Drafts a standalone API Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for incorporation by reference into a master API license or terms-of-service agreement. Produces a publication-ready template with prohibited-use matrix, developer security checklist, graduated enforcement framework, AI/ML training restrictions, and versioning playbook. Trigger when a user needs to draft or update an API AUP, separate behavioral rules from core API terms, define prohibited API uses, add enforcement or change-management mechanics, or mentions acceptable use policy, developer security requirements, or API enforcement.
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Drafts a standalone API Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for incorporation by reference into a master API license or terms-of-service agreement. Produces a publication-ready template with prohibited-use matrix, developer security checklist, graduated enforcement framework, AI/ML training restrictions, and versioning playbook. Trigger when a user needs to draft or update an API AUP, separate behavioral rules from core API terms, define prohibited API uses, add enforcement or change-management mechanics, or mentions acceptable use policy, developer security requirements, or API enforcement.
Standalone AUP designed to be incorporated by reference into a master agreement. Separates fast-changing behavioral and security rules from stable commercial terms, enabling independent update cadence without re-acceptance.
Quick Start
Run Pre-Draft Intake to gather company details and policy positions
Map AUP vs. master agreement scope using the Allocation Table
Build the Prohibited Use Matrix and Security Checklist
Define the Enforcement Framework and Versioning Playbook
Generate the Publication-Ready Template with all [BRACKETED] placeholders
Run Post-Draft Alignment to validate with the user
Pre-Draft Intake
Ask every time unless the user says "use defaults" or "just draft."
Company/product — legal name, API/product name(s)
Auth method — API keys, OAuth 2.0, JWT, mTLS, or combination
Access model — public/self-service, partner-vetted, or internal-only
Use model — internal only or commercial redistribution via developer apps
Data categories — personal data, PHI, PCI, children's, biometric, or none
Unique credentials per environment and per application
Secrets in vault/env vars — never in client-side code, public repos, or mobile binaries
Regular key rotation; immediate revocation on compromise
Least-privilege scopes; no shared credentials across teams
TLS 1.2+ for all connections; mTLS/request signing if documented
Accurate User-Agent or App ID in all requests
Audit logs sufficient for misuse investigation
Rate-limit and back-off compliance; no multi-key evasion
Report compromise to [SECURITY_EMAIL] within [X] hours
If serving end users: maintain compliant privacy policy
Step 4: Enforcement Framework
Trigger
Response
Notes
Minor / first-time
Notice + cure window
10–30 day cure period
Repeated / uncured
Throttle → suspend
Escalate after failed cure
Security / illegal / high-risk
Immediate suspension
No cure required
Termination
Per master agreement
AUP breach = termination trigger
Appeal
Contact [SUPPORT_EMAIL]
Commercially reasonable response time
Step 5: Versioning & Notice Playbook
Item
Recommendation
Version label
Date-based (e.g., 2026-02-23)
Change log
Bullets on developer site; version-controlled repo
Notice channels
Email to account admin + dashboard banner
Material change standard
Materially reduces developer rights or imposes new material obligations
Routine changes
Effective upon posting
Material adverse changes
30 days after posting (or longer if required by law)
Emergency changes
Immediate for security or legal compliance
Archive
Prior versions at [ARCHIVE_URL]
Step 6: Publication-Ready AUP Template
Replace all [BRACKETED] placeholders. Publish as standalone web page with version and effective date at top.
API Acceptable Use PolicyEffective date: [DATE] | Version: [VERSION]
This AUP governs your access to and use of the APIs, developer tools, and credentials made available by [COMPANY NAME] ("Company"). This AUP is incorporated into and forms part of the Agreement governing your API use. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings in the Agreement.
1. Scope. This AUP applies to (a) your use of the API, (b) your applications or services that access the API ("Developer App"), and (c) all activity under your API keys, tokens, OAuth client IDs, or other access credentials ("Developer Credentials").
2. General Responsibilities. You are responsible for all use of the API under your Developer Credentials, your Developer App's compliance with this AUP and applicable law, and ensuring your personnel and permitted third parties comply with this AUP.
3. Prohibited Uses. You will not use (or allow others to use) the API, Developer Credentials, or data obtained through the API to:
Violate Law or Rights. Violate any applicable law or regulation, or infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate any person's or entity's rights.
Compromise Security. Probe, scan, test the vulnerability of, or compromise the security or availability of the API or related systems; introduce malware; reverse engineer or fuzz the API; or bypass authentication, authorization, or usage limits.
Interfere or Abuse. Interfere with or disrupt the API or related systems, including through denial-of-service attacks, excessive automated requests, or circumventing rate limits (including by distributing requests across multiple credentials).
Circumvent Controls. Access the API in a manner intended to avoid fees, evade usage limits, or bypass technical measures.
Misuse Data. Collect, use, disclose, or store API data in a manner that is unlawful or violates applicable privacy or data-protection requirements, including by re-identifying de-identified data.
Train Models Without Authorization. Use API output, responses, or data to train, fine-tune, distill, or otherwise develop machine-learning or AI models, unless expressly authorized in writing by the Company.
Engage in Harmful or Deceptive Conduct. Engage in phishing, spamming, impersonation, deception, or other conduct that harms end users, third parties, or the Company.
Exceed Caching Limits. Cache or store API responses beyond the duration permitted in the developer documentation.
High-Risk Activities. Use the API where failure could lead to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental harm, unless expressly permitted in writing.
4. Security Requirements. You must: (a) protect Developer Credentials using industry-standard controls, including TLS 1.2+ in transit and secure secret storage; (b) not embed credentials in client-side code, public repositories, or mobile app binaries; (c) use least-privilege access and rotate credentials as appropriate; (d) include an accurate, non-misleading User-Agent or App ID in API requests; and (e) notify the Company at [SECURITY_EMAIL] promptly upon any actual or suspected credential compromise or security incident affecting the API.
5. Rate Limits; Caching; Fair Use. You will comply with all rate limits, quotas, and usage limits described in the developer documentation or communicated by the Company. You may cache API responses only as permitted in the documentation; unless otherwise specified, cached data must not be retained for more than [24] hours. The Company may throttle or suspend access to protect the API, other customers, or the Company.
6. Monitoring; Enforcement. The Company may monitor and analyze API usage to operate and secure the API, prevent abuse, comply with law, and enforce this AUP. If you violate this AUP (or the Company reasonably believes a violation has occurred or is imminent), the Company may: notify you and request remediation; throttle or restrict access; suspend or disable Developer Credentials; require deletion of improperly obtained data; or terminate access per the Agreement. The Company may act immediately (including suspending without prior notice) to protect the API, users, third parties, or the Company, or to comply with law. To appeal, contact [SUPPORT_EMAIL].
7. Changes. The Company may update this AUP from time to time. Updates are effective upon posting at [AUP_URL], unless a later effective date is indicated. For changes that materially and adversely affect your obligations, the Company will provide at least 30 days' advance notice, except where an earlier effective date is necessary for legal compliance or to address an imminent security risk. Continued use of the API after the effective date constitutes acceptance. Prior versions: [ARCHIVE_URL].
8. Contact.
General questions: [LEGAL_EMAIL]
Security reports: [SECURITY_EMAIL]
Enforcement appeals: [SUPPORT_EMAIL]
Post-Draft Alignment
After delivering the draft, ask:
Do prohibited use categories and severity levels match your enforcement capabilities?
Should AI/ML training be permitted for any use cases (e.g., non-competing academic research)?
Are operational contact emails staffed and ready?
Does the material-change notice period align with your master agreement?
Quality Checklist
AUP-to-license allocation complete with no conflicting provisions
All prohibited use categories have severity and enforcement action
Security checklist covers credentials, TLS, and incident reporting
Graduated enforcement with immediate suspension for severe violations
Versioning playbook has notice channels, material-change standard, and archive URL
All [BRACKETED] placeholders clearly marked in template
AI/ML restriction present and aligned with commercial intent
Rate limits reference docs URL — no hard-coded numbers
Monitoring disclosure coordinated with master agreement
No conflicting notice periods between AUP and master agreement
