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Acceptable use policy

Prohibited uses · suspension · technical limits · AI · reporting · remedies

WHAT IT IS

The document setting out what your customers and their users may not do with your service.

WHEN IT COMES INTO PLAY

Attached to your SaaS agreement or online terms, as soon as your platform is open to users.

WHY IT MATTERS

The acceptable use policy sets the limits of what your customers and their users may do with your service. It protects your platform, your reputation and your other customers from abuse. It's also what gives you the right to act fast, by suspending access or removing content, without waiting for a lengthy process. Short and clear, it attaches to your SaaS agreement or online terms.

WHAT IT OFTEN CONTAINS

Prohibited uses

Prohibited uses: illegal activity, fraud, harassment, unlawful content or content infringing third-party rights.

Platform integrity

The ban on attacking or circumventing the platform: unauthorized penetration tests, deliberate overload, access to others' accounts.

Technical limits

Technical limits: volumes, API call frequency, automated data extraction.

AI-specific rules

AI-specific rules, where relevant: prohibited uses of generated output and circumvention of guardrails.

Reporting and investigation

How a breach is reported, and how you investigate.

Measures and remedies

Your remedies: warning, content removal, suspension, then termination for serious or repeated breaches.

WHAT OFTEN GETS NEGOTIATED

Immediate suspension or after notice

WHAT THE BUYER OFTEN ASKS FOR

Suspension only after notice and a long cure period.

SUPPLIER SIDE

Immediate suspension for serious breaches, and prior notice for the others.

Policy changes

WHAT THE BUYER OFTEN ASKS FOR

The right to change the policy only with prior agreement.

SUPPLIER SIDE

Announced updates, with a right to terminate on material change.

Customer responsibility for its users

WHAT THE BUYER OFTEN ASKS FOR

That the customer not answer for its users' actions.

SUPPLIER SIDE

That the customer ensures its users comply with the policy, and answers for them.

SAMPLE CLAUSE

SUSPENSION

« The Supplier may suspend without notice the access of any user whose use of the service breaches this policy and threatens the security, integrity or availability of the service. »

IN PLAIN TERMSWhen the platform is genuinely at risk, you can cut access right away and talk afterwards.

BEFORE YOU SIGN

Are the prohibited uses precise?

Is the suspension right clear?

Do the technical limits reflect your infrastructure?

Are the AI rules up to date?

Is the policy incorporated into the contract by reference?

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