Frequently Asked Questions¶

General¶

What does SPARK mean?¶

SPARK stands for Simple Profile and Roleplay Kit.

It's also a small reference to the first legendary I crafted, Incinerator, which has a precusor named Spark.

Is SPARK safe to use?¶

SPARK is designed to be safe to use. Profile data is handled as JSON, validated against size and field limits, and never executed as code.

The SPARK server rejects invalid or unexpected profile payloads very strictly, in addition to the module's checks.

Why do you need an API key?¶

In order to tie your SPARK profile to your character and account, we need this added into Blish HUD.

This helps prevent users from attempting to impersonate another user and allows other functions like blocking and moderation to function.

When your profiles are sent to SPARK, we also request a subtoken of your API Key from Blish HUD. We then use this to contact GW2 briefly to verify that you are who you say you are, otherwise the profile won't upload to SPARK and won't be seen by others.

Privacy / Data¶

What data does SPARK collect?¶

SPARK relays your profile data through a webserver in order to pass the information along to other users when you are online.

Strictly for syncing: Your data is only used to send your profile to others and share
Automatic Deletion: If you do not appear online for 24 hours, your profile data is automatically removed from the server.
No tracking or AI: SPARK does not use profile data for analytics, machine learning, or AI tools. Reported profiles may be reviewed only for moderation purposes.

When you view someone's profile, it saves a local copy of the file to your PC in the Blish HUD folder located at Documents\Guild Wars 2\addons\blishhud\spark on Windows.

What data is shared?¶

SPARK only publishes your profile and presence data if you turn on profile sharing.

Presence is a mini-snippet of your profile, which is used for tooltips when you hover over a profile on the online list, as well as populating fields on this window.

Information that is sent include:
- All profile fields you can fill in
- Your RP status (online, looking, etc.)
- Region (for filtering between NA and EU)
- Your GW2 account name
- Your GW2 character name
- Your profile name (the name you set for your profile in the profile manager window)
- Who you blocked in SPARK (for syncing with the server, see below)

Account Blocks¶

SPARK has a feature that allows you to block someone by their GW2 Account Name. Clicking on the 'Block' button on a profile will automatically add them to your block list.

Before SPARK connects and publishes your profile to the server, it stops first to sync with your block list.

When someone is blocked by you, they no longer can see:
- If you are online
- Any new profile data
- Your location

Blocked users may have already viewed a profile and have a local copy on their machine. This is the only profile they will be able to view and will never see any updates or anything else from that GW2 Account unless unblocked.

I don't want others to see me online!¶

If you set your status to 'Invisible', you will appear offline to everyone.

I don't want others seeing my location!¶

You can hide your location in the module settings panel by checking a box. This immediately turns your profile location to 'Hidden' everywhere for users.

SPARK Content Policy¶

SPARK offers a report function and a block function to allow you to curate your experience when using the tool.

Spark may permanently block access to the service to any GW2 account that breaks these rules

By using SPARK, you agree to the following:

1. No hate speech or bigotry¶

Profiles may not include racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise disciminatory content. This list is not exhaustive. Be kind to others.

2. No harassment or targeted abuse¶

Do not make profiles that insult, shame, threaten, stalk, or attempt to organize/coordinate harassment against another player.

3. NSFW profiles must be marked as Mature/18+¶

Profiles should be set to Mature/18+ if they contain any explicit content that is not suitable for minors. Please report any profiles that are not properly set for moderation/review.

SPARK may permanently mark all of your profiles on your account as 18+ if you break this rule repeatedly.

4. No abusive sexual content¶

Sexual content involving minors (real or fictional underage characters) is strictly prohibited on this service.

Moderation¶

Reporting Profiles¶

You are able to report profiles for breaking rules, such as having content that is hateful on their profile, or if they have explicit sexual content in a profile not marked as 18+.

SPARK reports only work on profiles that exist on the server. Because profiles older than 24 hours with no login are removed, this means reports do not go through on these profiles.

This is by design, as reports capture a snapshot of what is stored on their profile currently on the server. Anyone can locally edit a profile on their machine, then view it in SPARK, and take a screenshot. By validating the information on the server, we can trust the reports we receive.

Service Blocks¶

Accounts may lose access to SPARK for rule breaking or any behaviour considered malicious or disruptive to the service itself or other users. You will receive a message in the SPARK module that tells you that you have been blocked if this is the case.

Forced Mature Rating¶

Accounts may be permanently set to 18+ for ALL profiles on their account if they do not mark their profiles as 18+ and put explicit sexual details into them. Please ensure you put information into your profiles responsibly. Not everyone wants to read a paragraph describing your Sylvari's "Caladbolg".