Resources and FAQ
How do I set up a SPACES account?
If you already have a SooToday account, you can log in at https://soo.spaces.ca/
If you don’t have a SooToday account, you can register for a SPACES account here: https://soo.spaces.ca/account/register
(When you create a SPACES account, you’re also creating a SooToday account.)
You’ll be required to provide:
email address
password
name
Optional fields are:
avatar
Do I need a SooToday account to sign in?
No. When you create a SPACES account, you’re also creating a SooToday account.
Except, your display name and avatar are different.
Your SPACES password is the same as your SooToday password (and so is the email address that you use to login).
Can I sign in with my SooToday account?
Yes. Account credentials are the same for both sites, SPACES and SooToday.
Is my SooToday account separate from SPACES?
No. But your public-facing name and image are different for each site.
Do I have to use my real name on SPACES?
Yes, you have to use your full, real name on SPACES. This is in effort to keep the platform safe, transparent and free of trolls and scammers.
If I’ve been banned from SooToday. Will I be able to set up an account in SPACES?
No
How will I be notified if/when I am banned from SPACES?
You will receive an email notifying you that your account has been banned.
If I am banned from SPACES, is there any process for re-entering?
You can send an email to [email protected] and state your case. You can include rationale for why you think you were unreasonably banned, or admission that you posted something that violated our community standards in error, and we will let you know if your account can be reinstated.
How will I be notified if one of my posts is flagged as inappropriate?
You will receive a notification from SPACES (depending on how you have notifications set up).
Is my login information (email/password) encrypted?
Yes your email address and password are encrypted.
Are phone numbers encrypted?
No, phone numbers are not encrypted at rest, but are encrypted while they are being transmitted.
How is my information encrypted? What technology is used?
Passwords are hashed and encrypted. They can not be decrypted, we can only compare a new hash against an existing password to see if there is a match. This is standard practice for passwords.
What if I change my password, do you store old passwords?
No, we do not store old passwords.
What program do you use to verify identity and is it reputable?
We verify mobile phone numbers via SMS through Twilio.
How do I change my display name?
Go to https://soo.spaces.ca/account and fill out the first name, last name and reason fields and click submit for approval. A member of our team will make a decision within three business days.
How do I change my password?
Go to https://soo.spaces.ca/account/changepassword
Or from the main screen, choose your avatar in the top right corner, select your profile, then change password.
How do I change the email address associated with my SPACES account?
You can’t change your email address on your account. Currently you will need to contact [email protected]
How do I close/deactivate my account?
To close or deactivate your account, send an email to [email protected] with a request, and our team will deactivate the account for you. You will receive confirmation that the account is closed.
Once my account is deactivated, what happens with my past activity? Is it still public? Is my name and avatar still attached to it? Or is it deleted? What if there are comments attached to it? Are they also deleted?
If an account is deactivated, then the attached content is no longer visible. We don't delete it, but it’s no longer publicly available (as well as any nested content - for example, replies to posts).
Does SPACES store my browsing history?
We are not interested in the browsing history of individuals.
Does SPACES use my browsing history for advertising purposes?
No. There currently isn’t any advertising on SPACES. Once it’s introduced, ads may be aligned with the spaces you join so that they are more relevant to the content you are reading.
Is my account viewable publicly?
Your account is viewable to SPACES members who have also set up a user profile. It’s not viewable to the public on the web.
Your posts, replies and reactions are public, however. As are the spaces that you join.
Do I have to use my real name?
Yes. We encourage all users to use their real name in order to build trust with other members of the SPACES communities. It’s one effort we can collectively make to keep the platform safe.
Do I have to use a real photo?
No. We encourage members to use a photo of themselves for the sake of building trust with others in SPACES. But if a member chooses to, there is an alternative option to use one of the city mural avatars.
Does SPACES retain ownership of the content (photos/text/info) that I post on the platform?
When you submit data (including text, photos, etc.) to the SPACES platform, you retain ownership of it. By submitting this data to SPACES.CA (or any city-specific domain), however, you grant SPACES unlimited use of that data, including republishing, use in news coverage, reusing on Village Media news sites, and for marketing and advertising purposes on and off platform.
Does SPACES sell my information to third parties?
No.
Can my activity on SPACES be tracked and used for advertising purposes elsewhere (off the site)?
We may retarget readers based on their previous behaviour in SPACES.
Can I use an ad blocker on SPACES?
No. SPACES is a free-to-use community building platform that is paid for by advertising revenue.
Please turn off your ad blocker on the devices and browsers for which SPACES is used, so that we can grow a sustainable, hyper-local social network.
How do I use SPACES on mobile devices or my iPad? Is there an app?
SPACES does work on a mobile browser, though the navigation is slightly modified from desktop. It can also be found as an Android app in Google Play and will be available in the Apple App store later on.
Do I need to sign in to use the app or can I stay in viewer mode?
Same as the site. No need to sign in.
How do I become a host?
You can fill out our So you want to be a host form.
Do I need to be a member to become a host?
Yes.
How do I suggest a space?
At the moment, the best process to suggest a space is to fill out the So you want to be a host form or email community manager Lacy Atalick at [email protected] with your suggestion.
Do I need to be a member to suggest a space?
No.
One of the comments that I flagged is still visible, what can I do?
Email [email protected] and our team will triage the comment in question.
The event I am hosting has changed venues, can I update the information?
You will have to repost the event with the updated information or comment with it.
A user has called out my business on SPACES, what recourse do I have?
You are able to respond to comments in SPACES. If you feel that the post is misleading or fraudulent, you can report the post and/or email [email protected].
What if I don’t want to set up an account?
You can view SPACES without signing up as a member. You will need to set up a member account to interact with it.
Can I block certain users from seeing my content on SPACES?
No - if you don’t want it viewed publicly, don’t post it.
Can I post anonymously?
No.
Why did I need to provide more information when I went to post?
We want to keep SPACES safe, authentic and prevent an ecosystem of deception.
Can I message another user via a direct (private) message?
No, SPACES does not have direct message capabilities and has no plans to implement this into future iterations.
Can I @ mention another user and if so, will they be notified?
You can @ mention other users but they will not be notified. If you reply to their post and they have notifications turned on, that user will receive a notification.
How do I contact a host?
The best way to contact a host is to post a message in their space. SPACES does not have direct messaging capabilities.
Why can’t I edit my post?
Once someone comments or reacts, your post can no longer be edited. Similarly, after three minutes has passed, a post can no longer be edited.
How do I report a user?
Currently there aren't capabilities to report a user. You can report one of their posts to the moderation team, and the host of the space will decide whether or not the account should be banned.
What warrants a ban?
Users are banned when they violate the community guidelines repeatedly.
Do users get banned from individual spaces or SPACES entirely?
Users currently can be banned from individual spaces or SPACES in its entirety.
How do I unlike or unreact to a post?
You can reclick the previous action to undo it.
Can I upload videos?
The platform only supports photos, galleries and text for now.