Purpose:
This policy aims to protect the rights of individuals to use their financial resources for legal purchases, without interference from financial institutions based on content type or moral judgments. Payment processors and credit card companies must operate as neutral entities, respecting legal freedoms and personal autonomy in financial decisions.
1. Right to Lawful Transactions
Financial institutions and payment processors must facilitate transactions for all legal goods and services, without discrimination or restriction based on the nature of the content, provided it is legal under applicable law.
2. Non-Discrimination Clause
No financial entity may deny service, restrict funds, or apply additional fees based solely on the content type or industry of a legal transaction (e.g., adult entertainment, firearms, political materials). Decisions on service restrictions should solely reflect a transaction’s legal status and compliance with regulatory frameworks, not the nature of the content.
3. Transparency and Justification Requirement
If a transaction is blocked or a merchant restricted, the institution must provide a transparent, itemized rationale to the customer, explaining the legal basis and compliance reasons for the decision. Vague explanations, such as “high-risk,” are insufficient without further clarification on specific risk or compliance issues.
4. Consumer Autonomy and Privacy Protection
Individuals retain the right to control their spending on lawful goods and services without undue scrutiny. Financial institutions should commit to safeguarding consumer privacy, refraining from tracking or profiling based on purchasing behaviors, unless required by law for anti-fraud purposes.
5. Fair Appeals Process
Financial institutions must establish a clear appeals process for consumers and merchants who wish to contest a restriction. This process should involve an independent review and offer an avenue for reinstating blocked services if transactions are found to be in full legal compliance.
6. Commitment to Neutrality
Payment processors must commit to content neutrality, avoiding judgments on or against legal industries. This includes avoiding restrictions influenced by political, moral, or activist pressures that do not directly relate to legal and regulatory compliance.
7. Government and Regulatory Oversight
Regulatory agencies should oversee and ensure compliance with this policy, imposing penalties for unjustifiable transaction restrictions. An independent regulatory body may conduct regular audits and provide a reporting mechanism for consumers or merchants who believe their rights under this policy are violated.
This policy seeks to ensure that lawful economic activities are respected and that financial institutions function as unbiased facilitators of transactions, upholding consumer rights and autonomy over their financial choices.
