Do you host Porn?????

[RobertM]

I own a web design and hosting company and at least once a week I get different people ring me up, their phone numbers witheld and they ask in a hushed voice "Do you host Porn?"

When I reply no they give me their life story of how their current host is kicking them off because of content and they really need the web space!!!

One even replied when I said no "Well it does not say on your site you don't you should make it clear!!"

Another said that the boss of the company said it would be OK I had great pleasure in pointing out I was the boss!!

Takes all sorts I suppose

[Mark Healey]

Just curious,, but why wouldn't you host porn? The only two reasons I can think of business related reasons I can think of are.

1) Bandwidth issues. But that just means that you could just buy and sell that much more.

2) Getting paid, I immagine that the people in the porn business aren't the most reliable. But you could always make them pay up front.

Of course when I see the people buying large amounts of porn I totally understand not wanting them as regular clients.

[Saydrah]

Question: Why not?

Obviously it's your right to do as you wish, and they should just look around a bit and find any of an enormous array of perfectly nice hosting companies that don't care what the content of the sites they host happens to be, but I just have to ask. It seems that there is a large potential revenue stream for you if you get these requests frequently. Why turn down so much potential business? Again, not debating that it's your right to do so, just curious.

[RobertM]

Because it's not something I personally agree with and also against the terms of business for the companies I use to provide the service.

I specialise in small groups, youth groups and charities, and I don't want my companies name associated with that side of the Internet world.

I also assume that as their existing hosting company is giving them the boot then the content is not of the mild variety.

Question: Why not?

Obviously it's your right to do as you wish, and they should just look around a bit and find any of an enormous array of perfectly nice hosting companies that don't care what the content of the sites they host happens to be, but I just have to ask. It seems that there is a large potential revenue stream for you if you get these requests frequently. Why turn down so much potential business? Again, not debating that it's your right to do so, just curious.

It's quite simple I don't need the business.... After many years in customer service roles where like many of the posters on here I have been sworn at, shouted at, spat at and threatened I now choose my customers, and I am lucky to be in that position.

I have a small market which in which I work hard at and hopefully provide a good service, I am not in it for just the money I do it because I enjoy it.

All my customers know me personally by name and all can not only ring me with problems they can also call and see me and things are sorted on the spot. Not many companies can claim to sort problems over a cup of coffee and biscuits. The reputation I have is worth far more to me than the money from hosting a few so called adult sites.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

Now really, how hard can it be to find a company that DOES host porn? One Google and I found, like, 10.

[RobertM]

Now really, how hard can it be to find a company that DOES host porn? One Google and I found, like, 10.

You are absolutely right, this leads me to believe that if they come to a company as small as mine then they have been rejected by the big players which in my mind makes me wonder about the content they want me to host.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

You are absolutely right, this leads me to believe that if they come to a company as small as mine then they have been rejected by the big players which in my mind makes me wonder about the content they want me to host.

My guess would be illegal stuff, like child porn or bestiality.

[bainsidhe]

To the guy who said your "boss" already told him it was okay, you might have mentioned that your "boss" charges a $2,000 initial consulting fee and will that be by check or charge?

[RobertM]

To the guy who said your "boss" already told him it was okay, you might have mentioned that your "boss" charges a $2,000 initial consulting fee and will that be by check or charge?

I did wonder if he was talking about my wife at first!!!

[Eireann]

It also occurred to me that not hosting porn is a good idea because - correct me if I'm wrong - if it contained illegal content, the webhost might also be held accountable for it.

[depechemodefan]

Quoth HorrorFrogPrincess
Now really, how hard can it be to find a company that DOES host porn? One Google and I found, like, 10.

You are absolutely right, this leads me to believe that if they come to a company as small as mine then they have been rejected by the big players which in my mind makes me wonder about the content they want me to host.

Just have to mention people don't know how to use google. I swear, 2x (and more) a day people call and say, "I need the web address for such-and-such" and I google it and tell them "I googled the company, and found their web address. The address is...." People will then ask me how to google or say, "oh, that sounds complicated, I always like a live person to look up things for me." Or else something more complicated. Like this kid was in chat and asked "what are the precautions that should be taken when using the micrometer screw gauge ".
Me: (to myself) OMG! How am I going to answer this! what's a micrometer screw gauge?!?!?!

And I googled it. And gave him an answer. And he says, "thats one. ny. other." Then in the long run I told the kid (I thought at first it might be an adult, but then I find out it's a kid) to do his own homework.

So maybe the person in the op just doesn't realize how to internet works beyond his narrow interests.

[nomorecarts]

but the internet is for porn!

[PhiSigGirl1988]

but the internet is for porn!

Why you think the net was born?

Porn, porn, porn!

[Javarod]

It also occurred to me that not hosting porn is a good idea because - correct me if I'm wrong - if it contained illegal content, the webhost might also be held accountable for it.

Sort of, i believe the safe harbors provision of the DMCA applies here, so technically as long as he doesn't know what the site is serving up, he's safe. Of course, the safe harbors provision has been challenged a number of times, and it only applies within the US, so its better not to host it. I do agree with the caller that it should be listed on the site, not only does it cut down on calls like this, but it might help with the family friendly image, and therefore bring more business to you.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

I know pretty much all free hosts don't allow porn. As for pay hosts, I can understand why some do and some don't.