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Frequently Asked Questions

What is SOU?

SOU is a private social application opened by invitation. Every Wednesday at 9:00 PM, you receive a single curated introduction from verified members — not a profile gallery, but a letter. The intent is chosen from four doors: acquaintance, friendship, professional, conversation.

What is this website, and where is the app?

This website only collects invitation requests. The SOU mobile app is coming soon; the full membership application, identity verification, matching, and weekly letter take place entirely inside the app. The information you leave on the web (name, email, city, intent) is so we can notify you when the app opens.

Will my application be accepted?

No — leaving an invitation request on the web is not a guarantee of membership. The acceptance decision is made in the app after AI-powered identity verification, a verification selfie, and House Council human review.

How much does membership cost?

The purchase screen shows the current plan price, billing period, renewal and cancellation terms. iOS purchases are processed by the App Store and Android purchases by Google Play. No payment is taken on the website.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Manage the subscription in the store where you purchased it: on iOS, App Store → Account → Subscriptions → SOU; on Android, Google Play → Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions → SOU. The store shows the effective date and terms; SOU cannot cancel a store subscription on your behalf.

I want a refund — how?

Request a refund from the store that processed the purchase:

• iOS: Apple Report a Problem
• Android: Google Play refund request

Apple or Google decides store refunds; SOU cannot change that decision. For a technical issue, contact hello@souprivate.com.

How do I close my account?

If you have not yet installed the app, you can request deletion of your web application via the privacy request form or by email to kvkk@souprivate.com (include your reference code). Deletion within 30 days.

If you have installed the app: Settings → Close Account. Data is kept in soft-delete for 30 days, then permanently destroyed.

I've been banned — what can I do?

You may appeal within 14 days of the ban decision by writing to appeal@souprivate.com. Review is completed within 14 business days. Detailed community rules: SOU House Code.

How does identity verification work?

SOU uses AI-powered verification:

• AI identity reading: You scan your ID document with the camera; an AI vision model (OpenAI) reads the name and date of birth on the document and compares your document photo with your verification selfie.
• Verification selfie + face match: A verification selfie is taken from three angles (front, right, left); every photo you upload is matched against this face image.
• Criminal record (optional Safety+): Members who wish to can upload the criminal-record document they obtain from e-Devlet; the AI reads the document and the result is retained. It is not mandatory.

Important: SOU systems do not store the identity document — only the verification result ("verified / not verified") and your age are retained. Your verification selfie is stored for the duration of your membership; it does not appear on your profile and third parties cannot access it. Details: Data Processing Notice.

What happens to fake profiles?

Even after the three layers of verification, suspected fake profiles are reviewed under the House Code. Bots, fake photos, and stolen identities result in permanent ban. Report channel: appeal@souprivate.com.

What should I do if I feel unsafe?

In an emergency, call 112 (emergency services) in Turkey, or the equivalent in your country. For harassment, threats, fraud, or other safety concerns on SOU, write to appeal@souprivate.com with details. Urgent moderation requests are reviewed within 24 hours.

Mental-health crisis or immediate risk of self-harm in Türkiye: call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department. ALO 182 is the MHRS hospital-appointment line, not a crisis or suicide-prevention line. EU: Samaritans 116 123.

I suspect romance scam / fraud

Any message on SOU requesting money transfer, bank details, or directing you to another platform is always fraud. Take a screenshot and forward it to appeal@souprivate.com immediately. You may also report to your local cybercrime authority.

How do I exercise my privacy rights (GDPR/KVKK)?

Under GDPR Art. 15-22 and KVKK Art. 11, you have rights to access, rectification, erasure, portability, and to object to automated decisions. Submit a request via the privacy request form or by email to kvkk@souprivate.com. Response within 30 days.

My question is not here — who should I write to?

For general inquiries: hello@souprivate.com. Response within 3 business days.

Glossary

Terms used in SOU:

• House — Local communities in our cities (Istanbul, London, Paris, Bodrum). Each city has its own event calendar and membership threshold.
• Drop — A single curated introduction delivered every Wednesday at 9:00 PM. Not a profile gallery — a letter.
• Vouch — An existing member recommending an application. One of the three membership paths (invitation, application, vouch).
• Cadde — A members' city guide. Cafés, dinners, art, walking routes curated by members.
• Sunday Letter — A weekly editorial letter. Free to read; no membership required (coming soon).
• Society — Base membership tier: weekly Drop, access to member events.
• Charter — Society plus more frequent letters, House dinners, and founder dinner access.
• Charter Founding — A limited Charter status for the first 600 founding members of the Istanbul House; current price and renewal terms are shown at purchase.
• Elite — Charter + pre-interview + concierge support. Limited capacity.
• Safety+ — An optional criminal-record assurance. A member who wishes to can attach their e-Devlet criminal-record document; the AI reads it and the document is not stored. The member who adds it carries a Safety+ badge on their profile.
• House Code — SOU community rules. Details.