// terms
The agreement governing your use of Hyper Layer's hosting, game server, and domain services.
Last Updated: 10 March 2026
This Terms of Service Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd, a company registered in the Republic of South Africa, trading as Hyper Layer ("Hyper Layer", "we", "us", or "our"), and the individual or entity accessing or using our products and/or services ("Customer", "you", or "your"). This Agreement governs your use of the products and services made available by Hyper Layer, including the hyperlayer.net website and any of its associated domains.
By accessing or using our products and/or services, you agree to be bound by this Agreement and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, you are not authorised to use or access our products and/or services.
We reserve the right to modify any part of this Agreement at any time, at our sole discretion and without advance notice. Changes take effect when posted to the site. Continued use of our products and/or services after any modification constitutes your acceptance of the revised Agreement. If you do not accept the changes, you must discontinue use of our products and/or services.
By accepting this Agreement, you also agree to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated herein by reference.
This Agreement is entered into with Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd, trading as Hyper Layer, a company registered in the Republic of South Africa. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, including but not limited to the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002, the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, and the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA"). Any disputes arising from this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the South African courts.
Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd t/a Hyper Layer is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA"). The manner in which we collect, process, store, and share your personal information is governed by our standalone POPIA Statement, which forms part of our legal framework and is incorporated into this Agreement by reference.
Our POPIA Statement is available at hyperlayer.net and describes your rights as a data subject, how your personal information is used, how it may be shared with third parties, and how to contact our Information Officer. By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our POPIA Statement.
For any POPIA-related queries or to exercise your rights as a data subject, please submit a billing ticket through our billing portal at https://billing.hyperlayer.net/submitticket.php. We log the IP address of all client area logins for account security purposes. Affiliate tracking cookies expire after three (3) months.
You may request a full refund within twenty-four (24) hours of placing an order, for any reason, no questions asked. The following exceptions apply and are not eligible for refunds under any circumstances:
No refund will be issued after seventy-two (72) hours, and in particular under the following circumstances:
Where you have paid for a service in advance and choose to cancel, the service will remain active until the end of the current billing period. No pro-rata refund will be issued for unused time, except where payment was made within the preceding twenty-four (24) hours and the service qualifies under the refund policy above. Dedicated Servers are not eligible for refunds under any circumstances, regardless of the twenty-four (24) hour window.
We take account security seriously. By registering an account, you agree to this Agreement and our Privacy Policy. You agree to:
We may enforce two-factor authentication (2FA) on our website and client area at any time. Where 2FA is required, access to your account will not be granted until it is configured. We reserve the right to mandate 2FA for all accounts or for specific account types at our sole discretion.
All services are subject to fair and reasonable resource consumption. The following resource usage limits apply across all applicable service types:
Any activity that generates excessive resource usage — including but not limited to CPU, memory, disk I/O, network throughput, and bandwidth — is prohibited. Specifically, continuous CPU utilisation exceeding 30% of a single node's total CPU capacity over a period greater than thirty (30) minutes will be considered a violation of this policy.
In the event of a violation, we reserve the right to automatically stop or suspend the offending service without prior notice. Repeated violations may result in permanent termination of the service without a refund. A hard resource limit may be applied if abuse is detected.
While we take automated backups of customer services as described in our Backup Policy below, you are ultimately responsible for all data stored on our services. Our backups are provided as a best-effort safeguard and are not a substitute for your own independent backup strategy. We shall not be held liable for any data loss, regardless of the cause, including hardware failure, software error, human error, or service termination.
We strongly recommend that you maintain independent backups of all critical data at all times.
Hyper Layer takes automated backups of customer services as described below. While we make every reasonable effort to maintain reliable backups, backups are provided on a best-effort basis and do not constitute a guarantee of data recovery. You remain solely responsible for your data and are strongly encouraged to maintain your own independent backups at all times.
We perform automated node-level backups of all game servers daily at 03:00 (SAST). Backups are retained for ninety (90) days and stored offsite on Amazon S3. These backups cover the full server node and are used primarily for disaster recovery purposes.
MySQL databases associated with game server hosting are backed up separately on a daily basis and are also retained for ninety (90) days, stored offsite.
In addition, customers may create one (1) on-demand snapshot of their game server at any time through the game panel. This snapshot is stored offsite and is intended as a convenient personal restore point. Only one (1) snapshot slot is available per server; creating a new snapshot will overwrite the previous one. For more information on how game server backups work, see our guide to understanding backups.
Restore requests from automated node backups after service termination will be charged at R200 per server or instance, subject to availability within the ninety (90) day retention window. Hyper Layer does not guarantee that a restore will be possible in all circumstances.
We perform automated daily backups of all web hosting and email hosting accounts. Backups are retained for seven (7) days and stored offsite. Customers may not store their own backups on the hosting infrastructure, as this is strictly prohibited under the Acceptable Use Policy.
Restore requests are handled through our support portal. We will make reasonable efforts to restore data from within the available retention window, but cannot guarantee successful restoration in all cases. Restore requests after service termination will be charged at R200 per account, subject to availability within the seven (7) day retention window.
We perform automated daily backups of all WordPress hosting and budget web hosting accounts. Backups are retained for fifteen (15) days and stored offsite. Customers may not store their own backups on the hosting infrastructure, as this is strictly prohibited under the Acceptable Use Policy.
Restore requests are handled through our support portal. We will make reasonable efforts to restore data from within the available retention window, but cannot guarantee successful restoration in all cases. Restore requests after service termination will be charged at R200 per account, subject to availability within the fifteen (15) day retention window.
Automated backups are not included as standard with VPS and Cloud Server products. Backup add-ons are available for purchase at an additional monthly fee. Details of available backup options and pricing are listed in your client area. If you do not purchase a backup add-on, no automated backups will be taken of your VPS or Cloud Server, and Hyper Layer accepts no liability whatsoever for any data loss on these services.
Regardless of whether a backup add-on is purchased, we strongly recommend that all VPS and Cloud Server customers maintain their own independent offsite backups at all times.
One (1) free MySQL database is included with all game server packages. This is an add-on service and Hyper Layer accepts no liability for any data loss or corruption relating to MySQL databases, whether paid or free.
MySQL databases associated with your server may only be used for purposes directly related to that server's operation. Any use deemed by Hyper Layer to be outside of this scope may result in the removal of the database and all associated data without notice.
The size and storage of your MySQL database operates on a fair-use basis, subject to a hard limit of ten (10) GB per database. This limit does not guarantee the availability of the full 10 GB at all times, as other factors such as node capacity may cause the fair-use threshold to be reached earlier. Your server will be suspended if any associated database exceeds this limit.
Additional databases may be purchased for R20 per month per database, up to a maximum of ten (10) databases in total. All terms applicable to the free database apply equally to any additional paid databases.
Hyper Layer operates an affiliate programme through which clients may refer new customers in exchange for account credit or monetary payouts. Affiliate commissions are calculated as a percentage of the referred customer's first payment on qualifying products, as follows: all eligible products earn a 10% commission, with the exception of VPS and Cloud Servers which earn 5%. Dedicated Servers and Domains do not qualify for any affiliate commission and are excluded from the programme entirely. Commission rates are subject to change at any time at Hyper Layer's sole discretion.
Any attempt to compromise, harm, or gain unauthorised access to any server or network resource on the Hyper Layer network is strictly prohibited. As a customer, you are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account.
We reserve the right to reboot, shut down, suspend, or terminate any service found to be in violation of this Acceptable Use Policy.
Where no specific enforcement procedure is outlined in the relevant policy, our standard procedure is as follows: the service will be shut down and/or suspended, and a ticket will be opened in your client area detailing the nature of the offence and the steps required to resolve it. Once you acknowledge the issue and confirm how you will prevent further violations, the service will be reactivated. You will then have twenty-four (24) hours to remediate the situation. Any further violations will result in permanent termination of your service without a right to refund.
Our services must only be used for their lawful, intended purposes. The following types of content and activities are strictly prohibited on all services:
The terms "unlimited" or "unmetered" do not constitute a guarantee of unrestricted resource use. Resources are shared across all clients on a node. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any service that consumes an excessive or disproportionate share of shared resources.
Hyper Layer is committed to providing reliable, high-availability services. While we do not guarantee a specific numerical uptime target, we make every reasonable effort to ensure our services remain available and performant at all times. In the event of a qualifying service interruption, we may, entirely at our discretion and as a goodwill gesture, provide affected customers with a service extension or credit. Any such compensation is not a contractual entitlement and shall not be construed as an admission of liability.
Our SLA covers the following services when purchased directly from Hyper Layer (not through a reseller):
Our SLA covers the following types of interruptions only:
Our SLA does not apply under the following circumstances:
Hyper Layer operates its own DNS infrastructure and applies network-level DNS filtering to our Game Server Hosting network. This filtering is designed to automatically block access to domains that are known or suspected to be associated with malicious activity, including but not limited to malware distribution, phishing, command and control infrastructure, botnets, and other threats identified through reputable threat intelligence sources. This filtering does not apply to Web Hosting, Email Hosting, VPS/Cloud Server, or other non-game-server services.
By using our Game Server Hosting services, you acknowledge and accept that DNS filtering is applied at the network level and may result in certain domains being inaccessible from within our network. Hyper Layer does not guarantee that all malicious domains will be blocked, nor that legitimate domains will never be affected. We shall not be held liable for any service disruption, loss of functionality, or inability to access content resulting from DNS filtering activity.
If you believe a domain has been incorrectly blocked, you may submit a request for review through our support portal. We will investigate and, where appropriate, whitelist the domain at our discretion. DNS filter rules are updated periodically and Hyper Layer reserves the right to modify the scope of filtering at any time without advance notice.
Our maximum aggregate liability to you for any claim arising in connection with a specific service shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the fees paid by you for that specific service in the month in which the claim arose.
Nothing in this Agreement shall limit our liability in respect of death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable South African law.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Hyper Layer and its directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses — including reasonable legal fees — arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of our services, your violation of this Agreement, or your violation of any third-party rights.
Hyper Layer does not claim ownership of, or responsibility for, the content you choose to host on our services. You are solely responsible for ensuring that all content hosted on your services complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Copyright Act 98 of 1978, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 ("ECT Act"), and any other applicable South African or international law. We reserve the right to remove any content or suspend any service that we reasonably believe to be unlawful, without prior notice.
Hyper Layer operates as an internet service provider and hosting intermediary as contemplated in Chapter XI of the ECT Act. In this capacity, Hyper Layer is not liable for unlawful content hosted by customers on our infrastructure, provided we do not have actual knowledge of the unlawful nature of the content and act expeditiously to remove or disable access to it upon becoming aware.
Hyper Layer operates some services on infrastructure owned by upstream providers. Those providers retain ownership of the underlying hardware and IP addresses. Notices received by our upstream providers regarding content hosted on their infrastructure may be passed to Hyper Layer, and Hyper Layer will in turn pass such notices to the relevant customer. Hyper Layer is obligated to cooperate with upstream providers in addressing such notices and may be required to take action as a condition of our own service agreements with those providers.
Any person who believes that content hosted on Hyper Layer's infrastructure infringes their rights — including but not limited to copyright, trade mark, or other intellectual property rights — may submit a takedown notice to Hyper Layer via a ticket at https://billing.hyperlayer.net/submitticket.php. To be considered valid, a takedown notice must include:
Upon receipt of a valid takedown notice, Hyper Layer will follow the procedure below. This procedure is in addition to and does not limit Hyper Layer's rights under the ECT Act or this Agreement:
Where a customer has partially remediated infringing content and a complainant remains unsatisfied, Hyper Layer's obligation is limited to ensuring the specific content identified in the original notice has been removed. Hyper Layer is not in a position to determine whether partial remediation satisfies the complainant's broader rights. Any outstanding dispute regarding the extent of remediation required is a civil matter between the complainant and the customer, and must be resolved through the appropriate legal channels.
If a customer believes that a takedown notice has been submitted incorrectly or in bad faith, they may submit a counter-notice to Hyper Layer via the billing portal. Hyper Layer will pass the counter-notice to the original complainant. However, Hyper Layer is not in a position to adjudicate disputes between a complainant and a customer regarding ownership of or rights to content. Any such dispute must be resolved between the parties directly, or through the appropriate legal channels including a South African court of competent jurisdiction.
Hyper Layer cannot and does not police the internet or monitor customer content proactively. We act in response to valid notices received. Complainants who believe their rights are being infringed are encouraged to seek appropriate legal remedies, including interdict relief or damages claims, through the South African courts. Hyper Layer will cooperate with any valid court order or lawful instruction from a competent authority.
By hosting content on our services, you warrant that you are either the owner of all content hosted on your service, or that you have obtained all necessary licences, permissions, and authorisations to host and use that content. This applies to all content including but not limited to website content, software, game server data, plugins, mods, databases, and any other files stored on our infrastructure.
Where a dispute arises regarding ownership of data stored on a game server or other service — for example, where a former developer or contributor claims ownership of content on a server operated by a customer — Hyper Layer will not delete, modify, or transfer data based solely on a third party's request. Such disputes must be resolved by the parties themselves or through a court order directing Hyper Layer to take a specific action. Hyper Layer will comply with any valid court order received.
Hyper Layer employs a multi-layered approach to mitigate the impact of denial-of-service attacks, which may include upstream volumetric scrubbing provided by our transit and infrastructure partners, as well as our own network-level filtering technologies deployed at the edge. However, DDoS threats are constantly evolving and no mitigation solution can guarantee complete protection at all times. Accordingly, we are not liable for any downtime, degradation, or data loss caused by DDoS or DoS attacks, regardless of whether our mitigation measures were active at the time. If an attack targeting a specific customer's service is sustained and materially impacts other customers or the broader network, we reserve the right to null-route or suspend the affected service without prior notice until the attack subsides or is resolved. We will make reasonable efforts to restore affected services as quickly as possible following an attack.
All support requests must be submitted through our client portal or Discord via the ticketing system. We are not obligated to provide technical support via live chat, social media, or any other unofficial channel.
Our support hours are as follows: Monday to Thursday 09:00–21:00 (SAST), Friday 09:00–16:00 (SAST), Saturday 10:00–15:00 (SAST). We are closed on Sundays and South African public holidays. During support hours, we aim to respond to all tickets within thirty (30) minutes, though response times may be longer depending on ticket complexity and volume. Outside of support hours, we will endeavour to respond as soon as reasonably possible, however response times may extend to several hours or the following business day. For example, a ticket submitted at 21:00 on a Sunday will typically be responded to on Monday morning. Please note that submitting duplicate or follow-up replies to an open ticket will move it to the back of the queue, as tickets are processed in order of last reply. Repeated or abusive ticket submissions may result in a temporary or permanent ban from our support platform.
We reserve the right to decline support to any customer who engages in abusive conduct, including the use of offensive language. Continued abusive behaviour may result in service termination without a refund.
Unless otherwise specified, all services are unmanaged. We are therefore unable to provide extended support for custom configuration issues beyond what is outlined in our documentation. This applies in particular to third-party and custom modpacks. While we will make reasonable efforts to assist where possible, we are not obligated to provide managed or extensive troubleshooting support for issues arising from third-party or custom modpacks, including but not limited to mod conflicts, missing or incompatible dependencies, corrupted world or save files, or performance issues caused by the modpack itself. Diagnosing and resolving such issues remains the customer's responsibility.
We reserve the right to modify any information published on our website at any time, with or without advance notice. We do not warrant that the information on our website is accurate, complete, or current at any given time. Information published on our website is provided for general purposes only and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any decision without consulting additional, authoritative sources.
Twenty-four (24) hour trial servers are subject to manual review and approval. Trial servers are available to new clients only. You may not request a trial server if you are an existing client or already have an active service with Hyper Layer. Only one (1) trial server per product will be approved per new client. Trial servers are subject to the same data loss policy as all other services, and Hyper Layer accepts no liability for any data loss on trial servers.
When you order a product and/or service from us, you automatically accept the end-user licence agreements and terms of the third-party software used to deliver those services. These include, but may not be limited to:
The above list is provided on a best-effort basis and may not be exhaustive or up to date at all times. It is your responsibility as the customer and end user to review all applicable licence agreements before placing an order. If you have any questions about the software used to deliver a specific service, please contact us prior to ordering.
Domain registrations are subject to the terms and policies of the relevant registry and ICANN. The following resources provide further information regarding your rights and responsibilities as a domain registrant:
Upon visiting our website, you will be presented with a cookie consent notice. We use cookies in our client area to maintain your login session and to track referrals from our affiliate programme. Affiliate tracking cookies expire after three (3) months. We do not use cookies for extensive tracking or advertising purposes.
In the event of any dispute arising from or relating to this Agreement, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the matter through good-faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation within thirty (30) days, either party may refer the matter to formal dispute resolution in accordance with South African law.
Nothing in this clause shall prevent Hyper Layer from seeking urgent or interim relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Hyper Layer shall not be held liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement where such failure or delay is caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, civil unrest, government action, power outages, internet infrastructure failure, or any other event beyond our reasonable control. In such circumstances, our obligations will be suspended for the duration of the event.
If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable for any reason, that provision shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions.
This Agreement, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies incorporated by reference, constitutes the entire agreement between you and Hyper Layer with respect to your use of our services and supersedes all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.
Layer 4 (Pty) Ltd t/a Hyper Layer | hyperlayer.net | Last Updated: 10 March 2026