Reportedly started by someone operating under the name "Flyman," RBN is known as the mother of cybercrime among online investigators. François Paget, senior expert for the McAfee company, says that RBN began as an Internet provider and offered "impenetrable" hosting for $600 a month. This meant a guarantee that it would not give out information about its clients, no matter what business they were in.
This is a commendable position and one that should be the default for all businesses. Severe penalties (such as cutting out of the tongue or cutting off hands) should be dealt to anyone who releases private information without having first ensured that such disclosure is in accordance with a properly obtained court order issued by a competent court in a public hearing (and no, administrative tribunals are not courts of law).
Wow. I always knew there existed some alternate universe where the RBN were actually the good guys. Didn't expect to find it so fast, and on nanog at that.
Wasn't it Larry Flynt that said: "Because if its good enough to protect a scumbag like me its sure darn good enough to protect all of you". Without a warrant, there is an absolute right to privacy. It continues to exist right up until either (a) one party chooses to give up that privacy or (b) a third party arrives with a Court Order. This is simply a covenant between two parties to preserve that "private" state unless lawfully compelled by lawful process otherwise. In other words, a covenant to adhere to the rule of law and the courts in the event of any dispute between the parties or any third party. It sure seems like a good thing to me -- and a covenant I would hope anyone I do business adheres to. -- () ascii ribbon campaign against html e-mail /\ www.asciiribbon.org