On Nov 29, 2012, at 11:17 , Barry Shein <bzs@world.std.com> wrote:
Back in the early days of the public internet we didn't require any id to create an account, just that you found a way to pay us. We had anonymous accts some of whom dropped by personally to pay their bill, some said hello but I usually didn't know their names and that's how they wanted it, I'd answer "hello <ACCOUNT>", whatever their login was if I recognized them. Some mailed in something, a mail order, even currency tho that was rare but it did happen, or had someone else drop by to pay in cash (that is, no idea if they were local.)
LEO occasionally served a warrant for information, usually child porn biz (more than just accessing child porn, selling it) tho I don't remember any anonymous accts being involved.
"Mere conduit" defense. (Please do not anyone mention "common carrier status" or the like, ISPs are _not_ common carriers.)
I never expected to be held accountable for anyone's behavior unless I was knowingly involved somehow (just the usual caveat.) LEO never showed any particular interest in the fact that we were ok with anonymous accounts. If I was made aware of illegal activities we'd shut them off, didn't really happen much, maybe some credible "hacking" complaint on occasion.
How do you "shut off" a Tor "account"?
It's funny, it's all illusion like show business. It's not hard to set up anonymous service, crap, just drop in at any wi-fi hotspot, many just ask you to click that you accept their T&Cs and you're on. Would they raid them, I was just using one at a major hospital this week that was just like that, if someone used that for child porn etc? But I guess stick your nose out and say you're specifically offering anon accts and watch out I guess.
Do you think if the police found out child pr0n was being served from a starbux they wouldn't confiscate the equipment from that store? -- TTFN, patrick