole shape nudges toward public places and small groups.
Blocking is silent and total. Block someone and you disappear from each other's Common entirely — they aren't notified, and there's no way for them to tell. Unblock any time from your profile.
Nobody's watching you. Common has no presence indicator, no "active now," no location tracking. It only knows about the plans you've chosen to be part of.

Looking after yourself

Meet in public places — that's what Common is for. Parks, cafés, playgrounds, courts.
The first time you meet someone new, it's a group by design. Capacity means a plan is never just an audience of one stranger.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, leave. You owe nobody an explanation, and "Can't make it" is always one tap.
No-shows happen. Someone didn't turn up? You still got your coffee. It happens — it's common.
Kids' plans (playground trips, school-run walks) are for the adults who bring them. Common is not for unaccompanied minors.

Community guidelines

Short enough to remember:

Be who you say you are. Real name, real face if you choose a photo. Neighbours will meet you in person — the profile should match.
Post plans you intend to keep. Bubbles are promises, small ones.
A plan is not a storefront. No selling, promoting, recruiting, or campaigning dressed up as a coffee.
Everyone's neighbourhood. Harassment, discrimination, or making anyone feel unwelcome gets you removed — the neighbourhood keeps the app, not you.
Nothing illegal, nothing unsafe. Obviously.

Reporting

You'll be able to report any plan or person directly in the app, and reports come to people, not algorithms. Until launch — and any time after — you can also reach us at hello@getcommon.ca. We read everything.

If someone is in danger, call 911 first. Common is a neighbourhood app, not an emergency service.