Country-specific limitations
1. What Are Country-Specific Limitations and Why They Matter
Country-specific limitations are situations where INTROSERV cannot provide certain services or their full functionality in some countries. These limitations arise due to:
- Legal Regulations: For example, OFAC sanctions in Iran or local restrictions on IT services in China.
- Data Storage Requirements: For instance, GDPR in the EU requires data to be stored within the European Union.
- Payment System Restrictions: Some payment methods, such as PayPal, are unavailable in certain countries (e.g., some African countries).
- Licensing Requirements: Certain services, like cloud solutions, may require a local license.
Why This Matters to You:
- To know in advance which services are available in your country and avoid misunderstandings.
- To select the appropriate plan or data center while considering local restrictions.
- To ensure data security and compliance with local laws.
INTROSERV adheres to these limitations to provide services legally, protect your data, and ensure a seamless customer experience.
2. Main Types of Restrictions
Services
- Complete Unavailability: For example, INTROSERV currently cannot provide hosting services to clients from Iran due to sanctions.
- Limited Functionality: For instance, data residency requirements for cloud services in countries with regulated internet, such as Turkey, may mandate storing user data within the country as per local laws, as restrictions on cross-border data transfers under the Turkish Data Protection Law (DPL) No. 6698 can be interpreted as a data localization requirement
- Reduced Performance: Local regulations may require internet providers to restrict certain types of traffic, impacting service performance. For example, in some countries, such as China or Turkey, providers may block VPN traffic of specific protocols as mandated by government authorities, affecting connectivity for certain services.
- Potential Additional Restrictions: Other limitations may apply, such as restricted access to specific software due to local licensing requirements or temporary service suspensions during regulatory audits.
Payments
- Limited Payment Methods: For example, PayPal is unavailable in some African countries, such as Nigeria.
- Currency and Tax Restrictions: For instance, mandatory VAT for clients in EU countries.
- Banking Regulations: For example, restrictions on international bank transfers in certain countries.
Data and Compliance
- Data Residency Requirements: For example, data for clients in Russia must be stored on servers within Russia.
- Cross-Border Data Transfer Restrictions: For instance, prohibitions on transferring data outside China.
- Local Compliance Obligations: For example, adherence to GDPR for clients in the EU.
Why These Restrictions Exist: These limitations are driven by local laws and regulations, which INTROSERV must comply with in order to operate legally and responsibly. These rules are established by governments and regulatory bodies, not by INTROSERV. Our priority is to ensure compliance with these regulations while delivering a secure and reliable experience for all clients.
It's important to note that local restrictions such as Data Residency Requirements and Cross-Border Data Transfer Restrictions do not directly limit the availability of INTROSERV services themselves, but rather establish specific rules for data storage and processing that must be followed for citizens of countries that impose such restrictions.
3. How to Check Service Availability
Service Availability
If your current country of residence is listed in the dropdown menu during registration, INTROSERV services will be available to you. If your country is not in the list, services most likely will not be available. In this case, we recommend contacting support via web chat for clarification and consultations.
Payment Method Availability
Log in to your personal account on the INTROSERV website and create a billing invoice to top up your account balance. The system will display all payment methods available in your country.
If you encounter any issues or need clarification about service or payment availability, contact support via:
- Support ticket in your personal account
- Live chat on our website
- Email: support@introserv.com
4. What to Do If a Service Is Unavailable
- If both a service and payment method are unavailable: Contact support via a ticket or web chat on our website (or email support@introserv.com if not registered), to explore alternative services and payment options that may be available in your region. For instance, you might be able to use a different service type (e.g., dedicated server instead of aVPS) or an alternative payment method (e.g., cryptocurrency or bank transfer instead of PayPal).
- If a payment method is unavailable: Check the list of available payment methods in your personal account. If none are suitable, contact support via a ticket, live chat, or email (support@introserv.com) to discuss alternative payment options, such as using a different payment provider or currency supported in your country. Support can also guide you on any additional verification steps required by local regulations.
- Subscribe to availability updates in the "Notifications" section of your personal account to receive a message if the service or payment method becomes available.
- Expect a response from support within 24 hours for inquiries about unavailable services or payment methods.
How to Stay Informed About Service Limitations and Payment Methods:
- Check notifications in your personal account, the "News" section on the INTROSERV website, or your email (as specified during registration) for updates on service or payment method availability.
- Use only verified payment methods listed in your profile.
- Contact support via ticket, live chat, or email (support@introserv.com) if you have any questions about restrictions or available options.
- Subscribe to the INTROSERV newsletter on our website to receive updates on service and payment method availability.
