Last Updated 02/28/25

Code of Conduct

Backyard Breaks Streamer Code of Conduct

Our Commitment to Integrity, Fairness, & Community

At Backyard Breaks, we believe that breaking is more than just buying and selling—it’s about building a passionate and engaged community. Every live streamer on our team represents our brand and is an extension of our values. That’s why we are committed to creating a space where everyone, no matter their background, feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

Trust, transparency, and fairness are at the core of everything we do. From the way our streamers interact with viewers to how we conduct our breaks, we believe in full honesty and integrity at every step. Our streamers are expected to engage with professionalism, accurately represent products, and always prioritize the customer experience. Whether you're here to chase a big hit, find great deals, or just enjoy the thrill of the hobby, we want every interaction to reflect our dedication to fairness and authenticity.

To uphold these values, we have developed the Backyard Breaks Streamer Code of Conduct—a set of clear expectations and guidelines that all of our streamers must follow. These guidelines are designed to ensure that every break is conducted ethically, every customer is treated with respect, and every transaction is handled with integrity.

Beginning February 28th, 2025 - this Code of Conduct applies to all Backyard Breaks streamers during live breaks, interactions with customers, and any content posted on social media or other platforms.

NOTE: As Backyard Breaks evolves and grows, these policies will be updated and adapted to encompass that evolution/growth.

Enforcement & Reporting Violations

If a Backyard Breaks streamer fails to uphold our Streamer Code of Conduct, we will take immediate action based on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Review & Investigation - Our Community Integrity Team will gather relevant information - including stream footage, customer reports, and direct feedback.
Corrective Action - If a violation is confirmed, actions may include:
- A verbal warning with guidance on correcting the behavior
- A formal written warning and strike with guidance on correcting the behavior
- A temporary suspension from streaming privileges if the issue persists or is more serious
- Permanent removal from our streaming team for severe or repeated offenses

Transparency & Accountability - While we always strive to be fair and thorough in our enforcement process, we will not tolerate any actions that compromise the integrity of our community.

Notwithstanding the above, Backyard Breaks reserves the right to take any necessary action against an employee or streamer it chooses, depending on the circumstances of each case.

If you have concerns about a streamer's conduct, we encourage you to reach out to our Community Integrity Team at integrity@backyardbreaks.com. Every report is taken seriously, and we are committed to maintaining a safe and professional environment for all collectors.

Community Integrity Team

The Community Integrity Team is a dedicated group within Backyard Breaks responsible for upholding our values and ensuring fairness across all live streams. This team operates independently from sales, commissions, or any other incentives, allowing them to make unbiased decisions focused solely on maintaining a trustworthy and transparent experience for our community.

Their key responsibilities include:

Monitoring live streams to ensure compliance with our Streamer Code of Conduct.
Receiving and reviewing customer concerns, misconduct reports, or feedback.
Conducting thorough investigations using stream footage, customer reports, and direct feedback.
Delivering fair and objective rulings on violations.
Providing guidance and education to streamers when corrective action is necessary.

By enforcing these standards, we aim to foster a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for all. If you ever have concerns or feedback about your experience, we encourage you to reach out. Our community is what makes Backyard Breaks special, and we are committed to earning and maintaining your trust every day.

Thank you for being a part of the Backyard Breaks family!

Professional Communication & Responsible Conduct

Backyard Breaks expressly prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment against any of our employees, customers, viewers, vendors, or independent contractors, based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, religion or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.

Conduct that unlawfully interferes with Backyard Breaks’ customers or viewers use and enjoyment of Backyard Breaks’ services or an employee’s work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment is prohibited.

Backyard Breaks takes all allegations of unlawful discrimination and harassment seriously and is firmly committed to ensuring an environment free of discriminatory activities. Any employee engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment is subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.

Backyard Breaks streamers are expected to maintain a professional and welcoming presence at all times, both during live streams and in all interactions with viewers, customers, and fellow community members. Every word and action a streamer takes reflects on our brand, and it is essential that all communication remains professional, inclusive, and respectful.

This includes but is not limited to:

Hate speech
Inciting violence & self-harm
Explicit content
Harassment & bullying
Illegal or unlawful activity

A safe and respectful community is built on fairness, kindness, and accountability. Streamers are expected to set an example and immediately address or report any inappropriate behavior that arises in their streams.

Hate Speech

Backyard Breaks has a strict policy toward hate speech and discriminatory language. Hate speech is any language, imagery, or behavior that targets, marginalizes, or degrades individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, religion or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Regardless of intent, this type of speech fosters a hostile environment and will not be tolerated.

Examples of Violations:

Using racial slurs, offensive language, or derogatory jokes, even if meant as humor.
Making degrading or belittling comments about an individual’s race, gender, or background.
Displaying or promoting hate group symbols, extremist ideologies, or any imagery that is offensive or politically charged.
Encouraging or allowing hate speech in live chat without taking immediate action to remove it.
Spreading harmful stereotypes, even in a "joking" manner.

Best Practices for Maintaining Inclusivity:

Encourage respectful, positive conversations among viewers.
Immediately remove any offensive remarks from the chat and issue a warning or ban the offender if necessary.
Be mindful of language and humor to ensure that it remains appropriate for all audiences.
If necessary, make it clear in your streams that hate speech will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Inciting Violence & Self-Harm

We have a strict no-violence policy, which includes inciting harm toward others, encouraging self-harm, or making light of dangerous behavior. This includes verbal threats, jokes, or any language that glorifies or encourages violent or harmful actions. Even if a comment is meant sarcastically or playfully, it can contribute to an unsafe environment.

Streamers must also be mindful that their audience may include vulnerable individuals. Making jokes about self-harm or suicide can have serious real-world consequences, and we expect all streamers to act responsibly when discussing sensitive topics.

Examples of Violations:

Making direct or indirect threats of violence toward another individual, streamer, or competitor.
Encouraging viewers to "go after" someone or suggesting harm against a person or business.
Making jokes about harming oneself or others ("If I don’t pull a big card, I’m going to hurt myself.").
Displaying violent or graphic content that could be distressing to viewers.

Best Practices for Preventing Harm:

Monitor and remove any violent, threatening, or harmful language from chat immediately.
Be mindful of how you phrase excitement or disappointment in a break—avoid extreme statements that could be misinterpreted.
Promote positive, responsible engagement with the hobby.

Explicit Content

While we encourage streamers to bring their personalities and enthusiasm to their streams, content that is overly sexual, vulgar, or graphic in nature is strictly prohibited. Content that is inappropriate, offensive, or suggestive can create an uncomfortable or unprofessional atmosphere for viewers. Many collectors watch streams with family members, and inappropriate content can damage both our community’s trust and our brand’s reputation.

Examples of Violations:

Making sexually explicit comments, jokes, or innuendos that are inappropriate for a broad audience.
Displaying or discussing nudity, pornography, or any form of sexually suggestive content.
Wearing overly revealing clothing or engaging in suggestive body movements to attract attention.
Making crude or offensive jokes about sexual content, assault, or other sensitive topics.
Engaging in flirtatious or provocative behavior that could make viewers uncomfortable.

Best Practices:

Keep language professional and respectful—avoid crude humor, excessive profanity, or inappropriate jokes.
Be mindful of body language and gestures to ensure nothing could be misinterpreted as suggestive.
Screen all images, videos, and audio before displaying them on stream to ensure they are appropriate.
Use Whatnot’s 18+ content filter when discussing mature topics, but still keep discussions professional.
Lead by example and set a high standard of professionalism for both yourself and your audience.

Harassment & Bullying

Harassment and bullying in any form—whether directed at customers, fellow streamers, or competitors—are strictly prohibited.

Harassment includes verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, discrimination, and online harassment, all of which create a toxic environment and erode trust within our community. Streamers must foster a culture of professionalism and respect where all individuals feel safe to participate in live breaks and community discussions without fear of mistreatment.

Examples of Violations:

Insulting, mocking, or belittling a viewer, another streamer, or a competitor.
Threatening, intimidating, or retaliating against someone for criticism or disagreement.
Publicly shaming or exposing personal information about another person (doxxing).
Making inappropriate, offensive, or discriminatory comments about someone’s appearance, gender, race, religion, or personal identity.
Encouraging or allowing viewers to attack, harass, or gang up on someone in chat or on social media.
Using offensive nicknames or slurs to describe someone, even if intended as humor.
Engaging in cyberbullying tactics, including spreading false information or attempting to damage another person's reputation.

Best Practices:

Treat everyone in the community with respect, regardless of personal differences or disagreements.
Address customer concerns or complaints professionally, without sarcasm, insults, or aggression.
If a disagreement arises, de-escalate the situation rather than engaging in hostility.
Set the expectation that Backyard Breaks is a respectful and welcoming space, both on-stream and in external interactions such as social media.

Illegal or Unlawful Activity

Backyard Breaks strictly prohibits any illegal, unlawful, or unethical activity on our streams. All streamers must comply with local, state, and federal laws, as well as platform regulations. Any form of fraudulent, deceptive, or unauthorized behavior undermines trust in the community and damages the reputation of our brand.

Examples of Violations:

Using unauthorized methods to bypass platform fees, commissions, or transaction restrictions.
Displaying, consuming, or encouraging the use of illegal drugs or substances on stream.
Engaging in fraudulent chargebacks, money laundering, or other deceptive financial practices.
Encouraging customers to engage in off-platform transactions that violate Whatnot’s policies or increase fraud risk.

Best Practices:

Be transparent in all sales and clearly disclose terms, conditions, and product details.
Follow the platform policies, including proper fee structures and transaction guidelines.
Never promote, display, or encourage drug use, excessive alcohol consumption, or other illegal activities.
If a customer has concerns about a transaction, resolve disputes fairly and honestly—never retaliate against refund requests or complaints.

Misinformation, Misrepresentation, & Misleading Consumers

Upholding Honesty & Transparency in Every Transaction

At Backyard Breaks, honesty and transparency are the foundation of our community. Customers trust us to provide accurate information, fair transactions, and an authentic breaking experience. Any form of misleading statements, deception, or dishonesty is strictly prohibited. Violations of these standards erode trust and damage the integrity of our brand.

This includes but is not limited to:

Misleading Information
Deception & Manipulation
Misrepresentation of Affiliation or Authority
Fraud, Deception, Spam & Impersonation

Misleading Information

Providing false, exaggerated, or unclear information about products, break odds, or promotions misleads customers and violates our commitment to fairness. Misleading information can cause customers to make purchasing decisions based on false expectations, leading to disappointment and loss of trust.

Examples of Violations:

Claiming a product is “extremely rare” or “one-of-a-kind” when it is widely available.
Overstating the chances of pulling a high-value card in a break.
Saying that certain “chase” teams or cards are still available when they have already been pulled.
Advertising a repack as having the “case hit active” when it has already been pulled.
Misrepresenting a box as “fresh from a case” when it was acquired as a loose box.
Falsely stating the market value of a card to inflate perceived worth.

Best Practices for Transparency:

Clearly disclose what is known and unknown about a product.
Use fact-based descriptions instead of exaggerated claims.
If unsure about a card's status, state it honestly, such as: “I don’t know if that card has been pulled yet.”
Ensure all promotional materials, stream discussions, and sales listings are accurate and not misleading.

Deception & Manipulation

Any form of deceptive sales tactics, manipulative behavior, or dishonest practices is strictly prohibited. Customers should always have clear, truthful information before making a purchase.

Examples of Violations:

Saying a break is “almost sold out” when many spots remain.
Overstating an item’s value without supporting market data.
Using misleading camera angles to make a card’s condition appear better than it is.
Pressuring customers to overpay through guilt or deceptive comparisons.

Best Practices for Honesty:

Provide accurate, real-time updates on break availability.
Offer fair, factual descriptions of a card’s condition and value.
Avoid sales tactics that create artificial urgency to manipulate purchasing decisions.
If discussing potential value, use verifiable sources or market trends to support claims.

Misrepresentation of Affiliation or Authority

Falsely claiming partnerships, endorsements, or insider access creates a false sense of credibility and is strictly prohibited. Customers rely on streamers for accurate and trustworthy information, and misrepresenting affiliations damages community trust.

Examples of Violations:

Claiming to have an exclusive partnership with a brand when none exists.
Misrepresenting oneself as an official representative of a sports league, brand, or grading service.
Implying that a product is a Backyard Breaks exclusive when it is widely available.
Falsely suggesting that a company provides inside access to product allocations.

Best Practices for Ethical Representation:

Only promote official partnerships backed by written agreements.
Clearly disclose the nature of any affiliations with brands, distributors, or manufacturers.
Never exaggerate or imply exclusivity unless it is verifiably true.
Ensure that customers understand the legitimacy and scope of any special offers.

Fraud, Deception, Spam, & Impersonation

Any form of fraud, deceptive business practices, impersonation, or spam-like behavior is strictly prohibited. Fraudulent activity not only violates our standards but may also have legal consequences.

Examples of Violations:

Rigging giveaways, auctions, or sales to deceive participants.
Advertising a prize, discount, or promotion that is never actually awarded.
Misrepresenting the value, rarity, or authenticity of a product.
Impersonating another seller, business, or community member to mislead customers.
Posting fake customer reviews or testimonials to artificially boost credibility.

Best Practices for Ethical Transactions:

Ensure all promotional offers are honored exactly as advertised.
Never manipulate auction results or alter odds unfairly.
Use real, verifiable credentials when presenting yourself to customers.
Follow all platform regulations and ensure transactions comply with Whatnot’s policies.

Safety & Security

Protecting Customers, Community, & Streamers

At Backyard Breaks, the safety and security of our community, staff, and streamers—both on and off the platform—is our top priority. We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and secure environment for all participants.

This includes but is not limited to:

Youth & Child Safety
Protecting Customer & Community Safety
Responsible Content
Drugs & Alcohol

Streamers must act responsibly and proactively to maintain a secure and positive environment for all participants.

Youth & Child Safety

While Backyard Breaks does not specifically market to children, we recognize that minors may be present in our audience. Streamers must maintain professional boundaries at all times and ensure that interactions with minors remain appropriate. Failing to do so can create serious risks for both the individual streamer and the broader community.

Examples of Violations:

Engaging in private or direct communication with minors outside of public streams.
Asking for or collecting personal information from minors.
Using inappropriate language, jokes, or discussions that are unsuitable for younger audiences.
Displaying or discussing adult themes, including sexually explicit content, violence, or substance use.

Best Practices for Child Safety:

Moderate chat carefully to prevent harmful interactions and take immediate action against inappropriate comments.
If unsure about a viewer’s age, err on the side of caution and keep interactions strictly professional.
Use audience controls appropriately to limit exposure of mature content to younger viewers.

Protecting Customers & Community Safety

True safety goes beyond respectful communication—it involves protecting personal information, preventing harm, and ensuring all interactions are conducted with professionalism and care. Streamers are responsible for safeguarding customer privacy and preventing behavior that could harm the community.

Examples of Violations:

Sharing or exposing customer names, addresses, payment details, or order history without consent.
Encouraging viewers to attack, harass, or target a dissatisfied customer.
Allowing or facilitating chargeback scams, fraudulent transactions, or unethical refund policies.
Discussing a customer’s private conversations, financial status, or personal life publicly.
Pressuring customers to make transactions outside of the approved platform, increasing fraud risk.

Best Practices for Community Safety:

Never share or expose private customer information under any circumstances.
Resolve disputes professionally and fairly—never retaliate against customers for complaints.
Immediately shut down harassment, bullying, or aggressive behavior in chat—use chat moderators if necessary.
Ensure all financial transactions are transparent and compliant with Whatnot’s policies.

Responsible Content

Streamers are responsible for everything they say, show, and promote—both on and off their streams. Reckless, dangerous, or irresponsible content—whether intentional or not—can have real-world consequences and reflect poorly on Backyard Breaks. All content must align with professional standards and promote a safe, enjoyable experience for the community.

Examples of Violations:

Sharing sensitive business information that could compromise security, including shipping logistics or internal operations.
Streaming from unsafe locations, increasing the risk of theft, injury, or safety concerns.
Engaging in reckless or dangerous activities on stream, such as handling items irresponsibly, driving while streaming, or performing stunts.
Encouraging unsafe in-person interactions between community members, such as pressuring viewers to meet up.
Participating in reckless social media challenges or trends that could cause harm.
Using deepfakes, altered media, or misleading edits to create false narratives.

Best Practices for Responsible Content:

Ensure all content aligns with professional standards and does not encourage risky behavior.
Avoid promoting or glamorizing unsafe practices, including dangerous stunts, excessive gambling, or unverified claims.
Verify all information before sharing it on stream to avoid spreading false or misleading claims.
Be mindful of your streaming environment—avoid broadcasting from locations that could create security risks.
Maintain ethical standards in both live content and social media engagement.

Drugs & Alcohol

Backyard Breaks enforces a strict policy against drug and alcohol use while streaming. Streamers must remain fully sober, professional, and in control at all times when representing Backyard Breaks. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while live on stream is explicitly prohibited.

Examples of Violations:

Consuming or appearing intoxicated while live on any platform.
Displaying, promoting, or discussing illegal drug use in any capacity.
Drinking alcohol or referencing intoxication during a stream.
Encouraging or glamorizing substance use, excessive drinking, or drug culture on stream or in social media posts.

Best Practices for Professionalism:

Remain sober and professional at all times when representing Backyard Breaks.
Do not reference drug or alcohol use in a way that could be seen as encouraging or glorifying it.
If discussing health-related topics, ensure that the conversation remains professional and appropriate.
Set an example for your audience by maintaining a clean and responsible public image.If you witness another streamer engaging in inappropriate behavior related to drugs or alcohol, report it to the Community Integrity Team.