GitHub’s developer-first approach to content moderation
GitHub puts the needs of developers at the core of our content moderation policies. Learn more about our approach and how you can contribute.
Abby Vollmer
I’m GitHub’s Director of Platform Policy and Counsel, building and guiding implementation of GitHub’s approach to content moderation. My work focuses on developing GitHub’s policy positions, providing legal support on content policy development and enforcement, and engaging with policymakers to support policy outcomes that empower developers and shape the future of software.
Posts by this author
2021 Transparency Report: January to June
We’re reporting on a six-month period rather than annually to increase our level of transparency. For this report, we’ve added more granularity to our 2020 stats.
Safe harbors for software collaboration, part 2
The modern internet was built on a legal framework of safe harbors for user-generated content. These safe harbors are widely credited with having enabled global internet innovation by protecting online…
2020 Transparency Report
At GitHub, we put developers first, and we work hard to provide a safe, open, and inclusive platform for code collaboration. This means we are committed to minimizing the disruption…
Standing up for developers: youtube-dl is back
Today we reinstated youtube-dl, a popular project on GitHub, after we received additional information about the project that enabled us to reverse a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown.
Updates to our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement
We regularly update our policies to reflect the evolution of our products, changing legal requirements, and user feedback. In this update, we’ve made some changes to our Terms of Service,…
Safe harbors for software collaboration, part 1
As policymakers grapple with how to address hate speech and disinformation on the internet, they’re eying the legal structure underpinning collaborative software development: legal safe harbors. These safe harbors protect…
2019 Transparency Report
We’re excited to share GitHub’s 2019 Transparency Report, a by-the-numbers look at how we handle requests for user data and moderate content on GitHub.
GitHub scores high in content moderation report
See how GitHub protects users against online censorship.
GitHub shares lessons learned from EU Copyright Directive at US DMCA roundtable
Find out what we shared at the US Copyright Office based on our experience with the EU Copyright Directive.
Our contribution to the United Nations report on free assembly and association online
Read about how collaboration on GitHub connects to free assembly and association online as part of our input to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The EU Copyright Directive: what happens from here
The EU Copyright Directive has come down to a final vote. Read on for more on what’s at stake and how the developer community shaped the debate.
2018 Transparency Report
We’re excited to share GitHub’s 2018 Transparency Report, a by-the-numbers look at how we handle requests for user data and moderate content on GitHub.
Developers on the world stage—global commitments on building an internet of trust
At the Paris Peace Forum and the Internet Governance Forum, governments, companies, and civil society made commitments to building an internet of trust. Developers are central to making these commitments a reality.
EU copyright update: GitHub goes to Brussels
Read about our open source and copyright event in Brussels–plus the latest on the EU copyright negotiations.
What’s next for the EU copyright proposal?
EU Parliament voted last week on the Copyright Directive. Find out what they decided, how this affects software, and what you can do next.