[TLS] Re: Notice of Moderation for Postings by D. J. Bernstein

[Andrew Lee <[e-mail]>]

Neither the moderation of Dr. Bernstein nor the warning issued to Dr. Kobeissi comply with current IETF rules.

These infractions need to be escalated and reviewed.

The moderation notice cites "BCP9 / RFC3934 Section 2." BCP 9 is RFC 2026 [1], not RFC 3934. RFC 3934 was obsoleted by RFC 9945 in February 2026 [2]. The responsible AD's warning to Nadim Kobeissi also cites RFC 3934 [3]. Both actions invoke authority that no longer exists.

The current governing document, RFC 9945 (BCP 245), requires consistent, fair moderation regardless of a participant's role or contributions, protects participants outside the rough consensus from being deemed disruptive on that basis alone, and explicitly identifies the risk of chairs abusing moderation to censor legitimate participation (Sections 1.2 and 6) [2].

Per RFC 9945 Section 4.1, moderation disagreements go to the responsible AD, then the IESG, then the IAB [2]. The responsible AD has already stated publicly that she sees "no bias" from the chairs before any appeal has been filed, unprompted, prejudging the matter she would adjudicate.

Sincerely,
Andrew


[1] https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/bcp9/
[2] https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9945.html
[3] https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3934.html#section-2


On 29 Jun 2026, at 8:13 PM, Deb Cooley <[e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> This is a public warning in accordance with RFC 3934, Section 2 [0] to Nadim Kobeissi. Specifically, https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/MslhMl9dJNmoUXEP4iCielOuU_I/.  The content of this message is disruptive to both the TLS working group progress and IETF Last Call progress.  Future postings like this may result in moderation.
>>>> 
>>>> Self-control is a wonderful thing.  I expect all tls participants to treat people respectfully, thus complying with the Code of Conduct.
>>>> 
>>>> Deb Cooley
>>>> Sec AD
>>>> 
>>>> [0] https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc3934.html#section-2
>>>> 

>>>>>>> On 29 Jun 2026, at 5:01 AM, Joseph Salowey <[e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> The TLS Chairs have, after consultation with the AD, decided to moderate
>>>>>>> the postings of D. J. Bernstein for 30 days due to continued disruptive
>>>>>>> behavior [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] as allowed by the IESG statement on the 
>>>>>>> intentional inclusion of a derivative works notice in list emails [1]. 
>>>>>>> This follows previous public warnings for disruptive behavior 
>>>>>>> [9][10][11][12][13][14].
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> This action is taken under BCP9 / RFC3934 Section 2, with  the exception
>>>>>>> that moderation instead of suspension of all posting rights is applied.
>>>>>>> Postings by D. J. Bernstein will be held for moderation and after
>>>>>>> confirmation by the TLS Chairs of being on topic and not disruptive, will
>>>>>>> be released to the list. Please note that release of messages to the TLS
>>>>>>> list may take up to two working days.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On behalf of the TLS Chairs,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Joe
>>>>>>> [1] https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/statement-iesg-statement-on-clarifying-derivative-works-rights/
>>>>>>> [2] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/GL9oPGn60Oz601--gqCk4hcQlCM/
>>>>>>> [3] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/X8-3pmioGxFZX3T0tRsdxPWKx3I/
>>>>>>> [4] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/IxuKXmrNL3drVmEo-3cJiYBfOwI/
>>>>>>> [5] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/sJZkQ1YRYXF_lIhr0tKF_qTvlOg/
>>>>>>> [6] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/m-gqGbrdOObvMd1qxb6PnOvJVzw/
>>>>>>> [7] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/XHT418V8IBYcl0bHf9tsdBc1Sds/
>>>>>>> [8] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/lo9FBpW-6WhvltdV5CFATAnUNgk/
>>>>>>> [9] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/ivYCeEHbgs_qo5EaenOezxK11jg/
>>>>>>> [10] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/_15N-0uipLJAIBEPlEq_7F2NB2Q/
>>>>>>> [11] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/NdDHaQkC4uglI3P5Or8SmHxFZ-Q/
>>>>>>> [12] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/LHeWv-fwBrN6NC-JjC2F49DXIps/
>>>>>>> [13] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/no0lW8r_wIPGF1ZXWB3EaGywh9Q/
>>>>>>> [14] https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/tls/hh5h54j9mdSN-4xNBv8pItQg-Xg/
>>>>>>>