Community & Platform Standards

Acceptable Use Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy defines the standards of conduct, content integrity, and identity document protection required of all users accessing Hostel Cloud (https://hostelcloud.app).

Effective Date: November 1, 2026

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Last Updated: November 1, 2026

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Applies To: Visitors, Students & Hostel Operators

1. Core Principles

Hostel Cloud operates to provide transparent student accommodation discovery and orderly hostel recordkeeping across Pakistan. We maintain zero tolerance for deceptive listings, identity fraud, unauthorized scraping, or abusive conduct.

2. Strictly Prohibited Activities

A. Identity Theft & Document Abuse (PECA 2016)

Under Section 16 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA), it is an offense to obtain, use, or transmit another person's identity information without lawful authorization. Users must never:

Upload third-party CNICs, Form-B scans, or academic cards without express lawful justification.
Publish, export, or circulate resident identity records on public forums, social media, or marketing channels.
Impersonate any student, parent, hostel warden, or government official.

B. Deceptive Listings & Fraudulent Inquiries

Publishing fake, fictitious, or unlicensed hostel listings.
Advertising false rental prices, fake amenities, or stolen copyright photographs.
Submitting fraudulent booking reservations or prank inquiries.

C. Technical Exploitation & Scraping

Using automated scrapers, crawlers, or extraction tools to harvest hostel listings, phone numbers, or resident rosters.
Probing, scanning, or testing vulnerabilities of platform infrastructure without authorization.
Transmitting viruses, Trojan horses, or malicious scripts.
Bypassing access controls, password authentication, or API rate limiters.

D. Badge Manipulation & Regulatory Misrepresentation

Displaying unauthorized "Hostel Cloud Verified" badges on external promotional materials.
Claiming official police integration, NADRA partnership, or governmental recognition where no official authorization exists.

E. Harassment & Abuse

Harassing, threatening, or abusing students, residents, wardens, or platform staff.
Posting discriminatory, defamatory, or unlawful content.

3. Enforcement Framework & Remedial Actions

Where violations of this Acceptable Use Policy occur, Hostel Cloud may apply graduated enforcement actions:

Level 1

Formal Notice: Written notice requesting immediate correction of inaccurate listing information or minor operational infractions.

Level 2

Badge Revocation & Visibility Restriction: Removal of verification badge and temporary restriction of listing visibility.

Level 3

Account Suspension or Termination: Delisting of the property, termination of administrative access, and forfeiture of SaaS services.

Level 4

Statutory Escalation: Where identity theft, financial fraud, physical threats, or severe cybercrime infractions are identified, matters may be formally escalated to competent legal authorities where legally mandated.

4. Reporting Violations

To report a fraudulent listing, suspected CNIC abuse, or platform violation, contact our trust desk:

Trust & Safety Desk: [email protected]

Administrative Operations Contact: [email protected]

Operating Entity: Staurax • Islamabad, Pakistan