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Acceptable Usage Policy

Policy Introduction

The purpose of this Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP) is to promote proper, legal access to, and use of, BT's network, services and data, and to provide information to assist users to understand how BT:

  • Protects its network against irresponsible use and illegal and criminal activities
  • Enhances the functionality, performance and integrity of its services
  • Enhances the privacy, security and reliability of the its network, the networks of our clients, business partners, and employees

This AUP also provides terms, and describes certain actions BT might take, in order to support these objectives.

The network is defined as the backbone operated by BT and used for the provision, via one or more layers, of BT's services, including all related systems, services, or products, etc.

Any person, device, or network using or accessing network, whether as one of BT's clients, partners, resellers, or Country Representatives, employees, or other general users, such as the general public, is referred to in this Policy as a "User."

Intent of Policy

It is BT's intent to prevent misuse (whether intentional or inadvertent), to attempt to detect misuse when it does occur, and to respond, as swiftly as practicable, to any imminent or actual misuse in accordance with applicable law and regulation, the terms of this AUP, and general ethical network practices.

This policy applies to all Users, regardless of the origin or destination of communication and whether or not the misuse attempt was successful. The prohibitions described in this AUP are by no means exhaustive but are listed to provide an indication of activities that are considered unacceptable use.

BT reserves the right to take all actions it determines necessary to protect its network, BT's other systems and networks, and its business interests.

Unacceptable Use Defined

Users are solely responsible for the content of their postings, data or transmissions using BT's network. By the use of, or transmission through, BT' network services, every User explicitly represents and warrants that it will not use, or attempt to use, BT's network or services in violation of this AUP or law.

In addition, where the Network is used to transmit or connect into other networks worldwide, Users are expected to conform to any applicable acceptable usage policy relating to those other networks.

Fraudulent and Unlawful Activities:

Users are prohibited from using or attempting to use BT network for any unlawful purposes or criminal deception.

Transmitting, copying, distributing, storing or infringing upon any material in violation of any applicable law or regulation is strictly prohibited. This includes, without limitation:

  • The use of material protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual property right used without proper authorisation by the party holding such right..
  • Material that is obscene, sexually offensive, pornographic, defamatory or libellous, invasive of privacy, racial, threatening, harassing, malicious, promotes violence against a person, group, or government, or provides insider or confidential information about a company, group, or technology with the goal of causing damage either financially, technically, or physically.

BT's network may not be used for activities such as or which include fraud, wire fraud, wrongly impersonating another person or organisation, falsifying one's network identity for improper or illegal purposes, making fraudulent offers of products, items, or services, or exporting software, information, or technology in violation of international or regional export control laws.

System and Network Activities:
BT's network may not be used to gain unauthorised access to any data, server, or network, or to interfere with system or network operations or functionality. Examples of specific activities that are prohibited by this AUP include, but are not limited to:

  • Introduction of malicious or destructive programs into the network or server (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses, e-mail bombs, etc.).
  • Revealing an individual account password to others or allowing use of your account by others.
  • Circumventing user authentication or security of any host, network or account.
  • Performing security audits, penetration testing, port scanning or security scanning is expressly prohibited unless approved in advance in writing by BT Executive Management and BT's Global Security Group.
  • Executing any form of network monitoring, tapping, or eavesdropping to intercept data not intended for the User who is undertaking the monitoring, etc., unless to the extent it is a part of an BT employee's job/duty.
  • Disclosing in any manner classified or sensitive information about BT, its Business, its network, or its clients, partners, or vendors to third parties unless formally authorised by BT in writing by an authorised signatory.
  • Effecting, or deliberately enabling or allowing Security Breaches or Disruptions of network communication to any network, server, or User.

    For the purpose of this AUP "Security Breaches" includes, but is not limited to:

    • Unauthorized accessing of data or using received data of which you are not the intended recipient.
    • Logging into or accessing any system, network resource, or user account unless expressly authorized to do so (unless these duties are within the scope of regular BT support duties).
    • Using any program/script/command, or sending messages of any kind, in a manner that interferes with, or disables, any network element or session, via any means, locally or via the Internet/Intranet/Extranet.

    For the purpose of this AUP "Disruption" includes, but is not limited to:

    • Network sniffing, ping floods, packet spoofing, and denial of service, and Forged routing information for fraudulent, illegal, or malicious purposes.

Spam, Email, and Communications:
BT's network and its services may not be used to abuse communication technologies and methods. Examples of unacceptable usage include, but are not limited to:

  • Sending unsolicited email messages, including the sending of "junk mail" or other advertising material to individuals who did not specifically request such material (email spam).
  • Making unauthorized usage of an SMTP Mail server ("Relay Server") to relay (bulk) e-mail and/or forging of identities to make it appear as though the e-mail was sourced from the Relay Server or other falsified source.
  • Conducting any form of harassment via email, telephone paging, or other messaging whether through language, content, frequency, or size of messages.
  • Unauthorized use or forging of email header or any TCP/IP packet header information.
  • Creating or forwarding "chain letters", "Ponzi" or other "pyramid" schemes of any type.
  • Sending email in violation of laws applicable to the sender.

Consequences of Violations

In each case where BT becomes aware of a violation of this AUP, BT may take any action it deems appropriate to address or prevent such violation.

Users found to be, or where there are grounds to suspect that Users are or will be, in violation of this AUP, in the sole and final determination of BT, will be subject to disciplinary actions. These actions are at the discretion of BT and may include, but are not limited to, any of the following:

  • Termination of access for the User
  • Termination of right to use the network service
  • Liability for damages
  • Suspension of service, access, or other privileges, temporarily (e.g., pending further investigation) or permanently
  • Termination of employment, contracts, partnership, etc.
  • Reporting of violations or suspected violations to the appropriate authorities.

In the event any of these actions is undertaken, BT shall not be liable (including, without limitation, any obligation to refund any prepaid fees or payment of revenue-sharing fees) as a result of such actions. Users agree to reimburse BT's costs and damages associated with investigating the incident and shall pay any charges levied by civil and criminal penalties. Furthermore, any violation of this AUP may lead to other legal actions (civil or criminal) under any applicable local and international laws.

BT will fully cooperate with investigations of suspected criminal violations, violation of systems or network security if so requested by the relevant legal authorities.

Each User agrees that BT may store their name, address and other personal or corporate information in a private database for the purpose of refusing to grant them future access to BT's services if BT determines that such User has violated this AUP. Each User agrees that BT may share this information with other network providers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and notify them that the User's account for BT has been terminated should BT determine that the User has violated this AUP.

Contact Information and AUP Concerns

Anyone who wishes to contact BT regarding prohibited use or other abuse related to BT's network, or for requests of clarification regarding this AUP, can send an e-mail message to abuse@infonet.com.

Complaints about unsolicited bulk e-mail/mass e-mail and News posting abuse should be e-mailed to abuse@infonet.com.

Complaints about cracking, hacking, or other suspected security incidents should be addressed to via e-mail to CERT@infonet.com by filling out this form. Internal BT users and customers can also call the GCAC help desk and open a CERT trouble ticket.

Please include all information that may assist BT in investigating your concern, including all applicable header lines of forwarded messages.

Disclaimers

BT reserves the right to modify this AUP at any time, effective upon posting on this web site.

BT does not accept liability for damages caused to any User or third party by any action or omission by another User or for any other reason. BT does not control, monitor or censor the content of communications transmitted over its network unless requested by the owner of such communications. BT does not accept any responsibility for any information or content passing through its network.

Although pursuant to this AUP, it is BT's intention to take steps to protect its network and users thereof from abuse, as set out in this policy, BT is not obligated to take any (proactive) steps to suspend users, block passwords, etc. and therefore it is important for Users who suspect or know of abuse (and who are desirous of a course of action being taken to deal with such abuse) to notify the above-mentioned contacts, or ensure clear instructions are agreed between them and BT or their account manager/contact at BT.

Links to Third-Party Sites
BT or third-party providers of content may provide links to other World Wide Web sites or resources. BT Infonet does not control these sites and resources, does not endorse them, and is not responsible for their availability, content, or delivery of services.

Policy Version Control: GSP005-02, released 15 September 2004