VIVA is designed for introductions between adults who have a marriage project within the Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri community. No introduction service can, however, guarantee the sincerity, identity, situation, intentions or future behaviour of every person. These Guidelines explain the precautions recommended before, during and after an interaction — including when families become involved.
1. A verification is not a guarantee of safety
A “verified” badge means only that an identity document and a selfie satisfied a technical check at a given moment. It does not mean that VIVA guarantees:
- the person’s good character;
- the absence of a criminal record;
- their real marital status;
- their membership of the Community;
- their intentions;
- their health;
- their future behaviour.
Remain cautious even with a verified profile, and even when the introduction comes from a Matchmaker.
2. Take time to talk
Before a meeting:
- exchange enough to spot inconsistencies between the profile and what is said;
- be wary of very rapid declarations of commitment, marriage or urgency;
- if possible, have an audio or video call before travelling;
- do not give your home address, your precise workplace or financial information straight away;
- involve a trusted relative once the relationship becomes serious — it is the custom, and it is also a protection.
3. Never send money to a person met on VIVA
Requests for money, investments, loans, ticket purchases, family emergencies, dowry costs or payment codes are risk signals.
The only payment VIVA requests is that of the Subscription, in the Application, through the App Store, Google Play or Mobile Money. VIVA will never ask you to pay another User, a Matchmaker or a third party to unlock an introduction, keep an Account or “confirm” an intention. A Matchmaker never asks for money. Report any solicitation.
4. Protect your personal information
Avoid sharing too early:
- your home address;
- your identity document number or a photo of it;
- your passwords or codes received by email;
- your banking or Mobile Money details;
- your real-time location;
- private or family documents;
- photos that are not on your profile.
A recipient can save or copy what you send them, even though the Terms prohibit it. Your profile photos are visible only in the Application, but a screenshot remains possible.
5. First meeting: in public, or accompanied
For a first meeting:
- choose a busy place, or meet in the presence of relatives;
- avoid a private home or an isolated area;
- tell a relative about your meeting;
- keep your own means of transport;
- keep your phone charged;
- plan a simple way to leave at any time.
6. Pressure and control
Do not let anyone — the person you met, their family or your own — pressure you into making a decision, committing, travelling, or handing over money or information. A serious marriage plan can withstand time for reflection.
If you feel disoriented, threatened or in danger, leave the situation where possible and contact a trusted person or the competent local services.
7. Consent and respect
Every relationship is built on respect and without coercion. An introduction, a Conversation, a meeting or a marriage plan never constitutes consent to anything else. Any pressure, threat or non-consensual act must be taken seriously and reported.
8. If something seems wrong
End an interaction if a person:
- systematically refuses any reasonable verification or any video call;
- changes their identity, situation or story;
- threatens you or makes you feel guilty;
- asks for money, a gift or a favour;
- tries to isolate you from your relatives;
- insists on obtaining photos or private information;
- claims to be under 18;
- asks you to keep secret a situation that makes you uncomfortable.
Use the Block and Report features, available on every profile and in every Conversation.
9. Minors
VIVA is strictly reserved for persons aged 18 and over. If a person states or gives reasonable grounds to believe that they are a minor, immediately end any interaction and report the Account.
Never ask a potentially underage person to send images to “prove” their age.
10. Communications outside VIVA
When you leave VIVA for WhatsApp, telephone, email or a social network, VIVA no longer controls the technical environment of the conversation. The fact that an introduction began on VIVA — or was proposed by a Matchmaker — does not mean that VIVA approves or supervises exchanges made elsewhere.
11. Reporting an incident
You can report a profile or a Conversation in the Application, or write to contact@viva-khoja.com. VIVA may suspend an Account, preserve elements and cooperate with the authorities where the situation warrants it. The reported person is not informed of the reporter’s identity.
In an immediate emergency, contact the emergency services or the local authorities directly. VIVA is not an emergency service and cannot intervene physically at the scene of an incident.
12. Personal responsibility
Each User remains responsible for their decisions, travel, commitments and interactions. VIVA’s safety tools are intended to reduce certain risks; they cannot eliminate all risks posed by malicious persons.