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> If you understand how SMTP works, it's hard to argue that it's a private means of communication. This is true, and a great point. I often open my neighbors
by beedogs 14y ago
> If you understand how SMTP works, it's hard to argue that it's a private means of communication.
This is true, and a great point. I often open my neighbors' postal mail using this same excuse. Sometimes you can even read the letters and notices right through the paper envelope!
- mpyne 14y agoPostcards are the better analogy for SMTP, not "opening postal mail". With that said, it's actually a Federal crime to remove mail from someone else's mailbox to obstruct or pry into their business (even for postcards), which would seem to support your overall point. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1702 http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1702
- beedogs 14y agoThat's sort of my point, yeah. Think of your mailspool (protected by a password and login, at the very least, and oftentimes encrypted via SSL-IMAP or the like) as your postal mailbox and the analogy I was aiming for makes perfect sense. Sure, it's easy to snoop emails in-flight, but once it arrives at its destination, it ought to be hands-off.