Complete Guide to Privacy Settings

Your privacy settings determine who sees what and who can contact you. This comprehensive guide walks you through every setting on Sydney Chat, helping you customize your comfort level.

Privacy is Personal

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to privacy. Some people are comfortable sharing a lot publicly; others prefer minimal exposure. The right settings are whatever makes you feel safe and in control. This guide helps you understand your options so you can make informed decisions.

Profile Visibility Settings

Control who can see your profile with these options:

• Public: Anyone on the platform can view your profile (default).
• Members only: Only registered users can see your profile.
• Connections only: Only people you've matched with or accepted as connections can view your full profile.
• Private: Your profile is hidden from search—you must initiate contact first.

Who Can Message You

Filter incoming messages to reduce unwanted contact:

• Everyone: Anyone can send you a message.
• Connections only: Only people you're connected with can message.
• Verified members only: Only users who've completed photo verification can message you—great for reducing spam.
• No one: You can't receive messages (you can still initiate conversations).

Photo Privacy

Control your photos with granular settings:

• Public photos: Visible to everyone (your main profile photo).
• Private albums: Only visible to connections you've approved.
• Request-based access: Others must request permission to view certain photos.
• Watermarking: Add a subtle watermark to discourage screenshot sharing.

Online Status & Activity

Manage whether others can see when you're active:

• Show online status: Others see when you're currently using the platform.
• Show last active: Displays the last time you were online.
• Hide completely: No activity information is visible to others.

Location Settings

Location helps with matching but should be controlled:

• Precise location: Shows your general area for better matching.
• City-level only: Only displays your city, not neighborhood.
• Custom radius: Adjust how far from your location you appear in searches.
• Hide location: Opt out of location-based matching entirely.

Search Visibility

Control whether and how you appear in search results:

• You can appear in searches but not show your full profile until mutual interest is established.
• Limit search results to specific age ranges or distances.
• Exclude your profile from search entirely (you can still browse and initiate contact).

Blocking & Restricting

Powerful tools for controlling interactions:

• Block: Completely prevents someone from seeing your profile or contacting you.
• Restrict: They can see your public profile but can't message you; you won't see their messages in your inbox.
• Report: For violations—triggers platform review and potential action.

Data & Account Privacy

Additional protections:

• Two-factor authentication: Adds an extra layer of security to your account.
• Login alerts: Get notified of new device sign-ins.
• Data download: Request a copy of all data stored about you.
• Account deletion: Permanently remove your data from our systems.

Best Practices

Recommendations for most users:

• Start with stricter settings and relax them as you get comfortable.
• Regularly review your settings—privacy features may change over time.
• Use "connections only" messaging to reduce unsolicited contact.
• Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
• Review and prune old connections you no longer want in your network.