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from the unacceptable-acceptable-use-policies dept.
Is it just me or have ISP (Internet Service Provider) terms and conditions gotten a lot more one-sided about what you can't do and what they can do?
I was considering switching to the new Vodafone Connect broadband and phone service as there are some nice discounts for existing Vodafone customers (and I've had enough of BT's high prices for FTTC) but reading through the text of their Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) has caused me to think again. I'm sure a lot of the text in the agreement is fairly standard, and to be honest it's been a while since I switched providers, but some of these terms seem rather overreaching. For example:
2.7. You must not use the Vodafone Connect Services to access, download, send, receive, store, distribute, transmit, upload or in any way deal with material or data that we deem:
i. to be offensive, threatening, defamatory, racist, abusive, harassing, invasive of privacy, obscene, harmful, indecent or menacing;
Those words cover one hell of a lot of territory... sorry, did you deem my use of the "H" word offensive? What if I'm in a private chat with a friend and he calls me a "####" so I tell him to "#### off"? Use your imagination, we could be covering offensive, abusive, obscene and indecent right there (if not more).
Further on there's a section titled "Actions we may take" (where "we" is Vodafone) and this one really got my attention:
[More after the break...]
4.1. We may, at our sole discretion, run manual or automatic systems and monitoring in order to ensure that you remain compliant with the terms of this AUP at all times (for example we may scan for open mail relays, or open proxy servers). By accessing the internet via our Vodafone Connect Services you are deemed to have granted us permission to access and monitor your computer systems and networks.
So just by using their service I've given permission for them to access and monitor all my systems and networks! Well, given that they bought Cable & Wireless they do have a history of working closely within the surveillance system. Funny though, that they deem it acceptable to "access and monitor" my systems when earlier in the AUP it states:
2.11. Without the explicit permission of the relevant operators you may not run "scanning" software which accesses remote machines, networks or other computer systems.
Of course, they've got the usual "we can change this document at any time without explicitly telling you, and continuing use of the service means you agreed to any new conditions we've set" (See section 1.3) and finally you better not ever get a virus (goodbye Windows users):
2.13.You must ensure that your computer systems and network are not configured in such a way that others are able to exploit them in order to disrupt the internet or any other third party network. This includes but is not limited to ensuring that your network cannot be exploited as an open mail relay, open proxy server, or as a component of a wider network used in denial, or distributed denial of service attacks by third parties.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by canopic jug on Saturday September 12 2015, @01:16PM
2.13 effectively bans Windows, which is fine, but as for the rest, switching ISPs is not an option for most people. In the US, there is usually a local monopoly by one ISP or the other. Sometimes down to a neighborhood by neighborhood level.
Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.
(Score: 5, Funny) by WizardFusion on Saturday September 12 2015, @01:29PM
In the US, there is usually a local monopoly by one ISP or the other. Sometimes down to a neighborhood by neighborhood level.
How is that "freedom" of yours working out.!?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 12 2015, @01:33PM
Great if you're a corporation.
(Score: 2) by Nuke on Saturday September 12 2015, @01:59PM
canopicjug wrote :-
2.13 effectively bans Windows
I don't think Windows users will let Condition 2.13 stop them from signing up, if they ever read it. It does however allow Vodaphone to kick people off if they are found to be accomodating an open relay etc.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Saturday September 12 2015, @07:01PM
2.13 effectively bans Windows,
Only if you put windows directly on the internet without a router of some kind.
But jeeze, even grandmothers know better than that these days.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 1) by canopic jug on Saturday September 12 2015, @08:55PM
A router won't help, Windows would still be connected and infected. The rest of us then have to pay for it in spam and DDoS.
Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.