social media policy

This document constitutes the Office of Senator Antonio Hayes’ Social-Media Policy (the “Policy”). As described below, this Policy applies to the following social-media platforms:

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• Youtube

Constructive dialogue is encouraged within comments, messages, retweets, and other user communications (“Comments”). I am interested in hearing the thoughts and opinions of my constituents and all Marylanders. I do not discriminate based on viewpoint but may remove comments and restrict access to users for violating this policy. Comments may be removed if they contain, constitute, or link to:

• Malicious or harmful software;

• Advertisements, promotions, or solicitations of a commercial product or service;

• Confidential, personally identifying, or private information as defined by State law;

• Profanity, nudity, indecency, or obscenity;

• Threats of violence or to public safety;

• Copyrighted materials in violation of State or federal law;

• Disruptively repetitive content; or

• remarks that are clearly unrelated to the subject matter of any post ever made on the platform.

Users that make express or implied threats of violence or to public safety may be reported to the authorities for investigation.

Users may be temporarily or permanently restricted from accessing the social-media platform if they repeatedly and consistently violate this Policy. To contest the restriction of access to a social-media platform, the user must submit to Antonio.hayes@senate.state.md.us a written statement providing grounds for reinstatement. Requests shall be responded to on a reasonably timely basis, and access shall be restored if it is determined that the grounds for reinstatement are sufficient. A statement that the user will abide by this policy in the future shall be sufficient, except when a user has continued to violate the policy after having made such a statement.

The Office of Senator Antonio Hayes monitors social-media platforms, but is not responsible for content generated by users on these platforms. Until a comment in violation of the policy is removed, users should ignore it or, if responding, do so in compliance with the policy. A comment is the opinion of the commentator only. Publication of a comment does not necessarily imply endorsement of, or agreement by Senator Antonio Hayes. Comments and content should be understood to be entirely public, and users should not write comments with any information that they consider, or would like to keep, confidential.