Reaffirming our Code of Conduct
November 28 2025 Reaffirming our Code of Conduct Communications Chairs 2025 2025 Conference The NeurIPS 2025 organizing committee is actively monitoring the security incident on OpenReview that exposed the identities of some involved in the reviewing process across many conferences in the AI/ML community. We are issuing this statement to clarify our position on the exploitation of this information and to reaffirm our commitment to maintaining the integrity of our peer review process. The confidentiality of the peer review process is fundamental to the integrity of scientific publishing and the NeurIPS conference. Any exploitation or sharing of the leaked reviewer information represents a serious violation of the NeurIPS Code of Conduct and will be acted upon as such. Doxing, harassment, or any form of retaliation—whether in person or online—will not be tolerated and will result in the maximum penalties as defined by the NeurIPS 2025 Code of Conduct. These penalties may include, but are not limited to, immediate removal from the conference, bans from future participation, and referral to institutional authorities where appropriate. We continue to investigate this situation in coordination with our sister conferences and the OpenReview team. Our goal is not only to understand what happened and prevent future incidents, but also to ensure that any violations of our Code of Conduct are identified and addressed appropriately. If you have information about violations of the Code of Conduct related to this incident, please contact the NeurIPS 2025 organizing committee immediately through our confidential reporting channels. All reports will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. You can report incidents via hotline@neurips.cc . We are committed to protecting the integrity of NeurIPS 2025 and supporting all members of our community who participate in good faith in the peer review process.
Executive Summary
The NeurIPS 2025 organizing committee has issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the integrity of their peer review process following a security incident on OpenReview that exposed reviewer identities. The committee emphasizes that exploitation of the leaked information constitutes a serious violation of the NeurIPS Code of Conduct and will be acted upon accordingly. The statement highlights the importance of confidentiality in scientific publishing and outlines consequences for doxing, harassment, or retaliation. It also encourages community members to report any Code of Conduct violations. This response demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the incident and ensuring the integrity of the NeurIPS community.
Key Points
- ▸ NeurIPS 2025 organizing committee reaffirms commitment to peer review process integrity
- ▸ Leaked reviewer information constitutes serious Code of Conduct violation
- ▸ Consequences for doxing, harassment, or retaliation outlined, including removal from conference and bans from future participation
Merits
Clear Communication
The statement is clear, concise, and effectively communicates the NeurIPS committee's stance on the incident and their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the peer review process.
Proactive Approach
The committee's decision to issue a statement and encourage community members to report any Code of Conduct violations demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the incident and ensuring the integrity of the NeurIPS community.
Demerits
Limited Scope
The statement primarily focuses on the incident and the NeurIPS Code of Conduct, without addressing broader implications or potential systemic issues within the AI/ML community.
Lack of Concrete Actions
While the statement emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and outlines consequences for violations, it does not provide concrete actions or a clear plan for preventing future incidents.
Expert Commentary
The NeurIPS 2025 organizing committee's response to the incident demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining the integrity of their peer review process. However, a more nuanced approach that addresses broader systemic issues within the AI/ML community may be necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future. Furthermore, the statement's emphasis on community responsibility and the importance of reporting Code of Conduct violations highlights the need for a more proactive and inclusive approach to addressing academic integrity concerns.
Recommendations
- ✓ The NeurIPS committee should establish a task force to investigate the incident and provide recommendations for strengthening security measures and preventing future data breaches.
- ✓ The AI/ML community should engage in a broader discussion on the need for strengthened policies and guidelines for maintaining academic integrity, including the development of community-driven standards and best practices.
Sources
Original: NeurIPS
