Ethics Policy
Table of Contents
Introduction
Sizzle Social believes that trust should be earned through the way a business operates, communicates, treats people and responds when something goes wrong.
This Ethics Policy sets out the principles that guide Sizzle Social’s business operations, customer relationships, publishing activities, marketing, technology use and interactions with the wider digital community.
Sizzle Social is operated under Sizzle Digital Technologies.
Our ethical standards apply alongside our contractual and legal obligations and are intended to guide decisions even where a particular situation is not addressed by a specific rule.
Our Core Ethical Principles
Integrity
We aim to act honestly in our communications, Services and business practices.
This means we should not knowingly:
misrepresent our Services;
fabricate results;
falsify information;
conceal material facts where disclosure is reasonably required;
manipulate customers through intentionally deceptive information; or
make promises that we know cannot reasonably be fulfilled.
Commercial interests do not justify knowingly misleading customers or readers.
Accountability
We accept responsibility for decisions and actions within Sizzle Social’s control.
Where we make a material mistake, our approach should be to:
investigate it;
understand what happened;
correct it where appropriate;
provide applicable redress;
learn from the issue; and
improve the relevant process where reasonably possible.
Accountability does not mean accepting responsibility for events outside Sizzle Social’s control, but it does require us to address our own role fairly.
Fairness
We aim to treat customers, readers, partners, suppliers, contractors and other stakeholders fairly.
Decisions should not be influenced by arbitrary prejudice or inappropriate discrimination.
Where two materially similar situations are treated differently, there should be a legitimate reason for the difference.
Transparency
We aim to communicate important information clearly enough for people to understand what they are dealing with.
This includes appropriate transparency concerning:
ownership;
Services;
pricing;
important Service limitations;
refund conditions;
commercial relationships;
editorial practices;
privacy;
sponsored content; and
significant Platform policies.
Transparency does not require disclosure of confidential information, security systems, trade secrets or other information that legitimately needs to remain private.
Respect
We aim to treat people with professionalism and respect.
We do not consider disagreement, criticism or customer dissatisfaction to be unethical merely because it is uncomfortable.
Users should be free to:
ask questions;
challenge decisions;
report errors;
make Complaints;
request refunds where applicable;
criticise Sizzle Social; and
exercise applicable legal rights
without retaliation merely for doing so.
Responsible Customer Relationships
Clear Service Information
Customers should have access to material information reasonably necessary to understand the Service they are purchasing.
We aim not to intentionally obscure significant information about:
what a Service does;
important limitations;
delivery characteristics;
refill conditions;
Digital Product requirements;
pricing;
payment;
refunds; or
other material conditions.
No Unsupported Guarantees
Social media and digital growth involve many factors outside Sizzle Social’s control.
We therefore avoid guaranteeing outcomes that cannot responsibly be guaranteed.
This includes unsupported guarantees concerning:
virality;
revenue;
sales;
social media reach;
monetisation;
search rankings;
permanent followers;
business growth; or
other external results.
Resolving Problems Fairly
Where a Customer raises a genuine problem, the issue should be considered according to:
the applicable Service;
available evidence;
relevant Policies;
what was promised;
what was delivered; and
applicable law.
A commercially inconvenient outcome should not, by itself, determine the resolution.
Responsible Marketing
Truthful Marketing
Marketing should not rely upon materially false or deceptive claims.
Our advertisements, emails, social media posts, website copy and promotional materials should not knowingly:
invent performance results;
manufacture customer numbers;
create false scarcity;
claim endorsements that do not exist;
create fake guarantees;
misrepresent pricing;
disguise material conditions; or
falsely represent independent third-party approval.
Promotions and Urgency
Promotional offers should be represented accurately.
Where an offer has:
an expiry date;
minimum purchase requirement;
eligibility condition;
usage restriction; or
other material limitation,
that condition should be communicated appropriately.
Artificial urgency should not be created by knowingly presenting a permanent offer as though it is about to disappear.
Editorial Ethics
Accuracy and Independence
Sizzle Social publishes educational and informational content in addition to commercial Platform information.
Our editorial standards require us to distinguish, where relevant, between:
fact;
opinion;
analysis;
recommendation;
advertising; and
Sizzle Social’s own commercial interests.
Our broader standards are explained in the Publishing Principles.
No Plagiarism
We do not knowingly publish plagiarised material.
External sources may inform our work, but another person’s protected work should not be presented as our own.
Our broader intellectual-property framework is explained in the Intellectual Property & Copyright Policy.
Corrections
If we publish a material factual error, we aim to correct it appropriately rather than preserve incorrect information for reputational or commercial convenience.
Our correction standards are explained in the Corrections Policy.
Artificial Intelligence and Automation
Responsible Use of Technology
Sizzle Social may use artificial intelligence, automation and other technological tools in its business and publishing workflows.
Technology may assist with areas such as:
research;
content production;
customer operations;
fraud prevention;
technical processes;
analytics;
workflow automation; or
product development.
Use of an automated system does not remove Sizzle Social’s responsibility for decisions and content that remain within its control.
No Blind Reliance on Automated Output
Where an automated system produces information affecting important factual, legal, financial, privacy or customer matters, appropriate human review should be used where reasonably necessary.
Technology should support responsible decision-making rather than provide an excuse for avoidable misinformation or unfair treatment.
Privacy and Data Ethics
Responsible Data Handling
Personal information should be collected and used for legitimate purposes and handled according to applicable privacy and data-protection requirements.
We aim to avoid:
unnecessary collection;
inappropriate disclosure;
deceptive data practices;
unauthorised access;
misuse of personal information; and
retaining information without a continuing lawful or legitimate purpose.
Our formal data-processing practices are explained in the Privacy Policy.
Respect for Privacy Rights
Where a person exercises an applicable privacy right, the request should be considered in good faith.
A person should not be disadvantaged merely for making a legitimate privacy request.
Further information is available in the Data Rights & Privacy Requests Policy.
Responsible Payment Practices
Financial Integrity
Payment and Wallet records should reflect genuine transactions as accurately as reasonably possible.
Sizzle Social should not knowingly:
create false transaction records;
retain duplicate credits as though they were legitimate payments;
misrepresent a refund as completed when it has not been initiated;
intentionally conceal material Wallet discrepancies; or
confiscate genuine Customer-Funded Balance merely as punishment where no lawful basis exists.
Payment matters are governed by the Billing, Wallet & Payment Policy.
Fair Complaint Handling
Right to Raise Concerns
Customers and other affected persons may raise concerns about Sizzle Social.
Complaints should be reviewed according to their substance rather than dismissed merely because they are critical.
No Retaliation
Sizzle Social shall not retaliate against a person solely because the person:
made a good-faith Complaint;
reported an error;
provided negative feedback;
requested a legitimate refund;
contacted an applicable regulator; or
exercised another lawful right.
Formal complaint procedures are set out in the Complaints & Dispute Resolution Policy.
Feedback and Continuous Improvement
Listening to Users
Customer and reader feedback can expose problems that internal systems do not identify.
Relevant feedback should therefore be considered in good faith.
We may use feedback to improve:
Platform functionality;
Service descriptions;
customer support;
content;
payment processes;
Policies;
user experience; and
other operations.
Our approach is explained further in the Actionable Feedback Policy.
Conflicts of Interest
Identifying Conflicts
A conflict of interest may arise where a personal, financial or other interest could improperly influence a business or editorial decision.
Relevant conflicts should be disclosed internally or externally where disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect fair decision-making.
Commercial Relationships
The existence of a supplier, affiliate, sponsor, Payment Provider or other commercial relationship should not result in knowingly false claims about that party.
Where a relationship materially affects how content should reasonably be interpreted, disclosure may be appropriate.
Confidentiality
Protecting Confidential Information
Employees, contractors and other authorised persons should protect confidential information obtained through their work with Sizzle Social.
Confidential information should not be used improperly for:
personal gain;
competitive advantage;
harassment;
fraud;
unauthorised disclosure; or
another illegitimate purpose.
This obligation does not prevent disclosure required by applicable law or protected reporting mechanisms.
Professional Conduct
Employees and Contractors
Persons acting on behalf of Sizzle Social are expected to conduct themselves professionally when dealing with:
customers;
suppliers;
partners;
colleagues;
contractors;
regulators; and
members of the public.
Professional conduct includes:
honesty;
reasonable courtesy;
appropriate confidentiality;
responsible communication;
avoidance of fraud;
avoidance of harassment; and
respect for applicable Policies and law.
Anti-Fraud Principles
No Deliberate Fraud
Sizzle Social does not condone fraud by:
Users;
staff;
suppliers;
partners;
contractors; or
other persons interacting with the Platform.
Suspected fraud may be investigated and addressed under the Acceptable Use Policy and other applicable procedures.
Evidence and Fairness
Fraud should not be alleged casually.
Where Sizzle Social takes material action against a User on the basis of suspected fraud, the decision should be supported by a reasonable factual basis.
Relationships With Suppliers and Partners
Responsible Commercial Relationships
Sizzle Social may work with suppliers, service providers, contractors and technology companies.
We expect commercial relationships to be conducted lawfully and responsibly.
Where credible information indicates serious misconduct by a supplier or partner, Sizzle Social may:
investigate;
request clarification;
restrict the relationship;
suspend use of the provider;
terminate the relationship; or
take another appropriate action.
No Automatic Endorsement
Working with another company does not mean that Sizzle Social endorses every activity, policy or statement of that company.
Fair Competition
Competitors
Sizzle Social may compete with other businesses, but competition should not justify knowingly:
fabricating allegations;
impersonating competitors;
sabotaging competitor systems;
publishing knowingly false claims;
stealing proprietary information; or
engaging in another unlawful competitive practice.
We may compare products or businesses where doing so is truthful, supportable and lawful.
Respect, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination
Fair Treatment
Sizzle Social aims to maintain a business environment that respects people from different backgrounds and experiences.
We do not support discrimination or harassment based upon characteristics protected by applicable law.
Our broader approach to representation and inclusion is set out in the Diversity Policy.
Social Responsibility
Responsible Digital Participation
Sizzle Social operates within a wider Nigerian and global digital ecosystem.
We aim to contribute responsibly by:
supporting lawful digital entrepreneurship;
encouraging responsible use of technology;
providing useful educational information;
protecting customer trust;
discouraging fraudulent Platform use;
respecting intellectual property;
protecting personal data; and
improving our own practices as the business develops.
Reporting Ethical Concerns
How to Report a Concern
Customers, staff, contractors, partners and members of the public may report a genuine ethical concern through:
Email: contact@sizzlesocial.ng
Support Portal: https://sizzlesocial.ng/contact/ticket/
Where possible, a report should explain:
the conduct of concern;
when it occurred;
persons or systems involved, where known;
relevant evidence; and
why the conduct is considered inappropriate.
Good-Faith Reports
A person should not be penalised solely for making an ethical concern in good faith.
Knowingly fabricated accusations may nevertheless be addressed appropriately.
Enforcement
Internal and External Consequences
A substantiated ethics violation may result in action appropriate to the circumstances.
Depending on the person’s relationship with Sizzle Social and the seriousness of the conduct, this may include:
guidance;
corrective action;
restriction of responsibilities;
disciplinary action;
termination of a supplier or contractor relationship;
Account enforcement;
referral to another applicable Policy;
legal action; or
regulatory or law-enforcement reporting where appropriate.
Enforcement should be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the conduct.
Relationship With Our Ownership
Transparency concerning the business responsible for Sizzle Social is set out in our Ownership Info.
Sizzle Social is operated under Sizzle Digital Technologies, and responsibility for these ethical standards ultimately sits within that operating structure.
Changes to This Policy
Our ethical standards may evolve as:
Sizzle Social grows;
technologies change;
Platform functionality expands;
laws and regulations develop;
new risks emerge; and
expectations around responsible digital business evolve.
This Policy may therefore be updated periodically.
The Last Updated date above identifies the current version.
Contact Us
Questions or concerns about this Ethics Policy may be submitted through:
Sizzle Digital Technologies
Platform: Sizzle Social
Website: https://sizzlesocial.ng
Email: contact@sizzlesocial.ng
Support Portal: https://sizzlesocial.ng/contact/ticket/
The complete Sizzle Social legal and transparency framework is available through the Sizzle Social Legal Centre.
Our Commitment
Ethics at Sizzle Social is not intended to be a collection of statements that exist only on a policy page.
Our objective is to operate in a way that reflects integrity, accountability, fairness, transparency, respect and responsible digital practice.
We will not always make perfect decisions. Where problems occur, our responsibility is to examine them fairly, correct what should be corrected and continue improving the systems behind Sizzle Social.
