Sonata Handle Policy

The term 'handle' in this document refers to the unique public identifier attached to each account, used within notes, profiles, URLS and user reference functionality.

Format:

Each handle begins with an @ symbol, followed by alphanumeric characters and underscore (enclosed here in quotes): "_".

Examples of valid handles:

1. @matt
2. @m_att

These restrictions will be removed when the handle reservation system is discontinued, after full public release of Sonata.

For a limited time, additional restrictions are in place on registered handles, in order to prevent misuse of the handle reservation system. Reserving a handle is notably an easier process than signing up to Sonata, leaving it more susceptible to abuse.

It is not permitted to reserve more handles than are required for genuine use by a person. Attempting to abuse the system by registering handles en-mass may see all handles registered by this person released.

Unused reserved handles may be released 6 months after launch of Sonata, if they remain unused to create an account. Sonata will send multiple emails to warn of this beforehand.

Registering an account with a different handle than the one reserved for that email will cause the reserved handle to be released.

As handles are always public, they fall outside the protection of the amplification policy and must therefore conform to socially acceptable rules.

Handles must not contain:

• Hateful racial terms Non hateful racial terms are permitted, such as '@funkymusicwhiteboy', unless used in combination with hateful content, such as white supremacist material posted by a user with a handle of '@whiteperfect'
• Hateful or derogatory terms of any nature
• Anything that would be removed under the prohibited content policy.
• Anything that would be de-amplified under the amplification policy.

Any unacceptable handles will see the handle revoked and replaced with a randomised handle. The user will then have the appropriate prohibited content or amplification policy schedule applied to their account.

It is not permitted to reserve more handles than are required for genuine use by a person. Attempting to abuse the system by registering handles en-mass may see all handles registered by this person released.

Unused handles may be released 24 months after creation, if they remain attached to an inactive account that was never used to create more than 10 notes, or 50 interactions. Sonata will send multiple emails to warn of this beforehand, if possible.