1Why these rules matter
Millions of people in India get scam links by SMS and WhatsApp every day. When one hi4.in link is used for a scam, browsers, WhatsApp and telecom operators may start blocking every hi4.in link — including yours. These rules protect visitors and every honest business that uses hi4.in.
This policy is part of our Terms of service. It applies to short links, QR codes, bio and business pages, digital cards, files, and anything else you create or share with hi4.in. You must not use hi4.in to link to, host or promote any of the following.
2Zero tolerance
Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and any sexual content involving minors. We remove it immediately, close the account permanently, keep the records and report it to the authorities as Indian law requires.
We also act immediately, without warning, on phishing, malware and links used for financial fraud.
3Fraud, phishing and impersonation
- Phishing: pages that trick people into giving passwords, OTPs, UPI PINs, card details or Aadhaar, PAN or bank details.
- Impersonating banks, UPI apps (such as PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm or BHIM), NPCI, payment wallets, delivery companies, telecom operators or government bodies (such as UIDAI, Income Tax, EPFO, Parivahan or India Post).
- Fake "KYC update", "electricity bill", "refund", "reward points", "parcel held" or "account blocked" messages and pages.
- Scams: fake jobs, part-time task or "like and earn" schemes, fake loans, investment and trading schemes, lotteries, crypto giveaways and advance-fee fraud.
- Fake customer-care numbers and pages pretending to be a real business.
- Impersonating any person or brand in a way that misleads people.
4Malware and harmful apps
- Viruses, spyware, ransomware, trojans or any software that harms devices or steals data.
- APK files and apps from outside official app stores that ask for SMS, accessibility, screen-sharing or remote-access permissions, or that pretend to be a bank, UPI or government app.
- Links that start downloads automatically, or that exploit browser or device weaknesses.
5Illegal goods and gambling
- Illegal gambling and betting, including unlicensed betting, satta and matka, and offshore betting or casino apps.
- Counterfeit or fake branded goods, pirated films, music, software or courses.
- Drugs, weapons, explosives, wildlife products or anything else that is illegal to sell in India.
- Pornography or obscene content, and intimate images shared without consent.
- Content that promotes terrorism or violence, or that is otherwise unlawful in India.
- Deliberately false information meant to cause harm, such as fake government notices.
6Hate, harassment and privacy
- Hate speech or content that attacks people because of religion, caste, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability or place of origin.
- Harassment, bullying, threats, stalking or encouraging self-harm.
- Publishing someone's private information — such as phone numbers, addresses, Aadhaar or bank details — without their consent.
- Content that infringes someone else's copyright, trademark or other rights.
7Spam and bulk messages
- Unsolicited bulk SMS, WhatsApp or email messages, or messages to people who have not agreed to hear from you.
- Commercial SMS that do not follow TRAI rules, including DLT registration, registered templates and URL whitelisting.
- Posting links in comments, groups or forums in bulk, or using bought or scraped contact lists.
8Misusing links
- Ad-redirect chains: sending visitors through pages of ads or pop-ups before the real destination.
- Cloaking: showing one page to our checks or to reviewers and a different page to visitors.
- Hiding a blocked or reported link behind a hi4.in link, or chaining several shorteners to avoid safety checks.
- Link farming and SEO spam: creating links in bulk only to manipulate search rankings.
- Faking clicks or scans with bots, or selling hi4.in links or clicks.
Allowed: affiliate and sponsored links, as long as you disclose them clearly to your audience.
9Misusing the service
- Overloading the service, scraping it, or using automation outside the API and its rate limits.
- Creating several accounts to get around plan limits or a suspension.
- Testing or attacking our security without following our responsible disclosure rules.
- Reselling hi4.in without a partner agreement.
10How we enforce this policy
- New links made with our website tools are checked automatically for scam signs, such as look-alike bank and UPI addresses, and dangerous links are refused.
- Reports from visitors are reviewed by a person.
- Depending on how serious it is, we may warn you, disable a link or page, show visitors a warning instead of redirecting, suspend your account or close it permanently.
- Repeat or serious breaches lead to permanent closure. Accounts closed for abuse are not refunded, except where the law requires.
- We keep records and share them with law enforcement when Indian law requires it.
If you think we got it wrong, write to our Grievance officer and we will review the decision.
11How to report abuse
Seen a hi4.in link used for a scam or abuse? Use the Report a link form, or email support@hi4.in with the link and what is wrong with it. You do not need an account.
Tip: add + to the end of any hi4.in link to see where it goes without opening it.
Lost money to a fraud? Call the National Cyber Crime Helpline on 1930 straight away, or report it at cybercrime.gov.in. Acting within the first few hours gives the best chance of stopping the money.