ScotNet
======

ScotNet is a privately run infrastructure project built to provide secure,
self-hosted services with privacy as a default and transparency where it
matters.

This is not a product, a platform, or a startup.
It is personal infrastructure, run deliberately and at human scale.


Why ScotNet Exists
------------------

Modern online services tend to optimise for growth, data collection, and
convenience at the expense of user control. Rules change, features disappear,
and privacy slowly erodes without meaningful consent.

ScotNet exists as an alternative to that model.

It favours:
- clear ownership
- predictable behaviour
- small, understandable systems
- control over convenience

The goal is not to be impressive.
The goal is to be dependable.


What ScotNet Is
---------------

ScotNet is a collection of self-hosted services and supporting systems,
operated privately and maintained with care.

These currently include:
- Secure DNS (DNS over HTTPS / DNS over TLS, DNSSEC)
- Abuse-aware DNS blocklists (DNSBL)
- Self-hosted mail, storage, and collaboration tools
- Back2You, a privacy-first pet return page
- Experimental tools and small internal projects

Everything runs on infrastructure that is owned, configured, and maintained
directly, rather than outsourced to opaque third parties.


What ScotNet Is Not
-------------------

ScotNet is not:
- a commercial hosting provider
- an advertising platform
- a data broker
- a tracker-heavy analytics experiment
- designed for mass adoption or rapid growth

If you are looking for scale, convenience-first design, or frictionless
onboarding, this is probably not for you.


Privacy Stance
--------------

Privacy is treated as a baseline, not a feature.

ScotNet does not run third-party trackers, advertising networks, or behavioural
profiling. Data is collected only where required for operation, abuse
prevention, or legal responsibility, and is retained for as little time as
practical.

The absence of tracking is intentional.


Abuse Handling & Transparency
-----------------------------

Abuse is handled using evidence-based, proportionate controls.

Blocking decisions (such as DNSBL listings) are applied to protect
infrastructure and users, not to punish. Listings are reviewable, time-bound,
and designed to be fair rather than permanent.

Where appropriate, transparency is provided so decisions can be understood
and challenged.


Scale and Intent
----------------

ScotNet is intentionally small.

Its purpose is to serve real needs for a limited audience, not to chase growth
or metrics. Reliability, clarity, and restraint are valued more than features
or expansion.

If a service never draws attention to itself, that is considered a success.


Final Note
----------

ScotNet is quiet by design.

If you never notice it, it is doing its job.