UC Berkeley shares personal data of 160 individuals in federal antisemitism inquiry
- UC Berkeley has shared the personal information of 160 individuals linked to reports of anti-Semitism with federal investigators.
- Notices were sent to affected individuals indicating their involvement in the investigation, with implications for the accused.
- The university's decision has sparked debate over balancing free speech with the obligation to address discrimination.
In the United States, officials at the University of California-Berkeley disclosed personal information of 160 individuals, including students, faculty, and staff, to the federal government in relation to an investigation into alleged anti-Semitism on campus. This action followed a request from the Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights, which began investigating claims of anti-Semitism at UC Berkeley in February. The university complied by providing documents, including files and reports associated with alleged anti-Semitic incidents, in August 2025, and notified individuals affected by this in a September 4 email from its Office of Legal Affairs. Among those whose information was shared is Judith Butler, a faculty member known for her feminist philosophy and criticism of Israel. Butler, who is also a Jewish scholar, expressed concerns regarding transparency in the investigation and the rights of those accused, emphasizing the need to know the charges against them and who made those charges. She referred to the situation as a