MACO Core: Acceptable Use Policy

Last updated: 12 November 2026

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") is part of our Terms of Service. It applies to everyone who uses MACO Core Services, including sub-users and anyone using a Server you host with us. Words with capital letters mean the same as in the Terms of Service.

If you are not sure whether something is allowed, ask us first at [email protected].

1. Illegal content and activity

You must not use the Services to store, send, host, or link to anything that is illegal in the United Kingdom or in the country where the Server is hosted. This includes:

  • child sexual abuse material (CSAM). We report this to the police and the Internet Watch Foundation immediately and terminate without warning;
  • content that promotes terrorism or violent extremism;
  • content or activity that harasses, threatens, stalks, or incites violence or hatred against anyone;
  • fraud, scams, or phishing;
  • selling or distributing illegal goods or services.

2. Network and system abuse

You must not:

  • launch, control, or take part in denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or run "booter"/"stresser" services;
  • scan ports or networks, or probe, test, or attack the security of any system, unless you own it or have written permission (and told us in advance);
  • try to get unauthorised access to any account, system, or data, including ours and other customers';
  • run open proxies, open relays, or anonymising services (for example Tor exit nodes) without our written permission;
  • spoof IP addresses, packet headers, or email headers;
  • interfere with, overload, or try to escape from your Server's container or resource limits, or affect other customers' Servers;
  • run any software designed to bypass our monitoring, limits, or security.

3. Cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining is not allowed on any Server, in any form. This includes mining software, browser miners, and anything that connects to mining pools. Our systems detect mining automatically.

4. Malware and spam

You must not:

  • host, send, or spread viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, botnet software, or other malicious code;
  • run command-and-control servers for malware or botnets;
  • send unsolicited bulk messages (spam) by email, chat, Discord, or any other method, or host websites advertised by spam;
  • send bulk or marketing email to people who have not opted in, or use purchased or scraped email lists;
  • host phishing pages, fake login pages, or anything designed to trick people into giving passwords, payment details or personal data.

5. Intellectual property

You must not host or share content that infringes anyone's copyright, trademarks, or other rights. This includes pirated software, pirated games, cracked plugins, or leaked paid content.

You must follow the licence terms of the games and software you run. For example, Minecraft servers must follow the Minecraft End User Licence Agreement and Usage Guidelines, including Mojang's rules about what you may charge players for.

Infringement notices. If you believe content on our Services infringes your rights, email [email protected] with:

  1. your contact details;
  2. what you think is being infringed;
  3. where the content is (IP address, server address, or URL);
  4. a statement that you believe in good faith the use is not authorised; and
  5. a statement that the information in your notice is accurate.

We may remove or disable access to the content and tell the customer.

6. Personal data and privacy

You must:

  • comply with data protection law (including UK GDPR) for any personal data your Server collects, for example player usernames, IP addresses, and chat logs;
  • not collect, publish, or share other people's personal data without a lawful reason (including "doxxing").

7. Resources and fair use

  • Plans come with the resources described on our website. Use them for running the game server or service you ordered.
  • You must not use your Server mainly for file storage, file sharing, or content delivery unrelated to the game server, unless your plan says this is allowed.
  • If your Server affects the stability of a node or other customers, we may limit it or ask you to upgrade. In an emergency we may temporarily stop it, and we will tell you why.

7A. Extra rules for VPS and dedicated servers

  • You are responsible for securing your server: keep the operating system updated, use strong passwords or SSH keys, and do not leave services open to abuse (for example open DNS resolvers, open mail relays or open proxies).
  • Do not use your server's IP addresses for anything that gets them blacklisted, and do not sell, lease or sub-allocate our IP addresses to others.
  • Do not run public VPN, proxy or "residential IP" services for other people without our written permission.
  • Do not use peer-to-peer or torrent software to share material you do not have the rights to.
  • Reply to abuse reports we forward to you within the time we give you (normally 24 hours).

8. Accounts

  • One person or organisation per account. Do not share accounts with people outside your team. Use control panel sub-users instead.
  • Do not create accounts to get around a suspension or termination.
  • Do not give false information or use someone else's payment method without permission.

9. Your responsibility for your Server

You are responsible for:

  • everything that happens on your Server, including what your players, staff, and sub-users do;
  • keeping your software, plugins, and mods up to date, and your passwords secure.

If your Server is compromised (for example by a malicious plugin) and starts breaking this AUP, we may suspend it until it is cleaned up, even if you did not cause it on purpose.

10. What we do if this AUP is broken

Depending on how serious it is, we may:

  1. warn you and ask you to fix it;
  2. remove or disable the content or process that breaks the AUP;
  3. suspend your Server or account (see section 11 of the Terms of Service);
  4. terminate your Services, without a refund where the Terms allow;
  5. report it to the police, regulators, or other authorities, and share information with them as the law allows;
  6. recover from you any costs the breach caused us (see section 14 of the Terms of Service).

Before suspending for abuse, a person reviews the evidence. Automated systems may detect and flag problems, but do not suspend accounts on their own. In an emergency, for example an active attack coming from your Server, we may stop the Server first and explain afterwards.

11. Reporting abuse

To report abuse coming from our network, email [email protected] with as much detail as possible: IP addresses, timestamps (with time zone), logs, and what happened.

12. Changes

We may update this AUP. Material changes will be notified as described in the Terms of Service.