Am I allowed to use my UC Berkeley Zoom, Google, or other IT services for personal use?

You may use your Berkeley Zoom, Google Meet, Google Chat, Gmail, and/or other IT service accounts for incidental personal use, providing that you are not violating campus policies while using these services. However, keep in mind that personal use of University IT resources could be subject to public records requests and monitoring. 

At a minimum, you’ll want to make sure your use of these services does not: 

• (i) interfere with the University's operation of electronic communications resources; 
• (ii) interfere with the user’s employment or other obligations to the University; 
• (iii) burden the University with noticeable incremental costs; 
• (iv) include any use for non-university commercial purposes or personal financial gain; or
• (v) include any use for partisan political activities.

If you’d like guidance on what’s considered appropriate or inappropriate use of these electronic resources, you can read through the following applicable policies and resources: 

• Computer Use Policy which stipulates "Examples of Misuse", including activities like: "Posting materials on electronic bulletin boards that violate existing laws or the University's codes of conduct" and "Using electronic mail to harass others"
• Email Service Policy for UC Berkeley provides guidance around appropriate behavior, your privacy rights while using this services, and actions that may be taken if these policies are violated
• UCOP Electronic Communications Policy (Sec. III.D) lists restrictions including non-competition, and use for commercial purposes or personal financial gain
• Campus Information Technology Security Policy lists additional prohibited activities 
• Legal guidelines for UC participation in ballot campaigns explains how University equipment may not lawfully be used for campaign purposes in connection with ballot propositions
• Advocacy Guidelines at UC Berkeley explains restrictions on use of University resources for partisan political activities