MCC.1.7.040 Internet and Telephones [Suspended]

(a) All electronic and telephonic communication systems and all communications and information transmitted by, received from, or stored in these systems are the property of the Tribe and as such are to be used solely for purposed related to an Elected Officials office. The use of any software and business equipment, including, but not limited to, e-mail, internet access, facsimile machines, computers, telephones (land lines and cellular phones) and copy machines for private purposes is prohibited.

(b) No Elected Official shall use a pass code or voice-mail access code that has not been issued to that Elected Official or that is unknown to the Tribe. Moreover, improper use of the e-mail system (e.g., distributing offensive jokes or remarks) will not be tolerated.

(c) Elected Officials shall not use the Tribe's internet, voice mail and e-mail resources, phones and other systems in a prohibited manner, including:

(1) To transmit, view, retrieve, or store any communications of a discriminatory or harassing nature or materials that are considered obscene or pornographic;

(2) To access pornographic internet sites, display or print any associated materials, pictures and cartoons;

(3) To harass or transmit messages with derogatory or inflammatory remarks about an individual's race, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, religion, national origin or physical attributes or transmit abusive, profane or offensive language;

(4) For non-government business, personal or private use, including but not limited to game playing and personal communication not associated with government purposes;

(5) To disclose any confidential or proprietary information except where such disclosure is authorized or permitted in this ordinance.

(d) Elected Officials shall not use the Tribe's internet, voice mail and e-mail resources and other systems and equipment, including but not limited to computer hardware, software, copier, fax machine and postage machine in a manner that is contrary to the provisions of any purchase or lease contract, such as unlawful copying of computer software.

(e) Notwithstanding the Tribe's right to retrieve and read any voice or electronic mail messages, such messages should be treated as confidential by other Elected Officials and accessed only by the intended recipient. Elected Officials are not authorized to retrieve or read any voice or e-mail messages that are not sent to them. Any exception to this policy must receive prior written approval of the Tribal Governing Board.

(f) The Tribe may monitor, record and listen to all internet, e-mail and voice mail usage, to assure compliance with its policies, for cost analysis and for legitimate governmental purposes. Thus, the Tribe may listen to, access and disclose any information in the electronic communication and telephone systems, even such information or communication protected by an Elected Official's personal password, at any time, with or without notice to the employee. Elected Officials have no expectation of privacy in connection with the use of these systems, or the transmission, receipt or storage of information in such systems.