Acceptable Use Policy

AUP is a policy for the use of the Internet within an organization. Companies or organizations can use a AUP filter to exclude some Internet services for their employees or members. Not only organizations can establish their own AUP standard, even parents can do. Many parents use a AUP tool (some sort of filter) to block access to pornographic sites for their children (for example: CyberPatrol).

Many transit networks have policies which restrict the use to which the network may be put. A well known example is NSFNET's AUP which does not allow commercial use. Enforcement of AUPs varies with the network. See also: National Science Foundation.