GitHub

In Context

• The open-source software repository service GitHub is in the news after it was used to create and share an offensively named app that sexually harassed Muslim women in India. 

What is GitHub?

• It is the world’s largest open-source developer community platform where users upload their projects and code for others to view, edit, and tweak.
• Under this platform, any developer can upload whatever software code or app code or software idea they have on the platform and have others collaborate with them to help improve it, find errors, and fix problems.
  • Any public project can be viewed by others on the platform. Most of the features of the platform are free for users. 
  • Organisations can use paid accounts to upload their software and projects for collaboration.
• The platform uses the software Git, which was created in 2005 by Linus Trovalds, the developer of the open-source operating system Linux, to track changes in a set of files and for coordination in software development.
• GitHub has longstanding policies against content and conduct involving harassment, discrimination, and inciting violence. 

What is not allowed on GitHub?

• Posting gratuitously violent content, misinformation or fake news, active malware or exploits on the platform is prohibited.
• It does not allow doxxing — revealing personal information with malicious intent — and the invasion of privacy. 
• It claims sexually obscene and pornographic content is not allowed on the platform, even though this does not mean “all nudity or all code and content related to sexuality is prohibited”.
• If a user is reported as violating the rules of the platform, GitHub can remove or block their content, and suspend or terminate the account. But it is not clear how long a suspension can last.

Source: IE