Code of Conduct
The Internet Freedom Festival is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for discussing issues related to freedom of expression.
We encourage all participants to approach the event with open and positive attitudes, and to engage constructively with others at all times. This code of conduct applies to the IFF conference and all conference-related social events, such as parties or gatherings at restaurants or bars.
It is vital that discussions include many different opinions and experiences, so we do not tolerate any kind of harassment. We will take action in response to harassment related to national origin, gender, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical characteristics, disability, religion, and age.
Guide to Communication
The IFF is an international, multidisciplinary festival. There will be people speaking multiple languages and using terms from various fields of study. English will often be the language we are using, and people who are fluent English speakers will have an advantage over less fluent English speakers.
We encourage all participants to approach the event with open and positive attitudes, and to engage constructively with others at all times.
Please see our full Guide to Communication for details and guidelines.
Unacceptable Behaviors
Harassment may occur online or in person. Examples of unacceptable behaviors include:
1. Verbal comments that reinforce oppression related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age or religion (or lack thereof);
2. Imitating or making fun of accents or grammatical errors, or giving unsolicited grammar corrections (but clarifying questions are fine);
3. Verbal threats or demands;
4. Sexualized images in public spaces;
5. Intimidation;
6. Stalking;
7. Harassing photography or recording;
8. Sustained disruption of sessions or events;
9. Unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention;
10. Drugging food or drink;
11. Violating the conference privacy policy in order to attract negative attention to an attendee;
12. Enlisting the help of others, whether in person or online, in order to target an attendee;
13. Gender assumptions and policing;
14. Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behavior.
Let someone leave a conversation that makes them uncomfortable, and do not follow people who asked to be left alone. If you discuss difficult topics that may be traumatic for participants, provide warnings so people may leave a conversation or plan coping strategies.
Participants who are asked to stop harassing behaviors are expected to cease immediately. Depending on severity of harassment or repeat offenses, IFF staff will respond appropriately, including but not limited to giving warnings or expulsion from the event. With the consent of the person being harassed, local authorities will be called if needed.
We count on everyone - from partner organizations to individuals - to do their part to ensure positive experiences for all participants. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of IFF staff immediately.
See Reporting Violations [1] below for contact information.
Incident Response Committee Members
The following individuals form the IFF Code of Conduct Incident Response Committee:
- Gaba Rodriguez
- Xeenarh
- Lindsay Beck
- Mohamad Najem
- Sandy Ordóñez
- Sergio Araiza
- Trinh Nguyen
- Chad Hurley
If your concern involves a member of the committee, they will remove themselves from handling your report.
Reporting Violations
Reports can be made confidentially by doing one of the following:
1. Locating a member of the IFF staff on-site. IFF staff can be identified by conference logo shirts, and will be at the information desk by the front entrance throughout the conference.
2. Emailing [email protected] | GPG Public Key: 6CD8 B9F6 E6FE 90A9 1746 B7FC 780B 01E4 9BFD
3. Twitter Direct Message to @InternetFF | https://twitter.com/internetff
All reports are confidential. You will not be asked to take actions that make you feel unsafe. Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference.
Local Emergency Information: https://internetfreedomfestival.org/wiki/index.php/Emergency_Numbers
Privacy Policy
Since many participants rely on privacy-enhancing technology to protect their freedom of expression, the Internet Freedom Festival will use the Chatham House Rule for sessions:
https://www.chathamhouse.org/about/chatham-house-rule/translations
“When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”
Use the Chatham House Rule for session notes as well. Do not take pictures, or record audio or video inside the festival venue. When taking pictures outside the venue, please make sure that only people who consent to pictures are included.
There will be an area for press where they can conduct interviews. This area will be clearly marked. In addition,
- You must wear your nametag at all times inside the festival venue.
- Do not tweet, post, or publish information about individuals unless you obtain clear permission from them. This includes all tagging on social media.
Failure to comply with any of the above stated policies constitutes sufficient grounds for expulsion from the event.
Code of Conduct Last Updated: 1 February 2018
