Acceptable Use Policy

Introduction

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") is established by 1085459 Ontario Ltd. operating as Kingston Online Services ("KOS," "we," "us," or "our") and governs the use of all KOS network services, including internet access, email, web hosting, VoIP, and related services.

This AUP is designed to protect the security and integrity of the KOS network, safeguard the experience of all KOS customers, and ensure compliance with applicable Canadian laws and regulations. This policy supplements and forms part of the KOS Terms and Conditions.

By using KOS services, you agree to comply with this AUP. Violation of this policy may result in a warning, suspension, or termination of your service, and may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

KOS reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, whether any activity constitutes a violation of this AUP. You are responsible for all activity originating from your account, whether performed by you, members of your household, guests, or any other person using your connection.

Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited when using KOS services. This list is not exhaustive; any activity that KOS determines to be harmful to its network, customers, or the broader internet community may be treated as a violation of this AUP.

1. Illegal Activity: Using KOS services for any purpose that violates federal, provincial, or municipal law, including but not limited to the distribution of child exploitation material, fraud, identity theft, or any criminal activity.
2. Harassment & Threats: Using KOS services to harass, threaten, stalk, defame, or intimidate any person. This includes the transmission of any communication that is obscene, hateful, or discriminatory.
3. Unauthorized Access (Hacking): Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any computer, network, system, or account, whether owned by KOS or a third party. This includes port scanning, vulnerability probing, brute-force attacks, and exploiting security weaknesses.
4. Spam & Unsolicited Communications: Sending unsolicited bulk email (spam), unsolicited commercial messages, chain letters, or any other type of unsolicited mass communication. This applies regardless of whether the messages are sent directly through KOS services or through third-party services using a KOS connection.
5. Excessive Bandwidth Consumption: Using disproportionate amounts of network bandwidth in a manner that degrades service quality for other customers. Residential accounts are intended for normal household usage. KOS reserves the right to manage traffic in accordance with CRTC guidelines to maintain a fair network experience.
6. Malware & Malicious Software: Creating, distributing, or knowingly transmitting viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, or any other malicious software or code. This includes hosting or linking to malicious content.
7. Impersonation & Forgery: Impersonating any person or entity, or forging headers, email addresses, IP addresses, or other identifying information to disguise the origin of any communication or data transmitted through KOS services.
8. Unauthorized Servers & Services: Operating servers, services, or applications on residential service plans that are intended for personal use, unless expressly permitted by your service plan. This includes but is not limited to running mail servers, web servers, game servers, file-sharing servers, or proxy/VPN services for third parties.
9. Copyright Infringement: Using KOS services to infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others, including the unauthorized copying, distribution, or sharing of copyrighted material such as music, movies, software, or other protected works. KOS complies with the notice-and-notice regime under the Copyright Modernization Act.
10. Network Interference: Engaging in any activity that disrupts, degrades, or interferes with the KOS network or the ability of other customers to use KOS services. This includes denial-of-service attacks, packet flooding, network spoofing, and signal interference.
11. Open Relays & Proxies: Operating or maintaining open mail relays, open proxies, or any other system that can be exploited by third parties to relay traffic, send spam, or anonymize harmful activity.
12. Unauthorized Resale: Reselling, redistributing, or sharing your KOS connection or services with third parties without the express written consent of KOS.
13. Interception of Communications: Intercepting, monitoring, or recording the communications of others without their consent, except as permitted by law.
14. Circumventing Security: Attempting to bypass, disable, or circumvent any security measures, authentication systems, or access controls implemented by KOS or any third party.
15. Falsifying Account Information: Providing false or misleading information when registering for or maintaining a KOS account, including your name, address, contact information, or payment details.
16. Cryptocurrency Mining (Residential): Operating large-scale cryptocurrency mining operations on residential service plans that consume excessive bandwidth or electrical resources, or that cause service degradation for other customers.
17. Distribution of Harmful Content: Using KOS services to host, distribute, or transmit content that promotes violence, hatred, discrimination, or illegal activity, or that is intended to deceive or defraud.

General Terms

Response to Violations

KOS takes violations of this AUP seriously and may respond with any of the following actions, depending on the nature and severity of the violation:

• Issuing a written warning and requesting immediate corrective action
• Temporarily suspending your service until the violation is resolved
• Permanently terminating your service without refund
• Removing or disabling access to offending content hosted on KOS servers
• Reporting the activity to the appropriate law enforcement or regulatory authorities
• Pursuing civil legal action to recover damages and legal costs

In cases involving imminent threat to network security or public safety, KOS may take immediate action without prior notice. For less urgent violations, KOS will typically attempt to contact you and provide an opportunity to remedy the situation before taking further action.

Forwarding of Complaints

KOS will forward all abuse complaints received from third parties to the account holder associated with the activity. In accordance with the Copyright Modernization Act, KOS will forward all copyright infringement notices received to the account holder identified in the notice and retain records as required by law.

Policy Amendments

KOS reserves the right to modify this AUP at any time. Changes will be posted on our website and will take effect immediately upon posting. Your continued use of KOS services after any modification constitutes acceptance of the revised AUP. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Governing Law

This AUP is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Any disputes arising under this policy shall be resolved in the courts of Ontario.

Complaints & Reporting

If you believe a KOS customer is violating this AUP, or if you have received spam or abusive communications originating from the KOS network, please report the issue to us. We investigate all complaints promptly and take appropriate action.

To report an AUP violation or abuse complaint, please contact us at accounts@kos.net with as much detail as possible, including dates, times, IP addresses, email headers, and a description of the activity.

Contact Information

For questions about this Acceptable Use Policy, to report a violation, or to discuss any concerns, please contact us:

This Acceptable Use Policy was last updated on January 1, 2025.