American Psychological Association Listserv Usage Rules

List Administrator/Owner Responsibilities:

The Listserv administrator/owner is responsible for:

  1. Managing the Listserv list(s), including adding and removing subscribers, changing subscriber settings, and responding promptly to inquiries
  2. Moderating the Listserv, including approving and overseeing content and ensuring compliance with all applicable U.S. laws
  3. Requiring all subscribers to comply with these APA Rules
  4. Sending each new subscriber a welcome message containing these APA Rules
  5. Saving archived messages of their list(s) they wish to retain, as the system does not store a backup
  6. Notifying the APA Listmaster (Listmaster@apa.org) when discontinuing duties as administrator

The APA reserves the right to delete older archived messages and may remove inactive lists as outlined in the List Retention Policy.

APA Listserv Usage Rules:

Rule 1: Do not use the forum for illegal purposes, including but not limited to defamation, violation of intellectual property laws, violation of antitrust or unfair competition laws, racism, antisemitism, other forms of discrimination, or violation of criminal laws.

a. Copyright - Referring to an article or news item with typical reference citations, providing a brief quote, or offering a link to legitimate online published content is permissible; list members should not post a full-text version of published material to the listserv. Not infrequently a list member wants to tell others about an article or news item related to the issues discussed on the list. However, sending the entire article to the list, without the permission of the author or publisher, results in a prima facie case of copyright violation. While there can be defenses to a claim of copyright infringement where the purpose of copying is clearly not for commercial purposes (e.g. "fair use" or academic teaching exceptions), those defenses are complicated, have been construed differently in different jurisdictions and are not necessarily applicable to listserv distribution.

b. Defamation and libel - In exchanges on the listserv and when referring to others, avoid personal attacks and characterizations that question a person's motives or qualifications. Sometimes a robust debate about ideas spills over into attacks on the proponents or opponents of the ideas. List members need to be reminded that a false statement that harms someone's reputation can be actionable as libel. There is a substantial difference between disagreeing with how someone did their research or treated a patient and accusing the person of fraud or incompetence. Because negative statements that impugn someone's professional qualifications can cause substantial economic and emotional harm, this is an area for careful scrutiny. Keeping criticism on an objective basis that is factually verifiable and skipping personal commentary about character, competence or motive minimizes legal risk.

c. Racism, antisemitism, and other discrimination - All participants on APA-hosted listservs are expected to maintain civility, demonstrate respect, and strive to uphold the psychological safety of all members. Posts must reflect APA’s commitment to our core values of human dignity, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and should foster a welcoming environment for all. Hate speech or discriminatory content – including racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, transphobia, Islamophobia, misogyny, ableism, or prejudice based on age, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or any other group circumstances —is prohibited.  Derogatory language, harmful stereotypes, statements that demean or target individuals or communities based on protected characteristics are not permitted. Members are encouraged to engage in dialogue based on psychology and psychological science that values a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Even during difficult or controversial topics, it is essential to uphold the association's principles of justice, human rights, fairness and dignity and ensure that all participants feel safe and respected.

d. Antitrust concerns - APA by its nature is subject to antitrust issues. Discussions about rates charged, efforts to exert collective pressure on payors, terms of contracts with insurance companies, internship salaries, etc., all are prohibited. The antitrust laws are broad and complex but on a very basic level they operate to prohibit and even in some cases criminalize certain anticompetitive agreements between competitors. A professional association like APA is almost by definition a group of competitors that has come together to pursue common interests. Where those common interests involve agreements on such terms of competition as rates charged, salaries paid, standards applicable to members of the profession, and other issues of the marketplace, the antitrust laws apply. Listservs provide a written record of statements that can create an antitrust risk even when there is no anti-competitive intent.

Rule 2: Do not intentionally interfere with or disrupt other forum members, network services, or network equipment. This includes distribution of unsolicited advertisement or chain letters, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and use of the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the forum.

Rule 3: Do not use the forum for commercial purposes. "Commercial" as used for purposes of evaluating listserv messages means communications whose primary purpose is to advance the business or financial interests of any person or entity, or otherwise to promote a financial transaction for the benefit of the author directly or indirectly. Examples of prohibited communications include advertisements for products or services, notices regarding rental of office space, or direct solicitations of listserv members to purchase products or services.

a. Permitted Communications - Examples of messages that may be of financial benefit to listserv members but are not prohibited because they do not primarily benefit the author include:

b. Tax Exemption Considerations - The ban on commercial use is based on legal requirements related to APA's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This status requires that:

Rule 4: Do not use this forum for any communication that could be construed in any way as support for or opposition to any candidate for a federal, state or local public office. The Federal law providing for the American Psychological Association's tax-exempt status absolutely forbids the use of APA resources or facilities, including this forum, in any way that would even appear to support or oppose such a political candidate.

a. Political statements affecting tax exemption – Listserv exchanges must avoid electioneering or endorsing a candidate for federal, state, or local political office.

Using the list to endorse political candidates can jeopardize APA's tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. To maintain this status, APA cannot be involved in or support electioneering or endorse candidates for political office. APA must ensure its activities focus on the scientific, educational, and charitable purposes for which it gained tax-exempt status.

b. Lobbying Elected Officials Advocacy on substantive issues is separate from electioneering for candidates. While electioneering is absolutely prohibited, advocacy on legislative issues is not part of this prohibition. However, for APA Divisions, "calls to action" asking listserv members to contact their elected officials to express a view on legislation are considered a statement of the Division under APA Rule 100-1.4, and are subject to the mandatory review and disclaimer requirements therein. Such statements may not be included on the listserv unless and until they have received such review and, where appropriate, have included required disclaimer language.

Rule 5: Research Participation and Sampling - APA does not endorse or forward requests for research participation to any APA listserv. Divisions may choose to post requests for research participants to their listservs. Contact the relevant Division's listserv administrator for more information.

a. Limitations of Listservs as Research Samples:

List Retention Policy:

  1. Administrators must notify the APA Listmaster (Listmaster@apa.org) when discontinuing their duties
  2. Lists will be made inactive if:
  3. Lists may be deleted after 21 calendar days if issues remain unresolved
  4. Lists unused for 6 months or longer may be removed
  5. The APA reserves the right to delete older archived messages and may remove inactive lists

Contact Information:

For questions, concerns, or problems regarding the Listserv server, please contact:

APA Listmaster
Email: listmaster@apa.org

ITS Department
American Psychological Association
750 First ST. N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002

Last Updated: 05/07/2026