Terms of Service

The City of Knoxville (“City”) uses sites on social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube) as limited public forums for the purpose of informing residents about City programs, projects, and initiatives and hosting civil discussion about matters of public interest in and to the City as identified and raised by the City for discussion. These forums are limited to the specific topics identified and raised by the City. Users who submit posts, writings, materials, documents, photographs, graphics, videos, or other information (“content”) to City social media sites agree they have read, understand, and agree to the following terms and conditions by virtue of such use:



1. I am submitting content voluntarily and on my own behalf.

2. My content reflects my own original thoughts or work.

3. The City has the right to re-post or share my content on any City social media site.

4. My content may be considered a public record under applicable law.

5. My content does not constitute legal notice, public comment, an official report, or a request for service or public records. City social media sites are not monitored 24 hours per day. Emergencies should be reported to 9-1-1, and non-emergencies may be reported to the Knoxville Police Department by calling (865) 215-4010. Most requests for service may be submitted by calling 3-1-1 or using the My Knoxville cell phone app. Requests for public records must be made pursuant to the City’s policy on access to and copies of public records. Additional contact information may be found at KnoxvilleTN.gov. 

6. All content posted to City social media sites is subject to the social media platform’s terms of service (e.g., Facebook’s Community Standards, Instagram’s Community Guidelines, Twitter’s Rules, and YouTube’s Community Guidelines and Policies), and the City has the right to report any suspected violation of these terms of service to the social media platform. 

In addition, my content is subject to removal in whole or in part if it contains:

a. Content not directly on the topic identified and raised by the City for discussion;

b. Obscene, indecent, or profane language or pornography;

c. Direct threats;

d. Content that promotes discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, or gender identity;

e. Content that solicits, promotes, or endorses specific commercial entities, products, or services;

f. Links to any site or content posted by automatic software programs (“bots”);

g. Content promoting or encouraging illegal activity;

h. Personally identifiable information or sensitive personal information that, if released, violates applicable law;

i. Content promoting or endorsing a political campaign or candidate;

j. Information that compromises the public safety, the security of the public, or security systems;

k. Information that directly interferes with or compromises ongoing investigations, public safety tactics, or the safety of emergency responders;

l. Confidential information or information exempt from disclosure that, if released, violates applicable law; and/or

m. Content that appears to violate the intellectual property rights of the City or a third party under applicable law.

7. The views expressed on the City’s social media sites only reflect those of the content’s author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the City, its officers, employees, or agents.

8. Because various laws exist that create liability for various actions, including, without limitation, defamation, invasion of privacy, false light, breach of contract, procurement violations, and violations of due process, among many potential areas of exposure for which the City accepts no responsibility based on the actions of others or for operating City social media sites, I, for myself, successors, and assigns, release and hold harmless and agree to indemnify the City, its officers, employees, and agents from any and all actions, claims, liabilities, and damages of whatever kind and nature arising out of or in connection with my use of City social media sites.

By submitting content, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to these Terms of Use.

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2023