4.1 Acceptable Use Policies - Hate Speech and Discrimination
Updated 17 October 2025
This document outlines a company's policy against hate speech and discrimination on its platform. It details specific behaviors and types of speech that are not tolerated, including attacks based on identity, promotion of hate groups, and use of harmful stereotypes. The policy aims to create a welcoming and safe environment for all individuals and communities.
Hate Speech and Discrimination
This document is taken from the GitHub website - more information about GitHub and its functions can be found at https://github.com/. Please note that many of the included provisions are designed for GitHub or similar site (such as for building and developing software with online communities), so they are not relevant to all types of business.
You can amend this document to be suitable for your own Community and purposes using the smart fields and customizing the bracketed sections. We recommend adding hyperlinks to your own policies and website pages - make sure your business has in place all the policies referred to here.
Please find the other specific GitHub Acceptable Use Policies in this 'GitHub Site Policies for Startups' repository.
[company name] does not tolerate speech that attacks or promotes hate toward an individual or group of people on the basis of who they are, including age, body size, ability, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, level of experience, nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, sexual identity, or sexual orientation. This includes:
Mocking, attacking, or excluding a person or group based on their beliefs or the characteristics listed above
Displaying clear affiliation or identification with known terrorist or violent extremist organizations
Supporting or promoting hate groups or hate-based conspiracy theories
Sharing symbols or images synonymous with hate
Using harmful stereotypes, slurs, or dehumanizing speech
Attacking an individual based on their perceived gender
Dog whistling; or using coded or suggestive language and/or symbols to promote abuse or hate
While [company name] takes all instances of abuse and harassment on the platform seriously, we are especially committed to fighting hate-based abuse where it disproportionately affects communities that have historically been targeted by such abuse. We aim to make [company name] a place where all individuals feel welcome and safe.
About this template
What is this template?
4.1 Acceptable Use Policies - Hate Speech and Discrimination is a free, ready-to-use Data Protection & Privacy template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
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What's typically included?
A well-drafted Data Protection & Privacy usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.