1. Standard vs. Premium Chat Privileges

1.1 Messaging Rules for Standard (Free) Members

• Reading & Replying: As a Standard Member, you can reply to any chat messages initiated by a Premium Member entirely for free. This applies across our website, mobile browser, and native app platforms.
• Initiating Conversations: Standard Members cannot directly start or initiate new message threads with other members. To unlock the ability to start conversations, an upgrade to Premium Membership is required.
• Chat Continuity: At least one user in a conversation thread must possess an active, valid Premium Membership for interactive messaging to remain available.

1.2 Flirty Winks Allowance

Winks are a quick, canned, and playful method to signal romantic interest to another profile:

• New Standard Accounts (under 3 days old): Can dispatch up to 20 free winks per calendar day.
• Established Standard Accounts (over 3 days old): Can dispatch up to 40 free winks per calendar day.
• Premium VIP Accounts: Enjoy completely unlimited daily winks to accelerate your matchmaking experience.

2. Advanced Messaging & Video Call Features

2.1 Secure Video Calling & Setup

The real-time Video Call tool lets you bond with matches face-to-face in a controlled environment:

1. Navigate to the CHATS tab or visit the target user's profile.
2. Open the direct chat window and click on the Camera / Video Chat icon located in the upper right-hand corner.
3. Grant your internet browser or app operating permissions to access your camera and device microphone when prompted.
4. Once the recipient accepts your incoming request, your secure video chat session will connect immediately.

2.2 How "Unsend Message" Works

Accidentally sent a typo or a wrong photo? You can retract sent content instantly without administrator approval:

• Desktop/PC: Hover your mouse over the sent text or media block, click the ellipsis (...) that appears on the left, and select "Unsend".
• Time Restriction: Messages can only be unsent within a strict 5-minute window immediately after sending.
• System Notice: The recipient will not see the original message, but will receive an automated log note stating "xxx unsent a message".

2.3 Pinning Core Conversations

Keep your favorite potential matches at the top of your inbox list for rapid access (Premium Feature):

• Desktop/PC users: Open the direct chat box and click the Pin icon in the upper right corner to pin or unpin that member.
• Mobile App/Device users: Simply swipe left on the specific conversation row inside your chat directory list to toggle the Pin option on or off.

3. Messaging Privacy & Chat Filtering Controls

3.1 Hiding and Unhiding Chat History

Keep your active chat lobby organized or conceal discrete discussions without deleting history logs:

• To Hide a Conversation: Enter the direct chat thread with the user, select the three dots (...) in the top-right toolbar, and tap "Hide Conversation" from the contextual menu.
• To Unhide Conversations: Go to your main SETTINGS → Hidden from My Search and Hidden Conversations panel, locate the specific member profile, and click the "UNHIDE" action link to restore them to your active inbox.

3.2 Managing Topic Group Visibility & Notifications

If you have joined public topic chat rooms but prefer to maintain a low profile, you have two choices:

• Go Invisible: Toggle your visibility status to "Invisible" within the primary group settings so your profile avatar does not appear to other browsing members.
• Leave a Group Entirely: Go to the Chats section, open the specific topic group, click the three dots (...) in the upper right corner, and select "Leave Group". This instantly terminates future intrusive message alerts from that room.

3.3 Auto-Reply Management

To turn off automated away-messages when you go offline:

• Go to SETTINGS under your main profile icon.
• Select the "Auto-Reply Message" tab in the navigation sidebar.
• Deactivate the toggle labeled "Enable Auto-Reply When I'm Offline".

4. Safety Standards, Anti-Scam Policy & Reporting Abuse

4.1 Enforcing Our Zero-Tolerance Spam Policy

BiCupid maintains rigid security infrastructure against malicious entities, commercial advertisements, automated bots, and fake profiles. If you encounter suspicious solicitation, financial advice, or requests for donations, take immediate action:

• How to Report a User: Navigate directly to the abusive user's dating profile or open their message chat tab, click the three dots (...) option menu in the top right corner, tap the "Report" / "Report Abuse" button, choose your reason, and hit submit.
• Our dedicated Customer Care triage unit investigates all community flags promptly and handles inquiries with strict professionalism.

4.2 Safe Digital Chatting Best Practices

1. Protect Confidential Data: Never share personal phone numbers, physical residential addresses, social media profiles, or place of employment until an unwavering level of mutual trust is reached.
2. Never Send Financial Resources: Report immediately any profile asking for money, banking details, passwords, or claiming to be in an emergency scenario.
3. Block and Disengage: If you ever feel threatened, highly uncomfortable, or suspect a scam, terminate contact immediately. Utilize our "Hide" or block tools to entirely exclude them from your mutual search visibility, video streams, and inbox feeds.

Need Additional Chat or Messaging Support?

If a chat interface displays an error message stating "The User Is Currently Unavailable," it signifies the member has chosen to hide their profile to take a relationship break, or has been systematically banned due to severe community protocol violations.

For additional technical issues regarding chat latency, messaging permissions, or profile blockages, contact our technical desk via email at support@bicupid.app.