What You Should Do if Asked for Information by Law Enforcement

From time to time law enforcement personnel may formally (with a written request or subpoena) or informally (without written documentation) ask you to provide information about the activities of people using Harvard networks or systems or to provide specific data such as copies of files or e-mail.

If you receive any such requests, inform the requester that you do not have the authority to respond to such requests on your own. Under the University rules, law enforcement personnel must contact the Office of the General Counsel (Mary Ann Mendes 617-496-3006). The Office of the General Counsel will evaluate the requests and determine how to respond.

If you have good reason to think that there is a threat to health or safety that might be reduced by providing the requested information, then you should provide the information, and then promptly contact the OGC to inform them.