Web Hosting – Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy ("Policy") governs the use of all web hosting, reseller hosting, email hosting, website management, and related services ("Services") provided by ThriftySites Group Ltd ("ThriftySites", "we", "us", or "our").

By using our Services, you agree to comply with this Policy, which forms part of our Terms and Conditions. Failure to comply may result in suspension or termination of your Services.

ThriftySites Group Ltd reserves the right to update this Policy at any time. Any amendments will become effective upon publication on our website.

1. Responsibility for Use

You are responsible for all activity conducted through your account.

You must not allow unauthorised third parties to use the Services. Where you have purchased a reseller hosting package, you may provide access to your customers or authorised users. In these circumstances:

  • You remain responsible for all activity carried out by those users.
  • You must ensure that all users comply with this Policy.
  • Any breach by a third party using your account will be treated as a breach by you.

2. Resource Usage

2.1 Website Hosting

Our hosting services are intended for the operation of websites and related online applications.

While certain plans may be marketed as having generous or unlimited allowances, all Services remain subject to fair and reasonable usage.

2.2 Excessive Resource Usage

You must not use the Services in a manner that negatively affects the stability, performance, or security of our infrastructure.

We may restrict, suspend, or require upgrades for accounts that consume excessive resources.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Excessive CPU or memory usage.
  • Poorly optimised scripts or applications.
  • Excessive database activity.
  • Automated tasks that adversely impact server performance.
  • Resource-intensive FTP, HTTP, PHP, or CGI processes.

3. Prohibited Technical Activities

You must not use the Services to:

  • Operate standalone or unattended server-side processes or daemons.
  • Run Internet Relay Chat (IRC) services.
  • Operate web crawlers, spiders, or indexing services that place excessive load on systems.
  • Run software that interfaces with IRC networks.
  • Host or operate BitTorrent clients, trackers, or related services.
  • Participate in peer-to-peer file sharing services.
  • Operate gaming servers.
  • Create scheduled tasks outside approved hosting control panel functionality.
  • Provide free hosting services under domains without our prior written consent.
  • Operate proxy servers, anonymisation services, or VPN services.
  • Use the Services primarily for file distribution or storage.
  • Use the Services as a remote file hosting platform.
  • Operate self-hosted cloud storage or file synchronisation platforms such as OwnCloud, Nextcloud, Pydio, SparkleShare, or similar services.

4. Backup Storage

The Services are not intended to be used solely as an off-site backup or file archive system.

Files stored on our platforms should relate directly to the operation of a website or associated service.

We reserve the right to remove data that is clearly being stored solely for backup, archival, or unrelated file storage purposes.

Customers remain solely responsible for maintaining their own independent backups.

5. Databases

Database services are provided solely to support websites and applications hosted within your account.

Where database usage becomes excessive or adversely impacts platform performance, we may:

  • Request optimisation of the database.
  • Require an upgrade to a more suitable hosting package.
  • Apply reasonable limits to maintain service stability.

6. Search Engine Compliance

If you choose to optimise your website for search engines, you agree to follow recognised search engine guidelines and best practices.

You must not engage in deceptive SEO practices, including:

  • Keyword stuffing.
  • Hidden text or links.
  • Cloaking.
  • Automated content generation designed to manipulate rankings.
  • Link schemes or spam networks.

7. Prohibited Uses

You may only use our Services for lawful purposes.

You must not use the Services:

  • In any way that breaches applicable laws or regulations.
  • For any unlawful, fraudulent, or misleading purpose.
  • To harm, exploit, or attempt to exploit children or vulnerable persons.
  • To upload, distribute, or make available content that breaches this Policy.
  • To send unsolicited marketing communications ("spam").
  • To distribute malware, viruses, spyware, ransomware, trojans, or other malicious software.
  • To attempt unauthorised access to any system, network, account, or data.

8. Content Standards

All content hosted using our Services must comply with applicable UK law and any relevant international laws.

Content must:

  • Be accurate where it states facts.
  • Be genuinely held where it expresses opinions.
  • Respect intellectual property rights.
  • Comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Content must not:

  • Be defamatory.
  • Be obscene, offensive, hateful, or inflammatory.
  • Contain pornography or sexually explicit material.
  • Promote violence.
  • Promote discrimination or hatred.
  • Infringe copyrights, trademarks, patents, database rights, or other intellectual property rights.
  • Mislead or deceive users.
  • Breach confidentiality obligations.
  • Promote illegal activities.
  • Harass, threaten, intimidate, or abuse others.
  • Impersonate another person or organisation.
  • Misrepresent affiliation with ThriftySites Group Ltd.
  • Facilitate cybercrime, hacking, phishing, or computer misuse.

9. Anti-Spam Policy

ThriftySites Group Ltd operates a strict zero-tolerance policy on spam.

You must not:

  • Send unsolicited bulk email.
  • Use purchased email lists.
  • Send email that breaches UK GDPR, PECR, or other applicable legislation.
  • Host websites promoted through spam campaigns.

Where spam is identified, we may:

  • Suspend or terminate services immediately.
  • Remove offending content.
  • Require corrective action before reinstatement.
  • Recover reasonable costs incurred through blacklist removal, investigations, or remediation.

10. Reseller Hosting

If you purchase reseller hosting services:

  • You may only resell Services included within your reseller package.
  • You remain responsible for all customer accounts.
  • You must maintain and manage your reseller accounts appropriately.
  • You must remove unused hosting accounts and data when no longer required.
  • Hosting accounts deactivated for more than 50 consecutive days may be permanently deleted without notice.

11. Security

You must not:

  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any system or network.
  • Interfere with or disrupt the operation of our Services.
  • Circumvent security controls.
  • Interfere with equipment, software, or networks belonging to ThriftySites, our suppliers, or other customers.

We reserve the right to take immediate action where security threats are identified.

12. Suspension and Termination

Where we reasonably believe this Policy has been breached, we may take any action we consider appropriate, including:

  • Issuing a warning.
  • Restricting account functionality.
  • Suspending Services temporarily.
  • Permanently terminating Services.
  • Removing hosted content.
  • Recovering costs incurred as a result of the breach.
  • Reporting unlawful activity to law enforcement authorities.
  • Cooperating with regulatory or legal investigations.

Service suspension or termination under this Policy does not limit any other legal remedies available to us.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may amend this Acceptable Use Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be published on our website and will take effect immediately upon publication. Continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of any revised version.