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Code of Conduct

Welcome to the Bug Bounty Village at DEF CON! We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants. Our Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for participant behavior as well as the consequences for unacceptable behavior.

 

1. Purpose

The Bug Bounty Village aims to foster an open exchange of ideas within a community dedicated to ethical hacking, security research, and responsible disclosure. We invite attendees to explore, learn, and contribute to the event in a positive and respectful manner.

 

2. Expected Behavior

  • Respect for All: Treat all participants with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views, opinions and people.

  • Collaboration: Engage in professional and supportive communication. Collaborate to help each other learn.

  • Inclusivity: Be inclusive and supportive of people from all backgrounds and skill levels.

  • Constructive Engagement: Critique ideas, not individuals. Provide constructive feedback and practice gracious acceptance of constructive criticism.

  • Responsible Ethical Conduct: Engage in ethical hacking practices only. Respect the rules of the village and the broader DEF CON event.

 

3. Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:

  • Harassment and Discrimination: Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning conduct towards any individual or group.

  • Disruption: Disrupting presentations, talks, or other events.

  • Inappropriate Content: Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.

  • Illegal Activities: Engaging in or encouraging illegal behavior of any nature, including illegal hacking.

 

4. Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. Consequences for violating the Code of Conduct may include:

  • Removal from the Village: Participants violating these rules may be expelled from the village at the discretion of the village organizers.

  • Banning from Virtual Communities: Offenders may be prohibited from joining future virtual forums, online communities, or Discord servers related to the village.

  • Reporting to DEF CON Organizers and Law Enforcement: Serious breaches will be escalated to DEF CON conference organizers, and if necessary, reported to law enforcement.

 

5. Reporting Guidelines

If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behavior, or have any other concerns, please notify a village organizer as soon as possible. Additionally, village staff can be identified by their staff badges, t-shirts, or titles, and will be trained on how to address and report any incidents that occur.

 

6. Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to all participants at the event, including hackers, volunteers, organizers, and anyone with an official role in the village. The policies also apply at all related social events and in digital spaces associated with the village.

 

7. Liability of Information Disclosure

All discussions, presentations, and content presented within the village are the responsibility of the individual presenters or speakers. It is the duty of each presenter or speaker to ensure they have undergone the appropriate responsible disclosure processes and obtained all necessary consents for the information they disclose. Presenters and speakers are solely liable for ensuring that they are authorized to share any discussed material. The village organizers, staff, or DEF CON are not responsible for unauthorized disclosures by presenters or speakers.

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8. Contact Information

For any questions or to report a violation of our Code of Conduct, please contact via contact[at]bugbountydefcon.com directly.

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9. General Courtesy

Remember, the spirit of DEF CON is about community and innovation. Let’s keep our interactions positive and professional — don’t be a jerk. We all play a part in creating a welcoming environment. Let's make sure our conduct ensures that DEF CON continues to invite us back year after year.

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10. License and Attribution

This Code of Conduct is adapted from the DEF CON Code of Conduct, and other recognized sources to fit the specific needs of the DEF CON Bug Bounty Village.

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