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This analysis is fine as far as it goes, but Riseup is a really optimistically best-case choice for a U.S. provider to use in the comparison. It's not a general
by _delirium 13y ago
This analysis is fine as far as it goes, but Riseup is a really optimistically best-case choice for a U.S. provider to use in the comparison. It's not a general-purpose or commercial provider, but rather a political organization. It's an anarcho-socialist activist group that provides accounts to its members, and to allied groups/individuals who request assistance. New accounts must either be vouched for by a current member, or submit an application that will be reviewed. Accounts are denied to people who do not align with the group's general goals. For example, they do not wish to provide accounts to capitalists ("anarcho-" or otherwise), to vanguardists/Leninists, or to other people whose aims are incompatible with libertarian socialism.
As such it's more of a political association than a telecom company, which at least in theory ought to give it the highest degree of protection under US law.
- JDAustin 13y agoIf political associations have greater protection under US law, would it be possible to create a network of political organisations similar to Riseup, but for every section of the political spectrum that would provide email accounts to everyone who applies? By having multiple providers you could cover 99% of the people who care about their privacy.
- tedunangst 13y agoToo bad Lavabit didn't think to call itself a political organization for the privacy minded.
- n09n 13y agoBecause it wasn't one. Encouraging abuse of these loopholes is the best way to get them reexamined. If you think email providers should be entitled to the same level of protection, okay. That's a sensible change to suggest. I don't see what good you think can come of obviously apolitical email providers pretending they are political organizations to get additional benefits. That's a "let's pretend we're a church so we don't have to pay any taxes!" level idea.
- antocv 13y agoAny political organization in the world should be very worried about its communications since the Snowden revelations. I wonder why we havent heard major political parties in EU countries them setting up their email/communications-equipment/networks/services inside their parliament buildings, or even just re-checking their current security standards.
- tedunangst 13y agoBecause 1) they've known all along this has been happening and 2) they don't really care, public histrionics to the contrary.
- triplesec 13y agoIt's a poor analysis, using one example. Zero points for research and comparison. Nothing about likely legislation and law enforceent norms for example. Even if the writer's not trying to be exhaustive, there are various factors to consider, and very few are outlined here.