Reporting abuse
Last updated: 20 July 2026
CyberChat is a conduit for private conversations. We cannot read your messages, and we do not scan them. That protects your privacy and your freedom to speak, but it also means we depend on you to tell us when someone misuses the service.
Block someone yourself
The fastest way to stop unwanted contact is to block the person. In a chat, open Report and choose Block this person. That identity will no longer be able to reach you, and they are not told they were blocked. Blocking is immediate and does not require us.
Report an identity to us
To report someone for abuse, open Report in the chat and choose Report to CyberChat. This prepares an email to us that includes only the messages you choose to share, since we cannot see them ourselves. You can also email us directly at abuse@cybercell.co.za.
Helpful things to include:
- the reported person's public identity key (shown in the report);
- the messages or behaviour you are reporting;
- roughly when it happened.
What we can and cannot do
- We cannot read your messages, recover deleted conversations, or confirm what was said, because everything is end-to-end encrypted.
- We can block a reported identity key from connecting to our relay, so it can no longer reach anyone through CyberChat.
- We will review reports and act on serious or credible reports of abuse. We will cooperate with a lawful request from the authorities or a court.
Illegal content, including child sexual abuse material
CyberChat must never be used for child sexual abuse material or any other illegal content. If you encounter it:
- report it directly to the South African Police Service (SAPS), or to the Film and Publications Board;
- preserve the evidence and do not forward the material to anyone else, as forwarding it may itself be an offence;
- you may also report the identity to us so we can ban it from the relay.
How long it takes
We are a small team and review reports as quickly as we reasonably can. For anything urgent or involving immediate danger, contact the police rather than waiting for us.