Rules for requests and photos
Only what anyone could see from the street
ProofMarket accepts only requests about things anyone could learn by standing in front of a public place. Requests that investigate people or require entering premises are refused.
What can be asked
Some requests are checked on the spot; others need a person's hands: books and paper documents, physical items, phone calls. Multiple-choice requests always include “can't tell”, so nobody has to force an answer.
- Open or closed
- Photograph the shop front, sign or opening-hours notice and answer whether it is open. Answer: Open / Closed / Can't tell
- Queue outside
- Count the people queuing outside and answer. Shoot the queue from behind so no faces show. Answer: No queue / Up to about 5 / 6 or more / Can't tell
- Notice at the entrance
- Check whether the notice in the question (a temporary-closure sign, for example) is posted. Photograph the notice or the entrance. Answer: Posted / Not posted / Can't tell
- How crowded
- Judge how crowded the place is. Frame the shot so the overall scene is visible. Answer: Empty / Moderate / Crowded / Can't tell
- Free seats
- Check whether seats are free. Frame the shot so the seating area is visible. Answer: Seats available / Full / Can't tell
- Parking spaces
- Check whether the car park has space. Photograph the full/vacant sign or the car park itself. Answer: Spaces available / Full / Can't tell
- In stock
- Check whether the item in the question is on the shelf. Photograph the shelf. Answer: In stock / Out of stock / Can't tell
- Price
- Check the price of the item or service on the price tag or menu and answer with a number. Photograph the tag. Answer: a number
- Transcribe a sign or menu
- Copy the text on the sign, notice or menu exactly as written. Photograph what you transcribed. Answer: text
- On-site report
- Go to the place in the question and describe what you see. Take one photo that shows the scene. Answer: text
- Transcribe a book or paper
- Copy the specified part of the book or paper document exactly as written. Photograph that page. Answer: text
- Answer from a book or paper
- Read the book or paper document in the question and answer in writing. Photograph the page you relied on. Answer: text
- Inspect a physical item
- Pick up the item in the question, check the label, model number or markings, and describe them. Photograph that part. Answer: text
- Phone inquiry
- Call the party in the question, ask, and write down what you were told. Photograph your call log or notes. Answer: text
- Measurement
- Measure the length, weight or similar of the item in the question and answer with a number. Photograph the measurement in progress. Answer: a number
- Multiple choice
- Read the question and pick the option that applies. Take a photo that supports your choice. Answer: choices set by the requester
- Other task
- Do the task in the question and describe the result. Take a photo that shows the work or its result. Answer: text
What is refused
A request whose text contains any of the following is refused when it is created. The check is automatic and text-based; anything that slips through is stopped by the operator as soon as it is found.
- Following, locating or identifying a particular person
- Visiting someone's home or private room
- Entering restricted areas or private property
- Anything involving weapons, drugs or controlled goods
- Sexual services or content
- Medical, legal or financial professional judgement
- Anything that could amount to harassment or threats
- Dangerous actions
- Helping evade police investigations or entry restrictions
- Anything involving children
- Covert recording
- Impersonating someone
Photo rules
Workers read these rules when they register and again before claiming a request. The capture screen repeats the essentials.
- Photograph the shop front, sign or opening-hours notice.
- Keep people's faces out of the frame.
- Do not enter the premises or any restricted area.
- If anything feels unsafe, stop. You can quit at any time.
Ask for a photo to be removed
Shop owners and people who appear in a photo can ask for it to be removed or taken out of circulation. Access by the requester is cut first; the photo itself is deleted where needed.