Acceptable Use Policy exists if app hosts user-generated content
Why it matters
Platforms that host user-generated content without an Acceptable Use Policy have no enforceable basis to remove harmful content or terminate abusive accounts. The EU Digital Services Act (EU-DSA-2022/2065) requires platforms to publish clear and accessible terms on content restrictions and enforcement procedures. Without an AUP, moderating content becomes arbitrary and legally indefensible, and you have no recourse against users who post illegal content, harassment, or spam. Courts have found that platforms with no documented moderation policies are more liable for harmful content than those with enforced policies — not less.
Severity rationale
Medium because the absence of an AUP exposes the platform to liability for user-generated content and prevents legally defensible content moderation.
Remediation
Create an Acceptable Use Policy page at /acceptable-use (or add a dedicated section to your Terms of Service) and link to it from your footer and any content submission form.
The AUP must cover at minimum:
1. Prohibited Content — specific categories:
- Illegal content, hate speech, harassment, spam, malware, CSAM
- Impersonation of other users or your brand
2. Prohibited Actions — scraping, bypassing security, multi-account ban evasion
3. Enforcement — warning → content removal → suspension → permanent ban
4. Reporting — URL or email address for submitting violation reports
5. Appeals — whether users can appeal bans and how
Reference the AUP from your Terms of Service: "Your use of the Service is also subject to our Acceptable Use Policy."
DetectionPro
The detection method for this pattern is part of AuditBuffet Pro.
The full method (what to look for, pass and fail conditions, and how results get reported) ships inside the Terms of Service & Legal Pages Audit. The pattern definition, severity rationale, and remediation remain openly licensed under CC-BY-4.0.
External references
- external · EU-DSA-2022-2065 — EU Digital Services Act — Art. 14 requires terms of service covering content moderation and prohibited uses
Taxons
History
- 2026-04-18·v1.0.0·Initial import from legal-pages-compliance·automated