Update github-community-guidelines.md #310
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* Clarifications and additions to our Acceptable Use Policies and Community Guidelines related to disrupting other users’ experience on our platform * Updates to account for scanning for child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery, as well as terrorist or violent extremist content * Add anchors within “What is not allowed” section * Add direct link to Acceptable Use Policies
| @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Millions of developers host millions of projects on GitHub — both open and clo | |||
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| GitHub users worldwide bring wildly different perspectives, ideas, and experiences, and range from people who created their first "Hello World" project last week to the most well-known software developers in the world. We are committed to making GitHub a welcoming environment for all the different voices and perspectives in our community, while maintaining a space where people are free to express themselves. | |||
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| We rely on our community members to communicate expectations, [moderate](#what-if-something-or-someone-offends-you) their projects, and {% data variables.contact.report_abuse %} or {% data variables.contact.report_content %}. We do not actively seek out content to moderate. By outlining what we expect to see within our community, we hope to help you understand how best to collaborate on GitHub, and what type of actions or content may violate our [Terms of Service](#legal-notices). We will investigate any abuse reports and may moderate public content on our site that we determine to be in violation of our Terms of Service. | |||
| We rely on our community members to communicate expectations, [moderate](#what-if-something-or-someone-offends-you) their projects, and {% data variables.contact.report_abuse %} or {% data variables.contact.report_content %}. By outlining what we expect to see within our community, we hope to help you understand how best to collaborate on GitHub, and what type of actions or content may violate our [Terms of Service](#legal-notices), which include our [Acceptable Use Policies](/github/site-policy/github-acceptable-use-policies). We will investigate any abuse reports and may moderate public content on our site that we determine to be in violation of our Terms of Service. | |||
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Does this policy change mean that you will now "actively seek out content to moderate"?
Is there some place to read more about Github's intentions behind this change?
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@ywarnier It says in the commit message "Updates to account for scanning for child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery, as well as terrorist or violent extremist content "
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@ryanaslett fair enough, but that's rather vague. Does it mean that some person will be scanning them (doubtful), or that some Microsoft-designed AI algorithm will be scanning them (more likely), or will that be done with in-house tech from Github?
If the second, will the algorithm's results be used for another purpose afterwards?
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They mention compliance with "the law" in some other commits in this PR but do not mention who's laws. I don't think it would be surprising if that means that they'll someday try to scan repositories for content that the CCP finds objectionable, so that they can selectively "take down" content for specific audiences.
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"the law" is defined by the governing law in the terms of service, which depends on if you're a private person or an entity.
See:
https://docs.github.com/en/free-pro-team@latest/github/site-policy/github-terms-of-service#1-governing-law
https://docs.github.com/en/free-pro-team@latest/github/site-policy/github-corporate-terms-of-service#1-governing-law
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"Your repository has been deleted as it includes DMCA-prohibited content. We say sorry about it. Your Github."
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@ywarnier It says in the commit message "Updates to account for scanning for child sexual exploitation and abuse imagery, as well as terrorist or violent extremist content "
💯 this is the reason. We use a technology (PhotoDNA) that aids in finding and removing known images of child exploitation and terror-related content.
will the algorithm's results be used for another purpose afterwards?
Our use of PhotoDNA does not allow for the results to be used for any other purpose than use of the Service.
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Our ToS https://docs.github.com/en/free-pro-team@latest/github/site-policy/github-terms-of-service#c-acceptable-use states
Your use of the Website and Service must not violate any applicable laws, including copyright or trademark laws, export control or sanctions laws, or other laws in your jurisdiction.
Our government takedowns policy explains
From time to time, GitHub receives requests from governments to remove content that has been declared unlawful in their local jurisdiction. Although we may not always agree with those laws, we may need to block content if we receive a complete request from a government official so that our users in that jurisdiction may continue to have access to GitHub to collaborate and build software.
When we process takedowns under that policy, we post them in our gov-takedowns repo.
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We use a technology (PhotoDNA) that aids in finding and removing known images of child exploitation and terror-related content.
Is it anyhow related to the EU legislation known among opponents to it as "Censorship Machines" (Article 13 of Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on copyright in the Digital Single Market COM/2016/0593)?
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| * **Active malware or exploits** - Being part of a community includes not taking advantage of other members of the community. We do not allow anyone to use our platform for exploit delivery, such as using GitHub as a means to deliver malicious executables, or as attack infrastructure, for example by organizing denial of service attacks or managing command and control servers. Note, however, that we do not prohibit the posting of source code which could be used to develop malware or exploits, as the publication and distribution of such source code has educational value and provides a net benefit to the security community. | ||
| - #### Misinformation and disinformation | ||
| You may not post content that presents a distorted view of reality, whether it is inaccurate or false (misinformation) or is intentionally deceptive (disinformation) because such content is likely to result in harm to the public or to interfere with fair and equal opportunities for all to participate in public life. For example, we do not allow content that may put the well-being of groups of people at risk or limit their ability to take part in a free and open society. We encourage active participation in the expression of ideas, perspectives, and experiences and may not be in a position to dispute personal accounts or observations. We generally allow parody and satire that is in line with our Acceptable Use Polices, and we consider context to be important in how information is received and understood; therefore, it may be appropriate to clarify your intentions via disclaimers or other means, as well as the source(s) of your information. |
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How does this affect artistic projects that distort reality on purpose for editorial comment?
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Thanks @aredridel, we've just made a small edit to clarify. To your question:
Acceptable Use Policies restrict content that
is or contains false, inaccurate, or intentionally deceptive information that is likely to adversely affect the public interest (including health, safety, election integrity, and civic participation);
Our Community Guidelines further note
We generally allow parody and satire that is in line with our Acceptable Use Polices, and we consider context to be important in how information is received and understood
This leaves room for "artistic projects that distort reality on purpose for editorial comment," provided they do not violate those standards.
removing extraneous * per user suggestion Co-authored-by: MarcoAurelio <30000615+MarcoAurelioWM@users.noreply.github.com>
Edit to clarify content rules around Misinformation or disinformation per user comment
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Thanks for all your feedback! The policy changes are now live. You can learn more in our blog post here. |
Updates will go into effect after the 30-day notice and comment period, on November 16, at 5 pm PT.