Case: Motherless.com – Media Inquiry (May 2026)

Summary
NFOrce was contacted by journalists regarding its infrastructure services provided to a customer operating a user-generated content platform.

The inquiry focused on:

The nature of NFOrce’s business relationship
Historical involvement of Securest
Abuse handling procedures
Legal and regulatory responsibilities

Key Clarifications

NFOrce provides colocation, IP transit, and hardware-related infrastructure services
NFOrce does not operate, manage, or control customer websites or their content
Responsibility for content lies solely with the website operator
Abuse reports are handled through formal legal and procedural frameworks
Customer identities and contractual details are confidential under Dutch and EU law
Industry-standard reseller structures are common and not intended to obscure relationships

Full email correspondence
We received the email with questions from NOS on 06-05-2026.

Beste heer, mevrouw,

Ik ben onderzoeksjournalist bij de NOS en werk aan een verhaal over Motherless.com, een site waar volgens experts allerlei dubieus en potentieel illegaal materiaal op te vinden is. Aangezien jullie de hosting van Motherless.com verzorgen, wil ik jullie daar graag een aantal vragen over stellen.

Ik wil jullie graag vragen hierop te reageren. Ook als jullie niet op deze vragen antwoorden, zullen we jullie bedrijf noemen en bedrijfsnaam/logo en website in beeld brengen.

Ik wil jullie graag vragen om te reageren op deze vragen voor morgenochtend 7 maart, 09:00, NL tijd.

Zijn jullie bewust van het feit dat jullie de hoster van Motherless.com zijn?
Valt deze site, die veelvuldig wordt beschuldigd van het hosten van inbreukmakend materiaal, binnen jullie acceptable use policy https://www.nforce.com/policies/AUP.pdf ?
Indien nee, kunnen jullie uitleggen hoe Motherless.com niet in strijd is met artikel 1.4? Wij citeren: "The following constitutes violations of this AUP: (…) Use of the NE service to transmit or receive any material (by e-mail, uploading, posting or otherwise) that harasses another”
Indien nee, kunnen jullie uitleggen hoe Motherless.com niet in strijd is met artikel 1.1?
Zijn jullie ervan bewust dat jullie een reputatie beginnen op te bouwen als ‘bad hoster’, omdat jullie ver bovengemiddeld verantwoordelijk zijn gebleken https://www.computable.nl/2020/10/12/nforce-en-ip-volume-laks-in-aanpak-kinderporno voor de verspreiding van kinderporno?
Hebben jullie sinds 1 juli 2024 een last onder dwangsom of aanwijzing van de ATKM ontvangen, betreffende Motherless of een andere klant?
Hoe vaak krijgen jullie meldingen van trusted flaggers zoals EOKM, en hoe vaak gaan die over Motherless?
Wat is jullie beleid met sites die uploads van derden accepteren en die structureel de regels overtreden?

Met vriendelijke groet,
Joost Schellevis

Our reply on 06-05-2026

Dear Mr. Schellevis,

Thank you for your email and for the opportunity to respond to your questions.

We have reviewed your questions carefully and provide our responses below.

Given the nature of several questions and the characterizations contained within them, we believe it is important to provide factual clarification regarding NFOrce’s role as an infrastructure service provider, our abuse-handling procedures, and the legal and operational framework within which we operate.

NFOrce does not operate, manage, or control customer websites or their content. Our role is limited to providing infrastructure-related services within applicable Dutch and European legal frameworks. As with all customers, abuse reports and compliance matters are handled in accordance with established procedures, applicable laws, and formal notifications received through the appropriate channels.

Question 1:
Are you aware that you are the hosting provider for Motherless.com?

Answer 1:
Yes, we are aware that NFOrce provides infrastructure services to the customer operating this website.

NFOrce’s services in this case consist of colocation and IP transit connectivity, and limited hardware-related infrastructure services.

NFOrce is not involved in the operation, management, moderation, or editorial control of the website or its content.

Question 2:
Does this site, which is frequently accused of hosting infringing material, comply with your Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)?

Answer 2:
NFOrce applies its Acceptable Use Policy and applicable legal obligations consistently across all customers and services.

For platforms that host user-generated content, the existence of individual uploads that may violate laws or third-party rights does not automatically mean that the entire service is operating in violation of our AUP. NFOrce assesses reports of alleged unlawful content on a case-by-case basis, including the handling of valid abuse notifications and compliance with applicable legal requirements.

Where violations of applicable law or our policies are established, appropriate action is taken.

Question 3:
Can you explain how Motherless.com is not in violation of Article 1.4 of your AUP?

Answer 3:
Article 1.4 applies to unlawful or abusive use of services. NFOrce assesses such matters based on specific reports, applicable legal frameworks, and the handling of valid abuse notifications.

As with other platforms that host user-generated content, the existence of individual uploads that may violate laws or policies does not automatically mean that the entire service is structurally in violation of the AUP.

Question 4:
Can you explain how Motherless.com is not in violation of Article 1.1 of your AUP?

Answer 4:
Article 1.1 of NFOrce’s AUP prohibits the use of services for illegal purposes or in support of illegal activities.

NFOrce assesses alleged violations based on specific reports, applicable legal frameworks, and the actions taken in response to valid abuse notifications. The existence of allegations, complaints, or unlawful third-party uploads on a user-generated content platform does not automatically constitute a determination that the entire service is operating illegally or in violation of the AUP.

Where violations of applicable law or our policies are established, appropriate action is taken.

Question 5:
Are you aware that you are beginning to develop a reputation as a ‘bad hoster’, because your company has been shown to be disproportionately responsible for the distribution of child sexual abuse material?

Answer 5:
We do not recognize that characterization.

The article referenced concerns reporting from 2020 that contained important inaccuracies and lacked relevant operational context regarding the role and responsibilities of infrastructure providers.

At the time, NFOrce formally contested aspects of the conclusions and methodology.

Since then, NFOrce has continued to maintain and further strengthen its abuse-handling and compliance procedures. We act proactively on abuse notifications, cooperate with competent authorities and trusted organizations, and apply enforcement measures where required, including suspension or termination of services in cases where customers fail to meet legal or contractual obligations.

As an infrastructure provider, NFOrce operates within applicable Dutch and European legal frameworks and assesses matters based on established legal procedures and verified abuse reporting processes.

For the purpose of transparency, we have attached:

the Dutch government’s 2023 CSAM Hosting Monitor report,
the formal legal letter sent by NFOrce to the Dutch government in 2020 regarding the conclusions referenced,
and additional public background information published by the Dutch Cloud Community: https://dutchcloudcommunity.nl/nieuws/update-over-de-csam-scan-resultaten-2023/

The 2023 report is also publicly available via: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2023/07/07/tk-bijlage-csam-hosting-monitor-final-report-mar-2023

Question 6:
Have you since July 1, 2024 received any penalty orders (“last onder dwangsom”) or directives (“aanwijzingen”) from the ATKM concerning Motherless or any other customer?

Answer 6:
No. NFOrce has not received any penalty orders (“last onder dwangsom”) or directives (“aanwijzingen”) from the ATKM concerning Motherless or, to our knowledge, any other customer.

NFOrce has consistently cooperated with relevant authorities and organizations and maintains established procedures for handling abuse reports and compliance-related matters. Valid complaints submitted through the appropriate channels are assessed and handled in accordance with applicable legal frameworks and our internal procedures.

Prior to the CNN article, NFOrce had not received information indicating that the website operator was failing to respond to valid abuse reports, was non-compliant with applicable procedures, or was subject to an active investigation.

NFOrce had received no indication from relevant organizations that the website operator was failing to cooperate with valid abuse handling procedures.

NFOrce maintains strict abuse and compliance policies. Where customers fail to comply with applicable legal or contractual obligations, enforcement measures may include suspension and termination of services.

Question 7:
How often do you receive reports from trusted flaggers such as EOKM, and how often do those reports concern Motherless?

Answer 7:
NFOrce does not publicly disclose customer-specific operational data, including the volume or frequency of abuse reports relating to individual customers.

In general, NFOrce works closely with relevant organizations, trusted flaggers, and competent authorities in relation to abuse handling and compliance matters. Reports submitted through the appropriate channels are assessed and processed in accordance with applicable laws, established procedures, and internal compliance policies.

Where valid reports identify unlawful content or non-compliance, appropriate action is taken in coordination with the customer and, where applicable, relevant authorities.

Question 8:
What is your policy with sites that accept uploads from third parties and that structurally violate the rules?

Answer 8:
NFOrce applies its Acceptable Use Policy and abuse procedures consistently across all customers, including platforms that host user-generated content.

For websites that accept third-party uploads, customers are expected to maintain appropriate moderation and abuse-handling procedures, respond to valid legal notices, and comply with applicable legal and contractual obligations.

Where a customer persistently fails to address valid abuse notifications, does not comply with applicable legal requirements, or otherwise breaches our policies or contractual terms, NFOrce may take enforcement measures including suspension or termination of services.

For broader context regarding the scale and industry-wide nature of online abuse reporting, we note that reports concerning harmful and unlawful content are processed globally across a wide range of online platforms and infrastructure providers, including some of the world’s largest technology companies with extensive moderation teams and technical resources.

The existence of abuse reports alone should therefore not automatically be interpreted as evidence that a provider supports unlawful content, but rather reflects the ongoing necessity of detection, reporting, moderation, and enforcement processes across the internet ecosystem.

Additional reference material regarding industry reporting volumes can be found via the U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/cybertiplinedata2024/2024-reports-by-esp.pdf

We trust that our responses clarify NFOrce’s position and role, and that we have answered your questions regarding NFOrce’s involvement comprehensively.

We respectfully request that our responses be reflected accurately and in their full context.

Kind regards,
Simon

Followup questions from NOS on 06-05-2026

Dear Mr. Elimeleh, dear Simon,

Thank you for your reply. Two follow-up questions.

You stated that prior to the CNN publication of 26 March 2026, NFOrce had not received information that the operator of Motherless.com was subject to an active investigation. How does this position relate to (a) the STRG_F documentary "Das Vergewaltiger-Netzwerk auf Telegram" (NDR/Panorama, 17 December 2024), (b) Ofcom's publicly opened investigation into Kick Online Entertainment S.A. on 14 May 2025, (c) Ofcom's Provisional Notice of Contravention of 19 November 2025, and (d) Ofcom's Confirmation Decision of 11 February 2026, fining your customer £830,000 for breaches of the UK Online Safety Act?
Has anything changed in NFOrce's relationship with, or assessment of, the operator of Motherless.com since the CNN publication of 26 March 2026 — and if so, what specifically?

Wist regards,
Joost Schellevis

Our reply on 06-05-2026

Dear Mr. Schellevis,

Thank you for your follow-up questions.

With regard to your first question, our earlier response referred specifically to information received by NFOrce through abuse-handling processes, cooperation with relevant organizations, competent authorities, or direct compliance-related communications indicating that the customer was failing to respond to valid abuse notifications or was otherwise non-compliant with applicable procedures.

Public reporting, documentaries, or regulatory publications in other jurisdictions are not, in themselves, equivalent to formal findings communicated to NFOrce regarding unlawful conduct, failure to cooperate with abuse handling obligations, or instructions requiring NFOrce to suspend or terminate services.

As previously stated, NFOrce continuously assesses customer relationships within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks and in light of available information.

With regard to your second question, following the CNN publication and broader reporting referenced, NFOrce has conducted additional internal review and reiterated its expectations to the customer regarding abuse handling, responsiveness, and compliance obligations. As with any customer relationship, we continue to monitor compliance with applicable legal, contractual, and policy requirements on an ongoing basis.

Kind regards,
Simon

Our reply to the published article on 06-05-2026

https://nos.nl/artikel/2613430-servers-pornosite-met-misbruikcontent-en-drogeervideo-s-staan-nederland

Dear Mr. Schellevis,

We would like to point out a significant factual inaccuracy in the article.

The statement:
“Elimeleh benadrukt dat Nforce kinderporno consequent en snel verwijdert” incorrectly suggests that NFOrce itself has operational control over customer website content and directly removes content from customer platforms.

As explained in our previous correspondence, this is not how NFOrce operates.

NFOrce acts as an infrastructure provider. Abuse reports are forwarded to the customer or website operator, who is responsible for reviewing and handling the reported content. NFOrce monitors compliance with applicable legal and contractual obligations and sets appropriate deadlines for response and remediation. Where customers fail to comply with these obligations or fail to act within the required timeframes, NFOrce may suspend or terminate services.

NFOrce does not operate, manage, or moderate customer platforms or their content, and can only intervene within the scope permitted under applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.

We kindly request that this distinction be reflected accurately in the article.

In addition, the article references specific URLs and content allegedly identified during your reporting. To date, NFOrce has not received any abuse reports or notifications regarding these specific URLs through our designated abuse handling channels.

To ensure appropriate follow-up and review where necessary, we would appreciate clarification as to whether these URLs were reported to the website operator or submitted through NFOrce’s established abuse reporting procedures.

Kind regards,
Simon

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