CoC & Photo Policy

BSides Las Vegas Code of Conduct

We strive to create an environment that encourages the free and open sharing of ideas. We’ve created a home at BSides Las Vegas and have invited you all inside to be inspired and educated. It is impossible to keep the free and open sharing of ideas without risking someone getting their feelings hurt. We don’t expect adult and professional behavior at all times; a little mischief can be fun. We do, however, expect you to be respectful of our virtual and physical space and that of our other invited guests. In addition to our physical convention, this environment touches a number of online forums including, but not limited to; Twitter, YouTube, and the BSidesLV.org website.

We have ZERO TOLERANCE for harassment of any kind, be it physical, verbal, or sexual. We define harassment as any unwanted or offensive online or offline communication or behavior, including con-related social media.

If someone is engaging with you in a way that makes you afraid or uncomfortable during an in-person event, please inform a member of our Safety Operations team (in the blue BSides Las Vegas shirts) or a staff member (in the purple BSides Las Vegas shirts). They are trained in following an escalation path and will help determine the next steps for you to feel safe and ensure your concerns are promptly addressed.

In the end it is the responsibility of us, the organizers of BSides Las Vegas, to define bad behavior. If you are engaging in bad behavior (e.g. heckling or haranguing speakers, or violating the photo policy), you will be given a warning that your behavior is not acceptable. If you continue, you will be asked to leave or, if the behavior is particularly egregious, you may be immediately ejected from the conference and proper authorities notified. In an online forum, you will be removed from and/or blocked from the format in which the bad behavior was committed.

For online infractions, you will receive one warning from BSides Las Vegas staff. Upon a second infraction you will receive a temporary ban from BSides Las Vegas’s online presence. You may be reinstated once you take the requested online action regarding the media in question. If you refuse to edit or delete the media as requested, this may result in your being permanently banned from BSides Las Vegas online media or future in-person conferences.

TL; DR Do not be an ass or we will kick your ass out, in-person or online, and we’re the final arbitrators of what being an ass means.

BSides Las Vegas Photo/Video/Recording Policy

BSides Las Vegas is an open space, where everyone participating should feel free to share their ideas, stories, and any other passion they pursue. All or some of the conference may be conducted online in a number of forums including, but not limited to: Twitter, YouTube, and the BSidesLV.org website. With that said, privacy is a big concern in the hacker community, as well as with the public at large, and we need to establish a clear set of boundaries when it comes to balancing privacy and capturing moments.

There are official BSides Las Vegas Photographers. They will have professional cameras and staff badges. They are aware of this policy and are not exempt, except in cases where they have been requested to document activities, official parties, or presentations for BSides Las Vegas purposes.

Using your best effort and judgment, please try to ensure you have permission from anyone you photograph or record. This includes, but is not limited to, anyone in the background of your shot. Similarly, please try to ensure you have permission from anyone you photograph or record to post their picture online, including to social media and personal websites. For these reasons, “crowd shots” from the front (facing the crowd) are strongly discouraged.

IN THE UNDERGROUND TRACK, THERE IS TO BE NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEO RECORDINGS UNLESS PERMISSION IS OBTAINED FROM THE SPEAKER THEMSELVES.

THIS EXEMPTION EXCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEO OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE UNDERGROUND TRACK WITH EXPLICIT PERMISSION FROM THOSE PARTICIPANTS.

If you’ve taken a picture without permission, delete it. If you’re asked by a participant to delete or blur a picture they did not give you permission to take, whether you are on BSides Las Vegas property or online, before, during, or after the conference, delete or blur it as asked.

We require press photographers to adhere to this policy as well. A press badge is not a pass to break these rules and guidelines.

If you believe that anyone is breaking these rules please bring it to the attention of BSides Las Vegas Safety Operations or any BSides Las Vegas staff member.

The escalation path for violations of the Photo/Video/Recording Policy are as follows:

Upon a first infraction, you will receive one warning from BSides Las Vegas staff. Upon a second infraction you will be asked to give up your device to BSides Las Vegas Safety Operations for secure storage for the duration of your stay at the event; or you’ll be asked to leave the event with your device – your choice. You may return to the event once you have deposited your device somewhere else.

For online infractions, you will receive one warning from BSides Las Vegas staff. Upon a second infraction you will receive a temporary ban from BSides Las Vegas’s online presence. You may be reinstated once you take the requested online action regarding the media in question. If you refuse to edit or delete the media as requested by the participant, this may result in your being permanently banned from BSides Las Vegas online media or future in-person conferences.

AS A REMINDER TO THE MEDIA: THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO PRESS ALLOWED IN THE UNDERGROUND TRACK.

Thank you for your cooperation!