Overview: This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs what content and activities are permitted on HostKum's hosting infrastructure. By using our services, you agree to comply with this AUP. It applies to all customers, resellers, and end users of any HostKum service. Violations may result in immediate account suspension or termination.
1. Purpose
HostKum provides hosting infrastructure for lawful internet activity. We are committed to maintaining a safe, reliable, and legal platform for all customers. This policy exists to protect our infrastructure, our other customers, the broader internet community, and HostKum from legal and reputational harm.
2. Permitted Uses
You are welcome to host: Websites, blogs, e-commerce stores, web applications, SaaS products, APIs, email services, and any other lawful internet service that complies with this AUP and all applicable laws.
3. Prohibited Content
You may NOT use HostKum's services to host, store, transmit, or distribute any of the following:
3.1 Illegal Content
- Any content that violates applicable local, state, national, or international law
- Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) or any content that sexualises or exploits minors in any way — zero tolerance, reported immediately to law enforcement
- Content that facilitates human trafficking, slavery, or exploitation
- Content that promotes or facilitates terrorism, genocide, or mass violence
- Counterfeit goods, forged documents, or fraudulent financial instruments
- Controlled substances, illegal drugs, or pharmaceuticals sold without authorisation
3.2 Malicious & Security-Threatening Content
- Malware, ransomware, spyware, adware, trojans, viruses, or any malicious code
- Phishing pages, credential harvesting sites, or social engineering tools
- Exploit kits, hacking tools, or software designed to compromise third-party systems without authorisation
- Command-and-control (C2) infrastructure for botnets
- Scanning, probing, or attacking other networks or systems
- DDoS-for-hire services, stresser tools, or booter services
3.3 Spam & Unsolicited Communications
- Sending unsolicited bulk email (spam) or operating a mass mailing service without opt-in consent
- Email harvesting tools or scrapers for collecting email addresses without consent
- Operating open mail relays that enable third-party spam
- SMS spam or unsolicited bulk messaging of any kind
3.4 Intellectual Property Violations
- Hosting, distributing, or sharing copyrighted content without authorisation or appropriate licensing
- Piracy websites, torrent indexing sites, or file-locker services distributing infringing content
- Counterfeit goods websites or trademark-infringing content
3.5 Harmful & Offensive Content
- Content that incites, promotes, or facilitates violence or harm against any individual or group
- Hate speech targeting individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or similar characteristics
- Harassment, stalking, doxxing, or targeted intimidation campaigns
- Non-consensual intimate imagery (revenge porn) or any similarly harmful content
3.6 Resource Abuse
- Cryptocurrency mining without written authorisation from HostKum — this degrades performance for all customers
- Running scripts, bots, or processes that excessively consume server CPU, memory, or bandwidth beyond your plan allocation
- Operating torrent seeders/leechers or P2P file-sharing applications on shared hosting plans
- Bandwidth reselling or operating proxy/VPN services without written approval
4. Email Usage Requirements
All email sent through HostKum's infrastructure must comply with:
- CAN-SPAM Act (USA): All commercial emails must include a valid physical address, clear sender identification, and a working opt-out mechanism honoured within 10 business days
- GDPR (where applicable): Email marketing to EU residents requires a verifiable legal basis (typically opt-in consent)
- Email lists must be permission-based — purchased lists or scraped addresses are strictly prohibited
- Bounce rates must be managed — excessive bounces may trigger account review
5. Payment & Financial Services
Because we process payments through PayPal and Stripe, we are required to prohibit certain business types on our platform. You may NOT use HostKum to operate:
- Online gambling, betting, or casino services (where unlicensed)
- Adult content websites (without prior written approval and age verification compliance)
- Multi-level marketing or pyramid schemes
- Get-rich-quick schemes, investment fraud, or Ponzi structures
- Unregistered money services, currency exchanges, or cryptocurrency exchanges operating outside regulatory frameworks
- Firearms, ammunition, or weapons sales (without appropriate licences and payment processor approval)
- Payday lending or high-interest loan businesses operating outside applicable regulations
- Businesses or content that violate PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy or Stripe's Restricted Businesses Policy
6. Reseller Responsibilities
If you are a reseller using HostKum's infrastructure to provide hosting services to your own clients, you are fully responsible for ensuring that all of your end users comply with this AUP. Violations by your customers are treated as violations by you. You must:
- Maintain your own Acceptable Use Policy that is at least as restrictive as this one
- Promptly investigate and respond to any abuse reports related to your clients
- Maintain contact information that is monitored and responsive to abuse reports
7. Reporting Abuse
If you believe that our infrastructure is being used to violate this AUP or any law, please report it immediately to our abuse team:
- Abuse Email: support@hostkum.com (Subject: "Abuse Report")
- We review all abuse reports within 24 hours and take prompt action on verified violations
- CSAM reports are forwarded to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and relevant law enforcement
8. Enforcement
Violations of this AUP may result in: Immediate content removal without notice · Account suspension or termination without refund · Reporting to relevant law enforcement agencies · Civil or criminal legal action where appropriate · Permanent banning from all HostKum services
HostKum reserves the right to investigate any suspected violations and to take any action we deem appropriate to protect our platform, customers, and the public, including cooperating with law enforcement requests.
We will make reasonable efforts to notify customers of AUP violations before taking action, except where the violation poses an immediate risk to our infrastructure, other customers, or legal obligation requires immediate action.
9. Changes to This Policy
HostKum may update this AUP from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date, and material changes will be communicated via email with at least 14 days' notice. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes acceptance.
10. Contact