The UNC Policy Manual
1400.1[R]
Adopted
06/07/24
Regulation Regarding Anonymous, Hyperlocal
Platforms
I.
Purpose.
Modern technology has drastically reshaped
our college campuses in ways even an early 2000s graduate could not have
imagined. The same features that allow research collaboration across the globe
and virtual connectedness at nearly the speed of light also provide tools to
amplify hateful and threatening speech towards others, all at a time when
college students are facing a mental health crisis.
In recent years, anonymous, Hyperlocal Platforms
have gained popularity among college campuses for allowing users a part of a
certain, narrow geographic region to post anonymously. However, it is precisely the anonymous and Hyperlocal
features of these Platforms that allow them to be used as weapons against our
students and other members of our campus communities. Users hide behind anonymity as they post
comments that normal social decency would otherwise prevent them from saying
out loud. College campuses throughout the nation have reported instances of
these anonymous posts being used to spread hate, harassment, and threatening
speech. Our very own student leaders
have expressed concern regarding the detrimental impact these Platforms have on
the mental health of our students.
Further, the hyper-locality of these Platforms all but ensures the posts
are made on or within the immediate vicinity of our campuses, meaning these
instances of harassment, threats, and cyberbullying are occurring on our
campuses by members of our campus communities against members of our campus
communities. As institutions of higher
education, we have the responsibility to prevent this harm that is being
committed within our communities through Information resources over which we
have substantial control.
Anonymous speech has a strong pedigree in the
history of the United States. That history shows anonymous speech can further
public discourse by offering ideas judged on their merit without detraction or
distraction from who offers them. It rightly receives heightened protections
from the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution, which itself was sharpened,
argued, and debated using the tried and tested tool of anonymous speech. However, the First Amendment does not protect
harassing or threatening speech. As institutions of higher education, our
responsibility is not only to protect our students’ free expression but also to
protect our students’ physical safety and mental health.
By blocking access to these anonymous, Hyperlocal
Platforms on our Information resources, we are publicly condemning the
cyberbullying and harassment that takes place on these Platforms. Although this
action may not prevent users from using other resources to access these
anonymous, Hyperlocal Platforms, it sends a message—the University of North
Carolina and its constituent institutions do not condone the harmful attacks
being delivered on these Platforms.
II.
Definitions.
a.
“Platforms”
means websites, software, applications, or social media.
b.
“Geolocation”
means location technologies such as, but not limited to, global positioning
systems, internet protocol addresses, or cellular triangulation that identify
and track the geographical location of connected electronic devices.
c.
“Hyperlocal”
means relating to or focused on a specific geographical community with access
restricted by user location within the prescribed geography determined through
Geolocation and/or through University-issued e-mail address or other unique
University-issued identifier.
III.
Use
of University Information Resources & Information Technology.
a.
Information
resources made available to persons shall be operated in such a way to serve
the University mission and comply with federal and state laws.
b.
Beginning
on and after July 1, 2024, UNC System’s chief information officer, with the
Chief Information Officers Council and constituent institutions, shall use
reasonable efforts to prevent access via Information resources to Hyperlocal Platforms
that allow users to publish and view anonymous content.
IV.
No
Penalty Created.
a.
Nothing
stated in this policy shall be interpreted as creating or supporting any
penalty or disciplinary action against users of these anonymous, Hyperlocal Platforms,
including student users, so long as such use does not violate other campus
policies or local, state, or federal laws or regulations.