AUP

An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is a document that sets forth rules and guidelines governing the use of an organization’s networks, systems, and services. It is intended to protect safety, security, legal compliance, and service reliability, while clarifying user responsibilities. AUPs are commonly issued by businesses, educational institutions, internet service providers, and cloud service providers and form part of the contractual relationship with users.

The policy typically defines authorized uses and prohibited activities. Allowed uses may include legitimate work or study, personal use within policy limits, and permissible data processing. Prohibited activities include illegal activities, hacking or attempting to bypass security, unauthorized access or distribution of sensitive data, introduction of malware, spamming, copyright infringement, harassment or threats, and actions that could disrupt networks or degrade service. The AUP usually covers monitoring and data collection, privacy limits, incident reporting, and the rights of the organization to suspend or terminate access and to pursue remediation or legal action. It may also outline requirements for device security, software updates, and the handling of intellectual property.

Policy management typically accompanies terms of service or acceptable use terms and may be updated over time. Organizations may implement a governance framework with user education, incident response procedures, and escalation paths. Critics note that AUPs can be vague or overly broad, potentially impacting privacy or chilling legitimate activity, and enforcement can vary across jurisdictions. Nevertheless, AUPs remain a foundational tool for managing risk and user conduct in shared networks and online services.