Article 1. Purpose This usage policy is prepared to determine the principles and procedures regarding the use of the National Academic Network (ULAKNET) operated by the National Academic Network and Information Center (ULAKBIM), an institute of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

Article 2. Scope This usage policy covers all ULAKNET users.

Article 3. Definitions In this usage policy:

ULAKNET refers to the infrastructure and services operated by ULAKBIM in compliance with the laws of the Republic of Turkey and TUBITAK regulations to meet the data communication and electronic communication needs of user institutions. User institutions are institutions that have been accepted by the ULAKBIM Board of Directors and provide services to universities, TUBITAK-affiliated institutes, and other institutions providing academic content. Users include students, faculty members, researchers, and other administrative staff of user institutions. Authorized Users are users authorized by the user institution to use its infrastructure and resources. Signing Party refers to the person or office in the senior management of the user institution who signs this usage policy on behalf of the institution (e.g., the rector or a rector-designated deputy rector in universities, or the General Manager, Institution President, Institute/Unit Director, or equivalent in other institutions).

Article 4. General Provisions 4.1. ULAKNET cannot be used for activities contrary to the laws of the Republic of Turkey and related regulations. 4.2. ULAKNET should be used for educational, scientific and technological research and development, and dissemination of scientific, technological, and cultural knowledge purposes. 4.3. ULAKNET should be used without attempting to damage, impair, or hinder its infrastructure, related hardware, or software. 4.4. ULAKNET should be used efficiently and securely. Therefore, the Signing Party commits, directly or indirectly, to the following for the ULAKNET services they provide: a) Information transmission and access through ULAKNET should comply with relevant legal regulations. b) ULAKNET should be fairly shared among authorized users of user institutions. c) Access to ULAKNET by any third party, whether commercial or non-commercial, for which user institutions have not granted permission is prohibited. For this purpose: * Email servers should block relayed mail from external sources, * Unauthorized access via wired and wireless networks should be prevented, * Services enabling access to ULAKNET from off-campus should operate with secure authentication methods, preventing unauthorized access over the Internet, * Measures should be taken to prevent third parties from decrypting the usernames and passwords used in authorizations in encrypted environments, and similar methods should be applied. d) Adequate continuous security levels should be maintained, and usage records of ULAKNET and the services provided by user institutions via ULAKNET should be retained for at least the legally defined period. e) Overall, all users should comply with this Usage Policy, and necessary technical and administrative arrangements should be made. 4.5. System and network security should not be violated, and violation may result in criminal and legal liability. ULAKBIM investigates such violations and cooperates with law enforcement if there is suspicion of a crime. ULAKNET cannot be used for the following purposes: a) Sending or enabling the sending of unwanted messages such as commercial advertisements and news announcements (SPAM messages); b) Using another user's email server to send messages without that user's explicit permission; c) Creating traffic regulations that affect or disrupt the quality of service on ULAKNET; d) Producing, making accessible, and distributing obscene, disturbing materials that are not intended for academic and research purposes; e) Producing, making accessible, and distributing material that is unreal, distressing, or creates unnecessary fear; f) Producing, making accessible, and distributing material of a defamatory or libelous nature; g) Making accessible and distributing works such as articles, books, films, music, etc., in a manner that violates intellectual and industrial property rights; h) Intentionally unauthorized use of national or international services; i) The following practices: * Destruction of others' data; * Intrusion into others' personal information; * Disruption or destruction of others' work; * Generating traffic on ULAKNET to the extent that it does not allow others to use it; * Using software and derivatives banned by ULAKBIM due to disrupting ULAKNET's efficient operation and generating unnecessary traffic. 4.6. Direct or indirect commercial gain from using ULAKNET for purposes other than those specified in article 4.2 is prohibited. Therefore, the following activities are not allowed on ULAKNET: a) Publishing content such as banners, logos, or advertisements owned by commercial firms, directly or indirectly, for commercial gain via ULAKNET and/or the Internet; b) Sending or enabling the sending of unwanted messages such as commercial advertisements and news announcements (SPAM); c) Leasing ULAKNET to users or third parties for commercial gain.

Article 5. Rights, Authorities, and Responsibilities 5.1. User institutions have the right to provide ULAKNET to their users within the framework of the principles and obligations specified in this policy. 5.2. User institutions can offer their services via ULAKNET. The content and delivery method of these services must comply with the policy provisions. 5.3. User institutions may request bandwidth allocation or traffic prioritization for special academic activities conducted with other ULAKNET user institutions or institutions affiliated with the European Academic Network (GEANT). These requests are evaluated by ULAKBIM according to technical capabilities. 5.4. If ULAKNET usage is provided in dormitories and residences located on the campus, the user institution is responsible for ensuring that usage complies with this policy. 5.5. User institutions are responsible for collaborating with ULAKBIM to ensure the healthy operation of ULAKNET. For this purpose, ULAKBIM manages email lists at ulak-y[AT]ulakbim.gov.tr for administrative officials and ulak-teknik[AT]ulakbim.gov.tr for technical personnel of user institutions. User institutions are responsible for providing, maintaining, and updating contact information for administrative and technical officials who will continue to collaborate with ULAKBIM, ensuring announcements are made via email lists, taking necessary precautions, and facilitating information flow. 5.6. ULAKBIM has the right to determine whether ULAKNET is used in accordance with this policy and to establish usage principles for existing and new services provided. The methods and procedures for these efforts are determined by sub-policies. These sub-policies come into effect when published at http://www.ulakbim.gov.tr/ulaknet/politikalar.uhtml and announced via ulak-y[AT]ulakbim.gov.tr and ulakteknik[AT]ulakbim.gov.tr email lists. 5.7. The ULAK-CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) operating within ULAKBIM is responsible for preventing security breaches from external networks to ULAKNET or from ULAKNET to external networks, determining perpetrators of attacks, and sharing information with administrators of affected networks. User institutions are responsible for providing requested information within the specified timeframe, taking necessary measures to prevent security breaches, and facilitating information flow.

Article 6. Implementation 6.1. The rules contained in this document apply to user institutions. The Signing Party accepts and is obliged to implement the principles and obligations specified in this document on behalf of the user institution to which they belong. 6.2. User institutions are responsible for ensuring that their users comply with these rules and legal regulations and agree to take necessary precautions. Therefore, user institutions are advised to prepare their Usage Policy Agreements (or principles or guidelines) fully compliant with this Usage Policy and deliver them to their users with a signature. 6.3. The usage policies of user institutions and disclaimers of user institutions or users do not indicate that non-compliant use of ULAKBIM Usage Policy is acceptable.

Article 7. Execution In case of non-compliant use of ULAKNET with this Usage Policy, ULAKBIM may apply one or more of the following measures, sequentially or not, depending on the intensity of inappropriate use, the extent of damage caused, and repetition: * Technical and/or administrative authorities of the User Institution are verbally or in writing warned. * Access to ULAKNET of the User Institution may be restricted or blocked for a limited or unlimited period. * Judicial mechanisms may be activated. The Signing Party is aware that ULAKBIM may partially change this Usage Policy considering legal and technological developments and explicitly accepts it. The amended Usage Policy comes into effect when published at http://www.ulakbim.gov.tr/ulaknet/kullanim-politikasi.uhtml and announced via ulak-y[AT]ulakbim.gov.tr and ulak-teknik[AT]ulakbim.gov.tr email lists. ULAKBIM revises this Usage Policy every three years and the renewed policy is signed by the Signing Party. Until a new policy is signed, any changes made, regardless of the duration, are valid with the latest signed policy and announced changes. The Signing Party acknowledges that they fully understand, recognize, and agree to comply with ULAKBIM's Usage Policy.

Signing Party Date: Name, Title: Signature:

The link to the usage policies determined by ULAKBIM can be accessed below. http://www.ulakbim.gov.tr/ulaknet/kullanim-politikasi.uhtml

The link to the Ulaknet Acceptable Use Policy Agreement determined by Ulakbim can be accessed below. http://www.ulakbim.gov.tr/ulaknet/kullanim-politikasi2007.pdf