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UK is as close to police / surveillance state as it can get: a lot of things are benned, privacy is severely limited, internet is censored, strong crypto isn't

by SXX 5y ago

UK is as close to police / surveillance state as it can get: a lot of things are benned, privacy is severely limited, internet is censored, strong crypto isn't exactly legal (even though no one been thrown in jail, yet), banking banned crypto and have severe KYC requirements, etc. So in many areas UK has less freedoms than poor authoritarian countries. I cant say anything about Germany since I havent lived there.

nailer 5y ago
Have a reference for strong crypto being illegal? I know the government store a month of all our personal correspondence (due to the snoopers charter) but Afaict crypto is still legal.
- SXX 5y ago
  It is legal, but with caveat that you have to provide decryption keys on court order and refusing to do so is illegal. It wasn't heavily used against anyone as far as I aware, but it's can always change.
shrikant 5y ago
It's fascinating to me that you've used "crypto" as synecdoche for both cryptography and cryptocurrency in successive parts of the same sentence!
- SXX 5y ago
  Pardon me. I didnt put much mind into the fact this could be confusing.
  - ryantgtg 5y ago
    It’s ok. You were just being a little crypto.
- ptr2voidStar 5y ago
  TIL what synechdoche means ...
Chris2048 5y ago
> banking banned crypto cryptocurrency? Revenue taxes crypto gains so I doubt that.
- SXX 5y ago
  Banks don't care if you paid taxes. Most of major banks will close your account if they suspect crypto-related transactions. And almost all fintech companies will ban your account if you even just buy crypto with a card payment: Wise, Monzo, Starling, etc.
  - Chris2048 5y ago
    crypto-related transactions is a different thing from banning banks from dealing in crypto. If banks don't want to deal with the Due-dil that's fair & fine to me. You don't need a bank to use an exchange. > almost all fintech companies will ban your account I believe revolut operates in the UK and allows you to trade in btc.
    - SXX 5y ago
      > You don't need a bank to use an exchange. And what do you suggest to use? Trade crypto to cash? And then how will I put said cash on bank account without getting on check list? In UK even if you have 1000 GBP in cash they look at you like you're drug dealer. > I believe revolut operates in the UK and allows you to trade in btc. Revolut itself is shady and at least until recently didnt have or used any banking license in UK. And it's can ban you at any moment for no reason.

by SXX 5y ago

nailer 5y ago

Have a reference for strong crypto being illegal? I know the government store a month of all our personal correspondence (due to the snoopers charter) but Afaict crypto is still legal.

SXX 5y ago
It is legal, but with caveat that you have to provide decryption keys on court order and refusing to do so is illegal. It wasn't heavily used against anyone as far as I aware, but it's can always change.

shrikant 5y ago

It's fascinating to me that you've used "crypto" as synecdoche for both cryptography and cryptocurrency in successive parts of the same sentence!

SXX 5y ago
Pardon me. I didnt put much mind into the fact this could be confusing.
- ryantgtg 5y ago
  It’s ok. You were just being a little crypto.
ptr2voidStar 5y ago
TIL what synechdoche means ...

Chris2048 5y ago

> banking banned crypto cryptocurrency? Revenue taxes crypto gains so I doubt that.

SXX 5y ago
Banks don't care if you paid taxes. Most of major banks will close your account if they suspect crypto-related transactions. And almost all fintech companies will ban your account if you even just buy crypto with a card payment: Wise, Monzo, Starling, etc.
- Chris2048 5y ago
  crypto-related transactions is a different thing from banning banks from dealing in crypto. If banks don't want to deal with the Due-dil that's fair & fine to me. You don't need a bank to use an exchange. > almost all fintech companies will ban your account I believe revolut operates in the UK and allows you to trade in btc.
  - SXX 5y ago
    > You don't need a bank to use an exchange. And what do you suggest to use? Trade crypto to cash? And then how will I put said cash on bank account without getting on check list? In UK even if you have 1000 GBP in cash they look at you like you're drug dealer. > I believe revolut operates in the UK and allows you to trade in btc. Revolut itself is shady and at least until recently didnt have or used any banking license in UK. And it's can ban you at any moment for no reason.