Our communication services, including telephony, SMS and MMS messaging, fax, call recording and transcription, as well as the web console and applications, must be used responsibly and lawfully, with respect for other users and recipients. By using our services, you agree to this policy.
Rules that apply to all our services
A Client who uses FLORENCE TELECOM Internet systems, either directly or through an intermediary (collectively referred to below as “communication services”), is prohibited from engaging in certain activities, including, without limitation, those set out below.
Overview
When a client uses a FLORENCE TELECOM messaging or communication service that can be accessed through FLORENCE TELECOM Internet systems or by using them as an intermediary (collectively referred to below as “communication services”), the client is prohibited from engaging in certain activities, including those set out below.
For the purposes of this Internet access services use policy, the term “client” means any person or organization that has entered into a communication service agreement with FLORENCE TELECOM or otherwise uses FLORENCE TELECOM communication services.
If the client engages in any activity prohibited by this policy, FLORENCE TELECOM may, at its sole discretion and without notice, (1) impose restrictions on the client’s use of the communication services or suspend or terminate the client’s service agreement (including the client’s FLORENCE TELECOM Internet access or hosting service) without compensation, (2) block or filter communications, (3) charge complaint-handling, disconnection, and additional service fees, (4) remove the client’s website content or data from FLORENCE TELECOM servers, or (5) involve law-enforcement agencies. Such activities may result in civil or criminal proceedings. These provisions apply notwithstanding any contrary wording in any other agreement between the client and FLORENCE TELECOM.
The client is responsible for any use of the client’s FLORENCE TELECOM communication services by a third party, whether directly or indirectly and with or without the client’s consent.
Prohibited activities
Criminal offences
At its sole discretion, FLORENCE TELECOM prohibits the client from using FLORENCE TELECOM communication services to publish, upload, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise transmit information or other data when those activities constitute criminal offences, and from committing or helping others commit criminal offences including the following:
- Promotion of hatred
- Pyramid selling
- Unauthorized use of a computer
- Mischief in relation to data
- Fraud
- Defamation
- Obscenity
- Child pornography
- Harassment
- Threats
Civil offences and violations of the rights of others
At its sole discretion, FLORENCE TELECOM prohibits the client from using FLORENCE TELECOM communication services to publish, upload, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise transmit information or other data when those activities could give rise to civil liability, and from violating or helping others violate the rights of FLORENCE TELECOM or third parties, including through the following violations:
- Copyright infringement
- Trademark infringement
- Patent infringement
- Misappropriation of trade secrets
- Defamation
Other prohibited activities
The client is prohibited from using FLORENCE TELECOM communication services to engage in, or help a third party engage in, activities that, at FLORENCE TELECOM’s sole discretion, (1) violate the policies, rules, or directives of FLORENCE TELECOM or other Internet service providers, (2) disrupt or threaten the integrity, operation, or security of any communication service, computer, or Internet system, (3) result in complaints from other users or telecommunications service providers, (4) violate any law or regulation, or (5) are otherwise objectionable. Examples of prohibited activities include:
- Probing another computer
- Interfering with or bypassing computer identification or security procedures
- Accessing a computer or network without authorization
- Operating a relay service for the general public
- Launching a denial-of-service attack
- Publishing, uploading, reproducing, distributing, or otherwise transmitting data, information, or software that contains a virus, Trojan horse, computer worm, or any other harmful component
- Exporting hardware, software, or data from Canada or the United States in violation of applicable export-control laws
- Falsifying addresses, altering message headers to conceal one’s identity, or impersonating others solely to circumvent this use policy
- Publishing, uploading, reproducing, distributing, or otherwise transmitting automatically replicated unsolicited email, bulk email or spam, chain messages, newsgroup postings, or other forms of spam, or collecting responses to them (FLORENCE TELECOM reserves the exclusive right to determine what constitutes spam)
- Participating in any action that directly or indirectly encourages, facilitates, exploits, or authorizes the prohibited activities above, including failing to take reasonable technical or administrative preventive measures against spam, viruses, and worms
Additional information and security measures
Cooperation with other providers
FLORENCE TELECOM may cooperate with other Internet service providers to address violations of this acceptable use policy. FLORENCE TELECOM reserves the right to take appropriate action against the client if other networks accuse the client of engaging in unacceptable activities affecting them. The client is prohibited from using another provider’s services to engage in or contribute to activities that violate this acceptable use policy.
Indemnification
The client agrees to indemnify FLORENCE TELECOM against claims, proceedings, awards, actions, damages, losses, costs, legal fees, and other fees and expenses resulting from the client’s violation of this acceptable use policy. The client must promptly notify FLORENCE TELECOM of any claim or proceeding of which the client becomes aware.
Reserved rights and FLORENCE TELECOM’s liability
Nothing in this acceptable use policy may be interpreted as limiting in any way FLORENCE TELECOM’s rights or remedies regarding the activities above (including any rights or remedies provided for in the agreement between FLORENCE TELECOM and the client), and FLORENCE TELECOM reserves the full use of all legal and other remedies available to it regarding those activities. FLORENCE TELECOM disclaims all liability to the client and any other party for the consequences of failing to comply with this acceptable use policy.
Additional requirements: SMS and MMS messaging
In addition to the rules above, the following requirements apply to SMS and MMS messaging.
Consent and legal compliance
Send messages only to recipients who have provided valid consent, and keep records of that consent. Follow all applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and carrier requirements. Purchased, rented, or harvested contact lists are not permitted.
Accurate identification
Clearly identify your organization and the purpose of the message. Do not impersonate another person or organization, conceal your identity, or use misleading sender information.
Prohibited content and activity
Do not send unlawful, fraudulent, deceptive, threatening, harassing, hateful, or sexually exploitative content. Messages must not promote illegal goods or services, facilitate scams, phishing, malware, or unwanted mass messaging, or infringe intellectual property or privacy rights.
Recipient choice
Tell recipients how to stop receiving messages when required. Honor opt-out requests promptly, including standard keywords such as STOP, and do not message a recipient again unless they provide new consent. Provide reasonable help information when requested.
Privacy and security
Protect recipient information and use it only for the purpose for which consent was given. Do not include sensitive information unless it is necessary, lawful, and protected with appropriate safeguards.
Enforcement
We may investigate suspected violations and limit, suspend, or terminate messaging access when necessary to protect recipients, service providers, or the messaging network. You are responsible for the messaging activity performed through your account.