Data Request Policy

• Privacy Notice.  Please see HostGator’s Privacy Notice for further information on what type of information HostGator collects, how it is used and when it may be disclosed. Subject to HostGator’s Privacy Notice, this Data Request Policy describes the types of requests for data that HostGator may receive and how HostGator may respond to such requests.
• Type of Requests.  HostGator receives the following types of requests concerning customer data:
• Data Requests.  A data request is a request for information or documents relating to customer accounts in connection with official criminal investigations or other official legal proceedings. Except in limited emergency situations (see below), HostGator requires data requests to be made through formal U.S. legal process and procedures, and we respond to such requests as required by law. Examples of data requests include:
• Subpoenas
• Court Orders
• Search Warrants
• Legal process received from outside the United States may require a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with the United States
• Other forms of legal process such as Civil Investigative Demands

• Preservation Requests.  A preservation request asks HostGator to preserve customer account records in connection with official criminal investigations or other official legal proceedings. Preservation requests must include the following information:

• Identification of the account(s) at issue (as further described in Section 4 below);

• Identification of the investigating agency and/or specific pending official proceedings (requests must be signed on law enforcement letterhead);
  

• Assurances that the requesting agency or individual is taking steps to obtain appropriate legal process for access to the data that HostGator is being asked to retain; and

• A valid return email address and phone number.

• Emergency Requests. An emergency request is only appropriate in cases involving imminent serious bodily harm or death. We respond to emergency requests when we believe in good faith that such harm may occur if we do not respond without delay.

• Notice to HostGator Customers. HostGator’s policy is to notify its customers of requests for their data unless HostGator is prohibited from doing so by statute or court order.  

• Information to Include in a Request. The following information must be included in a request for customer data:

• First and last name of the customer and email address associated with the account; and

• Domain name and/or IP address associated with the account.

  HostGator may not be able to respond to a request without this information.

  Additionally, HostGator reserves the right to request a copy of the complaint and any supporting documentation that demonstrates how the information requested is related to the pending litigation and the underlying subpoena.

• Sending a Request to HostGator. Please use the following contact information to send a Request to HostGator:

   HostGator.com, LLC

   ATTN: Legal Department

   1500 N Priest Drive, Suite 200

   Tempe, AZ 85281

   E-mail: legal@hostgator.com

   Fax: 781-998-8277

  IMPORTANT NOTE: IN THE EVENT YOU SEND US A NOTICE OF ANY KIND VIA EMAIL AND DO NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM US, PLEASE SUBMIT A DUPLICATE COPY VIA PAPER AND/OR FAX (Fax: 781-998-8277). DUE TO THE VAGARIES OF THE INTERNET AND EMAIL COMMUNICATION IN PARTICULAR, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE BURDENS OF SPAM AND THE OCCASIONAL UNINTENDED EFFECTS OF SPAM FILTERS, SENDING AN ALTERNATE FORM OF NOTICE, WILL HELP ASSURE THAT YOUR NOTICE IS RECEIVED BY US AND ACTED ON IN A TIMELY MANNER.

• Fees. HostGator may seek reimbursement for costs in responding to requests as provided by law and may charge additional fees for costs in responding to unusual or burdensome requests.

• Available Information. Depending on the type of formal legal process provided, HostGator may be able to respond with one or more of the following types of data:

• Non-Content. HostGator will produce non-content information such as basic subscriber information which may include the following subject to a valid request:

• Name

• Email addresses

• Date and time of account creation

• Billing information

• IP Logs

• Content. HostGator will only produce customer content (such as website files and email content) pursuant to a valid search warrant from an entity with proper jurisdiction.  

This file was last modified: August 6, 2020.