Acceptable Use Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This Acceptable Use Policy ("Policy") governs the use of grant-funded services provided by Gotham & Oz. Our services are provided exclusively to support activists, nonprofits, and human rights defenders in defending truth and protecting their missions from coordinated defamation attacks.

By applying for or accepting grant-funded services, you agree to use Gotham & Oz services ethically, legally, and in accordance with this Policy.

2. Permitted Uses

Gotham & Oz services may be used for the following purposes:

2.1 Defensive Activities

Defending Against Defamation: Responding to false or misleading statements that harm your reputation or mission
Crisis Response: Managing coordinated information attacks, reputation crises, and narrative warfare
Litigation Support: Supporting legal defense against defamation, including evidence preparation and forensic analysis
Accountability: Holding publishers, journalists, advertisers, and ad-tech companies accountable for brand safety failures and negligent dissemination of defamatory content

2.2 Public Interest Activities

Protecting Advocacy Work: Defending activists, nonprofits, and human rights defenders whose mission advances social justice, environmental protection, human rights, or accountability of powerful interests
Exposing Misconduct: Supporting organizations that expose corruption, abuse of power, or violations of public trust
Protecting Press Freedom: Defending legitimate journalism and investigative reporting from strategic defamation designed to silence accountability work

2.3 Ethical Intelligence Gathering

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT): Analysis of publicly available information from websites, social media, public records, court documents, and published materials
Forensic Analysis: Technical analysis of published articles, media content, metadata, and digital artifacts
Network Mapping: Identifying relationships, patterns, and coordination among publishers, journalists, and attack campaigns using publicly available information

3. Prohibited Uses

The following activities are strictly prohibited and constitute grounds for immediate termination of grant services and potential legal action:

3.1 Illegal Activities

Computer Fraud and Abuse (CFAA Violations): Unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, databases, email accounts, or protected systems
Wiretap Act Violations: Interception of electronic communications, unauthorized recording of conversations, or illegal surveillance
Hacking or Unauthorized Access: Attempting to access, penetrate, or compromise systems without authorization
Identity Theft or Impersonation: Assuming false identities, impersonating individuals or organizations, or creating fake accounts to deceive
Privacy Violations: Unlawful collection of personally identifiable information, medical records, financial data, or protected personal information
Harassment or Stalking: Using services to harass, intimidate, threaten, or stalk individuals
Defamation or False Statements: Creating, disseminating, or amplifying false or misleading information about individuals or organizations

3.2 Unethical Intelligence Activities

Social Engineering: Manipulating individuals through deception to obtain confidential information or unauthorized access
Pretexting: Creating false scenarios or identities to extract information
Dumpster Diving: Searching through physical trash or discarded materials without authorization
Physical Surveillance: Stalking, following, or monitoring individuals' physical movements
Unauthorized Data Scraping: Scraping data in violation of website terms of service or in a manner that constitutes unauthorized access

3.3 Offensive or Retaliatory Activities

Retaliation: Using services to punish, intimidate, or silence critics, whistleblowers, or legitimate journalism
Offensive Information Operations: Creating disinformation, propaganda, or coordinated inauthentic behavior to deceive the public
Abuse of Process: Filing frivolous lawsuits, SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), or using litigation as harassment
Censorship: Suppressing legitimate criticism, free speech, or public interest journalism

3.4 Misuse of Evidence or Frameworks

Evidence Fabrication: Creating, altering, or manipulating evidence to misrepresent facts
Misrepresentation: Presenting Gotham & Oz analysis out of context or in a misleading manner
Selective Disclosure: Withholding exculpatory information or selectively presenting evidence to create false impressions
Framework Abuse: Using advertiser liability frameworks to target legitimate journalism rather than defamatory content

3.5 Discrimination or Hate-Based Activities

Hate Groups: Supporting organizations that promote hatred, violence, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
Discriminatory Attacks: Using services to target individuals or organizations based on protected characteristics rather than legitimate defamation defense

3.6 Conflicts with Mission

Corporate Defense: Using services to defend corporations, government agencies, or powerful interests attacking activists or nonprofits (this is the opposite of our mission)
Silencing Accountability: Using services to suppress legitimate investigative journalism or public interest reporting that exposes corruption or abuse
Undermining Justice Movements: Activities that undermine social justice, human rights, environmental protection, or democratic accountability

4. Ethical Guidelines

4.1 Truth and Accuracy

Provide accurate, complete, and truthful information to Gotham & Oz
Do not misrepresent facts, evidence, or circumstances
Correct any inaccuracies promptly if discovered
Distinguish between facts and opinions in communications

4.2 Proportionality

Use Gotham & Oz services proportionally to the threat you face
Do not escalate conflicts unnecessarily
Seek resolution through appropriate channels (legal, regulatory, negotiation)
Avoid using services to "punish" critics beyond what is necessary for defense

4.3 Respect for Privacy and Rights

Respect legitimate privacy interests of individuals
Avoid collecting or using personal information beyond what is necessary for defense
Do not target family members, children, or others not directly involved in defamation campaigns
Respect First Amendment rights and legitimate free speech

4.4 Transparency and Good Faith

Act in good faith in all interactions with Gotham & Oz
Disclose any conflicts of interest or material changes to your situation
Do not conceal information that would affect grant eligibility or service delivery
Cooperate with reasonable requests for clarification or verification

5. Legal Compliance

5.1 Federal Laws

You must comply with all applicable U.S. federal laws, including but not limited to:

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), 18 U.S.C. § 1030: Prohibits unauthorized access to computer systems
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), 18 U.S.C. § 2510 et seq.: Protects electronic communications from interception
Stored Communications Act (SCA), 18 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.: Protects stored electronic communications
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), 17 U.S.C. § 1201 et seq.: Prohibits circumvention of technological protection measures
Identity Theft Laws, 18 U.S.C. § 1028: Prohibits identity fraud and related activities

5.2 State Laws

You must comply with applicable state laws, including:

State computer crime laws
State privacy laws (California CCPA, Virginia CDPA, etc.)
State wiretap and eavesdropping laws
State defamation and libel laws

5.3 International Laws

For international users or cases involving international parties, you must comply with:

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) for EU data subjects
UK Data Protection Act and UK GDPR
Local data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity laws
Local defamation and press laws

5.4 Platform Terms of Service

When gathering publicly available information from online platforms, you must:

Comply with platform terms of service
Respect robots.txt directives and rate limits
Avoid circumventing access controls or authentication
Not create fake accounts or violate community guidelines to access information

6. Monitoring and Enforcement

6.1 Monitoring Activities

Gotham & Oz reserves the right to:

Monitor use of grant-funded services for compliance with this Policy
Request documentation or clarification of activities
Conduct periodic reviews of ongoing engagements
Investigate suspected violations

6.2 Reporting Violations

If you become aware of potential violations of this Policy, report them immediately to contact form with subject line "Acceptable Use Policy Concern."

6.3 Consequences of Violations

Violations of this Policy may result in:

Warning: Written warning and requirement to cease prohibited activities
Suspension: Temporary suspension of grant services pending investigation
Termination: Immediate termination of grant services and revocation of access to materials
Legal Action: Referral to law enforcement or pursuit of civil remedies for illegal activities
Grant Repayment: In cases of fraud or material misrepresentation, requirement to repay the value of grant-funded services received (calculated at commercial rates)

6.4 Appeals

If you disagree with a violation determination, you may submit a written appeal to contact form within 14 days, explaining your position. The Embassy Row Project will review appeals and issue a final decision.

7. Collaboration with Legal Counsel

7.1 Attorney Oversight

We strongly recommend that grant recipients work with licensed legal counsel who can:

Provide legal advice on permissible activities in your jurisdiction
Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
Review investigative plans and forensic analysis for legal compliance
Protect attorney work-product privilege where applicable

7.2 Attorney Direction

Where grant services are provided under attorney direction, your legal counsel is responsible for:

Ensuring activities comply with legal ethics rules
Making legal strategy decisions
Determining scope of permissible investigation
Advising on evidence admissibility and litigation risks

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Gotham & Oz, the Embassy Row Project, James Scott, and their respective affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

Your violation of this Acceptable Use Policy
Your violation of applicable laws or regulations
Your misuse of Gotham & Oz services or materials
Your unauthorized activities conducted independently of Gotham & Oz services

9. Changes to This Policy

Gotham & Oz may update this Acceptable Use Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements, service offerings, or ethical standards. Material changes will be communicated via email to active grant recipients and posted on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date.

Continued use of grant-funded services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

10. Questions and Guidance

If you are uncertain whether a specific activity is permitted under this Policy:

Contact Gotham & Oz at contact form for guidance before proceeding
Consult with your legal counsel
Err on the side of caution and avoid activities that may violate legal or ethical standards

Gotham & Oz

Contact: Submit via website contact form

11. Acknowledgment

By applying for or accepting grant-funded services, you acknowledge that:

You have read and understood this Acceptable Use Policy
You agree to use Gotham & Oz services in accordance with this Policy
You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
You understand the consequences of policy violations
You will act ethically and in good faith in all service-related activities