Safety Guidelines

Grove is about meeting new people in person. The vast majority of meetups are warm, easy, and completely uneventful - but you’re meeting people you don’t know yet, so a little common sense goes a long way. These are guidelines, not guarantees: you’re always the best judge of your own safety, and nothing here replaces trusting your instincts or calling local emergency services if you need them.

Before you go

  • Meet somewhere public. For a first meetup, pick a café, park, restaurant, or another busy public place - never a private home. When you set a meeting spot in Grove, keep it public.
  • Tell someone. Let a friend or family member know where you’re going, who with, and roughly when you’ll be back.
  • Keep planning in the group chat. Grove chats are groups of five, not one-on-one. Be cautious of anyone who pushes to move to a private DM or another app before you’ve even met - there’s rarely a good reason to.
  • Sort your own way there and back. Arrive and leave under your own steam so you’re never dependent on someone you just met for a ride.

When you meet

  • You’re never obligated to stay. If a plan changes, the vibe is off, or you simply want to go, just go. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.
  • Look after yourself. Keep an eye on your drink and your belongings, and pace yourself if there’s alcohol involved. It’s easier to stay aware with a clear head.
  • Keep private things private. There’s no need to share your home address, workplace, or any financial details with people you’ve just met. Let trust build first.
  • Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, you don’t need proof - step away and remove yourself from the situation.

Money and scams

Grove is free, and we will never ask you to pay to join a group or meetup. No one in your group should either. Don’t send money, “invest,” or share financial information with someone you met through Grove - asking for money is one of the most common ways strangers take advantage online, and it’s a red flag no matter how friendly the person seems.

If something goes wrong

  • Block hides you and the other person from each other, both ways.
  • Report goes to a real moderation queue and is reviewed by a person, not a black hole. Report anyone who makes you uncomfortable, breaks these guidelines, or seems underage.
  • In an emergency, if you or someone else is in danger, contact your local emergency services first - then let us know.

You can always reach us at [email protected].

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