Worldstream Anti Abuse

Anti Abuse Policy

As an IaaS provider with a vast global network delivering unmanaged infrastructure, Worldstream does not have access to the hardware in its data centers while the initiative to transmit content is not taken by Worldstream itself. As a consequence of not having access to the unmanaged infrastructure, we’re not able to select and/or amend any content. We’re just enabling content transmission. In legal terms this is called ‘mere conduit’ according to the European e-Commerce Directive.

To ensure that any misuse of Worldstream’s unmanaged IT services gets addressed quickly, Worldstream has an Abuse Policy for structured handling of abusive events. Our abuse handling method is in line with common international IaaS market practice. On top of that we’re uniquely pursuing a proactive approach, to keep Worldstream’s global technical infrastructure as clean as possible.

Worldstream collects abuse notifications and acts upon them quickly within specified time frames. Do you spot anyone that misuses Worldstream’s unmanaged IT services? Then we certainly would like to hear from you, please let us know! Do you identify frequent misuse of Worldstream’s services? Please let us know as well so we can team up to find an enduring solution. The procedure and requirements for submitting abuse notifications are set forth below.

In line with our market leading position, Worldstream has a dedicated Anti Abuse team on board. This team manages the abuse handling process and makes sure that the notifications are handled with care and responded to on time, while making sure that the applicable laws are being complied with.

Worldstream is an active member of Dutch industry association DHPA. As such, Worldstream has signed the foundation’s Code of Conduct, expressing our commitment to taking social responsibility and dealing responsibly with our role as an IaaS provider in society as a whole. Part of it is also a Notice and Takedown (NTD) Code of Conduct for taking offline unlawful and/or punishable content on the Internet, to which Worldstream has committed itself. Intended to achieve accurate and legally sound decision-making when responding to third party take-down requests, it means that we act in accordance with the procedures described in this NTD code.

Abuse Notification Requirements

In order to respect everyone’s legal rights and ensure that procedure standards and conditions are being met, please make sure that you meet the requirements as stated below when submitting your abuse notification about content identified in the global Worldstream network. It is essential to follow these requirements below precisely, as non-compliancy might result in a delay of the notification handling or even an inaccurate (legal) processing of your submitted notification. Before submitting a notification, you should first contact the content provider.

• A notification must be submitted to: abuse@worldstream.com.
• An abuse notification has to be submitted in English or Dutch language. 
• Include the type of abuse, whether it is about: copyright infringements, trademark infringements, child abuse, hacking/scanning, spam, phishing, or malware.
• Include your personal name, your company name (if applicable), as well as your address, telephone number and email address.
• Include a clear description of ‘why’ the content mentioned is unlawful

• Include evidence in order to verify your complaint

  • Add log files to the notification, with the exact date and time(s) you have registered the alleged abuse.
  • Include the IP address and static URL of the content’s location that is allegedly assigned to Worldstream.
  • In case of ‘copyright infringement,’ include a clear description of the allegedly copyright infringed work(s); this must also include a copy of the infringed work(s), or else an IP address where your copyrighted work(s) can be found.
  • In case of ‘trademark infringement,’ include the official trademark registration number and accompanying details with a description of your trademark being infringed upon.
  • In case of hacking or scanning include a clear description of the alleged illegal activities; next to log files with an exact date and timestamp, as well as an IP address of the server concerned, this notification must also include the source port and destination port.
  • In case of phishing websites provide a link to the original website, where applicable.

Worldstream Abuse Policy Process

On a reactive basis, Worldstream has set fixed time frames for handling different types of abuse notifications, depending on the urgency of the notification. All abuse notifications are handled within 2 working days. On urgent matters Worldstream is able to take action at a much shorter notice though. The urgency depends on the personal and company risks involved and the scope of potential damage for persons, companies and/or society.