The open-platform model

Change.org is an open platform with room for a wide range of perspectives so people everywhere can take action on the issues they care about. Every campaign on the platform is started by users — people and organizations around the world use Change.org to start campaigns, mobilize supporters, and work with decision-makers to drive solutions (source).

The platform supports robust debate. Content is removed only when it clearly violates Community Guidelines — categories such as hate speech and incitement of violence.

What the Community Guidelines cover

The Community Guidelines apply to all content posted on Change.org, including:

Petitions
Updates
Comments
Photographs
Usernames

Behaviors Change.org encourages

The Community Guidelines actively encourage users to:

Speak out on issues they want to change
Tell their personal story
Choose the right decision-maker
Mobilize friends, family, and community
Stay open to disagreement
Update supporters with developments
Be kind, especially around sensitive topics

Content categories that are restricted

Content involving the following is prohibited or restricted on Change.org:

Hate or discriminatory speech
Support for hate groups
Illegal activity
Privacy violations and posting personally identifiable information
Bullying, harassment, stalking, trolling, and vexatious behavior
Terrorist content
Incitement to violence or hatred
Gratuitous or graphic violent content
False or misleading information
Misinformation and disinformation
Harmful health misinformation
Content that promotes self-harm or suicide

Moderation removes content that clearly violates these categories.

Age requirements

In the United States, users must be at least 13 years old to create an account or post content.
In most countries outside the United States, users must be at least 16 years old unless local law allows otherwise.
Only parents and legal guardians have the right to post content about their children online, including a minor's name, image, or other personally identifiable information.

Election and civic integrity

The Community Guidelines prohibit activities that undermine election integrity, including false information about voting procedures, candidates, or election results.

How the open-platform model holds together

Change.org's policy model combines:

Broad permission for user-created campaigns — anyone can start a petition on any issue within the guidelines
Explicit content categories that are restricted — clear rules for hate speech, harassment, harmful misinformation, election integrity, and minor safety
Platform moderation for clear violations — enforcement of Community Guidelines with viewpoint-neutral judgment
A public commitment to constructive civic participation — robust debate within rules that protect the platform and its users

Change.org Open Platform, Moderation, and Community Rules