Brand Accounts
We encourage you to be yourself on vmst.io. We understand that not every account on social media is a person, even if there are technically people behind them.
Centralized platforms require all different types of accounts to be in the same place. Decentralized platforms like Mastodon offer an opportunity for each server to set policies on the types of accounts that they allow.
Corporate Accounts
Corporate brand accounts are not permitted on vmst.io.
We feel that brands and companies should be setting up their own servers under domains they're identified with and control. This not only benefits the brands by aiding fediverse users in verifying their accounts are legitimate, but helps users control their interactions with those brands.
Examples of the types of accounts prohibited under this policy would be accounts identifying as the official account for Fastmail or Proton. Unofficial accounts for brands are prohibited by our account impersonation policy.
This policy in no way prohibits members of vmst.io from interacting or boosting content from brands, nor prohibits brand accounts from interacting or federating with our server. It only prohibits such accounts from being hosted by vmst.io.
Groups & Associations
If you are a non-profit organization, community group of or other relevant association, we may permit your account. If you are unsure if you qualify, please contact a member of our team.
Examples of accounts allowed under this policy would be the non-profit @WestportObservatory or the hypothetical "Kansas City Anker Power Cable User Group" where there may be a loose affiliation with the brand but is otherwise run for fun or user networking.
Open Source Projects
If you are the maintainer of an open source project, and want to maintain an account distinct from your personal account, you may be permitted to do so. If you are unsure if you qualify please a member of our staff.
Examples of accounts allowed under this policy would be a hypothetical official account for the Pi-hole project. Accounts that may be prohibited by this policy would be ones where there is a direct financial relationship or major sponsorship with a corporate brand.