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HostSlick Support for Free Speech
@HostSlick advertises that their company supports freedom of speech on the internet.
https://hostslick.com/about-our-company.php
Can anyone here attest to this? E.g., successfully hosting controversial (but legal) websites or other services?
Comments
I know they offer dedicated servers DMCA free if I remember correctly.
However, according to some user feedback, that's not really a DMCA ignore.
They forward the infringing link to the user and then give the user 48 hours to deal with it, that's all.
Do they say anywhere that they ignore "ALL" copyright notices?
They do. But I'm asking in the context of political/social commentary, not as much copyright law.
Their ToS page states:
The concerning aspects of this ToS language center on its broad, undefined discretionary powers. The phrase "communication of any nature that we decide" combined with "improper, unfair or discourteous" creates an extremely wide scope for content removal. Without clear definitions or standards, who even knows what is or isn't acceptable speech?
This vagueness incentivizes overcautious self-censorship, as users may avoid legitimate criticism or feedback to prevent account termination. The clause forbidding comments deemed "improper" about employee efforts is particularly problematic - it could suppress valid customer complaints about service quality or business practices.
Most concerning is the lack of due process or appeal mechanisms, with immediate termination "without prior notice" as a potential consequence. This power imbalance forces users to err heavily on the side of self-restraint, potentially stifling important discourse about the company's services.
While certain moderation policies are necessary, they should be specific, transparent, and proportional. This ToS fails on all counts.
Thanks for combing through their TOS. I'm also mildly alarmed by their concern with subscribers' comments on social media? What business do they think they have snooping around say, someone's personal Twittter account?
I'm not impressed with HostSlick. @deadorbit, who would you recommend instead?
A quick Google search returns these:
You'd have to do some digging to see what websites they host and see the track record of their commitment.
Freedom of speech is an American concept. Others say they support free speech, but you'll find that certain groups or people or topics are taboo and can't be discussed, criticized or documented with many providers and many countries.
For all of it's problems, USA remains the best place for true free speech.
I was comically old when I learned that many countries have hardly a constitution, let alone hold it to the same level of sanctity as Americans.
I will be sticking with IncogNET and potentially other US-based hosts until (unless) that changes. Don't get me wrong; I love IncogNET, but diversification was on my agenda until I realized, over these past few months, how infeasible it was.
https://kiwifarms.net/threads/nulls-tier-list-for-internet-services.129513/
Hosted KF for a long time, forced to drop by transit providers, something no host will protect you against.
This TOS is only for legal protection if anything. Experienced people on this market know that TOS means little to nothing and doesn't reflect what you can and cannot do.
Ask him if he is suitable for your project, in a ticket.
All of them, except for Shinjiru, are dogshit. Epik sold to new owners who are against freedom of speech and booted their former customers.
Other's just paid to be listed, as you most likely got it from "hosting review" sites that aren't reliable nor trusted.
On a VPS, yes. Dedis are DMCA ignored.
This is also a good writeup. I certainly wouldn't trust Google's results.
Ask these questions on LES next time, as the only people who could answer you here, are banned.
Smart idea.
TOS means completely nothing. I would expect you to know more than that.
From KiwiFarms owner:
I can also personally vouch for Max. Top-tier guy. If I hadn’t used him from the start for my, to say the least, controversial site, I’d have been highly fucked. God bless Max.
I appreciate this reply. It gives me confidence.
KiwiFarms
My Beloved.
For reliable web hosting of controversial content, focus on infrastructure resilience rather than "free speech" hosts. Small providers are vulnerable to upstream pressure.
Use major CDNs with track records of protecting legal but controversial content to shield your backend servers.
Build your publicly-known infrastructure using large, established providers (CDN and domain registrar) that are more likely to withstand challenges. Keep a backup backend server provider ready - most won't monitor content but will respond to complaints.
In some cases, consider jurisdiction strategically - host content critical of Country A with providers in Country B, while following applicable laws.
Protect backend infrastructure:
To choose providers: Research sites hosting similar content and analyze their infrastructure through DNS WHOIS records. Look for patterns in CDN and registrar usage among established sites.
You have very clearly hosted nothing controversial. 1, 2 and 3 don't matter and simply don't apply. 4 is common sense.
r' u Liz fong dong?
It States diversification so i smell it
Beware of consent accidents.
Diversification as in hosting providers, which is what everyone with controversial websites should do.
stay away from hostslick. they say they're dmca, they say they respect freedom of speech but when you move your files to them it will be a disaster. first the uptime is not consistent second is they'll suspend you if they receive any complaints. dmca or not. like any complaints at all then reactivate it only after you respond to them that you will fix the issue.
Yes stay away from Hostslick If you want VPS that generate any kind of complaints.
Watch out. I'm coming for you.
Are your VPS good enough for non-DMCA related projects? Such as websites discussing or promoting deportation of illegal immigrants in the US and keeping abortion legal into the 3rd trimester?
I'd prefar to not hear much noise on cheap products. Thats what it is about. When Someone steal my time Over a cheap VPS then we better split ways. Website is bit old. Will have a new one next year including more exact ToS.
VPS is secondary product. Main Business is dedicated Servers.
Webhosting will be stopped to Accept any new orders by end of this year. And on a Perspective of next 5 years, Same might Happen to VPS.
I invested 60.000€ this year in our Network. (Yes Just The Network . Not Servers itself) We migrated over to a Juniper MX960-PREM3 and alot of other toys in Network. Soon we will have 3-400Gbit capacity. We are working to Install additional Transit Providers. A solid Network will be built to offer 10Gbit as a Standard on Dedicated Servers. Storage dedicated Servers etc. 10/40Gbit+ Servers Unmetered.
Fair enough. Thanks for the information.
There are many more factors at play here. Otherwise, the abuse will only increase—it's getting out of control.
Whoever is complaining about the VPS not being DMCA-ignored and the dedicated servers being ignored can talk to me once they open a hosting company that generates more than just a few thousand euros per month and manages over five racks. I have more than double that, and I'll be adding even more next year (another 10-12 planned). Then we'll see what happens when you ignore DMCA on VPS hosting. You'll quickly realize it's a complete mess.
DMCA notices on that VPS won't even be your biggest problem at that point.
DMCA + low prices + VPS = You are a magnet for low-quality customers. Good luck with that—you'll likely regret it. Because it will be hard dealing with them even in a normal ticket.
In the end, the primary (or only) cause of this situation is the DMCA factor.
If i see certain patterns at a customer. I am out. I can already imagine before what will it be like. And one of the patterns is above. NO DMCA VPS + Cheap price. It triggers my alarms instantly
Meanwhile when customer ask about DMCA and isnt clear enough in his message i make sure he wants a dedicated server. We had it before that some ask for dedicated server and then buy a VPS and get booted, complaining. But i will work it out to be more clear on that.
I can write books about it. Or the nice cases where we start getting phishing complaints and shit, customer gets suspended and then complains because he thought DMCA means abuse complaints....
In light of dmca and co. Dedicated Server customers are more High quality.
hostslick is great provider
it is just not suitable to waste time or risk ANY legal issues over a few, or a few 10 per month
it is not how it works, someone must be really stupid or desperate to do any risks for those low amounts